The Lycan King’s Claim

Chapter 5

I woke with a jolt, my heart thudding wildly, torn from a deep, dreamless sleep. My lashes fluttered open, and for a moment, I didn’t recognize where I was. This wasn’t my room. The scent, the air, even the quiet felt… foreign. My stomach knotted. Where was I?

A faint sound at the foot of the bed drew my gaze—and my breath caught. There, in the soft glow spilling through the curtains, stood a man. Broad. Powerful. Completely bare. My eyes roamed over his sculpted back, the muscles rippling beneath smooth skin, his taut hips and strong legs moving with effortless grace. Heat rose in my cheeks before the memories came rushing back. Kave. My mate. The cabin. Yesterday had been no nightmare.

I sank back into the pillow, my gaze refusing to leave him as he pulled on his clothes. Every line of him spoke of raw strength. As the last glimpse of him disappeared beneath a pair of briefs, he turned, catching me watching.

“I see you’re awake,” his deep voice rumbled.

“Uh-huh… What time is it?” My voice was scratchy, still rough from the emotions I’d been drowning in earlier.

“Almost noon. You must have been tired after our run.” He reached for a shirt, and that’s when I saw it—a long, pale-pink scar down his side. Fresh. My mind flashed to the night before. “What happened to your side?”

He barely looked. “Nothing. Just a scratch from a fight.”

“That’s not a scratch. Who was it with?”

“Another Lycan. Ryne.” He shrugged, stepping into his pants like it was nothing.

But I knew it wasn’t nothing. The mark spoke of something brutal. I pushed myself upright, my curiosity refusing to let go. “Why were you fighting?”

Kave sighed, fastening his zipper before turning to me, arms folded. “You’re not going to drop this, are you?”

“No.” I smirked, lifting my chin. “I have a curious mind.” I had decided earlier—being his mate didn’t mean I’d let him walk over me. If I had to prove I had a backbone, now was the time.

“In that case, I’ll tell you. Better than letting you get the wrong story from someone else.” He rubbed his face and moved to the window, staring out as he spoke. “I’m the new Alpha of my pack. The old Alpha, Rack, died in an accident. Ryne and I were both Betas. Half the Elders wanted me. Half wanted him.”

“So it went to a vote?”

“Normally. But he invoked the old rules—a challenge.”

A shiver ran through me. “That’s barbaric. We’ve moved beyond fighting to the death for leadership.”

“I agree. But he had the right.”

“So? What happened?”

“We fought. I won.”

The question burned my lips. “Did you kill him?”

“No. It was long and vicious. We were both bleeding by the end. He made a reckless move, and I could’ve ended it by crushing his throat… but I didn’t.”

“And now?”

“He left. I told him he could stay—we’d been packmates for years—but he refused to bow to me. Said some bitter things. Honestly, it’s for the best. If he’d stayed, the pack would’ve been divided.”

“And they’re united now? Even his supporters?”

“Yes. The strongest leads, and the rest follow. I proved myself. The pack accepts it.” His head lifted slightly, Alpha confidence pouring from him.

I studied him, imagining what it must have been like to face a friend in battle. Mercy wasn’t a trait I’d expected from him—but it made me see him differently.

“I’m glad you won,” I said softly, “and that you healed.”

His lips curved faintly. “Thanks. It was weeks ago—water under the bridge.”

Then, almost casually, he added, “Get dressed. We’re leaving in an hour.”

“Leaving?” My voice betrayed my surprise.

“Mm. Back to my pack. I want you to see your new home before dark.” And with that, he was gone.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I swallowed hard. In an hour, I’d leave everything I’d ever known—every face, every memory—for a place where everyone was a stranger. Even Kave, my only connection there, still felt like one.

My stomach tightened as I pulled myself from the bed.

Not long after, I stood in my bedroom doorway. My things were packed, the room bare—like I’d never lived there at all. The emptiness echoed with every step I took inside. My hand smoothed over the pillow, the dresser, the hollow drawers. The movers had been efficient. The closet held only a single hanger, dangling alone.

How could a whole life be reduced to a few boxes?

At the window, I gazed at the yard and the forest beyond. I’d spent years staring at that view, dreaming of a future here—mated to someone from my pack, raising pups, teaching them the secrets of the woods.

Tears pricked my eyes. Foolish dreams. I was grown now, and there were responsibilities I couldn’t run from.

Moving the bed aside, I reached for the loose panel along the baseboard. My fingers brushed something soft. Pulling it free, I dusted off the leather cover. My diary. I couldn’t leave it here. Slipping it into my purse, I took one last look at the room, then shut off the light and closed the door on my childhood.

In the hall, my chin trembled, but I forced the emotion down. Taking a deep breath, I descended to meet Kave.

The drive was quiet, except for the low hum of the radio and the rhythm of Kave’s fingers tapping the wheel. I leaned my head against the glass, watching the scenery blur by, my mind heavy with thoughts I couldn’t untangle.