Dangerous Lycan: Claim Betrayed Luna’s Second Chance Mate

By the time I opened my eyes again, it was morning. Bright and sunny and Kieran was already up.

“Morning beautiful, its time for breakfast. Luckily, I picked a dress for you while you were still sleeping.”

“Kieran, come on, you didn’t have to.”

“Oh well, I already did. So lets go have breakfast. I’m definitely having that oatmeal today.”

“The pancakes that all I want,” I said struggling to leave the bed. And as soon as I did, I walked to were the dress was. A cream colored dress just perfect for the morning. It was lovely that Kieran had thought about ne in that way.

“I love the dress,” I said.

“That’s fantastic, perhaps I’m beginning to know you better.”

I smiled.

The air buzzed with the gentle clatter of silverware as the maids arranged the dishes.

But there was something off about everyone and how they looked.

“Is everything alright? Everyone seems off.” I asked, reaching across the table to touch his hand. He jolted slightly and turned towards me.

“I noticed too maybe it’s the weather. But everything’s fine,” he said. After the dished have been set, it was time for the meal. The doors creaked open, and a young maid, her face pale walked towards the table. As she placed it on the table, Kieran and I looked at ourselves at once. Was that some kind of joke? It was a withered apple and a stale crust of bread right in front if us.

My stomach lurched. That wasn’t our usual breakfast meal. Usually, the table would be filled with fresh fruits, nice sausages, fluffy pancakes with syrup and other fruit toppings.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Kieran’s voice cut through the tense silence. The maid moved backward. Her eyes widening in fear.

“Your Majesty,” she stammered, “this is all that’s left in the kitchens.”

Kieran’s frown deepened. “What do you mean, ‘all that’s left?”

“The storerooms, Your Majesty,” she stammered again her voice trembled. “They’re… they’re bare.”

Empty storerooms? It felt impossible. The palace was always well-stocked because food shipments arriving regularly.

Kieran chuckled and turned towards me. He didn’t believe, I shouldn’t too but I knew that something was wrong. We had never been served that.

“Show me,” Kieran said. He pushed himself out of his chair. The maid hurried ahead of him. I followed close behind. From the look of things right outside, I knew that she might be right.

The storerooms that was usually bustling with activity was quiet. As we got in, we saw the rows of nearly empty shelves. There were no sacks of flour, not even a bag of grain no hanging sides of beef just silence.

Kieran froze at the sight. This wasn’t a simple supply shortage. This was deliberate.

“How come no one told me of this?” He asked.

“We just discovered that we had nothing and no one is supplying anymore.”

“Someone will pay for this,” he growled.

But who? And why?

I glanced at Kieran. He looked angry and helpless. And for the first time since I started learning of my abilities, I wished so much that I had more control over them. I wished I could use them to protect not just myself, but the entire kingdom. To protect Kieran.

We were facing an unknown enemy. Kieran slammed his fist against a dusty shelf.

“This can’t be happening,” he muttered.

“But Your Majesty, it is true. The deliveries… they haven’t come.”

“Who is responsible for the deliveries?” Kieran demanded. Kieran’s anger had led all his subordinates to the storeroom. Even Alex was present.

“It’s Gregory,” someone replied.

“Find Lord Gregory, and bring him here. Now,” Kieran barked.

“Alex, assemble everyone for an emergency meeting.”

“Yes, your Majesty,” Alex said and walked out.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Clara, this is bigger than a simple supply shortage. Someone is trying to starve us out.”

“But who? And why?” I asked.

Kieran ran his hand through his hair.

“I don’t know. But we’ll find out.”

“I just hope it is not too late by then.”

“I hope so too,” he said.

Just then, we heard shouts and cries from outside. Kieran grabbed my hand in a grip firm.

“Stay here,” he whispered, before he disappeared through the doorway, leaving me alone in the emptiness of the storeroom.

But as usual, I knew I couldn’t just stay in.

I walked over to the and peeked out. The hallway was a scene I didn’t expect to see. The guards trying to hold back the angry people from the town. It seems it wasn’t just the palace food that was short of supply.

“We haven’t received any food shipments in days. Our families are starving!” One of the men yelled.

“There must be some mistake. The palace kitchens are always well-stocked. Don’t worry the King will rectify the issue.

“Mistake?” the man scoffed. “There’s no mistake. We know the truth. The king is hoarding food while his people starve.”

“Silence!” Kieran walked out from the storeroom.

The crowd fell silent, their eyes fixed on the King. Kieran raised a hand to calm the people.

“I understand your concerns. But I assure you, there has been a misunderstanding. The palace kitchens are indeed bare, but it’s not due to any hoarding. There isn’t any food at all. But I’m not saying this to scare you.”

“But how is that even possible?” Someone asked.

“We are investigating this matter as speak. Those responsible will be brought to justice. In the meantime, we will ensure that everyone in the kingdom has access to food. Now please go back to your homes food will be brought to you.”

The crowd dispersed slowly.

When everyone was gone, Kieran turned to me.

“This is bad, Clara. Someone is trying to destabilize the kingdom, and they’re using food as a weapon.”

“But who could it be?” I asked.

“There are many who would benefit from chaos. Rival kingdoms, power-hungry nobles… I can’t just place it.”

“You promised to bring food to the people. How do you intend on doing that?” I asked him watching his expression. They weren’t any better than it previously was. In fact, my question seemed to make it worse.

“I have no idea, Clara.”

“Oh God Kieran. Giving the people hope will only make it worse.”

“I’m just buying us some time until we figure it out.”

“Then we better hurry before their patience runs out,” I said.