The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 107

VALERIA

The inside of the small wooden house was just as warm as I had imagined, filled with flowers and the intense scent of medicinal herbs.

A table stood at the center, where the mysterious woman was preparing herbs, surrounded by chairs.

At the back, a fireplace with two comfortable rocking chairs, covered in colorful cushions, added to the cozy atmosphere.

"Oh, dear princess, don't just stand there so stiffly. Sit in the rocking chair, let's talk," she invited, and though I was wary, I did as she said, scanning my surroundings carefully.

"I was told there's only one healer witch in town. Why are you hiding? There's an innocent child in need of treatment, and that other witch refuses to help him," I couldn't help but question her.

"I know," she replied with a sigh, not stopping her grinding of the herbs in the mortar.

"This town is named as such because it was once home to a clan of White Witches. We are primarily healers, respectful of natural laws and the Goddess's will. But everything changed when Gabrielle ceased to be the monarch of this realm."

She suddenly looked at me with a complicated expression, and from her lips, I learned about the true state of the Dark Realm, where vampires and witches mainly coexist.

The Vampire King, acting in his own interest, began suppressing witches.

They were forced to register in a census to be monitored, and those with too much power were eliminated in one way or another.

Healing could no longer be practiced freely; only the healer authorized by the Kingdom was allowed to treat people in the villages, and these controlled witches were nothing more than spies for the vampires.

If powerful witches or hybrids with strong magic were born, they were eliminated at birth.

Anything that passed through the hands of those so-called "healers" that might pose a threat to the vampires was swiftly removed.

A witch hunt swept through the realm, with hefty rewards offered—especially for those who betrayed a White Witch.

Anyone caught healing in secret was hunted like an animal and exterminated, along with their entire family.

"It has been dark times for the realm since your mother is gone. We White Witches are the most powerful; that’s why the Vampire King fears us. That’s why he quickly controlled those who submitted and disposed of the others," she said, sadness and melancholy evident in her eyes. It seemed she had also lost loved ones.

"Why are you helping me? I'm traveling with the Vampire King. He's here in town, don't you know that?"

"I know very well, but there's nothing I can do against him alone. I'll never forget the first time I saw your mother in the capital—so beautiful, so elevated and untouchable," she said, walking toward the fireplace and pouring hot water from a pot into a cup she held.

"You resemble her a lot, not just in appearance," she turned and looked at me, standing before me.

"It’s that light in your eyes—bravery and determination. You have the courage we lacked. If we had united, none of this would be happening; so many lives could have been saved."

She leaned forward to take my hand and placed the cup of herbal tea, which gave off a delicious aroma, into it.

"I am betting on the next generation, Valeria Von Carlsein. That’s why I’m helping you. The magic within you called to me; it’s the same magic I felt in your mother. I don't know your story, nor why you’ve appeared now. I didn’t even know you existed. But now that I do, I have faith and hope."

She looked at me intensely, and I didn’t know how to respond to that. I felt like everyone was placing all their expectations on me.

"Give me some time to prepare the medicine for your friend. Don’t worry, this is a magical space. Time flows slower here than outside; you can rest," she said before returning to her preparations.

She hadn’t even seen Celine, yet she already seemed to know what was wrong with her.

"Nana, did you really speak to this woman?" I asked, but received no answer, which made me uneasy.

There was a strange tranquility here, a peace that began to lull me.

I hadn't even sipped the tea, fearing it might be poisoned, yet my eyelids grew heavy as if filled with lead, and I seemed to drift off to sleep.

He sucks my lower lip and explores my mouth, and I moan deliciously when my tongue brushes against his sharp lycan canines.

My back hits the wall, trapping me, and I want to stay imprisoned in these arms forever.

"Baby, I don’t have much time," he pulls away just slightly, holding my chin and making me look into his stormy gray eyes, our ragged breaths mingling.

"Valeria, don’t be afraid, my love. I love you, no matter what—I love you."

He confesses the words I’ve longed to hear from the real Aldric, and my tears fall even harder.

"Aldric, but I... I'm one of those creatures you hate so much, the worst one. I’m the Queen’s daughter. I swear I'm not evil, I’d never hurt anyone," I desperately explain, clinging to his shirt, blurring reality with my fantasies.

"Valeria," he cups my cheeks and speaks with solemnity.

"I don’t care about your origin, your powers, or what you become. You are my mate, my woman, my she-wolf, and nothing—no one—can change that. Stop running from me, baby. When the time comes, I'll show you that if you're the Queen of Evil, then I can only become your Dark General."

He kisses my forehead softly, his fingers gently caressing my face, and his words soothe my wounded soul.

I can feel he’s about to leave again, and it makes me anxious. I know this isn't real, but I don’t want to wake up.

"Take care of our pup, my love. I'm watching over both of you, Valeria. I’ve never left your side..."

"Wait, Aldric, wait…!" My hands desperately try to grasp his fading figure, and my sobs escape louder from my throat.

"Don't be afraid, Vale, my love. We'll be together again soon. Be strong," his voice lingers in the air like a whisper.

"Aldric!" I jolted awake, still sitting in Alondra’s rocking chair.