The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121 – Under Lock

Kael

David didn’t resist.

That almost irritated me more than if he had.

I cuffed him myself.

The guards stood ready, but I stepped in first. Metal closed around his wrists with a sharp click that echoed too loudly in the sterile quiet of the lab.

Nora had already stepped back. Staff pretended to busy themselves with paperwork they weren’t reading.

No one spoke.

“Move,” I told him.

He obeyed.

We escorted him through the main corridor of the genetics wing, past glass offices and fluorescent lights that suddenly felt harsher than before. Every footstep sounded exposed. Guilty.

David cleared his throat. “I didn’t mean for it to go this far.”

I didn’t slow down.

“It went exactly as far as you helped it,” I replied.

We exited through the secured side door where two additional guards waited. One opened the rear door

of the transport vehicle.

David hesitated before stepping in.

I leaned close enough that only he could hear me.

“You had three years to change your mind.”

His jaw flexed.

“She’s my sister”

“And he’s your king.”

I shut the door.

The drive to the main holding facility was quiet except for the hum of tires against stone. I rode in the front passenger seat. Didn’t look back.

THE

The jail sat on the lower east side of the capital separate from the castle, separate from the courts Thick stone walls. Iron gates. No banners. No decoration.

Chapter 121 – Under Lock

Justice doesn’t require pageantry.

–

25 Pont

We unloaded him under the archway. The warden was already waiting word travels fast when it involves

the king.

“Temporary holding,” I said. “High watch. No visitors.”

The warden nodded once. “Understood.”

Inside, the air was colder than outside. Damp stone. Echoing corridors. The kind of place that made men understand consequences.

We processed him formally. Inventory logged. Belt removed. Personal effects bagged.

He said nothing.

That bothered me.

When the final gate opened, I followed him into the corridor of cells. Guards flanked him. He wasn’t struggling but he wasn’t collapsing either.

Just… quiet.

They unlocked the third cell. I removed the cuffs before pushing him inside.

He turned this time.

“Is she already under arrest?” he asked.

“Not yet.”

His shoulders tightened.

“But she will be.”

The door slammed shut.

Iron against iron.

He gripped the bars. “Kael.”

I didn’t move.

“You think this is the end of it,” he said.

I finally looked at him.

“It is for you.”

He shook his head slowly. “You don’t understand.”

“Then enlighten me.”

He stepped closer to the bars, lowering his voice.

Chapter 121–Under Lock

“She didn’t start this because she wanted power.”

A beat.

“She started it because of what the former king did.”

The corridor felt colder.

“What did he do?” I asked.

David’s eyes flickered

–

not fearful.

Resolved.

+25 Points

“You’re about to find out.”

The drive back to the castle was quieter.

The gates came into view, the sun was high in the sky throwing long shadows across the stone.

And that’s when I saw him.

Tall. Dark skin. Auburn hair catching fire in the afternoon light.

Pacing. Back and forth. Back and forth.

My driver slowed without being asked.

I leaned forward. No. It couldn’t-

The car rolled to a stop.

I opened the door before it fully halted.

“Reddick?”

He stopped pacing. Turned. And there he was. Devastatingly handsome. Annoyingly composed. Looking

just as real as he had in my shower two nights ago.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded before I could stop myself. “I thought you ghosted me.”

His brows pulled together. “Ghosted you?”

“You left,” I snapped. “No note. No number. Nothing. You just-“I gestured vaguely. “Vanished.”

He stared at me like I’d grown a second head.

“I did leave my number.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“I left a note,” he said slowly. “On your pillow.”

I froze.

“You did what?”

Lo

He stepped closer lowering his voice. “I figured for sure you’d see it there. I wrote my number. Told you to

call me

I stared at him

Then let out a short, disbelieving laugh.

“The first night?” I asked.

Yes.

“The first night” I repeated flatly dragging a hand down my face. I slect on the sofa.”

His expression shifted.

1 didn’t want to smell you on my sheets,‘ I admitted stiffly. “So I had a maid strip the bed and remake it

first thing in the morning.”

Reddick blinked.

*You didn’t want to smell me.”

“That’s not the point.”

It feels like the point.”

1 thought you let without a word. So yeah I didn’t want the reminder.”

He sighed in what I assume was understanding.

“So your note,” I continued, voice tight, “likely got bundled up with the wash and tossed in with the linens”

He stared at the castle behind me.

Then back at me.

“You thought I ghosted you.”

“You thought I ghosted you?”

We said it at the same time.

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