Claimed by the Lycan King

Vera The gates opened automatically as we approached, heavy iron sliding apart with barely a whisper. Guards snapped to attention on either side, their weapons lowered but ready. They didn't look at me. Their eyes stayed fixed on Dante, and every single one of them had the same expression—absolute obedience mixed with raw fear. "Boss." One guard nodded as we passed. His voice shook slightly. Dante didn't acknowledge him. He just kept walking, pulling me through the compound like I weighed nothing. Which, considering my size, was impossible. Unless you were a Lycan who'd just ripped eight wolves apart with your bare hands. The main building loomed ahead, all glass and steel and modern architecture that screamed money. Serious money. The kind of money my pack could never dream of. Lights blazed from every window, and even from outside I could hear voices, movement, life happening within. "How many people live here?" I asked. "Seventy-three." Dante pushed open the front door. "Fami

Vera's Pov After breakfast, I practically ran back to my room. My hands were still shaking. The way Dante had looked at me, the things he'd said—beautiful, strong, mine—they played on repeat in my head until I wanted to scream.Nobody had ever called me beautiful. Not once in my entire life.I paced the massive bedroom, my mind spinning. Why was he doing this? The clothes, the food, the protection—it was too much. I wasn't used to being pampered. Wasn't used to anyone caring whether I ate or slept or lived or died. It scared me more than his violence had.A knock at the door made me jump. "Come in."A young maid entered, carrying a garment bag. She was petite and pretty, with dark hair pulled back in a neat bun. She smiled at me like I was normal, like I belonged here."Miss Vera, the king is hosting a party tonight." She laid the garment bag carefully on the bed. "He sent this for you."My stomach dropped. A party. With all of Dante's people, his family, probably other crime lords

Dante's Pov The second Vera disappeared up the stairs with Sofia, I turned back to the remaining crowd. My hands were still covered in Daemon's blood, already starting to dry and crack across my knuckles. The hybrid was retreating slowly, reluctantly, like a beast being dragged back into its cage. My fangs had retracted but my jaw still ached from the transformation. My eyes burned, probably still flickering between gold and red.I didn't care."Listen carefully." My voice cut through the whispers like a blade. Every head snapped toward me. Alphas, visiting pack leaders, members of other crime families – they all froze. "Daemon of the Shadowfang Pack is now marked. Banished from every territory under Russo control.""Dante –" One of the visiting Alphas started."I'm not finished." The words came out as a growl. He shut his mouth immediately. "Anyone who offers him sanctuary, anyone who gives him shelter, anyone who so much as shares a meal with him will be considered an enemy of the

Vera's POVDante's hand was firm but gentle on my elbow as he guided me back to my room. I kept my eyes down, watching blood drip from my nose onto the carpet with each step. The shame burned hotter than the pain.The maids' laughter still echoed in my ears.He opened my door and led me inside, steering me toward the couch. "Sit."I sat, hands folded in my lap, still not looking at him. I heard him move to the bathroom, heard water running and the cabinets opening and closing.He returned with a first aid kit and a damp towel. He knelt in front of me and gently tilted my face up."This might sting," he warned before pressing the towel to my nose.I winced but didn't pull away. The warm water mixed with the blood, turning the white towel pink. His touch was so careful, so different from the violence I'd witnessed earlier tonight. Those same hands that had nearly killed Daemon were now treating my wounds like I was made of glass."How did you fall?" He asked, his voice low. "I wasn't