All Chapters of Claimed By The Lycan King: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

My heart stuttered to a halt before racing forward at a pace that would alarm any human doctor. She stood framed in the doorway, a vision in white silk and delicate lace, the train of her dress flowing behind her like captured starlight. The silver details along the hem caught the cathedral's light, winking like distant constellations. And atop her dark hair sat the crown I'd commissioned – white gold and sapphires nestled among her elegant updo as if it had been designed specifically for this moment, which of course, it had been.I didn't realize I was crying until Christian pressed a handkerchief into my palm, his own eyes suspiciously bright. I couldn't bring myself to care about the tears tracking down my cheeks, not when Emma looked at me across the distance and smiled – that particular smile that transformed her entire face, the one she reserved for me alone.As Elijah began to lead her down the aisle, I drank in every detail. The way the dress hugged her figure before flowing o

Theo turned to face me fully, taking both my hands in his. The amber of his eyes had deepened to honey in the cathedral light, and I could see in them the same mixture of nervousness and certainty that churned within me. Christian stepped forward, offering Theo a folded piece of paper which he accepted with a nod of thanks.Theo cleared his throat softly before speaking, his voice pitched to carry to the assembled guests while maintaining the intimacy of words meant primarily for me."Emma," he began, the familiar shortening of my name a reminder that beneath the crowns and titles, we were still just Theo and Emma. "Before you, I ruled a kingdom but lived in a fortress of my own making. I was King but not truly alive - moving through centuries with purpose but without joy, with power but without true strength."He p

The cathedral doors swung open, and sunlight spilled across the marble steps like liquid gold. I blinked against its brightness, my hand tucked firmly in Theo's as we emerged from the sacred shadows into the waiting world. The cheers erupted before my eyes could fully adjust - a joyous thunder of celebration that rippled through the crowd gathered along the path. Rose petals rained down around us, catching in my veil and clinging to Theo's formal attire, tiny fragments of crimson and pink against our wedding finery. My husband - the word still felt new and precious on my tongue - squeezed my fingers, and I looked up to find his amber eyes already watching me, crinkled at the corners with a happiness so pure it made my chest ache."Ready for this part, wife?" he whispered, his breath warm against my ear as we paused at the top of the steps."As long as you don't

As we began to eat, the ballroom slowly filled with guests being guided to their assigned tables. The volume in the room gradually increased as conversations resumed and chairs scraped against the floor. I caught snippets of discussion - diplomatic exchanges, old friends reconnecting, the inevitable analysis of the ceremony itself."The minister's words were quite progressive," I heard one Lycan noble comment to his companion."Did you see how the Queen's brother looked when they exchanged vows?" asked another guest. "I thought the man might actually cry."I smiled to myself, focusing back on my food and on Theo beside me. The first course gave way to the second - roasted duck with a cherry reduction so complex I could taste layers of flavor with each bite. Wine flowed freely, though both Theo and I sipped conservatively, aware that the night was still young and many eyes were upon us."You haven't let go of my hand once," I observed during a lull between courses. "Not that I'm compla

"King Theodore," came a feminine voice to my right. I turned to find Duchess Elara, one of our strongest Lycan allies and a supporter of werewolf integration from the beginning. "Would you indulge an old woman with a dance?"I smiled genuinely, offering my arm. "It would be my pleasure, Your Grace."As we moved across the floor with more dignity than flair - a concession to the duchess's advanced age - I kept Emma in my peripheral vision. Minister Adler was speaking intently, his head bent close to hers. Her expression remained polite but guarded, a skill she had perfected in her months as queen."She handles herself beautifully," the duchess observed, following my gaze. "You chose well, Your Majesty.""She chose me as much as I chose her," I replied, returning my attention to my dance partner.The duchess's eyes crinkled with amusement. "That's precisely why it works. Too many royal marriages are one-sided affairs. A true partnership - now that's something worth celebrating."When ou