The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 95

Chapter 95 Shattered Echoes

Nevara

I didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. Just stood there while the woman painted a picture I didn’t recognize, using pieces of the man I loved.

Every word from her lips chipped away at the walls I’d built to keep my doubt out. But it wasn’t working. Not this time.

Thoren was furious-genuinely. I could feel it through the bond, like a storm churning just beneath my skin. There was no deception there. No guilt. Only rage and disbelief. But rage could be blinding. And disbelief could be an act.

What if he was only furious because he had something to lose?

I didn’t want to think it. Didn’t want to entertain the possibility that she might be telling the truth. But then she said it-that cursed detail I couldn’t ignore.

The birthmark.

I knew it was there. I’d seen it. Tasted it. Felt it brush my inner thigh more times than I could

count.

But how did she know?

My stomach twisted.

Shifters saw each other naked all the time, especially during transitions. It wasn’t uncommon to glimpse someone mid-shift-unclothed, exposed, vulnerable. Maybe that’s all it was. Maybe she’d seen it by accident and decided to spin it into proof. She worked in the castle once. She could’ve seen anything.

Still, doubt clawed its way into my lungs, making it hard to breathe.

“I can prove it,” Bethany said suddenly, slicing through the tension like a blade. “Let’s do a paternity test. That will clear everything up.”

Michelle nodded immediately. “Yes. That’s the most logical course of action.”

Thoren shook his head, “We can’t. Not for a couple of days. We’ve got the engagement party tomorrow, guests arriving tonight, security prep… it’s not feasible.”

Bethany didn’t miss a beat. “Then I suppose you’ll need to find us a room. We’re not leaving until this matter is resolved.” Her smile was pure poison. “Unless you’d rather I take this story

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hapter 95

public. I’m sure the press would love a royal scandal.”

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I saw the way Thoren’s jaw clenched. The way his hand twitched at his side like he wanted to break something.

He looked at Michelle. “Fucking take care of it.”

That was it.

The breaking point..

I turned and stormed out of the room before I could say something I’d regret-or worse, something I meant.

“Nevara,” he called, catching up to me halfway down the hall. “Wait.”

I didn’t stop. “You’re just going to let her stay here?”

“What choice do I have?”

I spun to face him. “God, this is happening again.”

His brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“Tobias,” I spat, the name like acid on my tongue. “He moved Vanessa and Noah into our house the day of my brother’s funeral. He didn’t even wait for the dirt to settle before replacing me. And now here I am again-watching another man I love let a woman from his past move in like she belongs.”

“Nevara, no.” He stepped closer, voice low and urgent. “Don’t do that. Don’t compare me to him. I’m not Tobias, and you know it.”

I stared at him, heart thudding against my ribs. “Don’t I?”

He reached for my hand, and I let him take it—but I didn’t squeeze back.

“I don’t want her here,” he said fiercely. “I only want you. But we need to get this cleared up. If there’s even a chance that boy is mine, I need to know.”

I hated that he was right.

I hated that I couldn’t tell what was truth anymore.

I pulled my hand away. “Fine. But I’m not happy about it.”

He nodded slowly. “That makes two of us.”

Thoren didn’t say anything else, and neither did I. We just walked side by side down the

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Chapter 95 Shattered Echoes

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corridor, the silence pulsing with too many unsaid things. At the landing, I finally exhaled and said, “I should check on my parents. Make sure they got settled in and see if they’re ready for dinner.”

He didn’t hesitate. “I’ll come with you. I’ve been looking forward to meeting them.”

That earned him a flicker of a smile from me-small, but real. “Just don’t scare my dad. He’s still clinging to the idea that I’m his little girl.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior,” he promised, offering his arm.

I slipped my hand into the crook of his elbow, and we made our way to the guest wing. I knocked once before pushing open the door to their suite.

My mother looked up from where she was unpacking a suitcase near the window. “There you are! We were starting to think you got swept away by courtly duties.”

“Something like that,” I muttered, then brightened my tone. “I brought someone to meet you.”

My father stood, brushing nonexistent lint from his slacks. His eyes immediately locked on Thoren, sizing him up like a soldier would a potential threat.

“This must be the infamous King Thoren,” he said, voice gruff but not unfriendly.

Thoren released my arm and stepped forward, offering his hand. “You must be Nevara’s father. It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”

Dad gave him a firm handshake, then cracked a faint smile. “You’ve got a strong grip. Good.”

“I’ve been told,” Thoren said with a dry edge.

Then Noah, who had been sitting in the corner playing with a toy dragon, stood up and wandered over, all wide eyes and messy curls.

“You’re big,” he said bluntly, craning his neck to look up at Thoren.

Thoren crouched just slightly to his level and replied, “You’re small.”

Noah grinned, clearly satisfied with the answer. “Wanna see my dragon?”

“I would love to,” Thoren said, “But I have to take care of a couple of things first. I’ll see you at dinner though, okay?”

Noah nodded. “Okay, I’ll bring it.”

Thoren gave me a small glance and brushed his hand lightly down my arm before excusing himself. I watched him go, that familiar ache settling back in my chest like a storm cloud.

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Once the door shut behind him, my mom gave me a look.

“He seems like a really good guy,” she said softly. “Kind. Grounded. And clearly adores you.”

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