The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22 – A Watchful Eye

Thoren

+25 Points

I watched her from the overlook above the training yard, arms crossed, expression carved from stone.

She was… different. Not weaker–never that–but frayed at the edges. A bit thinner, a little stiffer, her shoulders always half–braced like she expected the world to swing first. She ran with stubbornness instead of grace. Fought like someone who had survived, not someone who had been trained. She wasn’t the girl I’d sent away. But she was still her. Still my mate. Not that she wore my mark, not yet. Kael barked orders below. I caught the barest glimpses of their interaction–his clipped encouragement, her ragged breathing, the occasional curse when she missed a block or stumbled through a new form. She kept going and never quit. Not even once. That part hadn’t changed. It’s part of why I never told her everything when I had to reject her.

She didn’t know I was watching. I made sure of that. Not just for her sake, but for mine as well.

Because watching her struggle–to find her strength again, to belong here in a place that no longer felt like home–was harder than I expected. But I needed to know, needed to see for myself that she could handle

1. it.

That she really wanted to handle it. I needed to know that she wasn’t going to turn around in three days and ask to be escorted back to that little village and set up in a place of her own like none of this had ever happened.

I turned away only when Kael called the end of the session.

The rest of the day passed in meetings and council prep–political vultures circling the throne with their endless concerns.

But the back of my mind never let her go. By the time the sun had fully set, I was pacing the floor of the war room, waiting for the one report that mattered. Kael arrived just before dinner with a full report on training Nevara today.

“Enter” I called without looking up.

The door shut behind him with a quiet click. He didn’t bow–he never did. Too much history between us for that. Plus I hated that formality part of being king.

“Well?” I asked.

“She’s got fire,” he said, crossing his arms. “Heart, too. But she’s rusty and slow, not used to working in a

team.”

“She’ll learn,” I said automatically.

“She wants to learn,” he corrected. “That’s the difference. She’s not just showing up to prove a point or to

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<CHAPTER 22–Award Eye

fill her time. She’s trying Pushing herself, harder than I expected honestly

I was relieved to hear that. That meant the would stay, at least is filled may hope that she would anyway. “And the others?” I asked

No incidents. A few curious looks, but they know better than to make her feel unsafe.” His eyes darkened slightly. 1 made sure of it.”

“Good”

We stood in silence for a moment

“Anything else?” I asked

Kael hesitated, “She asked for sparring partners tomorrow. She wants to start learning blade work as well. I told her she’d need your clearance

“She has it.”

His brow arched, but he didn’t question it.

“She’s staying then?”

“With any luck. She said she wants purpose, I murmured. “Something to do.”

“For your sake I hope is enough to make her want to stay.”

I looked toward the hearth, watching the flames twist and sway. “I’ll give her the whole godsdamned kingdom if it means she stays.”

Kael said nothing. He didn’t need to. He just nodded once and took his leave. I remained behind, staring into the fire until the embers blurred.

She was here. She was mine. Well she was mini once and I was determined to make it so again. And now! had a chance–a real one–to make her want to stay.

But I’d only get one and I wouldn’t waste it.

A short white after Kael was dismissed, I walked the quiet halls with purpose–each step echoing with the rhythm of something I hadn’t allowed myself in years. Hope.

I paused at her door, smoothed a hand over my shirt like it would make a difference, then knocked.

A moment later, Nevara opened it, wrapped in another one of those impossibly soft sweaters, her damp hair twisted into a loose braid over her shoulder. She looked…. peaceful. Just tired enough to soften the usual fire in her eyes. May be a little vulnerable as well, but not defeated.

I cleared my throat.

She raised a brow. “Need something?”

“I was wondering…” I hesitated, then made myself meet her gaze. “Would you let me try again?”

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+25 Points

Her expression verety flickered. “Try what again?

“Dinner & proper one this time, no yelling, no storming off. Just a meal. Together.”

She leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, “Wh

“Because last night was a disaster,” I said honestly “And now that we’ve both laid our cards on the table, I thought we might stand a chance at having a civilized conversation. Maybe even a decent glass of wine.”

Her silence stretched, weighing the offer

“Yll even let you pick the menu” I added. “You can order cereal if that’s what you want.”

That pulled a reluctant laugh from her. “You’re serious.”

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