The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 123

Five Days-1

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The terrace was illuminated by soft golden lights, the night sky stretching endlessly above, the distant sounds of the kingdom blending into a quiet, controlled elegance that suited royal appearances perfectly.

Everything looked peaceful.

Refined.

Perfect.

But Caleb felt none of it.

He sat across from Sonia at the dinner table, his posture composed, his expression calm, every movement measured and deliberate, yet his mind remained far away-trapped in the heavy words his father had spoken not long ago, replaying them again and again with a sharp edge that refused to dull.

Some of my sources were telling me…

His fingers tightened slightly around the glass in his hand before he forced himself to relax.

That had not been a simple comment.

It had been a warning.

And Caleb knew his father far too well to misunderstand it.

King William did not make empty statements.

He implied.

He observed.

He acted.

And when it came to power-when it came to something as significant as the Messenger and the mate bond-

There was very little he would consider off limits.

Caleb’s jaw tightened slightly as his gaze drifted, just for a fraction of a second, away from Sonia and into the dark horizon beyond the terrace.

He could hurt her…

Not directly.

At least not yet, not in the beginning.

That was not his father’s way.

But indirectly?

Through pressure.

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<Five Days 1

Through manipulation.

Through calculated moves that left no visible trace?

Yes.

Absolutely.

And that thought alone sent a cold, controlled anger through Caleb’s veins.

Focus, he told himself firmly, pulling his attention back to the present. We will deal with that. We will protect her.

But first-

This.

This dinner.

This game.

Claim

Across from him, Sonia watched him carefully, her posture elegant, her movements graceful, every detail of her appearance meticulously put together.

She had dressed for this.

And it showed.

Caleb could not deny it.

She was… stunning.

Her features sharp yet refined, her presence commanding in a quiet, confident way that drew attention without effort, the kind of beauty that came not only from appearance but from awareness and family status-she knew exactly what she was, exactly how she looked, and exactly what effect she had.

And she used it.

Deliberately.

slightly

“Something on your mind?” Sonia asked softly, breaking the silence, her lips curving slightly as she studied him with a knowing look.

Caleb blinked once, grounding himself, before allowing a faint, controlled smile to form.

“Just thinking,” he replied smoothly, his tone even, composed.

“About me?” she teased lightly, tilting her head just enough to let the candlelight catch in her eyes.

Caleb held her gaze.

“For now,” he said simply.

It was enough.

Enough to keep the illusion.

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< Five Days:

Enough to keep her engaged.

Claim

He leaned back slightly in his chair, his posture relaxed but attentive, shifting the dynamic just enough to steer the conversation where he wanted it.

“Tell me about yourself,” he said, his tone curious, measured, as if genumely interested. “What pack are you from?”

Sonia’s smile deepened, pleased by the question, by the attention.

“A powerful one,” she replied smoothly, her voice carrying quiet pride. “You’ve heard of the Varkos territory, I assume.”

Caleb gave a small nod.

Of course he had.

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