Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 63

**Chapter 63**

Roana.

The sharp, unrelenting pain radiating from my mouth and chest abruptly shattered the fragile veil of sleep that had enveloped me under sedation. With great effort, I peeled my eyelids apart, a wave of memories crashing over me—specifically, the moment my body had betrayed me, succumbing to a seizure. It was as if an invisible hand had clamped around my throat, choking off my breath, while another hammered mercilessly at my skull. It was a bizarre sensation, yet overwhelmingly painful.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips, a sound of resignation. Being unwell was truly the worst fate imaginable. Hunger gnawed at my insides, an insistent reminder of my body’s needs. The mere thought of something delectable set my stomach rumbling, but even the simplest action—like turning my neck to reach for a glass of water—felt impossible.

Yet another sigh slipped from me, this one accompanied by a series of persistent yawns. Each yawn sent my world spinning, as if the very act of inhaling deeply was too much for my disoriented body to handle.

“What a predicament!” I murmured softly, my gaze fixed on the stark white ceiling above me.

Suddenly, a scent wafted into my awareness—a familiar aroma that tugged at my memory. A soft, tired chuckle bubbled up from my throat. It was almost amusing how desperately I longed to see that man, the one who hadn’t bothered to visit even once during my ordeal.

But who was I kidding? I wasn’t expecting anything from him. To him, I was just another contract partner, easily dismissed like all the others.

As I continued to yawn and sigh, I sensed a shift in the atmosphere. Someone had entered the room, and I could only assume they had gone to wallow in their own misery. But when I yawned again, a figure sprang into view, sending a jolt of fear through me.

I hadn’t anticipated anyone being in my room at this hour. As the figure approached, a memory flickered in my mind—a shadowy wolf had entered earlier, speaking of matters I could barely recall.

My heart plummeted. What if they were here to finish what had been started? My fingers, swollen and aching, instinctively curled into a fist, a desperate attempt to muster strength.

Before I could react further, a warm hand enveloped mine, holding it with a gentle firmness. I flinched at the sudden contact, tension coiling in my shoulders, but I remained silent as a voice emerged from my right.

“You’re awake. How are you feeling?” Cassian’s voice washed over me like a soothing balm, a welcome sound in the chaos of my thoughts.

With great effort, I turned my gaze toward him. He stood there, an embodiment of concern—his brows knitted together, jaw tense. He held my hand as if fearing I might vanish if he let go.

For reasons I couldn’t fathom, words eluded me. Instead, my chest tightened, and a shaky sob threatened to escape. The sight of him standing by my side left me momentarily speechless.

I felt utterly pathetic. Why did his presence bring such a wave of relief?

“Roana. Are you in pain? Where does it hurt?” He stepped closer, panic igniting in his eyes as he scanned my body, desperate to understand my condition. “Wait—I’ll call the healers. They said your wolf is healing you. What’s happening?”

He attempted to pull away, his voice laced with urgency. But I barely managed to curl my fingers around his, a silent plea for him to stay.

His gaze dropped to our intertwined hands before meeting my eyes again. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly. “What’s wrong? Are you really okay?” His tone softened, a warmth I had never heard before. His usually piercing dark eyes now held an unexpected gentleness.

Despite my cracked lips, a smile crept onto my face.

“Don’t!” I managed to whisper, my throat dry and fragile. But he caught my words, settling back into his chair, drawing it closer as he cradled my hand against his cheek.

I was baffled by the gesture. His lips parted slightly, his breathing uneven. He looked every bit the concerned lover, but I quickly chastised myself for entertaining such fanciful thoughts.

Still, having him here offered a comforting reprieve.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what was happening. The Pack is in chaos. I was trying to manage everything and…” His voice grew heavier, burdened with guilt. “It’s my fault you ended up in this situation.” He pressed my hand against his cheek once more, closing his eyes for a fleeting moment, as if trying to ground himself in the reality of the moment.

“It’s fine.” I finally connected our minds, not expecting any special treatment. Carolyn had always been his priority. It would be foolish to think he would be here for me from the start. I held no resentment for that. “Keane has been looking after me. You don’t need to worry.”

The moment I mentioned Keane, I noticed a shift in his demeanor. His eyes sharpened, the change subtle yet unmistakable. His grip around my hand tightened, warm yet firm.

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