The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 350

NARRATOR

Katherine composed herself at lightning speed, dabbing her face with a handkerchief—thankfully, she hadn’t broken down sobbing like Magdalena.

She tried to slip away, but in the end, some guests caught her and brought her back to the hall for one of the evening’s main games.

*****

Elliot had settled his business with Brenda, putting her in her place.

What the hell was that nonsense about love and feelings?

He wasn’t an idiot. Elliot knew very well that what truly drove that she-wolf was her interest in his wealth and title.

With disgust, he wiped the traces of her lipstick from his mouth, along with her irritating scent that still clung to his nose.

He didn’t want Kath to suspect anything—or worse, misunderstand.

He considered placing more spies around Brenda, just in case. He didn’t trust her in the slightest.

"Baroness Hildaly, good, I’ve found you," he strode toward the woman, who was ordering a drink. "Where is my Duchess?"

Elliot scanned the small catering lounge.

At the sight of the woman’s flustered expression, his alarms immediately went off.

"What happened?"

"I’m terribly sorry, Your Grace, truly, but, well… Miss Zafiro… " The woman hesitated, unsure whether to speak or stay silent. She had no desire to meddle in the Duke’s private affairs.

"Tell me without fear. What did Brenda do? Where is my wife?"

As he listened to what had happened—the humiliation Brenda had inflicted upon Katherine—Elliot’s fury grew with every word.

He should have known sooner. Damn it! His hurried steps led him straight to the grand hall.

The place was buzzing with excitement as everyone prepared for the Treasure Exchange.

Elliot knew about it—he had personally bribed the event organizers to rig the raffle so that he and Katherine would be paired together.

"Where are you, my little witch?"

The urgency inside him swelled. Damn it, he had tried to handle too much at this gathering and had neglected what truly mattered.

He tried to use his sense of smell, but the chaotic mix of scents made it impossible.

Moving through the crowd seated in arranged lounges, he nodded mechanically to greetings, but his gaze was only searching for one person.

Not seeing Katherine was driving him mad—until, finally, he spotted her sitting on a sofa, chatting with two other women.

Elliot approached with an intimidating presence.

If they were mistreating her, the civilized Duke act would end right here. But as his ears picked up the conversation, he exhaled in relief. That wasn’t the case.

"It’s the turn of our dear Duchess of Everhart! Come forward, Your Grace, and test your luck in the raffle!"

Katherine was called, and she rose gracefully, walking toward the massive spinning board as it whirled faster and faster.

Elliot took a bitter sip of his drink. She smiled—widely—but at everyone except him.

Meanwhile, he stood there like an idiot on the sidelines, glaring at any man who dared admire her for more than two seconds.

She looked gorgeous, stunning.

Despite having the same face as Rossella, Kath was something else entirely—her confident stride, her flirtatious smile, the way those damn voluptuous breasts bounced with every step hypnotized every man in the room.

Elliot decided then and there—next time, he would choose her dress himself. No more revealing his property.

"Red ball, Duchess! Good luck!"

Katherine returned to her seat. More names were called. Soon, it was time for some of the men.

She opened her red sphere and found the number 8. At any moment now, the men would announce their numbers.

Katherine had a feeling.

She watched as Elliot stepped forward with absolute confidence, the giant spinning wheel still turning and turning.

She tried to catch something—anything—but couldn’t. Still, she knew. This was rigged.