The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 123

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< Chapter 123 – The Woman Who Waited

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Chapter 123 – The Woman Who Waited

Nevara

I knew the moment the gates opened.

Not because I saw her. Because I felt the shift.

The guards‘ posture straightened. The air in the courtyard tightened, like the castle itself had drawn a breath and was holding it.

I stood at the top of the grand staircase when the car rolled in.

Jonas climbed out first.

He hopped down from the step like this was any other visit–like he hadn’t been summoned under quiet urgency. His hair was wind–tossed, his jacket half–zipped, eyes scanning the courtyard with open curiosity.

Bethany followed. Perfectly composed.

Dark coat. Heels clicking. Chin lifted just enough to suggest she believed she still had control of the

narrative.

She saw me at the top of the stairs and smiled.

“Your Grace,” she called lightly as they approached. “I assume this is about the test results?”

Her voice carried just enough sweetness to coat poison.

Thoren stepped out from the archway behind me. Not rushed. Not tense. Just the king he is.

“Yes,” he said evenly. “It is.”

She glanced between us, assessing. Calculating. I could almost see her running through possible

outcomes in her head.

Jonas tugged on her sleeve. “Mama, are we staying long?”

Her hand settled on his shoulder without looking at him. “Just a quick conversation, darling.”

Thoren descended the steps slowly.

“Jonas,” he said, kneeling once he reached the bottom.

The shift was immediate. Not the king this time, but brother.

The boy brightened. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Thoren’s voice softened in a way that always surprised me. “Would you like to come inside with me

for a few minutes? Just us?”

Bethany’s smile tightened by a fraction.

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* Chapter 123 – The Woman Who Waited

“I think I should be present for any discussion regarding my son.”

“You will be,” Thoren replied calmly. “In a moment.”

A pause.

Then-

“Kael,” he said.

Kael stepped forward from the side of the courtyard, silent as shadow.

Bethany’s eyes flicked to him. Something in her expression changed. A flicker. Recognition.

Jonas didn’t notice. He was watching Thoren.

“Am I in trouble?” the boy asked.

My chest hurt.

“No,” Thoren said firmly. “You’re not in trouble.”

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Jonas nodded once, accepting that answer with the uncomplicated trust of a child who hasn’t yet learned

that adults lie.

Thoren stood and looked at me. I understood and descended the rest of the stairs.

“Jonas,” I said gently, offering my hand. “Would you like to see the training yard after we talk? Noah’s there.

That got his attention.

“Noah?”

“Yes. He’s been practicing with wooden swords. I think he’d like the competition.”

A grin spread across his face.

Bethany’s nails dug into his shoulder before she caught herself.

Just a fraction too tight.

“Go on,” she said smoothly. “Be polite.”

He let go of her and took my hand instead.

That was when I felt it. The smallest tremor in her composure. Ownership slipping.

Thoren led us inside.

We didn’t go to the throne room. We didn’t go anywhere grand.

We went to the smaller council chamber–quiet, private, contained.

Jonas climbed into one of the oversized chairs and swung his feet absently.

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Chapter 123- The Woman Who Waited

Bethany remained standing.

“So,” she said, crossing her arms lightly. “What seems to be the issue?”

Thoren didn’t answer immediately.

He crouched in front of Jonas again so they were eye level.

“Jonas,” he began carefully, “sometimes adults make choices that aren’t very good.”

Bethany stiffened. I kept my eyes on her.

She didn’t expect this. She thought this was another discussion. Another opportunity to spin.

“Your mom made some choices,” Thoren continued gently, “that broke the law.”

Jonas frowned. “Like stealing?”

“Worse,” Thoren said quietly. “She changed something important. Something she shouldn’t have.”

Bethany stepped forward. “This is inappropriate-”

Kael moved. Not aggressively. Just enough to convey intent.

She stopped.

Jonas looked between them. “Is Mama going to jail?”

The room went very still.

Thoren swallowed once.

“Yes,” he said.

The word landed like stone.

Jonas blinked.

“For how long?”

“I don’t know yet.”

His lower lip trembled–but he didn’t cry. Gods. He was trying not to.

“Is it my fault?” he asked.

And that- That was the moment I nearly broke.

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“No,” I said immediately, crossing the space and kneeling beside him. “No, sweetheart. None of this is your

fault. Not even a little.”

He searched my face like he was looking for a crack.

There wasn’t one.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Thoren added firmly. “You are not being punished.”

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Chapter 123 – The Woman Who Waited

Jonas looked at his mother.

For reassurance.

For denial.

For something.

Bethany’s mask finally fractured.

Just a hair.

“You will not take him from me,” she said, voice low and dangerous.

Thoren stood.

“He’s staying here,” he said evenly. “Where he is safe.”

Bethany laughed once, sharp and humorless.

“You think you can just decide that?”

“Yes.”

The finality in his tone was absolute.

Jonas looked between them again.

“Mama said you are my daddy.” he told Thoren quietly.

Silence.

Thoren stepped forward and placed a steady hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“No,” he said. “I’m not your father…”

“Don’t lie to our son.” Bethany spat out.

“Oh I’m not, that’s what you did. I’m just correcting the lie.”

Jonas looked confused.

Bethany started to argue but Thoren cut her off.

“I’m actually your brother.” He spoke directly to Jonas.