The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 190

New Family-2

“I know,” Iva said. “And would like to keep it that way. For now.”

The king frowned slightly. “What about your role as the Messenger? How will you fulfill your duties if no one knows who you are?”

Iva smiled.

It was a small smile, quiet but sure.

“I will complete it as we discussed before. It’s just that I will communicate the pairings to Caleb, and he can organize to convey the matchings after. For those willing to accept them.”

The queen leaned forward, her brow furrowed. “Why the secrecy? Being the Messenger is the highest form of respect. The packs would honor you. Celebrate you.”

Iva’s smile widened, just a little.

“I know,” she said softly. “But I want to adjust slowly to my role before becoming a public figure. As I will already be under scrutiny as Caleb’s mate… I am aware that the packs are awaiting my presence, as without the Messenger, the numbers of the werewolves and lycans are declining at an alarming rate.”

She trailed off, letting the words hang in the air.

The queen’s expression shifted. Understanding dawned in her eyes.

“You want to be seen as his mate first,” the queen said slowly. “Not as the Messenger.”

Iva nodded. “I want to earn my place beside him. I don’t want people to think I’m only here because of what I can give them. Because of the bondings I can facilitate.”

She looked down at her hands, then back up at the king and queen.

“I want to be known for who I am. Not just for what I can do.”

The silence that followed was heavy.

The king studied her for a long moment. His eyes-so like Caleb’s-searched her face, feading her, weighing her. Iva held his gaze, even though her heart was pounding so hard she was certain he could hear it.

Then the king nodded.

“That sounds reasonable,” he said.

Iva’s breath caught.

“We will respect your choices,” the king continued. His voice was gruff, but there was warmth beneath it-a warmth she hadn’t expected. “And if you need help, we are here to support you.”

He paused, his eyes holding hers.

“We are your new family.”

14

New Famd

Iva’s heart jumped.

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Her cheeks flushed. The words hit her like a wave-warm and unexpected and so deeply kind that she didn’t know how to respond. She had spent so long alone, even while she was part of her pack. So long surviving on scraps of affection, except for Lori and her mother.

She had never expected to hear those words.

*We are your new family.*”

The queen reached across the table and covered Iva’s hand with her own. Her touch was warm, gentle, maternal.

“Welcome, dear one,” the queen said softly. “Truly.”

Iva blinked rapidly, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. She would not cry at the breakfast table. She would not.

But Caleb’s hand was still wrapped around hers. The queen’s hand was warm on top of hers. And the king -the stern, imposing king-was looking at her with something that looked almost like approval.

She was surrounded.

Not by enemies. Not by wolves who wanted to use her.

By family.

“We will finalise the preparations soon,” the queen said, her eyes sparkling. “The ceremony must be perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

“Mother,” Caleb said, his voice tinged with warning.

But the queen waved a dismissive hand. “You focus on your mate. I will focus on the details. It will be beautiful, I promise.”

The king grunted, returning to his breakfast. But Iva caught the small curve of his lips-the ghost of a smile.

Caleb leaned close to Iva, his breath warm against her ear.

“You’re sure about this?” he murmured. “About the ceremony? About keeping your identity secret?”

Iva turned her head to look at him. His amber eyes were soft, searching, full of quiet concern.

“I’m sure,” she whispered back.

“Because you don’t have to decide everything at once. We can wait. We can-”

“Caleb.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m sure.”

He studied her for a moment longer. Then he nodded, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“Then I’m with you. Whatever comes.”

The rest of the meal passed in a blur of conversation and planning. The queen talked endlessly about

T

New Family?

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flowers and music and guest lists. The king made pointed comments about security and protocol. And through it all, Iva sat in the warmth of it, soaking it in.

At one point, the queen reached across the table and took both of Iva’s hands in hers.

“You know,” the queen said softly, “I never had a daughter. Only one son. Her eyes glistened. “This is… this is more than I ever hoped for.”

Iva’s throat tightened.

“Thank you,” she managed. “For welcoming me.”

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