All Chapters of Claimed by the Lycan King : Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Vera's POVVivian circled me slowly, like a predator assessing its prey. "Name your price," she said. "Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. Money? A new territory? A comfortable life somewhere far away from here? Just name it.""Get out," I said, my voice cold."Be reasonable," Vivian said, stopping in front of me. "Think about what I'm offering. You could have anything you want. You could start fresh somewhere else, away from all this judgment and pain.""I said get out."Vivian laughed, a sound that grated against my nerves. "You really think you can win this? You really think Dante will choose you over his parents?""He already has," I said, though doubt crept into my voice."For now," Vivian agreed. "But parents have a way of getting what they want. They have connections, influence, power. They can make things very difficult for Dante if he doesn't comply."I knew she was right. I'd seen the power Dante's father wielded, the way he'd made the entire room submit with just his pr

Vera's POV Dante's father stared at me with an intensity that made my skin crawl. His eyes held something I couldn't quite identify. "Being with Dante will kill you," he said quietly. My heart stopped. The words hung in the air between us, heavy and terrifying. "What?" I breathed. "What do you mean?" "Exactly what I said." He leaned forward, his expression grave. "My son is cursed. Has been since he was a child. That's why he's a hybrid. That's the truth you need to know." "A curse?" I repeated, my mind struggling to process. "But he's a hybrid because –" "Because of a curse," Dante's father interrupted. "Not genetics. Not some rare natural occurrence. A curse placed on him when he was young." I shook my head, refusing to believe it. "That doesn't make sense. He's an alpha. You're an alpha. His mother –" "Is also an alpha," he finished. "Which should have made Dante a pure alpha wolf. Powerful, yes, but not a hybrid. The hybrid state was forced on him through dark magic." "W

Vera's POVI froze, my hand still raised from where it had struck his face. The sound of the slap echoed in my ears, mixing with the pounding of my heart.What had I done?I'd never hit anyone before but the frustration and betrayal had exploded out of me before I could stop it."Vera –" Dante's voice was gentle despite the red mark forming on his cheek. His hand caught my wrist as I tried to pull away. "Please don't go.""Let me go," I said, my voice breaking."Not until you listen to me," he said, his grip firm but not painful. "Please, cara. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for keeping this from you.""Then tell me the truth," I said, tears streaming down my face. "Right now. Explain everything."Dante's mouth opened, then closed. The conflict in his eyes was clear. He wanted to tell me, but something held him back."I can't," he finally said."You mean you won't," I corrected bitterly."It's complicated –""Everything with you is complicated!" I yanked my wrist free from his grip. "I'm don

Vera's POVThe next few days were torture.I avoided Dante as much as possible, acting like I was heartbroken and devastated by his supposed curse. Every time I saw him in the hallway, I'd turn and walk the other direction. When he knocked on our bedroom door, I wouldn't answer.I kept myself locked in the room most of the time, only coming out when absolutely necessary. I knew Dante could feel my emotions through the mate bond, so I forced myself to feel the hurt and betrayal. To believe, at least partially, that he'd lied to me.It wasn't entirely an act. He had lied by omission, even if what he'd hidden wasn't actually true.I avoided Elena too. She'd known about the "curse" and hadn't told me. Even though I now knew it was all fabricated, she'd still kept secrets. I needed her to think I was angry with her as well.Breakfast came and went without me. I stayed in the room, ignoring the knocks and the food trays left outside the door.Dinner was the same. I could hear Dante's voice

Vera's POVElena slipped out of the room quickly, leaving just me and Dante standing there in uncomfortable silence.The moment the door closed behind her, Dante crossed the distance between us in three quick strides. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me against his chest with desperate urgency."I'm so sorry," he whispered into my hair, his voice breaking. "I'm so, so sorry, Vera. I missed you so much."Despite everything, despite the anger I'd been holding onto for the past three days, I couldn't stop myself from hugging him back just as tightly. I buried my face against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent that always made me feel safe."I didn't tell you about the curse because I knew what you'd do," Dante continued, his arms tightening around me. "I knew that the moment you found out, you'd do anything to keep me alive. You'd sacrifice yourself without hesitation."His hand came up to stroke my hair gently. "But I don't want that, Vera. I don't want you to die for me. I'v