Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 108

**Fireflies in Winter Rain — Neil A. Varma**
**Chapter 108**

**5**

**EL 55 Vouchers**

Roana.

Candy breathed softly against my palm, her warm breath brushing my fingers as I caressed her cheek. The evening air enveloped us, cool and thick with the scent of pine, mingling with the last remnants of flour that clung to my hair from a long day at the bakery. Leaning in closer, I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, savoring the moment.

“You’re such a good girl,” I murmured, allowing my voice to soften in a way I rarely permitted when others were around. Candy flicked her ears forward, clearly pleased with my affection. I released her and turned my attention to the man who was radiating jealousy.

Even before I fully turned to face him, I felt the mate-bond jolt faintly beneath my skin, tightening like a taut thread. I inhaled slowly, attempting to gather my thoughts, but the effort was in vain. His presence surged forward like a tempest, heavy and oppressive.

Jealousy. Possessiveness. There was something raw and unrestrained in his gaze that sent shivers down my spine.

His eyes dropped to Candy, then snapped back to me with an intensity that was almost predatory.

“If you want something furrier than your horse,” he said slowly, his voice low and laced with an animalistic quality, “I can present you with an option.” He repeated the line, as if he needed to ensure I had grasped the implications of his words.

My breath caught in my throat.

I blinked, momentarily bewildered, before my mind caught up to the situation—only to lag again as his tone offered no clarity. My lips parted slightly, confusion evident.

“What are you talking ab—”

Before I could finish my question, he moved.

One arm slipped around my waist, firm and unexpectedly warm, pulling me backward. It wasn’t a violent action, but rather a decisive one, as if the world had shifted and I was simply following the gravitational force he exerted. A startled gasp escaped my lips as he drew me behind one of the massive stone walls near the entrance, effectively hiding us from anyone who might pass by.

He released a powerful wave of scent, a barrier designed to ward off intruders from this secluded space.

His hand settled at the small of my back, fingers splayed but not pressing too hard—just solid enough to make my lungs tighten. The closeness overwhelmed me, his scent sharper than usual, rich and intoxicating, brushing against my senses like a familiar melody I had longed to hear. My skin ignited with warmth.

Mate-bond.

It flickered to life low in my stomach, a pull so instinctual that it made my fingers tremble. My breath came out uneven, betraying my attempt to maintain composure.

He leaned in slightly, not touching my face, but standing so close that the warmth of his breath grazed my cheek. My heart thundered in my chest, painfully loud. His eyes, still human for now, locked onto mine, searching, lingering, darkening with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.

“Cassian…” I whispered, my voice trembling, unsure if it would hold steady.

But he didn’t respond.

Instead, he stepped back half a pace, exhaling sharply as if preparing himself for something monumental—and then his body jerked once, shoulders rolling forward as a tremor coursed through him.

“Oh god!” I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth in shock.

My heart plummeted into my stomach.

His bones shifted first, a subtle ripple beneath his skin. His eyes glowed—bright gold, burning straight through me. The air around him vibrated with a palpable energy, as if the very ground recognized his power.

Before I could fully comprehend the transformation, the king I knew dissolved into something far taller, broader, and infinitely more awe-inspiring—and terrifying.

Cyrus stood before me.

Massive. Furry. Golden-eyed. He radiated sheer power in waves that made the stone wall behind me feel utterly insignificant. He towered over me, easily twice my height, his presence swallowing the very air I breathed. His thick fur shimmered in the fading light, each strand reflecting a subtle metallic sheen.

I gasped, the sound escaping my lips too quickly, too raw, too instinctive.

My knees weakened for just a moment, and I had to shift my weight to steady myself.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify