All Chapters of Claimed By The Lycan King: Chapter 121 - Chapter 129

I smoothed the fabric of my dress for the hundredth time, my fingers catching on a loose thread that wasn't actually there. My stomach twisted with a familiar anxiety—the same knot that had formed whenever I'd disappointed my parents throughout my forty-five years of existence. But this time was different. This time, the disappointment came with newspaper headlines, public statements, and a mate mark on my neck that felt both like a declaration of independence and a target. I glanced at Christian, his steady presence beside me on the settee a reminder of why this confrontation was necessary—and why, despite the churning in my gut, I wouldn't change a thing."You're going to wear a hole in that dress," Christian murmured, his hand covering mine to still the nervous movement. "It's quite lovely as it is."The dress was indeed lovely—a deep emerald green that complemented my amber eyes, cut to flatter without being ostentatious. I'd chosen it carefully, wanting to loo

I stretched in the honeymoon cottage's kitchen, sunlight streaming through the open windows along with the salt-sweet scent of the sea. Five days into our getaway, and I still couldn't believe we'd managed to escape the palace, the ministers, the endless obligations that came with being queen. Here, with just Theo and the endless horizon, I felt myself unwinding like a tightly coiled spring finally released. My wolf, Artemis, lounged contentedly in my mind, satisfied with our daily runs along the empty beach and the quiet nights spent with our mate. This was freedom – something I hadn't fully appreciated until it had been temporarily granted to us. "What are you smiling about?" Theo's voice came from behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist as he pressed his lips to the sensitive spot just below my ear. "Just thinking about how quiet it is," I replied, leaning back against his chest. "No phones ringing with diplomatic emergencies. No ministers hover

I sat in the library with Lola, watching afternoon light dust the leather-bound volumes with golden warmth. She'd found a first edition of Lycan poetry – a collection my great-grandmother had annotated with elegant script in the margins – and was reading passages aloud in that melodious voice that still made Leon purr with contentment. This quiet moment, stolen between meetings and responsibilities, felt like a small rebellion against the constant demands of governing in my brother's absence. I should have known better. Peace never lasts in this palace; it merely catches its breath before the next crisis arrives. The library doors burst open without a warning knock – already unusual enough to make me straighten in my chair. My security chief stood in the doorway, his face ashen beneath his professional composure, his breathing slightly elevated. In twenty years of service, I had never seen Aleksander look anything but unflappable. "Your Grace," he said,

I paced the length of Christian's office—Theo's office, technically—my fingers worrying at the sleeve of my blouse as we waited for news. The post-surgical update was taking longer than expected, which could mean anything from simple administrative delays to complications too severe to discuss over the phone. Sierra paced with me in my mind, her anxiety bleeding into mine, making it impossible to sit still despite the exhaustion that dragged at my limbs after nearly twenty-four sleepless hours. Through the large windows, I could see media vans still clustered at the palace gates, their satellite dishes raised like predatory antennae, hungry for any morsel of information they could twist into headlines."They've received the statement," Christian said, looking up from his tablet. "It's already running on the major networks."I nodded, appreciating his attempt at normalcy, at procedure, at control in a situation that felt increasingly uncontrollable. "That's good. People need to hear so

The slight hesitation before she spoke told me everything I needed to know."We're doing everything possible," she said. "His Lycan should be helping, but...""But what?" I prompted when she trailed off.Dr. Meyers sighed, her professional demeanor cracking just enough to reveal genuine concern beneath. "We thought he would have woken up by now," she explained, glancing at Theo. "He inhaled a lot of smoke, and it appears he is struggling to heal the damage. There was also significant internal bleeding that required surgical intervention.""Why can't I feel him through our bond?" I asked, dreading the answer."Sometimes, in cases of severe trauma, a Lycan will retreat deep within the psyche," she explained. "It's a protective mechanism, allowing them to focus all energy on healing critical injuries. Aeson has likely withdrawn to help your mate fight for his life."Fight for his life. The phrase hit me with the force of another explosion. Theo was fighting for his life while I lay here,