Lahat ng Kabanata ng Claimed by the Lycan King : Kabanata 131 - Kabanata 140

Vera's POV Three weeks after Viktor's death, I sat in Dante's office reviewing contracts for a shipping operation we'd taken from the Volkov bratva. The numbers didn't make sense. "These revenue figures are wrong," I said, pointing at a line in the spreadsheet. "They're reporting thirty thousand a month but the actual shipments show they should be making at least fifty." Dante looked up from the map he'd been studying. "Someone's skimming." "Either that or they're terrible at math." I circled the discrepancy with red pen. "We should send Marcus to audit them." "Good catch." Dante made a note on his phone. "What else?" I flipped to the next contract. "The gambling den on Fifth Street wants to renegotiate their protection rates. They're claiming business is down since the war." "Business is up everywhere since we eliminated Viktor. They're lying." "I know. But if we push too hard, they might try switching to another family." I tapped my pen against the desk. "I think we counter-

Vera's POV Life had settled into a comfortable rhythm over the past few months. My mornings started at dawn with training in the courtyard, running drills with Marcus or sparring with other warriors until sweat soaked through my clothes and my muscles burned. Afternoons meant pack business. Contract reviews in Dante's office, mediation sessions between wolves who had disputes, interviews with potential recruits, planning sessions for new programs to help rejected wolves find their place in our family. Evenings belonged to Dante. We'd have dinner together in our quarters, usually something simple that one of us threw together rather than the formal meals served in the dining hall. Then we'd talk about our days, share observations about pack dynamics, or just sit in comfortable silence while he worked through paperwork and I read. Sometimes we'd walk the compound perimeter together, checking on security and greeting pack members. Other times we'd retreat to our bedroom early, the bo

Dante's POV Something was different about Vera but I couldn't figure out what. Through our bond I felt happiness radiating from her, bright and warm and almost overwhelming in its intensity. Not the contentment she usually felt, but something bigger. Excitement that made her practically vibrate with energy. But there was no danger. No fear. No anxiety or stress that would explain why she was keeping secrets from me. At lunch, she'd sat across from me with a smile playing at her lips while I discussed supply routes with Marcus. Every few minutes I'd catch her staring at me with that smile, and when our eyes met, she'd look away quickly like I'd caught her doing something she shouldn't. "What?" I'd finally asked, interrupting Marcus mid-sentence. "Nothing." But the smile had grown wider. "You were saying, Marcus?" Marcus had glanced between us with confusion before continuing his report about shipping schedules. I'd tried to focus on his words but my attention kept drifting to Ver

Vera's POV The news of my pregnancy spread through the Russo compound within hours despite Dante and me agreeing to keep it quiet for a few more days. Someone must have overheard us or maybe Elena had let it slip to someone she trusted who'd then told someone else. By dinner time, everyone knew. I walked into the dining hall that evening and the entire room erupted in applause and cheers. Wolves stood from their tables, clapping and shouting congratulations. Someone had hung a banner that read "Congratulations Alpha and Luna" across the back wall. "How did they find out so fast?" I whispered to Dante, my face burning with embarrassment at all the attention. "Pack grapevine," he said, his arm settling protectively around my waist. "News like this travels faster than a phone call." Marcus was the first to approach, a rare smile on his usually serious face. "Congratulations, Luna. The pack is honored." "Thank you, Marcus." Elena appeared next, pulling me into a tight hug. "I migh

Vera's POV Three months into my pregnancy, I couldn't hide the bump anymore. It pushed against my clothes, making everything I owned fit differently. My regular shirts rode up, showing a sliver of skin. My pants wouldn't button without the help of elastic bands Elena had given me. I stood in front of the mirror in our bedroom, turning sideways to see my profile. The curve of my stomach was unmistakable now, round and firm under my palm. For the first time in my life, I didn't feel self-conscious about my body changing. I wasn't getting bigger because I was weak or broken or unworthy. I was growing because I was creating life, and that was beautiful. Dante appeared behind me in the mirror, his arms wrapping around me to rest his hands over my stomach. "You're staring again," I said. "Can't help it." His chin settled on my shoulder. "You're gorgeous." "I'm getting fat." "You're pregnant." His hands spread wider, covering more of the bump. "There's a difference." He'd b