The Lycan's Forbidden Mate novel Chapter 199

199 Unsettling peace

As usual, the bustling and lively great imperial city of Celestia was in full swing. Businesses going on here and there, carriages and wolf shifters moving here and there. Some with a smile, most with a frown, majority neither as they all had serious expressions. Either way, they were all breathing.

It had been one week since Albert Novikov’s unexpected death, Ophelia’s disappearance to Fireria, and Nikolai’s disappearance to the unknown.

In contrast to the vibrant imperial city, the castle had a rather gloomy atmosphere. But in spite of everything, the shadows continued to loom. Preparing… After all, it was time. There had been far too much stalling and prepping.

Lost in thought, Vladimir was hung upside down on a tree branch in the castle’s training area, which was fully exposed to the sky.

Viktor and Danil were both shirtless. They fought with their fists, their magnificent muscular build gleaming from their blood and sweat.

Perched atop the highest stairway leading to the training ground, Sasha leafed through the book of forbidden magic that Vladimir had discovered a week prior.

One week.. It had been full of mysteries and complete bewilderment. Not only had Rhaziel disappeared from the castle, but so had the blood moon god responsible for Vladimir’s voice returning. The day everything went down was the same day Esmeralda and Lev had left for Fireria.

After that, everything fell silent and incomplete. However, they could all sense that something was about to happen.

“Hey!” Opening his eyes, Vladimir let out a sudden yell.

199 Unsettling peace

“What?” Danil asked, punching Viktor in the chin.

Viktor yelled out in pain, rubbing his chin quickly. “You…! You broke my

chin!”

Vladimir flipped off the branch, landing on his feet. His smile was radiant. Something that piqued everyone’s interest. He had been so quiet for the past week that they almost believed he had gone mute again.

“The moonstone. I can feel it.” Vladimir spoke abruptly, and while the subject matter was serious, his tone of humor gave the impression that it

wasn’t.

Sasha remained silent.

“Well, let’s find the stone then.” Viktor spoke up, still rubbing his chin.

“Alexander was in league with our undead aunt, and so was Alina, who ultimately sent Ophelia to Fireria. We do not know if Yakim is involved or not, but he has been at the front lines. Anastasia.. We can’t tell either, my mother and father… I can’t tell either… All things considered, this is just the beginning; this family is beyond shattered.” Danil muttered nonchalantly, rubbing his fist. “Pavel, Boris, and Yulia are the only ones not involved in this. The habit of leaving the castle is more common among

them.”

“Father has returned!” Yulia announced as she abruptly arrived at the training ground, accompanied by a bored–looking Boris.

Sasha rose up, turning to face him. “Is there an occasion?”

“Oh, I see. You kept it from them?” Gazing toward Viktor, who was now donning his shirt, Boris questioned.

Viktor inhaled deeply as Sasha, Danil, and Vladimir all turned to face him. “Nikolai called on every family member who are not present at the castle.

199 Unsettling peace

There will be a ball tonight, and all invitations have been sent.” Viktor responded solemnly.

Sasha’s face darkened, and she exited the training ground without saying anything.

Vladimir smiled brightly and rubbed his hands together in delight. “How thrilling.”

“It is unsettling.” Danil grimaced.

Viktor shrugged. He had only received a scroll from Nikolai and had completed all of the preparations. Whatever will happen at that ball was going to be a combination of Vladimir’s and Danil’s utterances.

Sasha entered her room, shut the doors, and rested her back against it.

“I am growing weary of this whole thing.” She slunk back against the door and took a seat on the ground, muttering.

One week. One week of peace. An unsettling peace.

There was no news of Nikolai nor Ophelia and suddenly, Nikolai wanted to organize a ball.

The blood moon was only a short distance away at this point. That alarmed her. The war was coming, she could sense it.

Sasha groaned loudly, rose up and flung the book to the wall. She still didn’t know who had killed her father but… Nikolai’s words.

“Only a Novikov can kill a Novikov.”

Nikolai murdered Tiana. There was no way a red moon witch could have such strong power to pierce her father’s body.

“No one can convince me otherwise; Tiana is still alive. She killed father,

199 Unsettling peace

she’s in this castle.” Touching her hair with her fingers, she muttered to herself. She had attempted to question Alina, but the oracle had barricaded herself in the chamber and had not said a word since that day.

Nothing seemed to make sense. But she was certain, deep down, that

Nikolai and her brother were aware.

Abruptly, there was a knock on the door.

Sasha sat on her bed and glumly stared at the door. “Enter.”

The door opened, revealing Yulia who had a shy smile on her lips. “Hello there.”

Sasha forced a smile. “Hello.”

Yulia took a slow step inside, shutting the door behind her, and exhaled deeply. “You seem shaken by everything that has happened.”

“Nothing is happening. No, not yet.” Sasha mumbled as she reclined on the bed. “You have nothing to be concerned about. We will all protect you. But, you must also protect us.”

“Always!” Yulia laughed. However, she soon lost her smile and turned on a dejected expression as she moved to sit next to Sasha. “Nikolai.. he is fine,

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