The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 47

R 47 – Shadows in the Pines

+25 Points

CHAPTER 47 – Shadows in the Pines

Tobias

The fire crackled in the hearth, but it did nothing to warm me.

Not that I expected it to. Comfort was a luxury I’d long since discarded.

I sat behind my desk, fingers steepled under my chin, eyes locked on the fading light beyond the tall windows. The forest outside was quiet now–too quiet. Like it knew what was coming.

The knock came soft. Two taps. Then Brent slipped inside, closing the door behind him.

“Report,” I said without turning.

He stepped forward, the scent of pine and cold clinging to him.

“I found someone, like you asked.”

That got my attention.

I looked up, sharp. “And?”

“I met them just inside the treeline of the woods surrounding the Lycan king’s castle.”

My jaw tensed.

“And they knew where she was?”

Brent nodded once. “They said she’s training with the king’s guard. Officially enrolled. Guard–issued uniform. Assigned schedule.”

I exhaled slowly through my nose.

Of course she was.

Always so desperate to prove something.

“And?” I prompted.

“She’s part of the next off–site training mission,” Brent continued. “Every class goes through it about a month in–it’s how they evaluate performance under pressure.”

My gaze narrowed. “When?”

“In two weeks. The informant will update us with the exact day and location.”

My lips curled.

“Excellent,” I murmured. “That gives me two weeks to prepare.”

Brent shifted on his feet. “What do you need from me, sir?”

I stood, stretching the tension from my spine as I crossed to the map mounted on the far wall. My fingers

<CHAPTER 47 – Shadows in the Pines

traced the borders. The king’s land here. My territory there.

And all the dead spaces in between.

“Find me an abandoned location,” I said. “Off–grid. Far from the king’s land. Far from here.”

Brent frowned. “You don’t want to bring her back home?”

I turned to him slowly. “She’s not going to come willingly, it seems.”

His expression didn’t change, but I saw the flicker of unease in his eyes.

I didn’t care.

+25 Points

“She’ll need… persuading,” I added. “And I can’t have the king–or his men–finding her before she agrees to

come home.”

Brent gave a tight nod. “Understood.”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice just enough to make it a command carved in stone.

“She’s been poisoned, Brent. Fed lies. Twisted into something soft and foolish. But I will fix her. Remind

her who she is. Who she belongs to.”

Brent didn’t respond.

He knew better.

I turned back to the fire, watching the flames rise and fall like breath.

Two weeks.

That’s all I needed.

Two weeks to set the stage.

Two weeks to take back what was mine.

Now I need leverage.

I got in my car and drove.

The road to the house was familiar–too familiar. I’d made it a hundred times before, always with the same expectation waiting at the end. Obedience. Gratitude. Control wrapped in the illusion of care.

The porch light was on when I arrived.

Good.

That meant they were home.

I didn’t bother knocking.

Her parents froze when I stepped inside–her mother half–risen from the couch, her father already standing, shoulders stiff like he was bracing for impact.

< CHAPTER 47 – Shadows in the Pines

“She wasn’t at the cabin,” I said calmly, letting the door shut behind me.

Her mother swallowed. “We–we told you. We left her there. She wanted space.”

I tilted my head. “Funny thing is–she wasn’t there.”

Silence stretched thin.

+25 Points

“She’s with the Lycan king,” I continued, watching their faces carefully. “Training with his guard. Living in his

castle.”

Her father’s face drained of color. “That–that can’t be right. We didn’t know anything about that.”

“Didn’t you?” I asked softly.

Before either of them could answer, a small blur of movement caught my attention.

Noah.

He came barreling down the hallway, grin wide, completely unaware of the tension strangling the room. Uncle Toby!”

I smiled.

“Hey there, buddy.”

”

He climbed into my lap without hesitation, all warmth and trust. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a

lollipop, holding it up like a peace offering.

“Want one?”

His eyes lit up. He nodded enthusiastically, unwrapping it and popping it into his mouth as he settled

against my chest.

Her mother’s hands were shaking now.

I let my other hand drift casually to my thigh.

Click,

The sound was small. Almost polite.

The switchblade snapped open.

I rested it lightly against the side of Noah’s neck–not cutting, not pressing. Just there. Close enough.

Noah kept sucking on his candy, blissfully unaware.

Her mother made a small, broken sound.

Her father stepped forward, then stopped himself.

“We swear,” he said hoarsely. “We didn’t know. We thought she was safe. We would never-”

I watched their faces. Their fear. Their truth.

< CHAPTER 47 – Shadows in the Pines

+25 Points

After a moment, I snapped the blade shut and slipped it back into my pocket.

I shifted Noah gently off my lap. “Go on,” I said, nudging him toward his grandparents. “Go show them your

candy.”

He hopped down and trotted over happily, climbing into his grandmother’s arms like nothing had happened.

I stood.

“I’m bringing her home,” I said simply. “And I may need your help to do it.”

Her mother shook her head, tears spilling freely now.

I leaned down, lowering my voice until it was meant only for them.

“And if you value the life of that boy,” I added quietly, “you won’t refuse me.”

I straightened, already turning toward the door.

Behind me, the room was silent.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify