Lahat ng Kabanata ng Claimed by the Lycan King : Kabanata 91 - Kabanata 100

Vera's POVDante's father didn't answer immediately. Instead, he gestured with a slow, deliberate movement toward the stone altar positioned in the center of the ritual space.The altar itself was ancient, covered in symbols I didn't recognize. Strange markings had been carved deep into the stone, worn smooth by what must have been centuries of use. Dark stains marked certain areas of the surface, and I tried not to think about what might have caused them."You will lie on the altar," Dante's father said, his voice taking on a ceremonial quality. Like he was reciting words he'd spoken a thousand times before. "Once you are in position, we will begin the ritual that will transfer your life force directly to my son."He moved closer to the altar, running his hand along its edge almost lovingly. "The process will draw the vitality from your body and channel it into Dante, breaking the curse that has plagued him since childhood. Your sacrifice will free him from the darkness forever."I n

Vera's POVI took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I prepared to reveal everything I'd been holding inside for three days, and when I spoke again, my voice rang clear and strong across the clearing, carrying to every single pack member gathered there."I heard everything," I said, making sure everyone could hear me perfectly as I recounted the conversation word for word. "Three days ago, I was outside trying to clear my head after learning about this supposed curse when I heard Vivian's voice coming from behind the mansion, so I hid and listened as she spoke with Dante's mother about their plans."The pack had gone completely silent now, hanging on my every word as I continued speaking without pause."Vivian said, and I quote, that she knew telling me about the curse would make me drift away from Dante because she understood how devastating that knowledge would be, and Dante's mother praised her for her quick thinking while adding that I only had two choices – give my life for

Vera's POVDante's eyes locked onto Vivian with such intensity that even I shivered despite knowing his rage wasn't directed at me, and the look in those red-gold eyes promised violence in a way I'd never seen from him before, not even when he'd beaten Marcus half to death for touching me."What did you mean by that?" Dante asked. Vivian's hand flew to her mouth as she realized her mistake too late, her eyes going wide with the dawning horror of someone who'd just confessed to their crimes in front of hundreds of witnesses, and she tried desperately to backtrack from what she'd revealed."I didn't mean anything," she stammered, her voice high and panicked as she took a step backward. "I was just upset, I wasn't thinking clearly, you can't take what I said seriously because I was emotional and angry and –""Stop lying," Dante interrupted, his voice still terrifyingly calm as he stared at her with those burning eyes. "You meant every word you just said and we all know it, so stop tryi

Chapter Ninety-Seven: A New BeginningVera's POVMorning light filtered through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the bedroom walls as I slowly opened my eyes.The first thing I became aware of was Dante's steady breathing beside me, his arm wrapped protectively around my waist just like it had been when we'd finally fallen asleep hours ago.I turned my head to look at him and was struck by how different he looked this morning compared to yesterday, the wolfsbane had finally left his system completely after working its way out overnight, and his strength had clearly returned based on the healthy color in his face and the relaxed way his muscles lay beneath his skin.His eyes opened as if sensing my gaze on him, and when they focused on my face, they were clear and bright and completely gold without any trace of the red that had dominated them during yesterday's confrontation with his parents.He sat up slowly, the blankets pooling around his waist as he moved, and then he r

Vera's POVThe evening was going better than I'd expected, much better actually. I found myself starting to relax as the minutes passed and I realized that most of the wolves here were genuinely kind rather than judgmental like I'd feared they would be.I was engaged in conversation with a friendly female alpha from a neighboring territory, a woman named Catherine who had warm brown eyes and an easy smile that made me feel immediately comfortable in her presence.She was telling me about the challenges of balancing pack leadership with raising three young children when the massive doors to the hall opened again with a sound that cut through the pleasant buzz of conversation.The atmosphere in the room shifted immediately and dramatically, conversations dying mid-sentence as heads turned toward the entrance. I felt a chill run down my spine that had nothing to do with the temperature as some primal instinct warned me that something was very wrong.I turned slowly to see who had entere