The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97 – Espionage and Eggs

Nevara

The other side of the bed was cold.

I blinked up at the gauzy canopy overhead, the light filtering through it soft and golden. Mid-morning. Maybe later. I didn’t bother checking.

He’d come to bed sometime after I stormed out last night. I’d felt the mattress dip, the whisper of his arm brushing mine, the way he’d turned toward me but stopped short of touching.

I didn’t move. Didn’t breathe too deep. Just played dead.

Apparently, he’d gotten the message.

Because now, the bed was empty. Again.

A quiet knock sounded at the door before it creaked open. Sabrina slipped inside carrying a breakfast tray set with eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and what looked like a cream-filled pastry from the kitchen downstairs I loved.

“Good morning,” she said with a small smile. “His Majesty figured you’d prefer breakfast in your room today.”

My brows rose as I pushed myself upright. “Figured that, did he?”

Sabrina set the tray across my lap. “Also said to tell you a second dining room is being set up today. One Bethany has no idea exists, so she can’t crash any more meals.”

I huffed out a laugh, then muttered, “Good. Because I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to refrain from punching that bitch in the face.”

Sabrina snorted. “If you do, just give me a heads up so I can place a few bets first.”

That earned a smile. “Duly noted.”

I picked up a fork and nudged the eggs around the plate, then looked at her more closely. Tell me something. Were you working here back when she claimed she did? Did you know her?”

Sabrina sobered, arms crossing loosely. “Yeah. I worked here then. But I didn’t know her very well. She was assigned to the king’s personal staff, and I was mostly rotating between guest wings and the infirmary.”

1/5

“So she really did serve the former king?”

“Far as I know, yeah,” she said with a nod. “But honestly, most of us didn’t interact with her much. She kept to herself. Never really seemed like she wanted friends. Just… position.”

“Mm,” I hummed, stabbing a piece of toast. “That tracks.”

Sabrina tilted her head, watching me. “Want me to see what I can find out?”

I blinked. “You’d do that?”

She grinned. “I’ll ask my girlfriend to poke around discreetly. She’s still friends with a few people who worked in the royal wing back then. If Bethany made waves, someone’ll remember.”

I leaned back, tray still across my lap, and shook my head slowly. “You two are turning into my own personal espionage team.”

Sabrina gave me a proud, mockingly formal bow. “And we are honored to serve, Your Highness.”

Sabrina gave me a wink and slipped quietly out of the room, the door snicking shut behind

her.

A second later, it opened again.

Thoren stepped in.

I didn’t look up right away. Just stabbed a piece of melon and slowly chewed while my eyes narrowed at him from the side.

“Oh look,” I said dryly, setting the fork down with a little too much grace. “The man who sneaks into my bed without touching me and then sneaks back out again without a word. How romantic.”

He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I figured you were mad-hell, I knew you were mad-and you didn’t exactly seem like you wanted anything from me, so I was trying to give you some space.”

“Let me tell you something,” I said, pinning him with a glare. “I don’t care if I’m pissed off to high fucking heavens-don’t stop trying to make it better. Even if I act like I don’t want to be bothered, I want to know that I matter. Even when I’m mad. Especially when I’m mad.”

Thoren’s shoulders dropped. He crossed to the bed and crouched in front of me. “You do matter. You matter more than anything. I’m sorry, It won’t happen again.”

2/5

Chapter 97 spionage

“You’re damn right it won’t.”

“I’m new to all this,” he admitted, voice quiet. “This is literally my first relationship, Nevara.”

I narrowed my eyes, let the moment linger in silence, then finally gave a single slow nod. Fine. I’ll forgive you this once.”

”

He grinned, leaned in, and hugged me tightly. I felt the tension in his chest as he pulled me closer, his lips brushing my cheek before sliding to my mouth.

“Today’s a big day,” he murmured, kissing me again. “Guests are arriving throughout the afternoon. The engagement party’s tonight.”

I groaned, pulling back just enough to scowl up at him. “And you better make damn sure that bitch doesn’t show up.”

He blinked. “Nevara-”

“I mean it, Thoren. I don’t care what you do with her-lock her in her room, sedate her with chamomile tea and a brick to the head, I don’t care. But she is not crashing our engagement

party.”

He chuckled under his breath. “Chamomile and a brick, huh?”

I raised a brow. “Use both for good measure.”

He nodded solemnly. “Consider it done.”

“I have to meet with Michelle and Sabrina about final logistics,” he said, smoothing his thumb over the back of my hand. “And make a very pointed suggestion about guest placement and… perimeter control.”

“Good,” I said.

Thoren stood, but not before kissing me once more-slow and soft, the kind of kiss that made promises.

“I’ll see you soon,” he murmured.

I watched him go, the door closing behind him.

Then I threw the covers off and swung my legs over the edge of the bed.

I slipped on a robe, belted it loosely, and moved to the mirror. My hair was a mess of tangled waves. My face was still puffy with sleep. My whole body ached with exhaustion and unspent rage.

3/5

This was not how I imagined the day of my engagement party would begin.

No glowing. No excitement. Just tension thick enough to choke on.

But I’d be damned if I let anyone-especially Bethany-ruin this for me.

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