The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 125

ALDRIC

The truth is, all this sentimentality irritates me. I only lower my guard with my woman, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel it for real.

“I’ll draft a manuscript for you to deliver to Beof. By now, he should be at the western borders. We need to meet, and on your way, find out the situation at the Vampire King’s castle,” we start planning.

Quinn’s eyes never leave the door; his mind is never truly focused on the conversation.

I understand him perfectly.

For a man of our kind, his mate is the most sacred thing. He’s just going to have a hard time with this one.

Even in her current state, Gabrielle is a tough bone to chew, and it remains to be seen whether the jackal will become my father-in-law or if I'll end up losing a guardian from my ranks.

*****

GABRIELLE

After talking to Valeria, I finally feel at peace.

I never thought I’d end up like this. Kael played me until the very last moment. I always underestimated him—that was my biggest mistake.

I sense a presence. Now that I’m blind, my other senses have heightened. Every fiber of my body screams in agony and pain, but nothing hurt more than having to leave my daughter behind.

I can handle this, and more.

“Brielle, old witch, what? Are you happy I didn’t recover?” I turn my burned face toward the spot where I know she’s standing, beside my bed.

“I must admit, my new mistress is much nicer than the previous one. I like Valeria; she’s not a harpy like her mother. She’s a good girl,” I snort at hearing her, always with that viperous tongue, yet she still calls me a harpy.

It’s incredible that she is my primordial magic.

I lower my head and sigh.

“Draven was a vampire. They tend to be colder, even when it comes to love. But this mate of yours is a powerful Lycan. Don’t underestimate him like you always do with men. Males of his kind don’t give up so easily. I think you’ve finally met your match.”

“I feel sorry for that poor man who ended up with such a troublesome mate. He seems like a good guy,” she says, taking my hand and channeling some of her magic into me, easing the terrible pain I feel.

“Hey, don’t be so hard on me, damn fake witch!” The truth is, this brings me so much nostalgia. I never thought I’d get a second chance at anything.

“No, don’t waste your energy on me. Take care of Valeria and make sure the pup is well nourished, Brielle. You must teach her to further develop her innate powers. They’re far below the true power of a Selenia, and now I can’t even give them my blood.”

I pull my hand away in exhaustion, but she grips it tighter, almost making me hiss in pain.

“I do whatever I want. You’re not my mistress anymore, Gabrielle, and Valeria sent me to ease your pain. Don’t worry about the rest; of course, I’ll take care of them,” I sigh in frustration at her. It’s impossible—she’s so powerful that she’s developed her own spirit and strong personality.

At some point during the healing, I fell asleep. I could only rest in short moments, and my eyes were the worst agony.

Something soft and slightly damp was brushing against my collarbone.