Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 53

53 /70

**Chapter 53**

**20 vouchers**

Faustina,

A sharp, jarring pain pierced through my skull as I slowly regained consciousness. The inside of my mouth was coated with a bitter, metallic taste that made me grimace. Each throb of pain from the split on my lips and the dull ache behind my nose brought back the haunting memories of what had just transpired.

Someone had struck me with a punch that felt like a freight train, and in the midst of my shock, they had shot at me while I was driving home.

The reality of my situation hit me like a cold wave. I was still there—bound, blindfolded, and disoriented, somewhere near the ocean, though the sound of crashing waves was strangely absent. My heart raced within my chest, pounding against my ribs as I strained to discern whether it was day or night. Just then, a voice sliced through the suffocating darkness around me.

“See? I won the bet. Cassian would forsake the world for Carolyn. He doesn’t even realize his Luna is right here with us. Pathetic!”

A wave of dread washed over me. How long had I been trapped in this nightmare? How could Cassian possibly not notice my absence? And what of my elite servant? What was her name again? Damn it, I couldn’t remember.

“Wait… what if she isn’t the original one?” another voice chimed in, the crackling of a bonfire and the sizzling of meat punctuating their conversation.

“Shut up. We’ve got the picture and confirmation!”

“It could be a ruse. Maybe Cassian brought in a replacement while hiding the real one. Look at her. Do you honestly think she can be a Luna? Only fools would accept a woman like her. Sure, she’s pretty, I’ll give you that.”

“That’s true. Cassian wouldn’t settle for anything less. His first love was the most beautiful woman in the entire region. Even Carolyn doesn’t compare, despite being sisters!”

“What’s the plan now? We can’t take this one to Boss. What if she’s not the one we’re after?”

Rye roared in my mind—sharp and indignant. Their words ignited a fire within me, snapping me into action. A mere rope wouldn’t hold us back. I tore at the bindings around my wrists, yanked off the blindfold, ripped the tape from my mouth, and kicked free the ties around my ankles.

Their insults left a bitter taste in my mouth; Rye’s growl thrummed beneath my skin as I moved toward them, my eyes blazing and jaw clenched in determination.

There were three of them. The atmosphere felt like a cave by the shore, though the ocean remained eerily silent. I recognized the man who had struck me—still donning that same robe, a symbol of his arrogance. I crept up behind them, silent as a shadow, and observed them flickering in the orange glow of the fire.

“Let’s eat!” Rye purred as I settled onto a cool stone, watching one of them place a chicken skewer on a plate with a flourish.

“Boss will send us to the dungeon if we can’t deliver the real one. But who is the real one again?” the first man asked, his frustration evident.

“Goddamn it, man! You should have confirmed it twice before the attack. We wasted twelve hours,” another grumbled, piling more skewers onto his plate.

They sighed, resigned, and continued to eat. I forced my lips into an amused grin.

“Could you pass the sauce, please? The butter one!” I called out to the nearest man, my tone dripping with faux sweetness.

He hissed and tossed the sauce at me, irritation clear on his face.

“Thanks!” I replied, dipping a skewer into the sauce, grabbing a piece of seafood, and humming, “Delicious!”

“Finally, someone appreciates my grilling. Here, take more, Miss—”

“WHAT THE FUCK!” they all screamed in unison, their shock palpable.

I shrugged nonchalantly and leaned back against a tree, pretending to be completely at ease. I felt utterly ridiculous and yet magnificently powerful at the same time—like a cat that had been tossed into a washing machine but still expected to be served dinner.

“My lips burn. Nobody punches a She-Wolf like this. It’s downright disrespectful!” I declared, taking a hearty bite. “Now it’s going to take ages to heal. Do you possess any healing powers, sir?” I added, batting an eyelash in mock inquiry.

“Wh-what… How did… How did you get out of the cave?” one of them stammered, his eyes wide as he stared at my bruised wrists, as if the ropes had sprouted legs and vanished.