The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 156

ALDRIC

It seemed as if the Moon had turned into a chilling black hole, and from its depths, hundreds of ravens flew out, swirling in chaotic patterns.

Their deafening caws irritated my lycan ears; I couldn’t understand how they carried over such vast distances. Worse yet, I feared this powerful magic could harm my woman and our pup.

"Aldric, hold onto me tightly!"

Valeria’s voice rang out, and I embraced her from behind, protecting her belly with my large hands as we were engulfed by a frenzied flock of ravens, spinning around us over and over.

The dark fog swallowed the air, and suddenly, I felt like I was losing my footing.

It was as if my body was being lifted from the ground, no longer connected to anything around me.

I hated all this witchcraft—if I was being honest—but I held my loved ones close against my chest and buried my head in the crook of Valeria’s neck, closing my eyes as feathers brushed against my skin, beaks, claws, the whistling of the wind in my ears, and then... drifting.

I don’t know how long it lasted, but suddenly, the deafening noise ceased, and I felt the ground beneath my boots.

Blessed earth—lycans weren’t made to fly through the air!

"Baby, are you okay? Valeria..."

I opened my eyes and turned her towards me, her entire body drenched in sweat, pale and exhausted.

"Yes, yes... I just... I need you to feed me as soon as we’re with our people. Don’t worry."

But I did worry, because she looked too weak.

I lifted her into my arms and scanned our surroundings, getting my bearings.

Quinn was already carrying his mate, half-unconscious, leading her toward some dark bushes in the middle of the forest we had arrived in.

I did the same—Valeria needed to be fed urgently. I walked to the nearest tree and sat down with her on my lap.

I tore open my shirt and, without hesitation, used my claws to slash my chest.

"Drink, baby, come on. You and our pup can’t wait any longer," I guided her head down to my wound.

She licked my blood, and I growled low as I felt her canines sink into my skin, the delicious pull on my vein sending a shiver down my spine.

I cradled her against my chest, caressing her waist and kissing her sweat-drenched forehead.

My wolf and I were satisfied, giving life to our family.

As Valeria fed voraciously, replenishing her energy, I analyzed our surroundings.

Since we arrived, I hadn’t sensed any danger—only the whispers of the forest and the nocturnal animals on their hunts.

I looked up at the waning moon—it was incredible that they had managed to create a portal through it.

"Mmm," my mate’s soft moan signaled that she was finished.

"Well, it’s confirmed that we all arrived safely. Now we need to figure out which direction the camp is in," I stated the obvious. "Baby, climb onto my back—we’ll walk through the forest so you don’t tire yourself."

"I think the camp is east. We veered off a little when the other witch lost connection and stayed behind," Gabrielle explained, and with that, we set off.

Quinn and I scouted ahead, fully alert. We were in enemy territory, and with our treasures, we couldn’t take any risks.

Our strong lycan legs carried us swiftly through the trees and undergrowth, foxes and weasels fleeing as we crossed clearings and streams with our mates on our backs.

After about half an hour, the scent of lycans and werewolves reached our sensitive noses.

"Love, are you okay? Do you feel dizzy, any pain?" I asked Valeria, and after she and Gabrielle both reassured us, Quinn and I exchanged glances and picked up speed to arrive sooner.

Ten minutes later, the roaring sound of water grew louder ahead, and as we crossed the tree line, we saw the lights and tents of our camp, settled on the other side of the deep river that marked the border between the realms.

I raised my head and howled with all my lycan strength.

Soon, voices erupted from the other side, torches flickered, and the camp stirred with hurried footsteps approaching the shore.

"... It's our King!"

"... Quinn is with him too!"

"... Launch the boat, we need to bring them over!"