Page 32 of Lycan King's Claim
Before I can process it all, Ridion, one of the Council Elders, steps forward to announce Carina as the winner. But there is no applause, only a tense silence. I can see the disappointment in the eyes of the Council members, knowing that Sienna would have won had she chosen to. Knowing the risks my kingdom is under without my mate.
She just walked away. King Vin approaches Carina with fury etched across his face. He grips Carina’s arm, dragging her towards him. “You almost lost to that wench! You bring nothing but shame to our family!” he snarls, his anger evident in his voice, not just on his face.
“You’re so sure of yourself. How about you challenge her then!” Carina retorts, her defiance fiery, and my heart clenches at her vulnerability as she tries to get away from her father’s wrath.
Vin’s hand swings back, poised to strike her, and without thinking, I move. My hand intercepts his wrist, preventing the blow from landing on Carina’s face. The gasps from the Council and the onlookers ring loudly in the air, but I only have eyes for Vin. Our gazes lock, a battle of wills as we glare at each other to see who’ll bow first.
“Pick your next move wisely, Vin,” I warn him, my voice low and dangerous. The tension between us is palpable, and I can feel the anger simmering beneath the surface.
“We have a treaty agreement,” he reminds me, his anger threatening to spill over.
“Fuck your treaty,” I spit, my patience worn thin. I shove him back, not caring about the consequences of my actions. He staggers, and I move to turn away when he snarls angrily. Before he can reach me, though, my fingers are locked around his throat, squeezing his windpipe. “Xandros?” Carina shrieks, grabbing my shirt.
“You’re asking for war,” Vin snarls, his fangs turning to sharp points.
“There won’t be a war if you’re dead, Vin. And nothing will give me greater pleasure than killing you.”
“We had a deal; I got your family out, off the Council’s radar. I stopped them from taking your kingdom!” he snaps angrily.
“Yes, you did. But they won’t stop me from killing you. You think you hold power over me, but I’m starting to realize it’s me that holds it over you. Why are you so desperate for me to marry your daughter, knowing we are both against it? What are you hiding, Vin? Because from the way I see it, I own you. So I don’t owe you a thing. Not anymore.”
“I’ll tell them about my guard you slaughtered, the people in town you killed, the club you tore up!”
“Your guard tried to rape your daughter and my mate. As for the town and the club? Tell them, Vin. I’m not playing your little games any more.” I shove him back, and he glares at me. I motion toward the Council, encouraging him to tell them the city is run by a mad king. He looks over at the Council nervously and straightens his tie.
“As I thought, so who holds the power?” I ask him, and he clenches his jaw while I place a hand on Carina’s shoulder, guiding her away from the arena and the brewing storm.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Carina whispers as we move away. I don’t look at her, my thoughts consumed by Sienna. She walked away from victory, from me.
Javier catches my eye and nods toward the castle, signaling that Sienna has gone that way. “Want me to go after her?” he asks, but I shake my head. “No, watch Carina. Don’t leave her alone with her father. I’ll go after my mate,” I tell him, my heart aching with each step she takes away from me.
I find Sienna in her room, in the process of changing out of her blood-stained clothes. Stepping into the room, I shut the door, which makes her look up to notice me. “I don’t want to argue with you, Xandros. Go find your wife,” she says, her voice devoid of emotion.
“Sienna...” However, I don’t know what to say to her. My heart is heavy with guilt, knowing the pain I’ve caused her.
She tugs off her shirt, revealing bruises and marks that I inflicted upon her. My chest tightens, and I step closer, but she pulls away, continuing to change. My eyes trail over her, she’s lost weight, and her skin is paler than normal. The damage I’ve done is evident, both physical and emotional, and I feel a deep sense of guilt.
“You’re not going to explain yourself?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“I’m done explaining myself, Xandros. I’m done answering when no one listens,” she states with a shake of her head.
“I’m just done,” she whispers, sounding defeated.
“I... tell me what I can do?” I beg her. Sienna laughs; the sound is not right. Her laughter tugs at me, telling me how unstable she feels. “What can you do?” She chuckles. “Nothing, Xandros. I was done the day you locked me in the dungeon for a crime I didn’t commit. I was done the first time you put your hands on me.”
Guilt washes over me as she speaks, each word a reminder of the pain I’ve caused her. “I know I shouldn’t have run off with Toby, but you shouldn’t have been willing to run off with Carina either,” she adds.
“I wasn’t running off with Carina; I had no choice!” I protest, trying to defend myself.
“You keep saying that, saying you had no choice. Stand down from the throne then, Xandros. Give it back to your father,” she challenges.
“I can’t do that. Who would run this place?” I respond, feeling the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.
“Your father hands all control to your mother. You think she can’t lead?” she retorts, her words hitting home. My mother is more than capable.
“What about the treaty?” I argue, clinging to the last thread of justification which now speaking it, seems more foolish.
“Exactly,” she says with a bitter laugh. “The treaty, the kingdom, it’s all just a game to you, isn’t it? You don’t care who you hurt as long as you keep your throne.”
