All Chapters of SECOND CHANCE: CLAIMED BY THE LYCAN KING: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

HUNTER’S POV.I sat in the meeting room.The elders from the royal pack sat across from me.Three of them.Their expressions were calm… but not relaxed.Respectful… but firm.Like they had already decided how this conversation would go.“We need to discuss this matter further, my King,” one of them said.His tone was polite.But it wasn’t a request.I held his gaze for a second.Then nodded once.“Then speak.”“We will not take much of your time,” another elder said. “But this cannot be delayed any longer.”I said nothing.I just watched them.Let them speak. They were the ones who called this meeting—and unnecessarily early too. I had been sitting here for almost half an hour, and they still hadn’t said much. Probably because they already knew I wouldn’t entertain whatever it was they had to say.“The kingdom is unstable,” the first elder continued. “Your absence has created uncertainty, given room to enemies. The council is divided. The people are asking questions.”My jaw tightened

DEREK'S POV.The night was quiet. Too quiet.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor as moonlight crept through the window. My muscles ached, my mind was a storm, and yet my body refused to relax. Even though it's already been a day, last night still replayed in my head like a war I had already lost. Their faces were burned into my memory. Her soft defiance, his cold certainty. I could still feel the heat of the argument, the tension between us like a living thing in the room.I had betrayed her first. I knew that. I had let my pride, my anger, my own selfishness push her away. And now… now she was leaving Red Moon again. Not just leaving—but leaving with him. My chest tightened painfully, but I didn’t fall apart. I didn’t allow myself to. I wasn’t a child. I wasn’t weak. I just… felt the fire of betrayal burn inside of me.I replayed it all, word by word, moment by moment.He had come for her like a storm. He didn’t ask, didn’t hesitate. He moved with the confidence of a wo

HOPE'S POV.A figure lunged from the side.Fast.Too fast.I barely had time to react before I was yanked back.A body moved in front of me.Hunter.He blocked the attack completely.The sound of impact echoed, and everything exploded into chaos.Shouts.Movement.Fighting.It was all happening too fast—I could barely comprehend what I was seeing, even though it was happening right in front of me. It was as if my brain shut down completely from the shock.My heart slammed against my chest as I stumbled back, trying to stay out of the way, but everything was happening so fast.Another attacker came from the side—I froze.Then suddenly—Hunter was there again.He moved on instinct. Like he didn’t even have to think.He grabbed the attacker and threw him back with a force that made my breath catch.“Hope, stay behind me!” he snapped.I nodded quickly, my entire body shaking.The guards were already handling the rest. The fight didn’t last long, but it felt like forever.And then…It was

HOPE’S POV.I didn’t realize how long I stayed in the bath until the water started to cool.At some point, I had just… stopped moving.Sitting there.Thinking.Trying to steady myself.But the truth was, no amount of time in that room could prepare me for what was coming next.The council.I exhaled slowly and leaned forward, dragging my hands over my face.“Okay,” I whispered to myself.I couldn’t stay in here forever.Eventually, I stepped out, drying myself off quickly before reaching for the robe that had been left behind.By the time I stepped back into the main room, someone had already been there.A dress had been laid out neatly on the bed.Of course it had.I hesitated as I walked closer.It was… beautiful.Deep midnight blue, the fabric soft and flowing, catching the light in a way that made it almost shimmer. The neckline was modest but elegant, the sleeves long and fitted. It wasn’t overly flashy, but there was no mistaking what it was meant to represent.Status.Position

HOPE'S POV.“You are here without rank, without ties to the royal family,” another elder continued. “This court has rules, expectations. We must consider the implications of your… presence in our midst.”I wanted to shrink into myself, to disappear entirely. But a quiet voice inside me—different from fear—said, Stand. Don’t let them see you falter.“I understand,” I said, my voice quiet but firm. “But like I already mentioned, I am here. I am willing to learn. I am willing to follow the rules of this palace.”A ripple went through the room. Hunter’s eyes locked on mine for a moment, pride flashing there.The first elder’s gaze hardened. “Even so, there are concerns. Some suggest you be removed from the palace entirely. It is the safest course for all involved as this pack can only afford to risk so much.”I froze. My heart thumped painfully. Removed. Gone. Back to the uncertainty outside these walls.Hunter’s voice cut through the silence, smooth and commanding. “That will not happen.