The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81 – Shifting Shadows

Thoren

When I stepped back into Nevara’s room, steam still clinging to my skin from the fastest godsdamn shower of my life, I was surprised to find Michelle gone.

In her place, Sabrina sat in the armchair by the fire, watching Nevara like a hawk.

I crossed the room in two strides, clutching my clean clothes and toiletry bag in one hand.

Where’s Michelle?”

“I had brought your food in and then she got a phone call,” Sabrina said without looking up. Said she had to take care of something and asked me to sit with Nevara until either one of you got back.”

I frowned. “What the hell was so important it couldn’t wait five minutes?”

She finally looked at me. “I don’t know. She didn’t say.”

”

”

I stared at her for a long moment, then exhaled hard through my nose. “Alright. Thank you for staying with her. You can go now.”

Sabrina hesitated. “Actually, there’s something I wanted to speak with—”

The door opened behind her, and Kael stepped in.

Sabrina’s mouth snapped shut.

Kael raised an eyebrow. “Don’t stop on my account.”

She stood quickly. “It’s nothing. Never mind. I’ll talk to

you later.”

Kael watched her as she breezed past him, the door clicking shut behind her. “That was weird.”

“Yeah,” I muttered. “Tell me about it.”

He turned toward the bed, his expression softening when he saw Nevara still unconscious but stable. “How’s she doing?”

“No changes,” I said, crossing to the small table and setting down my things. “Vitals are holding. Heart rate’s steady, But she hasn’t moved.”

Kael nodded, “Aside from guard training, I’ve cleared my schedule. If you need anything- anything-I’m available.”

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<Chapter 81 – Shifting Shadows

+25 Points

“I appreciate that.” I paused, then added, “Actually, if you wouldn’t mind grabbing my laptop from my office? And the charger. I’ll need to handle a few things from here.”

“Of course.” He was already turning for the door. “Be right back.”

I sat down in the armchair Sabrina had vacated and peeled the cover off the food tray she’d left. Still warm. She must’ve just set it down.

I ate in silence, barely tasting it, my eyes on Nevara the whole time.

She looked peaceful. Too peaceful.

Like a candle burning on its last inch of wax.

The door creaked open again, and this time Michelle stepped in-carrying my laptop.

My eyes narrowed. “What was more important than waiting five damn minutes for me to get back?”

She shut the door carefully behind her and walked over, setting the laptop down beside me.

“It was a phone call,” she said calmly. “One I’ve been waiting three weeks for. I knew Nevara wasn’t alone. Sabrina adores her. I wouldn’t have left her with just anyone.”

I sighed, dragging a hand through my damp hair. “Yes, Sabrina takes good care of her. But still-what the hell was so important?”

She smiled faintly. “I can’t tell you that. Not yet. It’s a surprise.”

I arched a brow but didn’t push. “You were in my office when Kael came in?”

She nodded. “I was reviewing your schedule when he showed up. I told him I was already headed this way, so I offered to bring your laptop.”

“Thanks,” I said, not unkindly.

She hesitated. “Would you like me to stay? Keep you company for a bit?”

I looked at Nevara, then back at Michelle. “No. I’d rather just be alone with her. But thank you. –for everything.”

Michelle gave a small nod, then turned to leave,

When the door clicked shut behind her, I grabbed my phone and fired off a text to Kael.

Now that the focus is no longer on finding her, we need to find out who leaked information to Tobias. Someone clearly did. We need to root it out.

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Chapter

I hit send.

Then I turned back to Nevara.

And took her hand in mine again.

The silence that followed Michelle’s departure was fragile. Too thin. Too easy to break.

I stayed at Nevara’s side, adjusting the blanket higher over her chest, brushing her hair gently off her cheek. Her skin remained pale and clammy, and even though the monitors beeped in slow rhythm, it didn’t comfort me.

I watched every breath.

Every flicker of movement behind her eyelids.

Minutes passed.

Then something shifted.

A stutter.

The heart monitor hiccupped-just for a second. Just enough to make my own chest tighten.

And then her body jerked.

I bolted upright. “Nevara?”

Her entire body seized, muscles contracting violently beneath the blanket. Her back arched and a strangled gasp left her lips before her eyes rolled back.

“Fuck-Kael! Doctor!” I roared, already ripping the blanket away. “Get in here-NOW!”

The door burst open a second later. The nurse was first, the doctor behind her, both moving fast. The heart monitor shrieked with a wild, erratic rhythm. The oxygen tube had fallen loose, her breathing shallow and sharp.

“She’s seizing,” the nurse said urgently. “Heart rate spiking!”

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