The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 129

Chapter 129- The Morning After

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Chapter 129 The Morning After

Nevara

The castle felt different in the morning. Quieter. But not tense. Just… new.

I could hear them before I saw them – the uneven rhythm of two small voices arguing about something that absolutely did not matter and somehow mattered completely.

Thoren stood beside me at the balcony doors, coffee in hand, watching the training yard below.

Jonas was attempting to explain something using exaggerated arm movements.

Noah interrupted him every five seconds.

“How was their first night?” I asked softly.

Thoren took a slow sip before answering.

“Uneventful, according to the night guard.”

“That’s a miracle.”

He glanced sideways at me. “Apparently they negotiated bunk assignments without bloodshed.”

“Progress.”

Below us, Jonas shoved Noah lightly. Noah shoved back. Then they both dissolved into laughter.

I felt something ease in my chest.

“They look comfortable,” I said.

“They look like boys,” Thoren replied.

A moment later, the courtyard doors burst open and they came barreling inside for breakfast, hair wild and energy uncontained,

“Did you sleep well?” I asked as they climbed into their chairs.

Noah nodded enthusiastically. “Jonas talks in his sleep.”

“I do not.”

“You said ‘fortify the east wall.”

Thoren choked on his coffee.

Jonas scowled. “That was a dream.”

“What were you dreaming about?” I asked gently.

He hesitated.

8 Chapter 129 – The Morning Alter

Then his expression shifted.

“I missed my mom,” he said quietly.

The table stilled.

Thoren set his mug down carefully.

“When can I see her?” Jonas asked.

Noah went very still beside him.

“We’re arranging that,” Thoren answered calmly. “Soon.”

Jonas nodded, absorbing it.

Noah stared at his plate.

“I miss my mom too,” he said after a moment. “It’s been a long time since I saw her.”

I reached across the table and brushed his hair back gently.

“Yes,” I said softly. “It’s been a couple of months.”

Jonas‘ eyes widened.

“Wow,” he said. “That’s a long time. It’s only been one day for me.”

The innocence of that comparison hit harder than anything else.

One day felt unbearable. Two months had become routine.

Thoren met my eyes briefly.

Fairness.

Again.

“We’re going to make sure you both see them,” I said carefully. “In a safe way.”

Jonas nodded.

Noah just stared at his hands for a second before reaching for his juice.

The doors opened again.

Michelle slipped in later than usual.

Thoren looked up immediately.

“Well,” he said mildly, “it is not like you to miss the first round of breakfast.”

Michelle blinked once, then once more, clearly still waking up.

“Wow,” she said flatly. “Good morning to you too.”

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I narrowed my eyes slightly.

“You’re late,” Thoren continued.

She crossed the room and poured herself coffee.

“I’m aware.”

He leaned back in his chair, studying her.

“Are you feeling well?” he asked, teasing tone fading. “All jokes aside.”

Michelle paused.

Then she looked up, a faint smile returning.

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“Yes, Your Majesty, I am fine. Sometimes your body just tells you to sleep that extra hour. It’s not the end

of the world.”

Noah piped up, “I slept a long time too.”

Michelle pointed at him. “See? Growing bodies.”

Jonas frowned. “I didn’t sleep long.”

Michelle shrugged. “Strategic minds don’t.”

Thoren watched her a moment longer before nodding once.

“We’re leaving tomorrow,” he said.

That got her attention.

“For the pack,” I added.

Michelle straightened immediately. “You’re going personally?”

“Yes,”

“For how long?”

“A few days,” Thoren replied. “Long enough to assess and formalize.”

Michelle’s expression sharpened.

“I’ll notify security.”

“No public announcement yet,” he said.

She nodded once.

“And the boys?” she asked.

“They’re coming,” I said.

Michelle’s eyes flicked to Noah instinctively.

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8 Chapter 129 – The Morning After

Then to Jonas.

“That’s… significant.”

“Yes,” Thoren replied evenly.

Michelle didn’t argue.

She never did when the decision was made.

Instead, she exhaled slowly and adjusted.

“Fine,” she said. “Then I’ll need updated travel manifests, room preparations at the old estate, and to

reroute wedding fittings.”

“About that,” I said gently. “You’ll have to handle wedding preparations alone for a couple of days.”

Michelle stared at me.

“I always handle wedding preparations alone,” she deadpanned.

I smiled faintly. “You know what I mean.”

She exhaled through her nose.

“Fine. I’ll survive. Try not to restructure an entire territory while you’re gone.”

“No promises,” Thoren replied.

The boys were whispering to each other again.

“Do you think there are monsters there?” Noah asked.

Jonas shrugged. “If there are, we’ll build a better fort.”

Thoren looked at them carefully.

“We’re taking a trip tomorrow,” he said.

Both heads snapped up.

“Where?” Jonas asked.

“To see where Noah grew up,” I answered.

Noah’s eyes widened slightly.

“To the pack?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Jonas leaned forward. “Are there more wolves there?”

“Yes,” Thoren said.

“Do they know you’re king?” Jonas asked.

* Ceres 12 – The Morning After

Thoren’s mouth curved faintly. “They’re aware.”

Noah looked thoughtful.

“Will they like us?” he asked quietly.

The question landed heavier than he intended.

“We’re not going for them to like us,” I said gently. “We’re going to listen.”

“To fix things,” Thoren added.

Noah nodded slowly.

Jonas leaned back in his chair.

“Can we build a fort there too?”

Michelle snorted softly into her coffee.

Thoren glanced at me.

“Probably,” he said.

The room settled again.