The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 144

144. IN THE HUNTER'S NETS

CELINE

I ran swiftly through the underbrush, my long braid swaying with my movement.

Foxes darted out of their dens, searching for nocturnal prey to hunt, while all sorts of insects made strange noises as I passed by.

The forest was coming to life, and soon, amidst its sounds, I also heard voices—but not the ones I was looking for.

"Celine, don’t go that way, they’re Vampires!" my wolf warned, and I came to an abrupt stop, looking around for a way to escape without running straight into an ambush.

“Hey!” a shout jolted me back into action, and I bolted to the right, following my instincts.

Once again, I was being chased, and this time, those men were much faster than the ones before—they seemed like elite Vampires.

With my wounded thigh and several of them close behind, it was obvious I wouldn’t get far.

The wind howled past my ears when suddenly, my nose caught the scent of decay and something ancient.

"Veer left, quickly, Celine! Or we shift!" Mía warned me, and I always trusted her instinctsshe was rarely wrong.

Stop, witch! they shouted.

It seemed they had mistaken me fora sorceress.

You idiot, cant you see how fast she is? She must be a hybrid! insults ---- followed.

Just because part of me was vampire didnt mean they would show me any mercyto them, only pure blood mattered.

My boots sank into the soft grass.

I could hear them just steps behind me, and as I was about to shift into my wolf form, the tall iron fence of what appeared to be an ancient cemetery blocked my way.

Without hesitation, I leaped and climbed the rusted fence, which swayed and creaked dangerously but didnt give under my weight.

I was nearing the top when Mia growled at me.

"Jump to the other side, quickly! Theyre going to chain you again!" I threw myself over, landing heavily on the ground before rolling to my feet, facing them from the other side, baring my fangs, and hissing threateningly.

My senses kept searching for an escape, scanning the surroundings between the old trees and the moss-covered, lonely graves.

The atmosphere was eerie, yet I hadnt expected to see the sheer terror and shock on the faces of the three vampires chasing me.

They didnt even attempt to climb the ancient fence.

I took a step back.

If they tried, Id run againat least now I hada moment to gather information.

Tm just a traveler.

Im not involved in your war, I dont care about it.

Let me leave in peace, I said, not holding out much hope.

How can you cross the forbidden lands? What kind of spell are you using?! yelled a blonde vampire with long hair and a beautiful face, like most vampirescold and cruel like the rest.

T have no power.

Where was this place that even those vampires didnt dare enter? Ipassed beneath the tree and felt a strange flutter.

I raised my hands to shield my face when a shriek and flapping wings echoed above me.

---- Bats.

I followed them with my eyes, tilting my head back as they rose into the sky, and I was left in shock.

Up there, on the mountain, far away, stood the massive, imposing castle of the Dark Realm, shrouded in mist as if hiding from prying eyes.

Well, Idont see whats so special about it.

Its just old rocks.

I was there for a few days, and I didnt like it one bit, I scoffed, not understanding this realms ridiculous logic.

Isearched for an old crypt and stepped inside despite the overwhelming stench of death.

I sat behind the closed door and looked at the stone coffin in the center.

Beyond that, darkness stretched out, but I could see there was no immediate danger.

Iclosed my eyes, setting my small bundle beside me, hugging my knees, and pulling the heavy hood over myself.

I only meant to rest for a few seconds, but whether it was the cold or exhaustion, I ended up falling asleep.

sek NARRATOR In the deepest, darkest, and oldest dungeon of the Crimson Castle, vampiric red eyeslike the purest ruby, like fresh blood drawn straight from the veinsopened to the night. 

Aprey that smelled of pure ecstasy was near, and tonight, it would go hunting.