The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 161

Long Overdue Discussion II-2

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze searching hers.

“Put yourself in my place.”

She hesitated.

And for the first time… she actually did.

Caleb continued, his tone calm but firm.

“That’s why I asked to wait. That’s why I wanted the full moon test. Not because I wanted to reject you… but because I needed certainty.”

Iva frowned slightly, her voice softer now, but still carrying that lingering hurt.

“But you realized I was your mate before the full moon,” she said. “You knew I wasn’t lying about that… so…

She trailed off, her eyes searching his face.

Caleb nodded slowly.

“I did.”

A beat passed.

“But that doesn’t make everything else simple,” he added, his voice firm again. “The world I live in… it’s not safe. The dangers are real, and they are everywhere.”

He exhaled slowly.

“And yes… I see it now. I should have told you that. I should have explained. I should have given you the chance to know me… and for me to know you.”

His gaze softened, just slightly.

“That part… is on me.”

Silence lingered for a moment, heavy but no longer suffocating.

Iva shifted slightly, her fingers brushing against her arm unconsciously.

“And that girl…” she said after a moment, her voice quieter now. “She’s really not your fiancée?”

Caleb’s expression darkened instantly.

“No.”

There was no hesitation.

No doubt.

Long Overdwe Orwussion II 2

“Then who is she?” Iva pressed, her heart tightening again despite everything.

Caleb’s jaw clenched.

“She’s an impostor

The word landed heavily again, but this time… he did not stop there.

He took a step back, creating just enough space between them to speak more clearly, more fully.

Claim

“She showed up at the palace claiming to be both-the Messenger and my fated mate,” he explained, his tone sharp with controlled anger. “At the same time as you.”

Iva’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

“What…?”

“She played her role well,” he continued, his voice growing colder. “Too well. The Council validated her quickly… too quickly. So you can imagine the overall confusion. Two fated mates, two Messengers… at the same time. Everything was rushed, pushed forward without proper verification.”

Her heart began to race.

“And then…” he paused, his gaze darkening further, “I started noticing things that didn’t add up.”

Iva took a small step forward without realizing it.

“And now I know why.”

Caleb looked straight at her.

“Black magic.”

The words sent a chill down her spine.

“Not just on me,” he added, his tone grave. “On the royal household…on the Council as well.”

Iva froze.

Her mind struggled to process it.

“That’s… that’s impossible… as the Lycans are immune to magic… from what I learned in school…” she whispered.

“It shouldn’t be possible,” Caleb corrected grimly. “But it is.”

He watched her carefully as he continued.

“I had it confirmed. There was an influence… something manipulating perception, making people more susceptible to suggestion.”

Her breath became uneven.

“And her?” she asked, almost afraid of the answer.

Caleb’s eyes hardened.

23

<Long Overdue Orseussion II 2

“She’s part of it.”

Silence fell again.

But this time… it was different.

Not filled with anger.

Not filled with accusations.

But with shock.

With realization.

With the weight of a truth far bigger than both of them.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify