Page 37 of Lycan King's Claim
“Thank you,” Carina murmurs, and my mother nods, then walks off.
With the truth now laid bare, the Council members are in disarray about what to do. Some look shocked, while others wear expressions of concern and disbelief. Ridion’s guards move swiftly to apprehend King Vin, who is unconscious on the ground, and Anita, who is still struggling against the handcuffs while also twitching from the poison running through her veins.
As the guards take them away, I turn my attention back to Carina, who stands amidst the chaos, her head held high. Despite everything that has just transpired, she appears resolute and firm.
“Carina,” I call her name, and she turns to look at me. Her eyes are filled with a mix of emotions—pain, anger, and perhaps a hint of hope. I walk over to her, pushing through the crowd until I stand in front of her.
“I’m sorry, Xandros,” she says, her voice wavering slightly. She reaches into her bouquet of flowers, pulls out a rolled document, and hands it to me.
“The divorce papers, they’re signed. I never should have agreed once you found your mate,” she tells me, and I take the paper from her. “Thank you,” I tell her, and she smiles sadly. Carina then turns and walks off toward Sienna when I hear her speak.
She hands the bouquet to Sienna. “This should have been you. I apologize for taking that from you,” Carina whispers.
Sienna stares at the bouquet in her hand that Carina gave her. Probing the bond, I sense nothing through it from her; not a single emotion flits through her; either that or she has become extremely good at blocking me. “So what now?” Sienna asks her as I approach them slowly.
“I guess I’ll have to go find my mate, or--” her words cut off abruptly, and her head whips to the side when she spots Javier step out, having gone off to get Toby for her. Carina turns all giddy and bounces on the spot.
Sienna turns to look at Javier and gasps. “Toby?” Sienna whispers, and I see how she lights up. Carina, however, is practically bouncing on her heels when Sienna spots me.
“Go be with your mate, Carina,” Sienna chuckles, seeing her excitement. Sienna looks in Toby’s direction, and I feel sadness and longing through the bond.
It’s nothing romantic but longing for someone familiar, a friend. Toby waves but doesn’t make any move to come closer to her. Sienna smiles sadly and moves to raise her hand but hastily drops it, remembering I am near before turning to Carina. “Tell him I said hi,” Sienna tells her.
“Or you could come with me; he’s been asking about you; he’s been worried,” Carina tells her, not having noticed me yet coming up behind them.
Sienna shakes her head. “No, but you should probably get him out of here before Xandros does anything.”
Carina sighs and nods her head slowly. She then hugs Sienna briefly before she all but pounces on Toby. Javier hastily moves away, giving them space, returning to us just as I stop next to Sienna.
“Who do you think let him in?” I ask Sienna, coming to a stop next to her.
“You could go say hello,” I lean down to whisper. She looks up at me, then back at Carina and Toby. “It’s fine; it is not my intention to intrude,” she answers, and I know it is fear that I will hurt him that she refuses.
Peering over at Carina, Toby sets her down, and Carina looks over at her. Her face pales when she notices me standing by Sienna. I wave them over, and Carina nervously glances at Toby, but he whispers something to her, which makes her relax and lead him over.
Sienna instantly takes a step back as they approach, her back brushing up against me. I grip her shoulders. “I won’t hurt him, Sienna,” I whisper, but I hear her heart racing in her chest.
Toby stops in front of Sienna, his eyes going to mine; I look away, not trusting myself, before turning my back on them. Javier is quick to move to my side, helping me remain calm.
“Sienna,” Toby’s voice grates my nerves. She doesn’t answer straight away.
“You look… alive,” Sienna chooses her words wisely, and it hurts that she resists speaking what she wants, all because I am near. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“It’s fine. I’m just glad you’re alive,” I hear the words leave her with a shaky breath. Toby suddenly grunts, and I move to look when Javier speaks.
“The weather is lovely today,” he says suddenly, gazing up at the sky covered in thick gray clouds. The winds coming into the clearing are growing stronger. I glance around, wondering if he’s high.
“Perfect day for a divorce, those clouds look mighty divorced, let’s stare at it,” Javier continues while I try to ignore Sienna speaking quietly.
“You should go before I get you in trouble.”
“Yes, the perfect day for a divorce,” I mutter, knowing she must be close to him if Javier is speaking nonsense and encouraging me to do so and sound like a fool along with him.
“Yep,” Javier rocks back on his heels. Sienna’s faded purple hair brushes my arm, and I let out a breath, turning around just in time to see Carina wave goodbye as they wander toward the iron gates.
Sienna looks at the bouquet in her hand before setting it on the chair beside her. “We should head in. It’s getting overcast,” she states before walking off. “I need to stay here to speak with the Council. Javier, you are to go with Sienna until I can come up,” I tell him and her.
“No, I don’t need a babysitter, Xandros,” I grit my teeth.
