Page 45 of Lycan King's Claim
“He came to ask me for a witch's contact, one to break your mate bond, he told me he was selling it to leave with you,” she shrugs.
“You organized the witch?”
“Isadora,” she whispers, as if the name itself holds some sort of power. “She's a witch who lives outside the kingdom. Toby was going to take you to her.”
My breath hitches at the implications of what Tasha was telling me. A wave of emotions washes over me—hope, fear, disbelief—as I struggle to process this newfound information.
“And she can definitely break a mate bond?” I ask, my voice shaking slightly. My hands clench into fists under the table. “How can that even be possible?”
Tasha hesitates for a moment, her gaze flicking around the room nervously before returning to mine. “I don't know all the details, but people have been whispering about Isadora for years. They say the risks are high, but the rewards…” Tasha leans forward. “Sienna, you could be free.”
My mind races as I consider the magnitude of what Tasha is telling me. To sever the mate bond with Xandros would mean freedom—a chance at a life that wasn't dictated by the whims of a volatile Lycan King. But I also know that it came with a heavy price, like him going mad, Lycan King's without a mate go crazed with all that power if they don't have their mate.
“Can you imagine?” Tasha continues, her voice filled with awe. “A life without fear, without submission… A life where you're in control.”
As much as I long for that life, the consequences race through my mind. My heart pounds in my chest, and I can feel the weight of the decision bearing down on me. My gaze flickers between Tasha's earnest expression and the people around us, going about their ordinary lives, blissfully unaware of the turmoil raging within me.
“Sienna,” Tasha urges gently, her hand finding mine under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You don't have to decide now. Just think about it and if you'd like to, I can organize it. Isadora is coming here tomorrow, that's why I mentioned it.”
“Why is she coming here?” I ask her.
“She was one of grandma's friends, she is coming to visit me. She'll be here for a week,” I chew my lip thinking her words over.
My eyes met hers, and I nodded, the enormity of the decision settling heavily on my shoulders. The clinking of silverware against china plates and the low hum of conversations around us fade into the background as I try to process what Tasha had just told me. A witch who could sever the mate bond? It sounded like a fairy tale, a dream that was too good to be true. And yet, here it was, presented to me by my only friend.
My heart races as I struggle to untangle the knot of emotions that hold me captive—fear, hope, love, and heartbreak all vying for control. I know that seeking out this witch, Isadora, meant putting everything on the line. The consequences of such a decision are not lost on me. Losing Xandros would mean losing my mate, but at the same time, it would grant me the freedom I so desperately yearn for. A life free from the darkness and pain that he has brought me. But then what? Where would I go?
If I broke the bond, I won't be able to return to the kingdom, knowing that Xandros would kill me without hesitation. As much as I hated him, I can't deny the connection we share, the one thread that ties us together. Even if it is almost non-existent these days.
Other thoughts plague me too, like would severing the bond hurt? Physically, emotionally, spiritually? Would the pain be worse than what he had already put me through? These questions plagued my thoughts, leaving me feeling more lost and confused than ever before.
“Sienna,” Tasha said softly, her tone pleading. “You don't have to decide right now. Just consider your options, weigh the pros and cons. Do what feels right for you.”
As I stare into her eyes, filled with love and concern, I know that this is a decision I can't take lightly. The consequences of my choice would ripple through every aspect of my life, forever changing the course I had been set on, as well as Xandros'.
I know that I can never forgive Xandros for all the pain and heartbreak he has caused me. But is seeking out the witch, and risking everything, truly the answer? Or would I simply be trading one form of pain for another?
23
It's late at night by the time I return to the castle. Anita thankfully didn't manage to escape since they were separated, but King Vin, is on the run, and we have no clue where he went. Carina, thankfully, is safe here, still hiding out in my kingdom.
Yet, it makes me wonder what he has planned. Knowing King Vin, he will retaliate, it's just a matter of when. Laying down in bed, Sienna is asleep, apparently she wasn't feeling well after returning from her lunch date with her friend and spent the rest of the afternoon napping.
Glancing at her, the moonlight casts a soft glow over Sienna's delicate features, her eyes closed in sleep. I can't help but admire the way her violet hair frames her face as she rests beside me.
As much as I want to reach out and touch her, I know better than to push my luck. Sienna is a force to be reckoned with, and the thought of her waking and kicking me out of the room makes my heart race in ways I hadn't experienced before.
“Xandros…” Her voice is barely a whisper, weak and strained as she stirs in her sleep. I lean in closer, watching as her brows furrow and beads of sweat form on her forehead. I press my hand to her forehead, worried it’s our fragile bond.
“Sienna, love? Are you alright?” I ask, my concern growing as she grips her stomach and moans in pain.
“Ugh… I don't feel well.” She groans, opening her eyes and meeting mine for a brief moment before she bolts from our bed, rushing towards the bathroom. The sound of retching echoes through the room, and my heart clenches at the thought of her suffering alone.
Getting up, I follow her and push the door open, only for her to snap at me.
“Stay away!” She shouts between heaves, her voice raw with desperation. I hesitate by the door, torn between wanting to care for her and respecting her wishes. My instincts scream at me to go to her, but I know all too well that pushing her boundaries would only drive her further away.
“Sienna, I'm worried about you,” I say softly, clenching my fists as I fight the urge to barge in. When she doesn't answer, after a few seconds, I push the door open to find her laying on the tiles. I crouch beside her, her face clammy and sweat beads on her neck.
