Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Roana,

At first, I assumed Veronica would be the one to complicate matters—after all, she had once been Cassian’s fiancée. The fact that Cassian signed the contract while still engaged to Veronica felt like a betrayal, a kind of cheating, didn’t it?

But that notion quickly dissolved the moment she appeared. I almost dropped my jaw when she entered the room. Tall and elegant, she radiated an undeniable beauty. Her fiery red hair caught the light perfectly, a vivid contrast against the muted sky outside. With long, thick eyelashes framing her eyes, a sharply defined V-shaped jawline, and an athletic figure, she seemed like a vision sculpted to perfection.

—

Even with her cheeks flushed with fury, she looked like a model captured in a cinematic moment. It was astonishing how someone could appear so breathtaking, even when consumed by anger.

“What are you doing, My King?” she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion but her gaze locked firmly on Cassian, unflinching. “You bring a woman out of nowhere, declare her Luna, and now you strip me of my duties and responsibilities?”

The tension in the room was palpable.

Cassian took his time, calmly wiping the sweat from his face before rising with a slow, effortless grace that made everyone turn to watch. When he finally spoke, he let the silence stretch just long enough to draw everyone in, weighing his words carefully. “That’s not what I meant, Carolyn.”

I blinked, surprised by the softness in his tone. Who was this woman really? And what was behind the expression he wore? Something felt off—like a hidden layer beneath the surface.

“I’m disappointed, My King,” Carolyn said sharply. “I believed you were doing everything in your power to bring my sister back. It’s been five years—five long years since she was taken. Instead of rescuing her, you bring another woman to replace her?”

—

“That’s enough, Carolyn!” Cassian’s voice was weary but carried an unyielding strength, like tempered steel. Moving toward the table, he planted his palm firmly down, anchoring the room’s energy. The atmosphere seemed to steady around him. “I needed a Luna who would stand by me.”

“Veronica is here. She was your fiancée. Why would you bring in another woman and—!”

He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing just enough to cut through the noise with precision. When he spoke again, his voice was low, calm, and final. “She is my mate.” The two words landed like a verdict. “And she is the best choice I could have made for my Luna.”

Carolyn’s eyes widened as though she’d been slapped. Her face twisted with fury, her jaw tightening.

I might miss things sometimes, but she looked more wounded than enraged. But why? If Cassian’s chosen one was her sister, anger would make sense—but this expression?

It wasn’t rage on someone else’s behalf.

“Did you just say your mate?” she repeated, glancing at me. Her eyes darkened when they flicked back toward Cassian.

I took a bite of my chicken drumstick, watching her puff up with frustration like a blowfish.

“You must be joking,” she scoffed. “She’s your mate? The Moon Goddess can’t be that foolish to choose someone like her as your destined partner. Stop playing games!”

Yes, exactly. That was my thought too, Lady. The Moon Goddess must have been drunk while doing her job.

Useless.

Well, I decided to sit back and enjoy the spectacle. Not my circus, not my monkeys.

“Watch your words, Carolyn. Even if you can’t accept the truth, you can’t openly disrespect someone—especially not the woman who is now my Queen.”

“Cassian!!!” Carolyn’s voice rose sharply.

I nearly choked on my food. Did she just call him by his first name? What exactly was their relationship?

Cassian didn’t respond. Instead, he gave me a slow, deliberate, protective glance—the kind of look that made the hairs on my arms stand on end. I paused mid-bite, tilting my head in curiosity.

Why would he look at me that way when she was the one upset with him?

His voice dropped low and dangerous—the kind that didn’t need to raise volume to command control. “Did she do something to you?” His gaze sharpened, cutting like a blade.

“No. Why would she? She’s just adorable. Like a baby!” I grinned, finishing my meal.

“Is your mate dumb too, Your Majesty?” Carolyn asked, folding her arms. “She can’t read the room!”

“I don’t know. Maybe,” Cassian whispered.

“I can hear you both!” I scoffed. “Anyway—!” I stood, grabbing a tissue. “Since this is a question of worth… why don’t we make it official? Just because the Moon Goddess made a drunken mistake, I don’t get to enjoy the privilege of being your mate?”

Cassian looked taken aback, as if he hadn’t expected me to fuel Carolyn’s delusions. But the surprise faded, replaced by a faint, possessive smile.

“What are you thinking? You don’t have to,” Cassian’s voice dropped, warning sharp.

“Why not?” I asked calmly. “But if I win, what do I get, Ms. Carolyn? I don’t do charity work. I deserve to enjoy the privilege even if you don’t like it—since my husband opposes it so much!”

Carolyn’s expression darkened as if she wanted to strike me down on the spot. Instead, she scoffed. “If you win the challenge, I’ll never interfere again. But if you lose, reject him and leave this territory forever!”

“Carolyn!” Cassian growled, the word sharp as iron. He moved forward with the precision of a predator; one step and the entire room seemed to lean toward him. “Who gave you the right to threaten my mate and dictate my personal life?”

“My King! Your personal life is tangled with all of us. Don’t think you can show favoritism just because she’s bonded to you!” She smirked.

“You—!”

“It’s fine,” I interrupted, taking Cassian’s hand with a smile. But my eyes stayed locked on Carolyn, whose gaze immediately darkened at the touch. As expected, there was suspicion in the air.

“I want to prove to the world that I am worthy of you. So no one can ever question you again.” I stepped closer, pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, and whispered, “Trust me.”