The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 313

Ball Preparations-1

The first rays of dawn crept through the curtains, painting the room in soft shades of gold and rose. Iva stirred in Caleb’s arms, her body still heavy with the exhaustion of the past weeks, but her heart light with a joy she had never known.

She had barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, her hand drifted to her stomach, still trying to process the miracle that was growing inside her.

A baby.

Their baby.

A tiny life that was half her, half Caleb, a perfect blend of their love.

Caleb had held her through the night, his arms wrapped around her, his lips pressing occasional kisses to her hair. He hadn’t slept much either-she could feel his wakefulness through the bond, the same wonder and disbelief that echoed in her own heart.

“Good morning,” he murmured against her ear.

Iva smiled, turning in his arms to face him.

“Good morning.”

His hand found her stomach, his palm warm against the thin fabric of her nightgown.

“Did you sleep?” he asked.

“Not really,” she admitted. “I kept thinking about… about everything.”

Caleb’s eyes softened.

“Me too.”

They lay in comfortable silence, basking in the warmth of the morning sun and the knowledge that their lives were about to change forever.

“Are you ready to tell them?” Caleb asked finally.

Iva took a breath.

“I think so. Are you?”

Caleb smiled-that slow, devastating smile that still made her heart flutter.

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“I’ve been ready since the moment I found out.”

Iva laughed, pressing a kiss to his lips.

“Then let’s go tell our family.”

Claim

The royal breakfast was a grand affair, as always.

The long table in the dining hall was laden with platters of fresh fruit, pastries, eggs, and meats. Crystal glasses gleamed in the morning light, and the scent of freshly brewed tea and coffee filled the air.

The King sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding as always, but his

expression warm. Beside him, the Queen smiled at Iva as she entered, her eyes twinkling with a knowing glint that made Iva’s heart skip.

Rana was there too.

She sat near the middle of the table, her face glowing with a happiness that Iva had never seen before. Since moving to the Royal Pack, Rana had blossomed-her laughter came more easily, her smiles were more frequent, and the shadows that had haunted her eyes for years had finally faded.

Iva’s heart swelled at the sight of her mother.

“Good morning, everyone,” she said, sliding into her seat beside Caleb.

The King nodded in greeting. “Good morning, Iva. You look well.”

Iva exchanged a glance with Caleb.

“I feel well,” she said. “Better than I have in a long time.”

The Queen’s eyes narrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued.

“Something seems different about you,” she observed. “You have a certain… glow.”

Iva felt her cheeks flush.

Rana leaned forward, her eyes sharp with maternal instinct.

“Iva,” she said slowly. “Is there something you want to tell us?”

Iva took a breath.

She looked at Caleb, who nodded encouragingly. She looked at her mother, at the King and

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Queen, at the servants who were quietly arranging dishes and pouring tea.

And then she spoke.

“Actually,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion, “there is.”

She placed her hand over her stomach.

“I’m pregnant.”

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