Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Unknown,

The soothing pressure of warm hands kneading my tense shoulders was exactly what I needed after a long day tangled in pointless affairs. My eyelids grew heavy, fluttering shut as I savored the cool, sweet tang of my Kiwi smoothie, letting its sharp flavor dance on my tongue. For once, a rare calmness settled over my body, and my mind felt steady, anchored. Life had finally fallen into the rhythm I had painstakingly crafted with my own willpower. Everything bent to my command. The palace itself seemed to bow at the sound of my name. And now, my only desire was to crown Veronica as the Luna—a mere puppet adorned with jewels and a crown that would never truly belong to her, but would always be within my grasp.

Yet, the fragile peace of my evening shattered like delicate glass when the door creaked open. My most trusted servant entered quietly, avoiding my gaze. However, the tight set of her jaw betrayed the tension she tried so hard to hide. She dared not breathe too loudly, but the trembling of her fingers gave away her anxiety. Trouble. I didn’t want any trouble tonight—not when everything was finally aligning exactly as I had demanded.

“My Lady!” she called softly, lifting her head. Her lips pressed into a thin, controlled line. “We’ve got some problems.”

The way she said it twisted something deep inside me, tightening my chest with irritation. I set my glass down slowly, narrowing my eyes. “Problems?” My voice cracked sharply through the stillness like a whip. Rising from my chair, my shawl swept the floor, the lingering sweetness of the Kiwi now tasting sour in my mouth. “What problem, Eliza?”

She flinched, a small victory. At least she remembered her place. Still, she maintained her composure, torn between loyalty and fear. “It’s about His Majesty.”

Her words cut into me like jagged knives. My eyes widened, heat rushing up from my neck to flood my face. Despite the fire rising inside, I forced myself to remain composed, even as my nails dug into the fabric of my shawl. “When did he return?” I asked, voice cold and sharp, each word slicing the silence like a blade.

“This noon.”

“This noon?” I snapped, my tone rising with venom. “Why wasn’t I informed?”

My hand trembled with barely contained rage, causing the glass of smoothie to rattle against the table.

“My apologies, My Lady. I only learned of it just now. But… the real problem is something else.”

I tilted my head, voice dropping to a low, poisonous whisper. “What do you mean?”

Her fist clenched tightly, and finally, she dared to meet my eyes. “The King brought a woman with him. And… he introduced her to Miss Veronica as his Luna Queen.”

For a moment, the room seemed to tilt beneath me. I froze, blinking, unable to absorb the filth she had just uttered. He had brought a woman behind my back? And called her… Luna Queen?

The words thundered in my ears. My lips parted, but no sound escaped. My blood boiled, my chest burned with fury, and my jaw clenched so hard I feared my teeth would shatter. Cassian—my unshakable, loyal Cassian—bringing another woman? Had he fallen in love? Impossible. He was incapable of loving anyone except the shadow I dangled before him.

No, it had to be something else. Some dark sorcery. A cursed enchantress clawing her way into his mind. I had done everything to keep him caged, locked in the memory of the woman he would never see again. I had kept that ghost alive for him—a chain around his throat. And now this?

“Where is Veronica?” My voice was ice, each syllable cracking like frozen glass.

“She’s heading to her chamber,” Eliza whispered.

“Bring her here,” I ordered, my tone sharp as a blade’s edge. “Then we will confront His Majesty face to face.”

I sank back into my chair, jaw rigid. My fingers drummed a restless rhythm on the wooden table, the sound echoing in the stifling room. My thoughts twisted tighter, darker. No enchantment could sway Cassian; his mind was forged from iron. No black magic could touch him. Then how? How had some nameless woman managed to ensnare him when I could not?

My chest heaved with a heavy breath, but I forced my expression to remain blank. Still, the fury beneath my skin roared louder.

Then—

“Cousin! Are you awake?” A shaky, desperate voice pierced the silence.

“Veronica?” I rose just as Eliza opened the door. Veronica stumbled inside, her silk gown wrinkled and her hair tousled. The moment her eyes locked on mine, she rushed forward, collapsing into my arms.

Her body trembled like a fragile leaf caught in a storm. “His Majesty cheated on me,” she sobbed, her words breaking into wails, tears soaking through my clothes.

Disgust curled at my lip, though I masked it with a facade of concern. Her snot and tears stained the fabric I wore—fabric she was not worthy to touch.

“What’s wrong, Vero? Are you alright?” I asked gently, my hands pushing her back just enough to keep her at arm’s length. I had to play the doting cousin. I had to maintain control over her father.

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