Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Roana.

“What are you doing here? Your Majesty!” I struggled to steady myself. The man standing before me was none other than the Lycan King—the very same ruler feared by all in the southern territories—and, to make matters infinitely more complicated, he was also my mate. Just perfect. Exactly the kind of situation every girl dreams about: having her terrifying, impossible-to-ignore mate suddenly appear in her quiet little café.

My heart pounded wildly, as if it wanted to leap right out of my chest. Why had he come here? Was it to reject me? To humiliate me in front of everyone? And how on earth had he even found me in this forgotten corner of the world?

No, of course. He was the King—the ruthless Lycan King who ruled with an iron fist. So naturally, his visit was probably just another reminder of how insignificant and powerless I was in his eyes. That made perfect sense.

Instead of replying, he slid a mug across the counter toward me, his voice sharp and commanding. “Let’s enjoy the hot chocolate together.”

Together?

I glanced down at the mug. The cream on top had formed little bubbles, almost as if mocking me. Together? Was he seriously expecting me to be charmed into submission with whipped cream and cocoa? My hands trembled slightly as I reached out, but I forced my gaze away from his intense stare.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to.” I tried to keep my tone polite yet firm, even though my chest was racing and my stomach twisted into knots. “Tell me why you’re here. If it’s to thank me—which, spoiler alert, it’s not—you can save your breath. And—”

I clenched my jaw, gripping my apron like it was my only lifeline. “If you’re here to reject our mate bond, go ahead. Knock yourself out. I’m not crying over this. I have zero intention of pursuing it.”

All the fears, frustrations, and carefully buried self-loathing that had been building inside me poured out in a sudden rush. Love had never been meant for me. I had spent my entire life being overlooked, rejected, and abandoned. Accepting defeat was practically my superpower.

But he didn’t even flinch. He simply took a slow sip of the hot chocolate, as if my words were invisible. Droplets of rain clung to his dark hair, making him look… ridiculously stunning. Yeah, just rub salt in the wound, why don’t you? My fingers tightened around the fabric of my apron, and despite my efforts, my knees betrayed me by trembling ever so slightly.

I turned away, grabbing a pot to clean it, desperate to focus on something normal. Reject me, leave, end this ridiculous scene.

Then he finally spoke.

“Alpha Alexander is looking for you. Looks like your so-called freedom is about to end.”

My eyes widened in shock. The pot slipped from my hands, crashing to the floor with a sharp clink. Fantastic. Just what I needed.

The idea that the Lycan King knew about me and Alexander sent a chill racing down my spine. My fingers shook uncontrollably. He was terrifying—and here I was, standing in front of him like a tiny sparrow, flapping helplessly in a storm.

“How much have you found out?” I asked, my jaw tight and my voice lower than I intended.

A smirk crept across his face as he leaned back casually. “What’s more important? Going back to the cheater who betrayed you… or considering the alternative I have to offer?”

Alternative? That sounded promising—like a coupon for disaster.

But the fact that the Lycan King himself had come here to present me with an alternative to Alexander’s obsession felt like another cold, calculated trap. I couldn’t read the thoughts behind his dark, heavy aura.

What exactly could the King want from me to make him come all this way alone?

“Let’s hear it, Your Majesty.” I sat down on a stool, pretending my pounding heart and sweaty palms weren’t betraying me. I put on a brave face, but my trembling knees were a dead giveaway.

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