All Chapters of The Lycan King's Captive: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Chapter 21: angering the tigressCatherine's POVThe hall had never looked more perfect.I stood in the center of the room, surveying my work with what should have been satisfaction. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light across tables draped in ivory silk. Silver candelabras gleamed at precise intervals. Roses—white and blush pink, his favorites—spilled from porcelain vases in artful arrangements. Even the cake was a masterpiece: four tiers of vanilla and honey, decorated with delicate sugar flowers that had taken the palace confectioner three days to craft.Everything was exactly as I had planned. Exactly as it should be for a king's return.So why did I feel like screaming?Why did I feel like the bright walls were suddenly turning darker, as time passes?"Oh, Lady Catherine, it's absolutely magnificent!" Lydia, one of my maids, clasped her hands together dramatically. "The King will be so pleased when he sees what you've prepared for him.""Indeed, my lady," another chimed in, a girl

Chapter 23: Run!!Elena pov"How do you know about…" the word blurted out of my mouth before I could stop it."I know many things the court pretends not to see." She ground the mixture harder, the sound sharp in the quiet room. "The question is, what will you do with this information?"I looked down at my hands, still trembling, still stained with my own blood. My parents' faces swam in my memory. My mother's hard eyes as she handed me the first batch of suppressants."They knew," I whispered, the realization crystallizing like ice in my chest. "My parents knew this would kill me."They'd sent me here to die. Slowly, painfully, but inevitably. All to hide whatever I really was. All to protect some secret that mattered more than my life.The betrayal cut deeper than any physical pain.Maya knelt beside my chair, taking my hand. "Elena...""I won't take them anymore," I said, my voice stronger than I felt. "I won't die for their secrets."Grandmother Iris nodded approvingly. She poured

Chapter 25: The Weight of CrownsKieran's POVThe door clicked shut behind me, and I stood in the corridor for a moment, trying to collect myself. My hand was still tingling from where I'd touched Elena's forehead… that cool, trembling skin, the vulnerability in her eyes.I shook my head sharply. What was wrong with me this early morning? She was a political prisoner, nothing more. A tool to be used in the endless game of court politics.Yet I couldn't shake the image of her pale face, the way she'd looked at me when I'd offered help. Like she couldn't quite believe it. Like kindness was foreign to her."Your Majesty."Marcus's voice cut through my thoughts. He stood a few paces away, his face grim. Even from here, I could read the tension in his shoulders, the frustration in the set of his jaw."Well?" I asked, though I already knew the answer."The assassin got away. Again." Marcus fell into step beside me as I started walking, his voice low. "We searched every inch of the royal win

Chapter 27: first danceElena povI looked up to find a striking woman with auburn hair and predatory green eyes watching me with undisguised interest. She wore a gown of deep emerald that complemented her coloring perfectly, and jewels that probably cost more than my family's entire estate.“We meet again, dear,” she smiled. I fought the urge to shrink back at how fake the smile felt.It took a while before I remembered her from the little girls outing I had with them."I'm Lady Vee," she continued, as if i cared to know her name. "It's... nice to…” I made to start a conversation, but was cut short."Being a concubine doesn't require the same skills as being a warrior, I hear. Different... talents needed for that position."The innuendo was clear, and heat flooded my face. And worse, I could feel others listening to our conversation. This was going to be a nightmare.When I thought I could bear the embarrassment, The music swelled suddenly, and the crowd's attention shifted toward

Elena's POV His amber eyes flickered between us, sharp with interest. Then he smiled… a knowing smile that made my skin crawl… and bowed."Of course. Until later, Lady Elena." He .melted into the crowd, The promise in his words made me shudder.And suddenly I was alone with Kieran, press flushed against him. His hot breath fanned the top of my hair."Look at me," he commanded, his voice low and rough.I raised my eyes to his face and immediately wished I hadn't. His silver eyes were molten, blazing with something that made my breath catch. Anger? Or something else?"I..." My voice failed at the critical point. Kieran moved, and I didn't have a choice but to follow his steps.I had never danced before in all my life. Not to talk of with Kieran. Had never been this close to him except in brief, stolen moments. But somehow, my body knew what to do. My feet followed him without conscious thought, our movements synchronized as if we had danced together a thousand times.It should have bee