Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 116

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

**Chapter 116**

Cassian.

“Your Majesty, the word has already spread throughout the territories. I’ve instructed every Alpha to remain vigilant and prepared for further orders.” Lorenzo set down a hefty stack of documents onto my desk, the papers quivering slightly from the urgency with which he had transported them. I continued to sift through each page, my eyes darting over the text while my fingers drummed a steady rhythm against the polished wood of the table.

“Excellent. How many warriors are we looking at?” I inquired, my focus unwavering from the reports laid out before me.

“Approximately two thousand,” Lorenzo replied, his voice steady but laced with concern. “We outnumber them ten to one. Yet, they are aware of our vulnerabilities.”

A tension gripped my jaw, but I fought to maintain a façade of composure. “That’s acceptable. Ensure we adhere strictly to our strategy.” I leaned back in my chair, feeling the chill of its frame press against my spine. “And… how is Carolyn faring?” My tone softened, betraying the detachment I aimed to project.

He hesitated, his eyes clouding with uncertainty. “She is quite tense, Your Majesty. Anxious about the unfolding situation. She has been keeping her distance from others.”

“I understand.” My lips pressed into a thin line, a knot forming in my stomach as I steeled myself to ask, “And Roana?”

Lorenzo’s posture stiffened, a flicker of apprehension crossing his features. “I haven’t seen her recently. However, I’ve heard she’s taken a part-time job at Sean’s sister’s bakery.”

I finally raised my gaze, my brows knitting together in confusion. “Sarah?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A dull ache settled in my chest, tightening with each breath. “Do you think I should have been more honest with her?” I asked, my voice strained as I clenched my teeth.

Lorenzo inhaled sharply, his expression serious. “It’s not as if you’ve made a misstep, Your Majesty. Everything was clearly outlined in the contract. She has no legitimate grounds to challenge you on this matter.”

“But—”

“We are at a critical juncture,” Lorenzo interjected, his tone firmer than I had ever heard. “If she cannot comprehend the gravity of our situation, then perhaps she does not deserve your consideration. You are the king. Personal matters must take a backseat when the future of the kingdom hangs in the balance.”

I nodded slowly, though the weight of exhaustion bore down heavily on my shoulders, each passing moment amplifying the strain in my spine. The last three days had been nothing short of a nightmare—sleepless nights filled with relentless reports, concealed threats, and the suffocating pressure of politics closing in from all sides.

I stood abruptly, gathering the unfinished stack of documents. “Lorenzo—ensure this information remains confidential. And—” I narrowed my eyes at him, “you know what must be done. No more delays.”

He stiffened, a flicker of tension crossing his face before he nodded. “Rest assured, everything is under control. But… where are you headed now, Your Majesty?”

“Home. It’s been three days,” I replied curtly.

Yet the truth was that I could no longer deceive myself. I longed for her scent to lull me into sleep. I craved her presence to breathe again. Her warmth was my anchor, the sole light that kept the darkness of my nightmares at bay. The last three nights had been plagued by the same haunting dream, darker and more vivid than I could bear.

As I stepped into my home, an unsettling sensation washed over me even before I crossed the threshold. The air felt charged—too still, too taut. The servants moved with a stiffness that set my instincts on edge, avoiding my gaze as if fearing the worst. Their shoulders were tense, eyes darting nervously. Even the butlers stood rigid, their expressions betraying an unspoken dread.

“What is happening here?” I asked, my voice low yet unmistakably sharp.

Silence enveloped the foyer like a shroud. That was when I noticed Sierra standing near the staircase, her complexion pale, fingers clutching a piece of paper so tightly that the edges had crumpled.

“What’s going on?” I repeated, my voice rising slightly, urgency creeping in.

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