Lahat ng Kabanata ng Claimed By The Lycan King: Kabanata 181 - Kabanata 190

The car slowed as we approached the Grand Royal Shopping Center, its glass and marble façade gleaming in the midday sun. I felt my heart rate increase as I noticed the gathered crowd outside the main entrance – not the usual shoppers, but a tightly packed group holding signs I couldn't quite read from this distance."What is that?" I asked, leaning closer to the window.Victor's expression darkened. "Protesters, Your Majesty. We received intelligence this morning that anti-integration groups planned demonstrations today, but we didn't expect them here specifically.""Someone leaked our destination," Nathaniel stated flatly from the front seat, his tone carrying an accusation though he didn't direct it at anyone specifically.Lola's hand found mine, squeezing gently. "We can go back," she offered. "Try another day, or another location."I stared at the protesters, their angry faces coming into focus as we drew closer. Their signs carried s

The relief hit me with physical force, making my knees weak. Emma's tears flowed freely now, her hand squeezing mine as we both stared at the miracle on the screen."Bed rest," Amelia continued, her tone becoming more authoritative. "Complete bed rest for at least a week, then we'll reassess. No excursions, no matter how well-guarded."Emma nodded, not arguing as she might have under different circumstances. The fear had been too real, too close."Would you like to know what you're having?" Amelia asked, her question cutting through the haze of relief. "I have a clear view now, if you'd like to know."I glanced at Emma, whose eyes widened slightly. We'd discussed waiting, letting it be a surprise, but after today... perhaps certainty was its own comfort."It's your choice," I told her softly.Emma looked from me to the screen, then back again. She nodded once, decision made."You're having two girls," Amelia said, a rare

Lola squeezed my hand before releasing it. "I'll help you get ready," she offered, already moving toward the small bathroom attached to the room.Within fifteen minutes, she had worked minor miracles. My hair was brushed and arranged in loose waves that framed my face, concealing the worst of its pallor with subtle makeup that didn't look like I was trying too hard. A silk robe over my nightgown added a touch of dignity without seeming staged."Perfect," she declared, stepping back to assess her work. "Resilient but real. Exactly what the kingdom needs to see."The broadcast equipment was wheeled in—cameras, lights, microphones positioned to capture us against the neutral backdrop of the hospital room. Theo sat beside me on the bed, his hand finding mine with instinctive certainty. His strength flowed into me through our bond, Aeson's protective presence reaching out to Artemis in silent communion."Live in three, two, one..." the technician count

Caleb went still, the colour draining from his face. "What did you say?""You heard me," I replied, suddenly calm in the eye of my internal storm. "The Pure Blood Coalition failed. But there will be other opportunities.""My God." Caleb took a step back, horror dawning in his eyes. "You're planning to kill children. Unborn children. Emma's children.""I'm planning to save our species from extinction," I corrected, following his retreat with measured steps. "To prevent the final victory of Lycan dominance over werewolf autonomy.""You're insane," Caleb whispered, his back hitting the wall behind him. "This isn't about politics or species rights. This is madness, Benjamin. Pure madness."Something in his eyes—the way he looked at me as if I were a stranger, a monster—ignited fresh rage within me. After everything I'd done, everything I'd sacrificed, my own brother still couldn't understand the necessity of my actions."You've never

The ceiling above my bed had become a canvas for my imagination after three days of staring at it. I'd counted the hairline cracks (seventeen), memorized the subtle variations in the white paint (at least three different shades, depending on how the light hit it), and even named the small water stain in the corner (Herbert). Artemis paced restlessly within me, her golden presence chafing against our confinement as much as I was. The twins, however, seemed perfectly content with our mandatory stillness, occasionally reminding me of their presence with gentle flutters against my insides, like butterfly wings testing the air.My world had shrunk to this bedroom—this bed, more specifically—since the attack. A parade of visitors flowed through, each with their own purpose: servants bringing meals I barely tasted, guards checking windows and doors with suspicious thoroughness, Amelia with her medical equipment and careful hands. And Theo, always Theo, his face tight with worry he