The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 102

The Kiss-3

“You cannot simply leave when your mate is here. What is wrong with you?”

Caleb’s eyes sharpened.

“My mate?”

William’s gaze was steady.

“Sonia. Or did you forget already?”

Caleb’s fists slowly tightened at his sides.

“Father-”

“What kind of mate leaves his fated partner behind the very day she reveals the bond?” William continued firmly.

The words struck like blows.

Caleb’s patience snapped.

“This is not that simple.”

William’s eyebrows rose.

“Oh?”

“Yes.”

The tension between them thickened.

“Then explain it to me,” the king challenged.

Caleb inhaled sharply.

But he couldn’t.

Not without revealing doubts he had no proof for.

Not without questioning the Council.

Not without exposing the entire mess.

His father studied him carefully.

“Exactly,” William said quietly.

Caleb’s fists clenched harder.

He was cornered.

Trapped by his own silence.

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The Kiss-3

After a long moment, he exhaled slowly.

“Fine.”

William nodded toward the corridor.

“Dinner is ready.”

Caleb followed him.

Because at this moment-

He had no other choice.

The royal dining hall was already full.

Soft conversation filled the room as members of the court gathered around the long table.

And immediately Caleb noticed the center of attention.

Sonia.

She sat beside the queen herself.

His mother, Queen Elena, leaned toward her warmly, her elegant face glowing with unmistakable happiness as she spoke animatedly with the young woman.

Caleb had rarely seen his mother this openly delighted.

Sonia noticed him entering.

Her eyes lit up instantly.

A hopeful expression appeared on her face.

Caleb forced a polite smile.

Then took his seat across the table.

Dinner began.

Courses were served.

Conversation flowed.

But throughout the meal, Caleb barely tasted anything.

Because the entire table revolved around Sonia.

Questions.

Curiosity.

The Council members discussed her abilities.

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His mother asked gentle questions about herself.

Even his father looked unusually pleased.

Sonia handled the attention gracefully.

Caleb noticed the way she occasionally glanced toward him.

Those same hopeful eyes.

Soft smiles.

Longing.

But his mind wasn’t here.

It was somewhere else.

Back in the city.

Back in the penthouse.

Back with Iva.

What was she doing now?

Was she resting?

Had her heat returned?

The thought made tension coil in his stomach.

And then the guilt arrived.

Sharp.

Heavy.

He had spent the entire night with her.

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Taken her again and again until both of them had collapsed into exhausted sleep,

Yet this morning-

He had simply walked away.

No explanation.

No reassurance.

No message.

Not even a call the entire day.

Just great.

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The Kiss 3-

Calcb clenched his jaw slightly.

Fantastic work, Crown Prince.

The dinner eventually came to an end.

Guests began standing.

Conversations shifted.

And just as Caleb prepared to escape the room-

“Your Highness.”

He turned.

Sonia stood behind him.

Up close, she was undeniably beautiful.

Dark hair.

Warm brown eyes.

Soft features.

She looked slightly nervous.

“May I have a few minutes of your time?”

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