Curves And Claws: The Lycan King's Relentless Claim novel Chapter 80

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

**Chapter 80**

Roana,

“Missing me?” The words slipped from my lips, sharp and laced with a bitter edge, cutting through the thick tension in the air. “Honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever see you here again—much less miss you.”

Alexander stood before me, looking more fragile than I remembered, his face drawn and weary, as if the weight of the world rested heavily on his shoulders. He brushed back his hair with a slow, almost defeated gesture, each movement revealing the exhaustion etched into his features.

“Can we talk? Just for a few minutes,” he implored, his voice quivering slightly, a crack in his once confident facade that ignited a fire of anger and confusion within me.

Every instinct within me screamed to turn him away, to slam the door on the memories that haunted me like ghosts. His betrayal had been a wound that cut deep, one that I was still nursing with care. I knew better than to engage with him; rejecting him was the only path forward.

Yet, despite the turmoil raging inside me, I found myself nodding, a reluctant agreement that felt like a betrayal of my own heart. “Fine.”

“There’s a lovely café downstairs,” he suggested, a flicker of hope illuminating his eyes as he spoke, his hands trembling slightly, betraying his anxiety. I couldn’t help but notice how desperately he clung to that hope.

As we settled into a small, unremarkable table, an unsettling silence enveloped us. I could feel his furtive glances, each one tightening the knots in my stomach. I felt exposed, vulnerable under his gaze, but a deep-seated need for closure compelled me to endure the discomfort. The café was eerily quiet, the absence of other patrons amplifying the tension between us.

“So, how have you been?” he ventured, attempting a smile that faltered, unable to mask the heaviness that hung in the air.

“Good. Being Luna Queen has its perks,” I replied, my tone casual, though the words felt heavy on my tongue.

“I know. It seems the King has been treating you well,” he murmured, almost to himself, his eyes drifting away, lost in a sea of thought. “I’m here for a meeting with him. All the Alphas are gathered.”

“A meeting? What kind of meeting?” My curiosity was piqued, pulling me in despite the warning bells ringing in my mind.

“Well, he’s called for us to prepare our military for a potential war with the Northern Region. They’ve been attacking multiple packs, and it’s high time we stop enabling them,” he explained, his gaze flickering to my neck, a mixture of longing and something darker swirling in his eyes.

I instinctively pulled my hair forward, trying to shield myself from whatever he was searching for, unwilling to give him any part of me anymore.

“I see. That makes sense,” I replied, though the realization that I had been kept in the dark about such a significant threat stung like a sharp needle in my chest.

“So, Roana,” he began again, his tone shifting to one of desperate hope. “How long are you going to stay mad at me?”

“What?” I asked, confusion knitting my brows together. His sudden shift in tone caught me off guard, sending a jolt of unease through me.

“She lied to me. The baby isn’t mine, Rou. I’m free now. You should come back to me. Right? No mistress, just you and me!” His eyes bore into mine, an unsettling intensity that sent chills racing down my spine. His words were erratic, mirroring the wildness in his gaze.

“What are you saying? We’re done, Alexander. And I’m married to the King. Do you honestly think you still have a place in my life?” I kept my voice steady, but the finality in my words rang clear.

“Rou.” He reached out suddenly, grabbing my wrist with a grip that felt both desperate and possessive. “Stop it. You know I love you. I’m the only man who truly loves you. No one else will ever love you, not even the King. So stop living in a delusion and come back home, okay?”

His voice grew frantic, his grip tightening painfully around my skin.

“Let me go! What are you doing, Alexander?” I snapped, yanking my hand back, the panic rising within me. “Stop it.” I stood abruptly, my heart racing as I made my way toward the bathroom, my pulse pounding beneath my skin.

He looked unhinged, the air thickening around him, saturated with a scent that felt suffocating, as if he were caught in a frenzied state.

Inside the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face, staring at my reflection. My eyes were wide and shaken, my breathing uneven. I had long accepted that no man would find me attractive, and I had made peace with that. I was done with this twisted version of love.

With a sharp exhale, I wished he would just leave me alone. I didn’t want to see that arrogant face again.

But the bathroom door creaked open, and I didn’t bother to check who entered, assuming it was another she-wolf. But then, the unmistakable scent of Alexander enveloped me, slamming into my senses like a wall, freezing me in place.

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