The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 166

NARRATOR

As Gabrielle’s feet crossed the threshold of the door, her entire body underwent a profound transformation.

Her simple, mud-stained clothes morphed into an exquisite red gown, like the ones she used to wear when she was the sovereign and ruler of the throne.

Her long black hair cascaded down her back, gleaming, and the bandage on her beautiful face disappeared, revealing her expressive, stern blue eyes fixed firmly ahead.

She was the perfect image of her past self at its finest, and although Gabrielle knew it was all part of Zarek's illusion, she silently thanked him for the gesture.

When Celine saw Gabrielle, her thoughts immediately went to her brother; no matter how confused she was, she would never forget Quinn.

“He's fine, don't worry,” Gabrielle glanced at her for a brief second while passing by, managing to slip that message into her tormented mind.

Zarek hadn’t allowed Quinn to advance beyond a certain point, and despite his frustration, he had no choice but to trust his mate.

“Wait, you… you weren’t dead? What kind of trick is this?!” Merkall suddenly felt a very bad premonition, and Gabrielle looked at him like dead meat.

“I came back from the dead just to hand over the castle contract to you, isn’t that what the great sorcerer Merkall wants?” she taunted with venom in her voice, glaring at him for all he had done to Celine.

“Zarek, believe it or not, I can end this woman in a second!” The sorcerer’s hand clenched tightly around the frantic vein in Celine’s neck.

He put on a brave front, convinced he held all the power, but deep inside, every fiber of his being was trembling with fear. He nearly soiled himself when, in less than a second, the prince was right on top of him.

Merkall tried to step back, but Zarek’s hand gripped his shirt, pulling him close.

Those ruby-red eyes seemed to freeze every drop of blood in his veins, and the prince's wild, unruly hair swayed with the rage boiling inside him.

Outside, the dangerous lightning flashes lit up the darkness, the violent wind threatened to uproot the trees, and the rain flooded the land of the night creatures.

“I never said I wouldn't grant you control. I'm doing everything you want, but I think we both know what will happen if a single hair on my mate’s head is harmed,” his words dripped with venom, and Merkall struggled to keep his legs steady.

“Come sign the damn contract and keep your shitty throne. You have no idea how badly I want to tear you apart, so stop pushing your luck, pathetic sorcerer,” Zarek was quickly losing patience.

His eyes flicked to Celine’s pale neck and then to her clouded, fear-filled gaze.

He turned and walked purposefully toward the pillar of radiant light.

“All concerned parties must step forward!” he commanded, and Gabrielle advanced toward the contract altar.

Merkall hesitated for a moment, his frantic eyes darting around, his mind racing at full speed.

He knew Celine was important to the vampire prince, but was she truly so important that he would hand over his power to the Selenia and give it all up?

And Gabrielle—why was she so willing to relinquish power if she still held control over Zarek?

Her raspy voice echoed through every inch of the palace, from the tallest tower to the deepest dungeon where the true body of a man, chained to the wall, awaited his final release.

Celine's hand trembled as she held the dagger to her own throat.

Her wide eyes never left the man suspended in the air, hidden beneath layers of magic and restraints.

So many emotions overwhelmed her, choking her, and she fought like a rabid she-wolf to break free, but she never—not once—thought to awaken her vampire side, the other half of her power.

She had always relied on her Alpha wolf, who now refused to respond.

The walls and ceiling trembled, shadows stretched and began to dance, linked together like summoned spirits.

It seemed that every brick and stone, every chandelier, every grain of soil in the castle was quaking and reshaping itself.

“I, Selenia Gabrielle Von Carstein, renounce the contract that binds me to the Dark Prince Zarek Vlad in the name of... pronounce your name!” she shouted at Merkall, who, euphoric, began to declare his identity.

His astonished eyes watched thousands of runes, like floating words, swirling around Zarek's body, merging with the beams of light—the laws of the contract.

“May the Moon Goddess grant us her permission and blessing!” Gabrielle suddenly felt a knot in her chest begin to unravel.

“Now raise your hand and recite the incantations glowing beneath your feet!”