Submission is Not My Style novel Chapter 144

My hands tremble as I clutch the envelope, the parchment already damp from the sweat on my palms. My heart pounds so violently it feels as if it might tear straight through my ribs. Jack’s gaze meets mine- eyes full of love and quiet strength. He doesn’t speak, only gives me a small nod, a silent signal to open

the letter.

I swallow hard, drawing in a shaky breath, and slide my thumb beneath the seal-

The door slams open.

I jerk, clutching the letter tighter to my chest, spinning toward the sound. My father’s guard stumbles in, breathless, sweat shining on his temples. And he isn’t alone. Behind him shuffles an elderly man in ceremonial robes, his staff tapping against the marble with each step. The High Chief Priest. A handful of royal officials trail after him, their faces grim, uncertain.

Jack moves instantly. His large frame shifts in front of me, shielding me, one hand curling subtly around my waist to protect me–and our baby–if there’s any danger. I press the letter tighter against me, hiding

it from their sight.

But none of them are looking at me.

All eyes are fixed on the motionless form of the Alpha King–my father.

For a long, aching moment, silence hangs heavy in the room. Then, one by one, the officials drop to their knees, their cries breaking the stillness.

“Your Majesty… do not abandon your throne.”

“Return to us, Alpha King… we beg you.”

“Our kingdom cannot stand without you.”

Their voices rise and fall in a mournful chorus, heads bowed low to the floor, tears staining the marble.

The Chief Priest alone remains standing, though even his ancient hands shake as he lifts his staff. He steps forward cautiously, as though nearing a sacred, dangerous flame. His lips part, his voice cracking

with awe and fear.

“Blood of royals alone can command such a spell…” He exhales, breathless. “The Ritual of the Severed

Soul.”

The words send a shiver straight down my spine.

“What does it mean?” I whisper, though the sound barely leaves my throat.

The priest keeps his gaze fixed on my father’s pale face, the white of his eyes clouded and unnatural. “It is forbidden magic. A binding between life and death. The king has severed his soul from his body…

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perhaps to gain power, perhaps to protect something. But the ritual is still active.”

Jack tenses beside me. “Meaning?”

“Meaning…” The priest’s voice lowers, heavy with dread. “The soul can yet return… but the same door that allows one back may claim another in its place.”

No one breathes.

Jack’s jaw clenches, his grip around my waist tightening like steel but still careful not to harm our baby.” As I suspected,” he mutters grimly. “The magic is still alive. It can take one soul along with it.”

My throat closes, tears blur my vision. My father sits there, hollow yet present–close enough to touch, yet impossibly far away.

“Jack…” My voice breaks as I turn to him. “Maybe this is my chance. Maybe I can reach him. Let me try-

let me say goodbye. Please. If I can beg him to return-”

“No.” His answer is sharp, immediate, furious. His head snaps toward me, eyes burning with something

between fear and rage. “Don’t you dare, Kali. I won’t risk you.”

“Jack, please—”

“I said no!” Jack’s voice cracks like a whip, sharp enough to make everyone flinch–the officials kneeling on the floor, even the guard by the door. His hands tremble as they grip my arms, his forehead pressing against mine, his voice dropping low, raw, and desperate.

“I can’t even imagine your soul leaving this world. You. Our baby. Don’t ask me to watch you walk into

death’s hands.”

His words unravel me. Tears pour freely down my cheeks, my chest aching with the weight of everything I can’t say. The letter burns against my palm, damp and crumpled now.

The High Priest clears his throat, his voice carrying authority as it cuts through the suffocating tension. We have lost both the King and Queen within the same day. Their souls have left their bodies, and so, they must be buried together–side by side. As mates, it is only right.”

Jack pulls back from me slowly, his jaw still tight, his arm protectively around my waist. He nods once at the priest. “Do what needs to be done. I’m certain the king chose to follow because the queen left first. It’s only right they rest together–they sacrificed everything for this kingdom.”

”

The priest bows his head gravely. “Indeed. The queen made the greatest sacrifice of all–she gave her soul to shield us from Veydris. Her courage is carved into our survival. The people are blessing her name even now in the streets.” His voice lowers, reverent. “They will never forget her.”

At the mention of my mother, my heart twists painfully. I swallow hard, fighting against another wave of

tears.

The priest straightens, turning his gaze to Jack now. “Alpha Jack, the kingdom cannot remain leaderless. After the burial rites, there must be no delay. The coronation for you and Princess Kali as King and Queen will take place immediately–perhaps two days later. The kingdom is in chaos, and our enemies will

strike if we appear weak.”

Jack’s hand tightens around me. “We’ll be ready. See to the preparations. I’ll handle the rest.”

The officials bow their heads once more, filing out after the priest, leaving the room heavy with silence

once again.

Jack exhales slowly, then turns to me. His thumb brushes a tear from my cheek, his eyes lingering on me

with a softness that wars with the steel in his expression. “Come. You need to rest.”

I don’t argue. My body feels leaden, my spirit wrung dry. He keeps his arm around me as he walks me back through the palace halls, every step echoing with memories I’m not ready to face. At my room door, he presses a kiss to my temple, lingering there as though reluctant to leave me.

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