Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Roana,

When did Candy become my unexpected source of comfort? I hadn’t noticed it happening. Maybe it was the instant she neighed upon seeing me, gently nudging her soft silver muzzle against my cheek as if she could sense the turbulence raging within me. Her fur, shimmering like moonlight, was soothing in a way no human presence ever had been.

Right now, we were nestled beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient oak tree, surrounded by wild roses and tangled weeds, accompanied by the steady chorus of crickets hidden in the underbrush. Deep in the woods, it felt like a secret sanctuary, a small pocket of peace.

Candy stayed close, lazily chewing on the grass, her warm flank pressed against my shoulder as though she were silently guarding me.

The cold wind whispered through the leaves, brushing against my skin with a chill that was both sharp and strangely calming. For a fleeting moment, the stillness seemed to offer an escape from the chaos clawing at my heart. Yet, beneath that fragile calm, a heavy, suffocating regret weighed down my chest, refusing to loosen its grip.

—

I drew my knees up tighter, my fingers nervously fiddling with my phone. It had taken nearly ten minutes to soothe my boss earlier—he’d been frantic, convinced I’d been kidnapped. Honestly, after vanishing without a word for days, who could blame him?

I pressed play on some music, tilting my head back to rest against the rough bark of the oak. My eyes drifted closed, the breeze wrapping around me like a soft blanket. For a brief, precious moment, I almost believed the pain and uncertainty inside me had dissolved into the air. Whatever choice I’d made, I was determined not to turn back now.

My breathing slowed, becoming steady. Absentmindedly, my hand traced the warmth of Candy’s back.

Suddenly, my body tensed. My brows furrowed as my senses sharpened. Something was wrong. A faint, sharp hiss cut through the stillness, rushing toward us at an impossible speed. My pulse quickened.

Before I could fully register what was happening, my hand shot out instinctively, catching something just inches from Candy’s skin.

A searing pain exploded through my palm as cold metal scraped against it. The sharp, metallic scent of blood filled my nostrils, sending a shiver racing down my spine.

I blinked open my eyes, stunned. A silver arrow had embedded itself in my palm. My heart skipped, overwhelmed by shock and disbelief.

“Candy, behind the tree!” I yelled, stumbling as I dragged us both behind the massive oak trunk. Candy followed swiftly, ears pinned back, eyes wide and trembling with fear.

Blood poured freely from the wound, dripping onto the tangled roots and staining the grass beneath us. The dry leaves rustled softly, but we remained frozen in place.

The pain was unbearable—burning through every nerve like fire. Silver was poison. It burned. It destroyed. Who would dare attack with silver in broad daylight?

Grimacing, I gritted my teeth and pulled the arrow from my palm, holding my breath against the agony. Heavy footsteps pounded closer.

“I’m sorry!” a man’s voice called out urgently. “I didn’t mean to attack your horse. I thought she was a rogue! There have been silver rogues sneaking into the Pack lately!”

Peeking cautiously from behind the oak, I saw a man standing on the cliff above, bow in hand, his face shaded beneath a worn cowboy hat. He looked to be about my age, maybe a little older. Despite the danger, there was a calm steadiness in his stance that unsettled me.

Our eyes locked for a brief moment, sending a jolt through me before I ducked back down.

Without hesitation, he leapt down the cliff as if it were no more than a small step, landing with unnerving ease.

—

“I’m really sorry for frightening you,” he said as he approached, his voice calm—almost too calm for the situation. “But that’s silver in your hand. If the poison spreads, your arm could become paralyzed. You need treatment immediately.”

His words compelled me to emerge, though every fiber of my body wanted to stay hidden. My palm throbbed fiercely, my arm feeling heavy, as if dragged down by invisible chains.

“Then why did you use silver at all?” I demanded, clutching the arrow tighter despite the pain.

He met my gaze steadily, eyes sharp beneath his hat. “Because rogues don’t stop otherwise. I was protecting my farmhouse. I didn’t expect anyone to be here. Wolves don’t usually come this far.”

My lips parted as he poured the liquid down my throat. Fire burned through me from within before darkness claimed me. My last thought before slipping away was the bitter irony of trusting the very stranger who had nearly killed me.

When light returned, I found myself lying on a mattress beneath a glass ceiling that revealed the vast black sky overhead. Dim stars twinkled lazily. For a moment, I wondered if I was still dreaming.

“You’re awake.” His voice broke the silence.

I sat up abruptly, only to be pulled back by a sharp pain. My eyes dropped to my bandaged arm. My hand felt numb, heavy, like a foreign object.

“You nearly gave me a heart attack,” he said, setting a steaming bowl of soup on the table beside me. His expression was heavy with guilt, his voice softer now. “This was my fault.”

“It’s fine,” I replied, though my voice was colder than I intended. “Do I need an amputation? I can’t feel my arm.”

“No. Thankfully, no.” He shook his head. “The antidote worked, but the poison had spread too far before I found you. It’s only numbed your arm. The feeling will come back soon.”

I exhaled shakily. “Where’s my horse?”

“She’s safe. With mine.” His gaze softened. “Don’t worry. But you need to eat and rest. It’s night now, and the woods are too dangerous to cross.”

“Night?” My chest tightened. Cassian would be furious. He’d think I’d run away.

The man gave me an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.”

Silence stretched between us before he finally extended his hand. His icy blue eyes met mine. “I’m Sean Brady. And you are…?”

After only a moment’s hesitation, I placed my hand in his. “Roana.”