The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 333

NARRATOR

"What? You think they won’t accept it as payment?" She looked at him with worried, almost innocent eyes.

Elliot gazed deep into those eyes. She seemed sincere, no tricks or deception.

He was growing more convinced that this wasn’t his original wife, and now it was painfully clear that this woman—identical to Rossella—had no knowledge of his secret.

"Yes, I think it will work."

He extended his hand, hesitantly, half-expecting her to change her mind at the last second. His heart skipped a beat when she placed the magical pendant in his palm.

"Well then, I’ll leave it in your care."

"Isn’t this important to you?" he probed, but he quickly tucked it away.

He had no intention of giving it up again. In fact, he would destroy it completely.

"Not really. I think it belonged to my mother, but I never even met her. Either way, the living have to find a way to keep going," Katherine said, shrugging off the matter without a second thought.

She had no idea she had just handed over the only leverage that could have kept the Duke under her control.

Elliot gripped her hand much more firmly as they stepped onto the muddy village street.

The sun was already peeking over the hills, roosters crowing to announce the dawn.

When they reached the inn, the neighing of horses, the rumble of wheels, and the sound of voices behind the building caught their attention.

Walking down the narrow alley toward what must have been the stables, they saw a group of men and women loading trunks, sacks, and bales of hay onto several wagons.

A man at the front was barking orders at two burly workers, who seemed to be his employees.

"Wait here."

Katherine nodded at the Duke’s order and stepped aside, trying to remain unnoticed.

Luckily, the patched and slightly tattered clothes Nora had given them helped them blend in somewhat, avoiding curious glances.

She watched Elliot speaking with the man in charge.

He had his back to her, but she could tell he was negotiating seats on the wagons heading to the duchy’s capital.

No matter how hard he tried to pass as a commoner, the imposing dark-haired man exuded nobility in every way—his commanding presence, his dominant tone, always speaking as if issuing orders.

Katherine hoped he could pull it off.

If the merchant knew he was haggling with the Duke himself, he’d probably keel over on the spot.

Elliot turned and pointed toward her, prompting Joaquín to give her a quick glance.

Then their conversation continued.

The Duke pulled something out as payment, though Katherine couldn’t see it well. Hopefully, the man wouldn’t reject the old necklace.

Despite their protests and envious glances, that spot was reserved for the odd couple who had arrived last.

Elliot jumped up onto the wagon and extended his hand.

Katherine hitched up her skirt like a tomboy and climbed up on her own without taking his help, exuding defiance.

She sat on the wooden floor beside the hay bales that filled most of the space, leaving only a small corner near the edge for the Duke to sit.

"You can sit, you know. If you want. I don’t have mange. Hey, what are you—?!"

A sudden kiss landed on Katherine’s lips as Elliot settled beside her, pinning her between the large hay bales and his solid frame.

His calloused hand, hardened by sword training, slowly traced her cheek, while his lips took hers in a deep, erotic kiss, hidden in the safety of the rustic carriage.

"I didn’t leave because of you. The problem was mine. You had nothing to do with it," Elliot murmured against her lips.

Katherine gasped, craving more of his kisses, her heart pounding wildly.

She loved his intoxicating scent of bergamot, his masculine spice—but she knew this wasn’t the right time or place.

"Why?… Are you a premature ejaculator?"

"Pft."

Elliot nearly choked on his own breath, ready to spit blood at his wife’s outrageously shameless question.