The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 262

Gift I

The emotional moment was shattered by a sharp knock on the door.

A royal lady-in-waiting stood in the doorway, her expression carefully neutral, her hands clasped in front of her. Her voice was polite but firm.

“Your Highness, I apologize for the interruption. But per tradition, you must retire to your chambers. The night before the ceremony, the mates are not to be together.”

Iva wanted to argue. Wanted to cling to her mother, to Caleb, to this perfect moment that felt too fragile to let go.

But she understood.

Tradition was tradition.

i

She nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

“Of course. I understand.”

Caleb stepped forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said softly. “At the altar.”

Iva smiled through her tears. “I’ll be the one in golden dres.”

He laughed a warm, surprised sound-and squeezed her hand once before releasing her.

The lady-in-waiting guided Iva, who dragged her mother, toward the royal chambers. The corridors were quiet, lit by discrete lights that cast dancing shadows on the ancient stone walls.

Iva’s mother, Rana, walked beside her, her hand clasped tightly in Iva’s. Neither of them spoke. There was too much to say, and neither knew where to begin.

They reached the bedroom.

The moment the door closed behind them, she turned and threw her arms around her mother.

r

The tears came again-hot and fast and impossible to stop. She pressed her face into her mother’s shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of herbs and home.

“I thought I would never see you again,” Iva sobbed.

Rana held her tightly, her own tears soaking into Iva’s hair.

“Shhh,” she murmured, stroking Iva’s back. “Shhh, my baby. Please stop crying. Tomorrow is a big day, and don’t want you to have a puffy face.”

Iva laughed through her tears.

“Too late for that.”

Rana pulled back just enough to look at her daughter. Her hands cupped Iva’s face, her thumbs brushing

1/4

<Gift

away the tears that still flowed.

“You became even more beautiful than before,” she said softly.

Iva smiled, but she wasn’t sure about the beauty part.

Claim

What she was sure about was the transformation her body had undergone. Before, she had been flat-chested, almost boyish in her figure. But now-after the bond, after the claiming, after everything-her body had rounded overnight in all the right places.

She had curves now. An hourglass physique that she barely recognized when she looked in the mirror.

But she didn’t say any of that.

Instead, she led her mother to the edge of the bed, and they sat down together, hands still clasped.

Voice

“I believed I would never see you again in this life,” Rana said, her voice thick with emotion. “And it is only myself to blame.”

Iva’s heart ached.

“I was devastated all this time, not knowing anything about you,” her mother continued. “I didn’t know if you were alive or dead. If you were safe. If you were happy.” She shook her head slowly. “You can imagine my shock when I was approached with an invitation to the royal castle.”

Iva squeezed her mother’s hands.

“But earlier, when I met the Crown Prince…” Rana’s eyes widened. “He told me that you are his mate. That you are the future Crown Princess. And that he wanted me to be beside you tomorrow.”

She paused, her voice breaking.

“Everything felt surreal until I saw you… Oh, Iva… are so many unsaid things…”

Iva took a deep breath.

“Mom,” she said. “I know everything.”

Rana’s face went pale.

“I knew everything when I left the pack.”

Her mother’s lips parted. No sound came out.

“I know about how the Alpha arranged for me to be mated with someone from the northern packs. In exchange for warriors.” Iva’s voice was steady, but her eyes burned. “Like merchandise. Like I was a trade good to be exchanged for soldiers.”

Rana started to sob.

“I know you opposed their plans,” Iva continued. “I know you tried to stop them. I know you couldn’t do anything against the Alpha’s and father’s authority.”

Rana’s sobs grew louder.

2/4

<Gift li

Claim

don’t deserve your forgiveness,” she choked out. “I should have tried harder. I should have run away with you. I should have”

“Mom.” Iva’s voice was firm but gentle. “Stop.”

Rana looked up, her face streaked with tears.

“You did what you could,” Iva said. “I know that. I have never blamed you. Not once.”

Rana’s composure shattered.

She pulled Iva into another embrace, holding her so tightly it was almost painful.

“When you escaped,” she whispered, “I was terrified. Terrified that something bad had happened to you. That you were hurt, or lost, or dead.” She paused, her voice cracking. “But I was also relieved. Because you had escaped. You have gotten out.”

Iva held her mother.

“I would never have had the courage to do what you did,” Rana admitted. “I would have stayed. Suffered. Accepted my fate. But you… you were always braver than me.”

Iva pulled back, her eyes fierce.

“You were brave too,” she said. “You stayed. You protected the pack. You protected the people who couldn’t protect themselves.”

Rana shook her head, but Iva didn’t let her argue.

“Now,” Iva said, taking a breath, “tell me about you. How are you? I heard you’re divorcing Father. Asking for a bond dissolution.”

Rana’s eyes flickered.

“I should have done it years ago, but I stayed because we were a family,” she admitted. “Your father was never the same after you left. He became… harder. More distant. He fell in line with the Alpha’s plans, and I couldn’t stand to be near him anymore.”

Iva nodded slowly.

“So you’re leaving?”

Rana’s chin lifted.

“I’ve already filed the paperwork. It’s not finalized yet-pack law requires a waiting period. But soon.” She paused. “I have a small cottage near the border. Nothing fancy, but it’s mine. I’ve been fixing it up.”

Iva’s heart swelled with pride.

“I’m proud of you,” she said softly.

Rana’s eyes glistened.

“I’m proud of you,” she replied. “My daughter. The Crown Princess. I am still in disbelief.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify