Page 56 of Lycan King's Claim
Every fiber of my being screamed for me to find her, to protect her, but she remains elusive. The moon hangs heavy in the sky as King Vin's call comes in, his laughter echoing like a sinister serpent slithering around my heart. “Ah, Xandros,” he taunts,
“What a lovely mate you have. My guards will surely enjoy her company.”
“Vin, you bastard! Do not harm her!” I growl through gritted teeth, my blood boiling with rage. “Perhaps this will give you some incentive,” he chuckles, sending a picture straight to my phone.
My heart shatters like glass when I see Sienna unconscious in a car trunk. Her face is bruised, and there is a trickle of blood running from the corner of her mouth. The sight of her in such a vulnerable state fills me with despair so profound that I am willing to do anything to save her.
“Your vendetta is with me, Vin. Let her go, and I will exchange myself for Sienna's safe return,” I propose, my voice cracking with desperation. “Take me instead, and let her go.” He laughs, a cruel and cold sound that sends shivers down my spine. “Oh, Xandros, your devotion is touching, but no. I want something else. I want Carina. Give me my daughter, and perhaps I'll consider letting your precious mate go unharmed. Oh, and one more thing—I want immunity from the Council.”
“Carina? Immunity?” I hiss, my mind racing with the implications of his demand. Carina, who had once been my wife, now sought happiness with her true mate, Toby. How could I condemn her to a life under Vin's control? And how could I convince the Council to grant him immunity? But what choice do I have if it means saving Sienna? Pressing my lips in a line, I growl because we haven't been able to get a hold of Carina. “I will need time,” I answer as I try to figure out how I can do this.
“I want my daughter, and I want immunity. Manage that. I will hand her back,” Vin states while I glance at Javier, who taps away on his laptop, trying to track the call. He shakes his head, urging me to stay on the phone longer.
“Very well,” I whisper, the words like poison on my tongue. “I will give you what you want. But Sienna must be returned to me unharmed.”
“Ticktock, Xandros, time is running out. I'll check back in later to check on progress, make sure there is progress, Xandros,” he croons before hanging up, leaving me to wrestle with the demons that claw at my soul. The night holds its breath as I contemplate the terrible bargain I just made. Will I be able to live with myself if I give in to Vin's demands? The answer is of little consequence when weighed against the love that binds me to Sienna. I would walk through fire and hell if it meant bringing her back to me.
28
It takes me all night to drive to the Council. Javier is handling things back home while I've come to try to convince the Council to grant King Vin immunity. As dawn breaks, the horizon awakens in a blaze of fiery oranges and soft pinks. The world transitions from darkness to light, and with it, my hopes rise tentatively.
My drive to the Council is tiring, the roads seemingly endless. The rising sun casts long shadows that dance along the narrow roads.
My thoughts, however, are a storm. Ever since that conversation with Vin, the echo of his threats and the sting of his words played on a loop in my mind. It had been a sleepless night, planning, pondering, and wrestling with inner demons. I had everyone searching for her. However, trusting anyone at this point is a risk, but it is one I have to take for Sienna. Arriving at the Council, I get out of my car, climbing the stairs to the huge building.
As I arrive. two guards, clad in ornate armor that glints in the morning light, nod at me, their faces impassive. Heading inside, I learn that Ridion won't be part of the Council meeting as he oversees King Vin's kingdom, helping look for Sienna. Unfortunately, a decision such as this needs to be unanimous among Council members, so not one he can make on his own.
The chamber is vast, the ceiling adorned with breathtaking frescoes depicting legends of the old. Sunlight streams in through large windows, illuminating Council members' faces. They sit in a semicircle, each member distinguished by the unique emblem embroidered onto their robes.
The head Councilor, Lord Eldrin, with his salt-and-pepper beard and piercing blue eyes, gestures for me to approach. His demeanor exudes authority, yet beneath that veneer, I sense an undercurrent of curiosity.
“Xandros,” he greets, his deep voice echoing through the chamber. “Your request is highly unorthodox. Explain yourself.”
Drawing a deep breath, I pour out the entire tale, detailing my conversation with Vin, the danger Sienna is in, and my desperate plan to save her. As I speak, I notice the range of reactions: Lady Serin, known for her compassionate heart, has tears in her eyes, while Sir Draegon, the youngest member, looks on with thinly veiled skepticism.
When I finish, heavy silence envelopes the chamber. Every eye is fixed on me, weighing and judging. The weight of their gaze, combined with the enormity of my plea, feels almost unbearable.
Finally, Lord Eldrin speaks, his voice measured. “Your love for Sienna is evident, Xandros but we can't just grant him immunity after his crimes. But love often blinds. We will consider your request, maybe come up with something temporary that will exonerate him.” he murmurs, glancing at the other Council members.
As they converse in hushed tones, I hold my breath waiting for answers that don't come as they dismiss me. The rising sun outside now bathes the chamber in a golden hue, yet the warmth does not reach my anxious heart.
Every detail, every word, every emotion is etched in this pivotal moment, determining not only Sienna's fate but the trajectory of my own life.
I step out of the chamber, the weight of my plea and the Council's pending decision heavy on my shoulders. As the massive doors close behind me, I walk toward the reflecting pool in the center of the courtyard. The morning sun catches the water, creating shimmering patterns, a momentary distraction from the turmoil inside.
Before I can take a deep breath and gather my thoughts, my phone vibrates. The unexpected call startles me. Glancing at the screen, an unfamiliar number flashes. My heart skips a beat, a gut feeling telling me it’s Vin.
Reluctantly, I answer, "Xandros speaking."
"Well?" Vin's impatient tone drips from the other end. "What did they say?"
I stiffen, my senses on high alert.
"You're watching me!" I snarl, glancing around.
A dangerous realization dawns upon me: Vin has eyes everywhere, perhaps even within the very walls of the Council chamber. The thought is unsettling, making my blood run cold.
A low chuckle sends a chill down my spine. "Oh, Xandros. Did you honestly believe I wouldn't keep tabs on you, especially when you're playing games with my life? However you never answered my question, Xandros, what did the Council say?”
