The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 200

Self Doubt-1

The afternoon sun slanted through the window of their small dorm room, casting warm golden rectangles across the wooden floor Iva sat cross-legged on her bed, still sore from Marik’s class, her split lip already healing thanks to her wolf genetics. Across from her, Lori had claimed the desk chair, spinning slowly back and forth, her hair catching the light

They had been talking for nearly an hour.

Or rather, Lori had been asking questions, and Iva had been answering. About the castle. About the king and queen. About Caleb. About the bond. About the ceremony. About everything.

Lori’s eyes had grown wider with each revelation, her mouth falling open at the more unbelievable parts. She had gasped at the dungeon story. Cried a little at the breakfast scene with the king. Squealed loudly enough to wake the neighbors when Iva described the mate bond!

And through it all, Iva had talked and talked and talked.

About herself.

Her own voice was starting to feel strange in her ears. Her own story, repeated over and over, was beginning to sound like someone else’s life. A fairy tale. A dream.

She shook her head suddenly, cutting herself off mid-sentence.

Lori blinked. “What? What’s wrong? Did I say something?”

“No.” Iva reached across the space between them and took her friend’s hand. “No, you didn’t say anything. I just realized…”

She paused, squeezing Lori’s fingers.

“We’ve been talking only about me. The whole time.”

Lori opened her mouth to protest, but Iva cut her off.

“Enough with me,” Iva said firmly. “Tell me about yourself, Lori.”

Lori’s expression shifted-surprise, then something that looked almost like discomfort. She looked down at their joined hands, her thumb tracing idle patterns on Iva’s knuckles.

“I’m not that important,” Lori said quietly. “Not compared to what’s happening with you. I mean…” She looked up, forcing a smile. “You’re going to be the next freaking crown princess. Can you imagine?”

Iva laughed, but there was no humor in it. She tightened her grip on Lori’s hand.

“Crown princess or not, you are still my bestie.” Her voice softened. “That doesn’t mean you’re less important. So, tell me about yourself. How are you really adjusting to the academy? Anyone who got your attention?”

Lori’s cheeks flushed.

A deep, rosy red that spread from her neck to the tips of her ears. She pulled her hand free and waved it

Self Doubl+–

dismissively, but the blush betrayed her.

Claim

“Yeah, right,” Lori said, her voice pitching higher. “Unfortunately, I’m not that pretty like you. And here at the

academy, being surrounded by elites and dead drop gorgeous lycans…” She laughed, but it was thin. Hollow. “I don’t stand out at all.”

Iva’s smile faded.

She studied her friend-really studied her. Lori had always been the one to downplay herself. The one to make jokes at her own expense. The one to stand in the shadows while others took the spotlight.

But hearing her say those words, hearing the self-doubt dripping from every syllable, made something

twist in Iva’s chest.

“Lori.” Iva’s voice was sharp. “Stop it.”

Lori’s eyes widened. “Stop what?”

“That. What you just said. About not being pretty enough. About not standing out.” Iva leaned forward, her gaze intense. “You are beautiful just the way you are. You don’t need to change.”

Lori’s smile wavered. Her eyes glistened.

“Easy for you to say,” she whispered. “For you, nature was generous.”

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