Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 44

**Fireflies in Winter Rain — Neil A. Varma**
**Chapter 44**

“Roana.” The sound of my name sliced through the air, sending a chill down my spine. I turned, and there she was—my mother—her face lit up by a wide, almost predatory smile that sent shivers crawling across my skin. It felt as if the winter air had seeped into my very bones, chilling me from the inside out.

“Oh, darling! My goodness, look at you!” she exclaimed, wrapping me in an embrace that felt more like a trap than a welcome. “You’ve lost so much weight. This little tantrum of yours has clearly taken a toll. You should have come home sooner. Why didn’t you answer my calls?” Her voice dripped with a sickly sweetness, but beneath it lay a venomous edge that made my stomach churn.

Beside me, Faelyn stood frozen, her brow furrowed in confusion and concern. Her eyes flitted between my mother and me, as if she were trying to decipher the intricate dance of tension unfolding before her.

“Mother,” I managed to force out through clenched teeth, my voice as cold as the winter chill that surrounded us. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief and indignation. “I’ve finally found you here! Besides—” she leaned in closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially, “Isn’t it just a bit much that you blocked my numbers? Are you even my daughter anymore?”

As the murmurs from the crowd began to swell, I felt their eyes turn toward our confrontation. The weight of their gazes pressed down on me, and I knew I had to steer this conversation away from public scrutiny. Cassian had given me the freedom to be myself, but he had also made it clear that I must never let my personal turmoil intrude upon important moments like this.

“Follow me. We can’t start this here,” I said, striding toward the balcony, desperate for a moment of privacy.

“Are you ashamed of your mother?” she called after me, her voice rising in indignation, each word dripping with accusation. “Look at this splendid event! And now you pretend you don’t even know me? How selfish of you!”

“Enough!” I snapped, my anger bubbling to the surface. “Stop humiliating yourself here. I don’t have time for this!”

“Roana, I am your mother. Show some respect!” she snarled, her voice loud enough to draw even more eyes toward us.

“Mom—”

“And enough with this running away from home game! Alexander needs you!” she growled, her icy stare piercing through me like a dagger.

“Are you joking right now? Are you really starting this same old nonsense again?” My body trembled with suppressed fury, each word laced with disbelief.

“You—!” She tried to raise her voice, but I cut her off, fighting to maintain my composure. “Didn’t you hear the news? I left you countless voice messages!”

I could feel my heart racing in my chest. “What news?”

“The baby,” she said softly, but her tone was sharp enough to cut. “Turns out it wasn’t your husband’s after all, hmm?” A smirk danced across her lips, as if she reveled in the chaos. “That woman tried to trick our poor Alexander.”

“What’s new about that? I already told you the baby wasn’t his!”

“That’s right. Now it’s proven,” she said, her voice dripping with false optimism. “It’s time for you to get back together. He is devastated!”

“Enough, Mom. Are you out of your mind? Just because the child isn’t his doesn’t mean he’s innocent!”

“Oh, stop acting like you’re fragile,” she dismissed, waving her hand as if brushing away my concerns. “Everyone knows the truth now. Honestly, it’s such a relief! You can finally come home, put this mess behind you, and we’ll start over. Besides, Alexander is acting all weird. He thinks the baby is his. He’s mentally unstable. He needs his Luna now!”

“Start over?” I echoed incredulously. “You mean pretend none of this ever happened?”

“Exactly!” she chirped, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. “You’ve always been such a smart girl. If you just forgive him, he’ll see that that woman is nothing but a fake.”

A bitter laugh threatened to escape my lips, but I suppressed it. “Mother, you sided with him when he cheated. You told me to ‘keep the marriage alive for the pack’s reputation.’ Now that the mistress’s baby isn’t his, you suddenly remember I exist?”

She chuckled lightly, glancing around as if the question embarrassed her. “Oh, darling, don’t say it like that. I only wanted what was best for you.”

“By telling me to forgive him? By telling me I was useless when he couldn’t produce?”

“By telling you to think rationally,” she corrected sharply. “You walked out like a dramatic teenager. I was humiliated! Your poor husband was devastated.”

“Devastated enough to stay with another woman?” I shot back. “And you were humiliated? Your daughter was betrayed, cheated on, and you chose him. And you were humiliated?”

Her eyes flickered, softening with a false sense of pity. “You’re still bitter. I understand. But now you’ve won, haven’t you? That other woman will be out of the picture if you return. Alexander wants you back. This is your chance to fix your marriage, and—at least he still wants you. No man would want someone like you. You know that, right?”

“Are you joking?” I wanted to laugh, but the pain cut deep; it hurt even more when my own family pressed the wound to bleed anew.

To my horror, she turned toward a couple standing near the buffet. “You know, my daughter can be so stubborn sometimes,” she said, her tone laced with a polite laugh. “She left her husband over a misunderstanding, but it’s all cleared now. The child wasn’t even his. Isn’t that such a relief?”

The couple’s expressions morphed into shock and pity, their eyes darting between me and my mother, witnessing the scandal unfold before them.

“Mother!” I hissed, grabbing her arm. “Stop it!”

At that moment, tears streamed down my face like a river, flowing unchecked. I longed to be strong, to embody the badass woman who could retort with sharp words or shake off the hurt. But I loved my parents deeply. I had always hoped my mother would refrain from hurting me this way.

“Roana, enough. I’m not arguing. I came here to bring you home. I’ve already spoken to your husband’s family. They’re willing to forgive the distance if you make a proper appearance.”

“What?” I stepped back, disbelief etched across my face. “You spoke to them?”

“Of course I did. Someone has to act like an adult.”

A dry laugh escaped me, like shards of broken glass. “Seems like they didn’t tell you something, did they?”

“What’s to tell here? You are coming with me!” She reached for my hand, but this time I yanked it away.

“Don’t dare to touch me, Luna Milestones. One more misstep, and I will call the guards to throw you out!”

Her eyes widened in shock, disbelief washing over her as she processed the woman standing before her was indeed her daughter.

“Young Lady? Are you trying to act like a big shot here? I know this event is held by His Majesty. If he comes and learns that not only have you run away from home, but you’re also trying to seduce another man in this sultry dress while being married, do you think he will take it easy?” she snarled, her finger jabbing toward me.

“Be a good girl and come with Mom. Your Dad is waiting for us. Don’t make a scene here!”

I couldn’t help but laugh through my tears, the absurdity of it all hitting me like a wave. “You are really foolish, Mother!” I wiped my face and met her gaze. “Tell your Alexander that he got what he deserved. And I will NEVER return to that bastard!”

“Roana!” She raised her hand, fury written all over her face. “How dare you go against my words?”

But before she could strike me, a firm grip clamped around her wrist, making her wince.

“So, some lady had the audacity to raise a hand against my woman?” Cassian’s voice was terrifyingly cold and low, a growl that sent shivers down my spine. “Do you have a death wish, Luna Milestones?”

In the aftermath of this confrontation, I stood on the precipice of liberation, the weight of my mother’s toxic expectations finally lifting. The tears that had threatened to drown me now felt like a cleansing rain, washing away the shame and hurt meticulously crafted by years of manipulation. Cassian’s presence enveloped me in a protective embrace, and I realized that I was no longer the frightened girl seeking my mother’s approval. Instead, I was a woman reclaiming my narrative, ready to confront the past and forge a future on my own terms. The fireflies of hope flickered within me, illuminating the path toward self-acceptance and resilience, a stark contrast to the cold winter rain that had once threatened to extinguish my spirit.

My heart, once burdened by my mother’s scorn, now beat with fierce determination. The chaos of the evening had served as a catalyst, igniting a flame of strength I had long forgotten. No longer would I allow myself to be defined by others’ perceptions or the shackles of family legacy. With Cassian by my side, I felt emboldened to carve out my identity, one that would not be overshadowed by the ghosts of my past. As I turned to face the crowd, the whispers of pity transformed into murmurs of respect and intrigue, a testament to my newfound courage. In that moment, beneath the watchful gaze of the stars, I embraced the uncertainty of my journey, knowing that I was finally free to be who I truly was—unapologetically and beautifully myself.