The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 115

Chapter 115 – Suits and Sins

Nevara

The morning broke soft and golden, the kind of light that made the castle feel almost peaceful. Like war and betrayal hadn’t ever lived in its halls. Like we hadn’t stained the floors with blood and broken vows.

Michelle bustled into the drawing room with her tablet in hand and a determined sparkle in her eye. Alright, boys. It’s your turn.” She clapped once, eyes sweeping over the room like a general surveying her troops. “Tux fittings. You leave in ten.”

Thoren groaned from where he was sprawled on the couch. “Can’t I just wear my armor?”

Kael snorted. “Only if it’s black tie plate mail.”

Nathan looked up from his book. “You’re lucky she’s letting you wear black.”

“Or clothes at all,” I muttered, smirking at Thoren over the rim of my coffee mug.

He raised a brow, eyes gleaming with last night’s memory. “Don’t tempt me.”

Michelle cleared her throat, unamused. “Tuxes. Then cake tasting. Nevara, Natalie–you’re coming. And

Noah.”

Noah perked up immediately. “I wanna go with Auntie Nev.”

“I know, baby.” I kissed the top of his dark curls. “But today you’re going with the guys. You need a tux so

you look handsome for the wedding.”

He pouted. “But I’m already handsome.”

I kissed his nose. “You are. But imagine how much more handsome you’ll be in a tux.”

He wrinkled his nose. “Can’t I just wear my dragon pajamas?”

Thoren chuckled, already lifting him out of the car. “Only if you want to make the bride cry.”

He squinted at me. “Do I have to?”

“You’ll be with Uncle Thoren and Grandpa Nathan. They’ll help.”

Noah’s head tilted. “Uncle? Like Uncle Toby?”

The room stilled.

Kael’s knuckles went white around the mug in his hand.

Thoren’s jaw flexed.

Nathan closed his eyes for half a second.

I swallowed. “Yeah, sweetheart. Like Uncle Toby.”

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Noah’s little face twisted with thought. “Where’s Uncle Toby? I miss him. He would play with me and make

Mama laugh.”

Gods.

My chest cracked, but I forced a smile. “Uncle Toby’s gone now.”

“Like Daddy?”

I nodded. “Yeah, like Daddy.”

He was quiet for a moment, eyes wide and solemn. “What about Mama?”

“She did some bad things,” I said softly, “so now she has to be punished.”

Silence settled over the room like dust. Heavy. Unavoidable.

Then Michelle clapped again, too bright, too brisk. “Time to go, everyone. Two SUVs, please. Move.”

Kael took Noah’s hand quietly. Dad squeezed my shoulder. Thoren didn’t speak–just wrapped his arm

around my waist as we followed them out.

Outside, the castle steps gleamed in the sun. Two dark SUVs waited, engines idling like they were

impatient.

One for the men. One for the rest of us.

As Thoren leaned down to whisper something to Noah, I watched my nephew laugh–just for a moment. A

real one.

And I wondered how long it would be before innocence like that became too heavy to carry.

We stopped in front of the tailoring shop, Michelle yelling out the window at the guys who were just getting out of their SUV. “Alright, boys. Time to suit up. Your turn to be dazzling.”

Thoren gave her a look. “We’re getting tuxes. Not bedazzled.”

“Speak for yourself,” Kael smirked. “I’m considering a velvet lapel.”

Dad groaned like he’d been personally offended. “I knew letting you watch that Regency drama was a

mistake.”

Michelle rolled up the window as the SUV parked. “Alright, ladies. Next door is our hunting ground.”

We got out and crossed to the boutique–an upscale shop tucked between the tailor and a florist that smelled like leather, peonies, and ambition.

Inside, rich silks and flowing chiffon whispered as we passed. Racks of gowns in every jewel tone imaginable stood like guards on either side of the velvet–lined aisles.

A dark–haired woman with sleek bangs and a name tag that read Portia greeted us with a professional smile. “Wedding party?”

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“Mother of the bride and cousin of the groom,” Michelle said. “And I’m the one making sure no one ends

up in teal sequins.”

Portia chuckled and gestured to a lounge with blush armchairs and a tray of chilled waters. “We’ll pull a

few options.”

While she disappeared into the back, Mom sank into a chair, fingers brushing the lace hem of a nearby

dress.

“It’s strange,” she murmured. “Looking for something to wear to my daughter’s wedding. I didn’t think I’d get this moment.”

I sat beside her, resting my head lightly against hers. “You earned it.”

Her eyes filled, but she didn’t cry. “You think he’ll like the color burgundy?”

Michelle snorted. “Thoren would like you in a potato sack as long as you’re smiling.”

Mom smirked. “Then burgundy it is.”

Portia returned with a collection of gowns in deep reds, dark greens, and midnight blues. While she helped

mom try them on, Michelle wandered down the opposite aisle with me.

She brushed a hand across a dusky rose dress. “So. Noah’s question caught everyone off guard.”

“Yeah.”

“You okay?”

I nodded. “It’s not easy, but I’d rather answer him honestly than dodge it.”

“You think Vanessa will ever come for him?”

“Not if she knows what’s good for her.” I met her eyes. “Besides she’s going to be tried for first degree

murder, no way she’ll ever get out of prison.”

Michelle gave me a sharp, satisfied look. “Good. Because he deserves peace. And you deserve a wedding

with no ghosts in the closet.”

I gave a dry laugh. “Too late for that.”

She bumped my shoulder. “Then we’ll dress them in lace and Invite them to dance. But only if they behave.

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