The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 138

The Hunt had truly begun-1

In everything that had happened-

The war.

Iva.

Her disappearance.

Sonia.

He had forgotten.

And that-

That was exactly what they were counting on.

Everything is too rushed.

Too calculated.

Chaos stirred violently inside him.

“Is everyone blind?” his Lycan snarled, furious, restless. “Can they not feel that something is wrong? Is like everyone lost their minds… including us…”

“I know,… how the fuck I forgot that the days passed and the mating ceremony was scheduled… something is not OK, Chaos… I don’t know what exactly, but I can feel it in my bones. And is totally not like my father to rush into things like this…or my mom, who would request at least few weeks to arrange a proper party… she is crazy for these things… and now… just in few days… tell me I am not crazy, Chaos…” Caleb replied internally, his thoughts racing now, sharper, faster, connecting the dots with brutal clarity.

The Council’s quick validation.

The urgency.

The pressure.

The timing.

All of it-

Too convenient.

Too perfect.

A trap.

Sonia stepped forward slightly, her eyes fixed on him, that same poised smile on her lips, but now there was something else behind it-

Eagerness.

The Hunt barely begun 1

Possession.

Clam

“We have been waiting for you,” she said smoothly, her voice soft, but carrying easily through the room. ”

Everything is prepared so you don’t need to worry for anything…”

Her gaze lingered on him, almost claiming.

“As it should be.”

Caleb’s eyes flicked to her.

Cold.

Assessing.

And for the first time-

He didn’t see a possible mate, based on her claims.

He saw a player.

A piece on the board.

And behind her-

Something far more dangerous… or someone.

The King stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Caleb’s shoulder.

“I knew you would not disappoint me,” he said with qujét certainty. “You have fulfilled your duty to the kingdom… and now you will fulfill your duty to your future, especially as the Goddess blessed us with such a special mate.”

The weight of those words pressed down heavily.

Expectation.

Legacy.

Control.

Caleb’s mind moved rapidly, calculating outcomes, consequences, risks-

And one image kept surfacing.

Iva.

Caleb straightened, his shoulders squaring, his expression shifting subtly.

The room seemed to hold its breath.

Because something-

Had changed.

His father noticed it immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly.

7

4

The Hunt badirely begun 1

“Is there something you wish to say?” the King asked, his tone still calm, but edged now with curiosity.

Sonia’s smile faltered for just a fraction of a second, her gaze sharpening, watching him closely.

The Council leaned in ever so slightly, sensing tension, sensing disruption.

Cham

Caleb inhaled slowly.

Once.

Controlled.

Then exhaled.

And when he spoke-

His voice was steady.

Clear.

Unyielding.

“But I cannot agree to this mating ceremony taking place.”

Silence.

Absolute.

The words landed like a thunderclap.

For a moment-

No one moved.

No one spoke.

Shock rippled through the room, visible on every face, the Council members exchanging quick, stunned glances, their composure cracking.

The King’s hand tightened slightly on Caleb’s shoulder, his expression hardening instantly, disbelief flashing in his eyes.

“… What did you just say?” he asked slowly.

Sonia-

Her face drained of color for a split second before it hardened, her eyes flashing with something sharp dangerous, her earlier smugness cracking under the weight of those words.

“What do you mean?” she demanded, her voice no longer soft, but edged with tension.

Caleb didn’t look at her.

His gaze remained fixed on his father.

Unflinching.

The Hunt badly begun 1

Clam

+ said,” he repeated, his tone colder now, firmer, “that I will not proceed with the mating ceremony today.”

A ripple of outrage spread through the Council.

“This is unacceptable=”

“Do you understand what you are saying?”

“The arrangements are already in motion-

King William raised his hand sharply, silencing them all instantly.

His eyes never left Caleb.

Dark.

Dangerous.

“You will explain yourself,” the King said, his voice low, carrying a warning beneath the surface.

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