The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 122

Chapter 122 – The Door Between Us

Kael

I led him through the west corridor without speaking.

+25 Poirits

The castle was quieter this wing–thick stone walls, fewer guards, long shadows stretching from the sunlight through the windows as it began to lower in the sky. My suite sat at the end of the hall, tucked away from the noise of court and council.

I stopped at the door, fished the key from my pocket, and opened it.

“After you,” I said.

Reddick stepped inside, glancing around just long enough to take in the space as if he didn’t bother to do so the last time he was here–dark wood, clean lines, the kind of room that looked like it belonged to someone who didn’t spend much time sleeping.

The door shut behind us.

The sound hadn’t even finished echoing when he turned on me.

His hand fisted in the front of my shirt and shoved me back against the door with enough force to make

the latch rattle. His mouth crashed into mine–no hesitation, no question–just heat and intent as if it were

weeks rather than days of unfinished tension detonating all at once.

I barely had time to breathe before his hand slid down my torso, bold, familiar, settling against my hip and

then lower with clear purpose.

His strong hand gently caressed my c**k over my jeans.

My pulse spiked traitorously. He knew exactly what he was doing.

His mouth moved against mine like he’d been thinking about this just as much as I had. Like he’d replayed

1. it. Like he’d decided how it would go.

His fingers found the buckle of my belt.

I caught his wrist.

“Stop.”

He stilled, breath warm against my mouth. Not offended. Not startled. Just… attentive.

I kept my grip on him, enough to hold him in place without pushing him away.

“As much as I want to do this right now,” I said quietly, forcing myself to breathe, “I can’t.”

His brows lifted a fraction. “Can’t?”

“I still have very pressing matters to attend to,” I said. “I need to go make an arrest.”

& Chapter 127 – The Door Between Us

That got his attention.

His mouth curved slightly, amusement cutting through the tension. “You really know how to ruin a moment.”

“Try being responsible,” I muttered.

I stepped away just enough to put space back between us–minimal, but necessary.

+25 Points

“We’re going to have to table this until I get back,” I continued. “Take a shower. Make yourself comfortable.

And for the love of the Goddess–do not fucking leave before I get back.”

He studied me for a long second.

Then his smile went slow and wicked.

“Oh,” he said. “So you do know how to pull a dominant card.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t make this a thing.”

“I absolutely will make this a thing.” He leaned back against the edge of the table, arms folding loosely. “I like seeing this side of you.”

“You’re seeing the side of me that has work to do.”

“Mm.” His gaze dipped briefly, unapologetic. “Still counts.”

I reached for the door, already regretting every step away from him.

“I won’t leave,” he said.

Then he paused, just long enough to make sure I was looking at him.

“…Sir.”

I froze.

Slowly, I turned back.

He was smirking.

Not mocking. Not challenging.

Just enough to promise that when I came back, he fully intended to pick up exactly where he’d left off.

I pointed at him. “You are going to regret that.”

“Unlikely,” he said. “But I am looking forward to finding out.”

I opened the door.

And walked away before I did something irresponsible.

I left Reddick in my suite and didn’t look back.

s Chapter 122 – The Dooi Between Us

That took more discipline than I cared to admit.

+25 Points

The corridors blurred as I moved, boots striking stone in a steady rhythm that matched the tightening coil

in my chest. Duty first. Always duty first. That was the rule I’d lived by long before I ever met a man with

auburn hair and a talent for turning my head into static.

Thoren’s office door was ajar when I reached it.

He was standing near the window, hands clasped behind his back, watching the outer courtyard below like

the world might try something if he blinked.

He didn’t turn when I stepped inside.

“It took you a bit longer to get back than I expected,” he said mildly.

Not accusation. Just observation.

I closed the door behind me. “Apologies. I ran into something unexpected.”

“Something,” he echoed.

Then he turned, one brow lifting. “Or someone?”

I exhaled through my nose. “You’re enjoying this.”

“A little,” he admitted. “Hard not to when I watched you walk in with Reddick a step behind you.”

My jaw tightened. “I kept the conversation as short as possible. We’ll pick it up after I finish today’s

business.”

Thoren’s mouth curved faintly. “By the look of your flushed cheeks, I doubt there will be much talking.”

Heat climbed straight up my neck.

“Your Majesty,” I said dryly.

He laughed under his breath, the sound brief and tired. Then his expression sobered.

“Nevara and I spoke,” he said, turning fully toward the desk. “We don’t want to traumatize Jonas.”

My focus snapped back where it belonged.

“I’ve already sent a car,” Thoren continued. “Two men. They’ll bring Bethany and Jonas here under the

pretense of discussing the DNA results.”

I nodded slowly. “You’re handling it yourself.”

“Yes.” His jaw tightened. “He deserves honesty. Not another lie.”

“And Bethany?” I asked.

“She’ll be taken into custody tonight,” Thoren said evenly. “But not in front of the boy.”

Good.

*Chapter 122 The Door Between Us

+25 Points –

Thoren moved around the desk, bracing his palms against the wood the same way he had earlier in their

chambers. “I’ll explain it to Jonas in terms he can understand. That his mother has done very bad things.

That she broke the law. That she has to answer for it.”

“And then?” I asked quietly.

“And then he’ll be removed from the room before the cuffs go on,” Thoren said. “He’ll be allowed to say

goodbye.”

A tightness settled in my chest at that. “That’s the right call.”

Thoren looked up at me. “I know this puts you in an awkward position.”

“With Jonas?” I asked.

“With everything,” he said. “Your job isn’t just to enforce orders. It’s to absorb the fallout.”

“That’s what I signed up for,” I replied.

His gaze sharpened. “You don’t have to pretend this doesn’t affect you.”

I didn’t pretend.

“I can separate duty from feeling,” I said. “I can’t separate consequence.”

Thoren studied me for a long moment.

“Good,” he said finally. “Because I’ll need you clear–headed tonight. When Bethany realizes she’s lost control, she’ll try to claw it back with whatever she has left.”

“She won’t get the chance,” I said.

A beat.

“After this,” Thoren added quietly, “things won’t calm down. Not right away.”

I thought of Reddick in my suite. Waiting. Not leaving.

“I know,” I said.

Thoren nodded once. “Then go prepare. We’ll move as soon as the car returns.”

I turned toward the door.

“Kael,” he said.

I paused.

“Whatever you’re carrying,” Thoren added, voice low but steady, “don’t let it make you hesitate when it

matters.”

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