The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 31

VALERIA

I froze at Quinn's words.

He kept deciphering the message, but my mind could only think about what the King must have felt when his children were murdered, and he had to take his mate’s life with his own hands.

I know all too well that soul-crushing pain that leaves you wanting nothing but death.

Aldric had it even worse—I didn't carry my baby in my womb for long.

He held his pups in his hands and loved his woman.

She didn’t betray him like I was betrayed. She didn’t deserve to die.

She was his mate, so he had a companion, surely a beautiful female who shared his bed, his dreams, his life.

Someone he truly cherished. Someone who bore his children.

Why did I feel so bitter inside?

I raised my hand and touched my scars. I had never cared about them before, but now, comparing myself to a poor deceased woman, all kinds of insecurities tightened around my heart.

«Idiot, how can you even compare yourself to her? Aldric will never see you that way. Don't get your hopes up»

I scolded myself and forced my focus back on the text I had practically memorized by now.

«Beautiful and mysterious, bold and alive, the most rebellious daughter of her father.

It was so dull just watching “the creations” from afar.

So vivid, so complex in themselves.

They loved, suffered, hated, and lived each day as if it were their last.

A longing grew in her heart, watching and wishing every night, until one day, “she” decided to break the rules and come down to play»

That was what the beginning of the story said. It seemed to speak of a woman, and below, it described a place I didn't recognize.

Quinn seemed more interested in this part. It looked like the location of another altar.

“I don't quite understand where it could be…” he murmured.

“You got this wrong. It's not lava; it's water. It talks about a place with a large lake or something like that,” I pointed out, and he stared at the passage.

“Of course! Of course! How could I be so stupid? It must be that pack near the waterfalls!” he exclaimed happily, like a child, and suddenly surprised me by grabbing me around the waist and lifting me up.

“You're amazing, Valeria! Amazing! Thank you!” he spun me around, laughing.

The sunlight reflected on his pale hair, and his smile was radiant, contagious.

I clung to his shoulders for balance, about to ask him to put me down when, looking toward the forest, I saw the man who always had the gift of showing up at the most suspicious moment.

But then I lowered my expectations. Of course, he didn’t want another man touching what he was going to use.

He turned to face me, and I shivered in fear.

I quickly dropped my gaze to my shoes, but I could hear him approaching.

His oppressive aura surrounded me like an invisible hand squeezing my throat.

Soon, he was right in front of me, so close that my nose brushed against his black shirt. I bit my lower lip, bracing for punishment.

He lowered himself and pinched my chin, forcing me to lift my head. His reddish hair tickled my cheeks.

His hot breath brushed against my sensitive ear.

“I'm not a man you can play with, Valeria,” he warned, whispering so low it was meant for me alone.

“We made a deal, and there's no turning back. Your life, your body, your damn pussy—they're all mine. Understand? Let another male touch you again, and you can’t even imagine the consequences.”

A cold sweat ran down my spine.

I didn’t know whether to be terrified or aroused, but I ended up nodding to his dominant, commanding words.

I was property of the Lycan King Aldric Thorne. There was no doubt about that—and the worst part was, deep down, I didn’t mind it at all.