Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 68

Roana,

The door clicked shut behind Cassian, and an immediate hush enveloped the room, a stark contrast to the cacophony that had just filled the space. It was as if the world outside had muted itself, and even the rhythmic beeping of the machine faded into a distant whisper. My fingers remained suspended in the air, still clutching the chicken box, while the oppressive silence settled around me like a heavy blanket, stifling and thick.

It was peculiar how silence could morph into something so burdensome, far more than the noise Carolyn had unleashed just moments before. I tried to focus on the television, my eyes glued to the screen, but the images blurred, my mind wandering as I struggled to find a semblance of distraction. The volume that had felt just right earlier now grated against my ears, a harsh intrusion into the stillness.

Slowly, I lowered the chicken box onto my lap, the fried chicken that had once tasted divine now a mere shadow of flavor, bland and unappetizing. I forced myself to chew, but the moment Cassian’s warmth left the room, the taste faded into nothingness. My throat constricted, each swallow becoming an arduous task, heavier than it should have been.

I wished it didn’t affect me, but it did.

Carolyn’s theatrics—her dramatic sobs, her faux trembling, those conveniently placed red marks on her knees—were all too transparent. My jaw clenched at the memory. I had seen her fingers linger on her skin, a calculated move before she lifted her head, tears spilling forth as if on cue. She had slapped herself, fallen with intent. Everything about her performance felt rehearsed, as if she had practiced in front of a mirror. When she looked up with those doe-like, watery eyes, it was clear it was all an act. How utterly cringe-worthy. She was foolish to think Cassian would be deceived so easily.

But what gnawed at me was not merely her deception.

It was the undeniable truth that Cassian had walked out with her.

Of course, he had. No matter how much I tried to define the boundaries of our relationship, Carolyn had always occupied the top spot in his heart. A bitter knot twisted tighter in my chest with each passing moment I pondered it.

Just moments ago, he had behaved as if I were his beloved. Was he merely putting on a show for the nurses, trying to play the role of a devoted husband?

I reclined back against the bed, tossing the chicken bone aside with a sense of defeat. The mattress sank slightly under my weight, and the soft rustle of the sheets echoed too loudly in the oppressive silence. I stared up at the ceiling, willing the tension behind my eyes to dissipate. I was not angry—not at Cassian, at least.

I was irritated. Perhaps a touch disappointed. My lips pressed into a thin line as I reminded myself that he hadn’t outright declared his belief in Carolyn’s lies. He had merely stated that he needed to hear both sides of the story. He hadn’t taken her words at face value. Not directly, anyway.

Still, that did nothing to alleviate the sting of him leaving with her.

“Drama queen,” I muttered under my breath, my voice slightly raspy.

“Just admit it. You’re jealous!” Rye teased, his voice playful yet piercing.

“Jealous? Me? Have you lost your mind? I would rather be alone than fall for another man again. All I want is to build a home for myself and my future baby soon!” I shot back, the defiance in my tone surprising even me.

I took a sip of my drink, the cold liquid sliding down my throat, soothing the dryness that had accumulated from the whirlwind of emotions. The nurse had assured me I could eat anything I wanted, provided it wasn’t too hard, given my tendency to accidentally crush things with my jaws. My fingers tapped restlessly against the cup, the silence stretching out, colder and more oppressive than before. I despised quiet moments when my mind was in turmoil; they amplified emotions I desperately tried to suppress, dragging them into the light.

Taking a deep breath, I turned my gaze to the window.

The Packhouse grounds lay tranquil beneath the dusky sky, the fading light casting gentle shadows over the stone pathways. Guards moved about in silence, their disciplined steps a stark contrast to the chaotic storm brewing inside me. Everything outside appeared normal, calm, and orderly—everything that I was not.

I pressed my palm against the cool glass, feeling the slight tremor in my fingers as I fought to regain my composure. I needed to steady my emotions before Cassian returned, or I would erupt the moment he stepped through that door. I couldn’t afford to want anything from anyone again. The longing for attention, validation, love… I had vowed never to crave it again.

I couldn’t be the one to breach the terms of our unspoken contract.

My thoughts drifted back to Carolyn’s pathetic display earlier. The way she had flung herself onto the floor with an exaggerated gasp, her fingers clawing at Cassian’s shirt as if she were a shipwreck survivor clinging to a lifeboat. It wasn’t sorrow; it was sheer possessiveness. Her tears were weapons, her sobs tools for manipulation. Every quiver in her voice felt insincere, every shaky breath meticulously practiced.

She wanted him to choose her, to silence me before I could even speak. But what drove her obsession with him? Why resort to such desperate tactics? She had had years to make her move.

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