All Chapters of THE LYCAN KING’S CLAIM: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

Aldric POVI stood there a moment longer, my legs rooted to the spot, my mind blank.Elara….Could it be? No, no, no.. It can't..“Elara,” I whispered after a while, my voice raw, my words catching in my throat. “It’s… it’s really you.”She stepped toward me slowly, almost cautiously, and then suddenly I couldn’t restrain myself any longer.I ran, my legs carrying me swiftly, throwing my arms around her hard. I pressed my face into her hair, inhaling that warm and familiar scent of hers.Then, I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.They spilled down my face, soaking into her shoulder.My hands clutched her back as though I could tether her to me, as though letting go would mean losing her again.And for me, it felt exactly that way.“I missed you,” I sobbed, my chest shaking violently. “I missed you so much it… it hurt. I—” My words broke.I couldn't even form a full sentence.“You're.. you're here.. I just.. I miss you so damn much.”“I know,” she whispered, her own voice trembli

Aldric POVThe cold breath of the vampire stilled me.The vampire behind me tightened his grip, his fingers strong like iron bands around my shoulders.Across from me, Elton stood just as still as another different pair of fangs hovered at his neck.My wolf inside me, pressed on, demanding blood, demanding I shift, demanding I tear them all apart.But then—Elara.This was about her, all this, and I couldn't put my chance of getting her back in harms way because of my pride.I slowly lifted my eyes and turned to Elton by my side, our eyes locking.I gave him a sharp nod.And in the same breath—We moved.I twisted violently, catching the vampire’s wrist before his fangs could sink in, snapping the bone of his wrist in one fluid motion.Then, I turned and drove my arm forward…My hand plunged straight through his chest.My hand closed around his heart and then I ripped it straight out.His heart came free in a spray of dark blood.The body dropped before it even hit the ground.Beside

Aldric POVThe sudden and sharp gasp shattered the silence like glass shattering.Elara’s chest jerked violently upward and her eyes flew open.For a single heartbeat, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe.I just stood there rooted, my thoughts still processing…Then pure instinct took over.I was at her side in a flash.“Elara.” I breathed, my tone raw.Her name left my mouth like a prayer as I dropped to my knees beside the stone altar.I slid my arm under her shoulders and pulled her upright, wrapping her in my arms before the moment could slip away again.“You’re back,” I breathed into her hair. “You’re back.”She was warm. God she was warm again…She was alive!I tightened my hold, almost afraid she would dissolve into smoke if I let go.For a moment, she didn’t respond.Then her body stiffened.Her fingers pressed weakly against my chest and she pulled back.Her eyes scanned the chamber, moving from walls to walls and the faces behind me. Elton, Lariff, a few more vampires..Con

Aldric POVThe barrier shattered like glass struck by a hammer.The boundary spell was gone.“Elton!” I barked, already moving. “To the cars! Now.”No one hesitated.The Estrada vampires moved with lethal speed and urgency, dashing toward their vehicles.They weren't coming because of we asked, vet from it, they could still barely stand us. They were coming to eliminate a common threat, the Shadow Crawlers. Am the Lycan army was as good as an army they could ally with.But first, finding Elara.Myself and Elton moved to our cars, my Lycan soldiers already there waiting for us.We entered and the engine roared to life instantly.Our headlights cut through the forest darkness as we surged out of the coven grounds.If Mira had taken Elara, she hadn’t gone far.She wouldn’t risk crossing into the kingdom’s deeper territories yet and definitely not alone.“She won’t get far,” Elton said from behind the wheel as I stared out into the night.“She already has,” I muttered.We moved for a few

Aldric POV“They’re here.”The word here settled into the room like a death sentence.For a moment, no one moved.Elton and I locked eyes and shared a neutral understanding.It had begun.Jonas stepped back first. “We’ll take the front,” he said, already turning.Elton lingered a second longer, studying me.Then both of them exited the chamber, the door closing softly behind them.Silence returned.Then, I turned slowly toward the bed.Elara laid there, asleep and peaceful. Too peaceful for a chaotic night like this.I walked to her side.My fingers brushed gently against her cheek, then, I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.I made a vow to myself, and whatever gods still listened.I’ll come back. For her and for a life we almost got deprived off. I straightened then, ready to walk put.If I lingered longer, I might not leave and I had a kingdom waiting.When I stepped outside, Elton stood by the door, waiting for me.We didn’t speak at first, we didn’t need to.He