The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72 – Steeped in Silence

Nevara

Claim

By the time we made it back to the cabin, my head was buzzing–not with pain, but with questions. Little ones. Subtle. The kind that didn’t make noise but refused to shut up.

The image of Vanessa. The ring. The way Tobias had answered without hesitation. Too smooth. Too fast.

And now, as the warmth of the fire greeted us and the savory smell of roasted vegetables drifted from the kitchen, I felt it again–that itch beneath the skin. The one that whispered you’re not imagining this.

“We should warm up,” Tobias said cheerfully, shedding his coat and hanging it by the door. “Let me make

some tea before I finish up lunch.”

I shrugged out of my jacket and folded it over the back of the chair. “Actually… I was thinking maybe I

could make the tea today.”

He paused, just slightly. His smile didn’t drop, but his eyes narrowed. Just a flicker.

“You’ve done everything for two weeks,” I continued, forcing lightness into my voice. “I’m finally starting to feel normal again. Let me help. I want to do something.”

Tobias chuckled, waving me off as he stepped into the kitchen. “Nonsense, sweetheart. You’re still

healing. You don’t need to lift a finger.”

“I feel fine,” I pressed. “I’m not made of glass.”

“No one said you were,” he replied, tone still warm. “But you’ve earned the right to rest.”

I stepped forward, planting myself just shy of the counter. “Where do you keep the tea? I’ll make it while you finish the food.”

He stilled for a breath–barely long enough to catch, but long enough to mean something.

Then he turned with a laugh. “Absolutely not. You just sit right there,” he said, pointing at the couch like I was a toddler about to cause mischief. “I’ll be right back with it.”

“Tobias-”

“You’ve got time to be back on your feet later,” he said, already moving toward the stove. “No rush. Let your body finish healing first.”

I opened my mouth to argue again, then closed it.

Not because I agreed.

But because I suddenly realized I’d never seen where he stored the tea.

Not once.

The kettle, yes. The mugs, obviously.

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< Chapter 72 – Steeped in Silence

“Okay,” I replied. “Let’s see what we’ve got.”

I skimmed the titles with one hand while tipping my mug with the other, the contents pouring silently into the dry soil. The scent of herbs clung faintly in the air, but the plant had enough leaves to mask it.

Hopefully.

I found a DVD and stood, tucking the mug close to my body so he wouldn’t see the change in weight.

I placed the movie on the coffee table and settled back into my usual spot. Lifted the mug. Another

pretend sip. Again. And again.

Ten sips.

Ten chances to prove I was doing what he expected.

After about ten minutes, I set the mug down with a soft clink.

Tobias emerged from the kitchen wiping his hands on a dish towel. “What movie did you pick?”

I gestured to the case. “50 First Dates.”

He laughed–genuinely, this time. “You know… that’s actually kind of fitting.”

I raised a brow. “Oh?”

He grinned, sitting beside me. “Well, she had an injury, lost her memory, and had to be reminded every day who she was.” He gestured between us. “You had an injury, lost your memories… and I’m the guy

reminding you who you are.”

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