The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 110

(Chapter 110–No More Games

Chapter 110 – No More Games

Thoren

It had been hours.

+25 Points

I stared at the same sentence on the same report for the fourth time, pen unmoving in my hand. The

words bled together, meaningless. Because in the back of my mind, one thought kept looping like a curse:

How the fuck do I tell Nevara I let that woman stall the test?

Kael sat across from me, boots kicked up on the table, tossing a pen cap in the air like we weren’t both stewing in the same pit of dread.

“She’s not gonna like it,” he finally said.

“No shit,” I muttered.

I was about to push to my feet and just go–to the hotel, to Bethany’s door, to whatever bullshit excuse

she’d cooked up–when Kael’s phone rang.

He sat up fast, catching the call on speaker. “Kael.”

“Sir–it’s Guard Halden at the hotel.”

My shoulders locked.

The man continued, his voice low. “We’ve been monitoring the suite, per your order. But… uh… we’re hearing noises. A lot of them.”

“What kind of noises?” Kael asked.

“Laughter. Footsteps. Giggles. Definitely a child running around. Definitely not sick.”

Kael’s expression darkened. “Copy that. Hold your position. Don’t let her leave, even if she tries.”

“Yes, Sir.”

The call dropped, and Kael turned to me slowly.

“Your turn to be pissed.”

I was already moving. “Get in the damn car.”

Ten minutes later, we pulled up to the hotel. I didn’t wait for anyone to announce us.

Kael flagged the nearest staff member–a middle–aged housekeeper pushing a cart down the hall–and flashed his badge. “We need you to knock on the door. Don’t say who’s asking. Just get her to open it.”

She nodded nervously, made her way to the suite, and gave three sharp knocks. “Housekeeping.” She said.

From inside came the sound of a small voice shouting something about a toy, followed by more giggles. The door swung open.

< Chapter 110 – No More Games

+25 Points

Bethany stood there in yoga pants and a loose sweater, barefoot. Her hair was tied back in a casual bun.

And behind her?

Jonas. Spinning in circles. Laughing. Not a single trace of fever, nausea, or distress.

Her smile faded when she saw me.

I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t have to.

“I don’t know how you faked his fever. Or him throwing up. But this ends now. We’re leaving.”

She blinked, eyes wide. “Thoren–he was sick this morning.”

“Really?” I said flatly, gaze flicking past her to the boy currently zooming around the room like a

sugar–dosed hummingbird. “Because he looks pretty damn cured.”

Bethany stepped halfway into the doorway, trying to block me without actually touching me. “I didn’t say he still was sick. I said he was. He felt better after lunch.”

“And you didn’t think to call me?” My voice was sharp steel. “You knew what today was.”

“I was going to call in the morning,” she said quietly. “I just thought… he needed a day to rest and reset. I didn’t think it would be fair to rush him off to some lab when he just stopped puking.”

I stepped forward, not touching her, but close enough that she had to tilt her chin to meet my gaze.

“He looks perfectly fine now. So we’re not putting this off another fucking minute.”

Her mouth opened like she wanted to argue, but nothing came out.

Kael leaned in, eyes cold. “You can either walk your son to the car like a mother who gives a damn… or you can make us do it for you.”

Jonas spotted me then, and to my surprise, his face lit up. “Thoren!”

That caught her off guard. And she knew right then–she couldn’t fight this.

I dropped my voice. “Get him dressed. We’re leaving in five.”

And this time?

There would be no more delays.

The drive to the genetics lab was quiet–oppressively so.

Jonas sat in the back, swinging his legs and tapping on the window like this was just another field trip. Bethany rode up front, posture too stiff, lips pressed into a nervous little line she probably thought I wouldn’t notice.

But I noticed everything.

Especially the way she kept sneaking glances at me. Like she wanted to say something but couldn’t decide what angle to take.

<Chapter 110 – No More Games

I didn’t give her the opening.

When we pulled up, Kael spoke low. “You want me to come in?”

I shook my head. “No. Stay with the car. Watch them if they try to run.”

Bethany rolled her eyes. “You think I’m going to bolt?”

I opened the door without responding.

*25 Points

Inside, the receptionist perked up when she saw us–too quickly. Though she didn’t seem to recognize me

until I gave my name, and suddenly everything was ready for us. Private room. No wait. No excuses.

Bethany hesitated just slightly before stepping through the door.

I clocked it.

The nurse entered a moment later, cheerful and clinical. “We’ll need samples from all three of you–blood’s

the fastest and most accurate. We’ll just label and lock everything before sending it off to the lab.”

Bethany nodded a beat too fast. “Of course.”

Jonas was up first. Brave little shit didn’t even flinch when the needle went in. He watched the vial fill with lazy curiosity, then turned to me with a grin. “Your turn.”

I stepped up, gave my arm, let the nurse work.

Then came Bethany.

She sat down, and the moment the needle came out, I saw it–the way her hands clenched just a little too tightly around the armrest. The way she looked down, not at the needle, but at the floor. Not a wince. Not a hiss of pain. Just full–body stiffness.

She was scared. But I wasn’t sure that it was from the needle or blood.

I narrowed my eyes slightly, watching her posture, the way she wouldn’t meet my gaze. She looked like someone holding her breath underwater–waiting, praying.

Her false little house of cards is about to come down and she knows it.

The nurse finished labeling her vial, completely oblivious. “All done here. You’ll receive a call once the

results are processed. Should be within the week, depending on lab traffic.”

“Rush it,” I said coolly. “This one gets priority. I want those results as soon as possible.”

The nurse blinked but nodded. “Yes, your majesty. It will be moved to the front but can still take a day or

two.”

Bethany stood slowly. She turned to Jonas with a smile that was just a little too tight. “See? Easy peasy.”

But I was watching her–not the smile, not the voice–but the sheen of sweat along her temple. The pulse

fluttering at her throat.

3/4

< Chapter 110- No More Games

You only get that look when you’re gambling with your life.

And I was done playing nice.

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