Semua Bab THE LYCAN KING’S CLAIM: Bab 71 - Bab 80

Elara's POVI was sitting on the edge of my bed, my fingers almost unconsciously twisting into the fabric of my robe, when the knock came.The knock was soft and respectful, slicing through the quiet of the night.It pulled me from the spiral of thoughts I hadn’t been able to escape since morning.Since Aldric opened up to me, about everything….“Come in,” I called, my voice steadier than I felt.The door opened slowly, and Seraphina stepped inside.I rose immediately, almost instinctively, smoothing my robe and bowing my head in respect.Sometimes I had to remind myself of her true status because of how friendly she could be.She wasn’t just Aldric’s mother… she was the Queen Mother of the Lycan Kingdom.And I had just slept with her son, ironic.“Elara,” she greeted, her voice calm and measured.“Lady Seraphina,” I replied.She gestured for me to sit and took the chair opposite my bed, folding her hands neatly in her lap.For a moment, she simply observed me, her sharp eyes taking i

Elara’s POVFor a moment, I couldn’t breathe.The world narrowed until there was only Aldric in front of me… kneeling on the council floor, his eyes fixed on me.Will you be my Alpha Queen?The words echoed in my mind.My heart pounded so loudly I was certain everyone could hear it.My mouth opened, but nothing came out.This wasn’t how I imagined anything.There was no time to prepare myself for the weight of what he was asking.One moment I had been invited as an honorary guest, still trying to convince myself I belonged in this room at all… and the next, I was standing at the center of it, the future of a kingdom being placed at my feet.Every pair of eyes locked onto me.My skin prickled under their scrutiny.Under theirs, I felt naked.It was like I was stripped down to everything I wasn’t.Before I could even begin to form a response, the room exploded.“No!”The shout came from one of the elders on the left side of the chamber.He stood abruptly, anger blazing in his eyes.“Thi

Elara’s POV“Father…”The word echoed in my head long after Aldric said it.I stared at him, my heart stumbling in my chest as if it had missed a step.“Your father?” I asked, my voice barely steady and even audible. “But he’s—”“Dead?” Aldric finished quietly.He shook his head once, slowly, as if the motion itself pained him. “Yeah. He is.”A chill crawled up my spine.The room suddenly felt too small, the walls closing in as realization settled like a heavy weight in my chest.“Then… someone is trying to threaten you,” I said, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.“Yes.” His jaw tightened. “And they’re using you to do it.”My stomach twisted. “Do you know who sent it?”He shook his head again.Then I saw it in his eyes. That cold and dangerous look.Who ever sent this message that crossed a fine line using his father to get his attention.“What are you going to do now?” I asked, a part of me, not hoping to hear the answer.“Whoever sent this either works here or broke into the cas

Elara POVThe pain came first.It felt like a knife stabbing me at all sides.The pain was everywhere, like my body had been dipped in fire.My blinked my eyes slowly, catching the wave of sunlight flashing down on me.My legs trembled under me as I pushed myself off the ground, my fingers slipping against my now blood covered skin.Every muscle in my body protested against standing.My head throbbed like something inside it was literally trying to claw its way out of it, and by all means..I swayed, nearly falling again.“No,” I whispered to myself, my teeth clenched tightly. “Not here.”The market square around me was just as lively, people moving tro and fro. It was pole the attack never even happened. Nobody cared enough to help me.But to be honest, part of me was happy that they didn't notice or care enough.I didn’t want questions. I didn’t want pity.. or worse, judgment.I took slow and gentle steps away.Each step I took felt wrong, like my body was no longer listening to me.

Elara POVThe thick darkness pressed in around me when I woke.It was near suffocating and heavy black that clung to my skin and made it hard to breathe.My head throbbed relentlessly, like a war was happening inside it.I tried to move but a wave of pain ripped through my arms instantly.A sharp gasp tore from my throat as my eyes flew open, that's when it all slammed into me.I was upright, sitting… but not by choice.My wrists were tied up tightly to the arms of a wooden chair with the thick ropes digging painfully into my skin.My ankles were tied too, immobilizing me completely.That's when the panic surged up fast.“No…” I whispered hoarsely.I pulled against the restraints, but the ropes didn’t loosen.They burned against my skin, biting deeper with every struggle.My breathing soon became erratic.Where was I?I took a long look around.The room I was in was small and dim, illuminated by a single lantern hanging on the far wall.The air in the room was stale and heavy, carryin