Semua Bab The Alpha's Wife, The Lycan King's Obsession : Bab 41 - Bab 50

Nolan was holding court when the doors opened.Alpha Jacob Woods entered with several council members flanking him.Vivien walked behind her father, her head down and her face sullen.The remaining petitioners shifted nervously as the entourage crossed the throne room.Nolan raised a hand. "Court is dismissed for the day. You may present your appeals tomorrow."Murmurs filled the room as people filed out reluctantly.When the doors closed, only Jacob, his council, Vivien, and Nolan's guards remained.Nolan stayed seated on his throne.Jacob stopped at the base of the steps, his expression hard."Too proud to welcome your father-in-law properly?" he asked.Nolan gestured to the chairs arranged along the wall. "Sit."Jacob's jaw tightened but he moved to the chairs. His council followed. Vivien sat last, keeping her eyes on the floor.Nolan made a subtle signal to Elmund.The guard left through a side door and returned moments later carrying an old piece of parchment.He handed it to No

Elmund cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, we need to discuss the Bonfire Festival."Nolan pulled his attention back to the present. "What about it?""It's in two weeks. Gamma Finn has been handling the arrangements but he needs your approval on several matters."Nolan had barely thought about the festival. Between the illness and Vivien and Gianna, it had slipped entirely from his mind."Send for him," Nolan said.Elmund left and returned minutes later with Finn, a tall wolf with reddish hair and sharp eyes.Finn bowed. "Your Majesty.""Show me what you've planned."Finn unrolled several documents on the table near the throne."The bonfire will be held in the eastern grounds as usual. We've arranged for food vendors from three territories. Entertainment will include traditional dancers and musicians from the highlands."Nolan nodded. "And the hunt?""The public hunt will take place the morning after the bonfire. As always, some Alphas from distant packs will need to spend the night."

Gianna decided to visit the dressmaker's shop in town.The Bonfire Festival was two weeks away and she needed something appropriate to wear. She gathered the clothing materials Nolan had gifted her and called for Evelyn."We're going out," she said. "I need these made into proper dresses."Evelyn's eyes widened when she saw the fabrics. "Luna, these are beautiful."They walked to the shop together, the materials wrapped carefully in cloth to protect them.The seamstress, an older woman named Marta, greeted them at the door."Luna Gianna, what a pleasant surprise. How can I help you today?"Gianna unwrapped the fabrics and laid them on the counter.Marta gasped. Her hands reached out, then pulled back as if afraid to touch something so fine."Where did you get these?" she breathed. "I've never seen quality like this. The silk alone must have cost a fortune and this embroidery, it's hand-stitched by highland weavers. I can tell by the pattern."She ran her fingers over the material reve

Nolan stood at the top of the stairs, watching the preparations unfold below.Workers moved across the palace grounds like ants, carrying tables and benches, stringing lanterns between posts, stacking firewood into a massive pyramid at the center of the eastern field.Finn stood in the middle of it all, directing traffic with sharp gestures and sharper commands.Everything was going according to plan.Nolan descended the stairs and walked toward the grounds, Elmund falling into step behind him.As he approached the eastern field, he noticed movement near the supply tents.Several young women stood clustered together, whispering and glancing in his direction.The moment they saw him coming, they scattered, suddenly very busy arranging flowers or adjusting tablecloths."Who are they?" Nolan asked without slowing his pace."Hopefuls, Your Majesty," Elmund said. "They've been arriving since yesterday. Daughters of minor nobility, mostly. Looking for a chance to catch your eye.""Tell them

Gianna berated herself silently.This jealousy was ridiculous and completely irrational.Nolan could sleep with whoever he wanted. It was none of her business but the thought wouldn't leave her mind.She kept imagining him with some nameless, faceless woman, touching her the way he'd touched Gianna and marking her the way he'd marked Gianna.Her chest felt tight.A server passed by carrying a tray of drinks and Gianna took one without thinking.She needed to clear her head.Cyrus was deep in conversation with his Beta, gesturing animatedly about something.Gianna slipped away without him noticing.She walked toward the eastern field where the bonfire would be lit. The massive pile of wood stood waiting, dark against the evening sky.According to custom, only the King could set the torch to it. Until then, it remained unlit.Gianna found a quiet spot near the edge of the field and took a sip of her drink.The alcohol burned going down but it helped settle her nerves slightly."Excuse m