Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 61

**Title: Fireflies in Winter Rain — Neil A. Varma**

**Chapter 61**

Cassian,

Disappointment weighed heavily on my shoulders as I concluded the urgent meeting with the elders and the Pack Alphas under my jurisdiction. I had anticipated Roana would display some understanding, but instead, I was met with silence and avoidance. Was it truly so unreasonable for her to feel jealous that I had spent the night in Carolyn’s room? It felt so out of the blue, like a sudden storm on a clear day.

My mind was a turbulent sea, constantly drifting back to thoughts of Roana, her distance from me igniting a simmering irritation within. She was genuinely holding me accountable for that incident, and it stung. I had thought she relished our time together, enjoyed the thrill of it all. If it had bothered her so deeply, why hadn’t she simply pushed me away?

Rubbing my temples in frustration, I leaned back in my chair, the wood creaking slightly under my weight. I had work to do, yet my gaze kept darting to my phone, as if it held the answers to my turmoil. Perhaps a message to her would bridge this chasm between us. It couldn’t hurt to reach out, could it?

“A man’s duty is to safeguard his mate’s mental well-being!” Cyrus purred with a smug tone, his presence stirring within me. Ever since we had spent time together, he had been in surprisingly high spirits, even with her insistence on setting firm boundaries.

There was an unsettling thought nagging at me—did Cyrus understand her better than I did?

Ignoring the voice in my head, I grasped my phone, his words resonating with a strange clarity. He was right; I had initiated this mess, and it was my responsibility to apologize. Yet, as I began to type, my fingers froze mid-air.

When had I become so invested in someone else’s feelings? Not just invested, but utterly consumed by thoughts of her. Even during the meeting, my mind had wandered to her, pondering what she might be doing and why she seemed to harbor such resentment.

It felt as though my thoughts were ensnared by her, drowning out everything else in my life.

“Just admit it—you like her,” Cyrus scoffed, relishing in my internal conflict.

I brushed him aside and opted for a more direct approach—calling her seemed more appropriate than sending a text.

So, with a determined stride, I made my way to the lobby and dialed her number. As the phone pressed against my ear, I caught sight of a few guards sipping coffee on the adjacent balcony. They were Keane’s subordinates, but what were they doing here, unaccompanied? It struck me then that Keane hadn’t shown up at the office or relayed the urgency of the situation earlier.

My focus shifted back to the call as it rang, only to be met with the disheartening sound of voicemail.

A wave of dread washed over me. Was her phone off? Or worse, had she blocked my number?

Just as annoyance began to bubble within me, I overheard the guards’ conversation, drawing my attention like a moth to a flame.

“No. The Commander won’t be attending training tonight either. He’ll be spending another night at the hospital!” one guard remarked, his tone laced with a mix of concern and resignation.

“It’s the second night he’s missed. It’s unusual for him to skip training, but honestly, it’s for the best. I was looking forward to a night of drinking!” another replied, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

“Well, it’s unavoidable. He’s not skipping; he’s doing his duty to protect the Luna Queen. Otherwise, there would be chaos in the pack!”

Protect the Luna Queen? The words struck me like a thunderbolt. What did they mean by that?

Without hesitation, I approached them, the cold wind biting at my face. “What are you all talking about? Why is Keane at the hospital?” I inquired, desperately trying to piece together their conversation.

“Your Majesty!” They snapped to attention, saluting me as if I were a king in their midst.

“Who is hospitalized? What’s wrong with Keane?” I pressed, deliberately avoiding the mention of the Luna Queen, my heart racing.

They exchanged bewildered glances, as if my inquiry was the most absurd thing they had ever heard. Finally, one stepped forward, his expression serious. “Your Majesty, Commander Keane has been at the hospital with the Luna Queen since yesterday.”

My breath caught in my throat, my heart pounding wildly. “What do you mean? What happened to Roana?”

Their faces shifted from confusion to realization, as if they were finally grasping the gravity of the situation.

“Your Majesty, please don’t tell me…,” one of them stammered, swallowing hard. “You don’t know that the Luna Queen has sustained severe injuries? She’s been hospitalized!”

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