The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 384

KATHERINE

I lay on the ground for a second, catching my breath, staring at the distant treetops, filling my lungs with fresh oxygen.

I coughed softly and sat up.

Beside me stood the stone well I had just climbed out of.

In the distance, the silhouette of the castle faintly outlined itself against the evening sky, the last orange rays of the sun casting a glow.

This had to be some secret exit from the Duke’s residence.

I got to my feet—there was no time to lose. Every second counted.

Quickly wiping the dirt from my palms, I checked the red seal, concentrating. The signal hadn’t faded, and it was pointing me in a direction through this tangled woodland.

With a furious tug, I tore the skirts of my dress, ripping away several layers. I needed more agility—they had nearly tripped me several times, and the weight was unbearable.

Now with my boots free, I took off running toward the path traced by the red line.

*****

Crouching behind the bushes, I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady my breathing.

I peered through the thick white mist rising around me, darkness quickly swallowing this old forest.

A wooden cabin stood in the clearing—rustic, isolated. My eyes narrowed, trying to make out the figures moving behind the dirty windowpanes.

A dim light flickered inside. Two people. That had to be him and his treacherous mother. What do I do now? Goddess, light my way, please.

I scanned the area, searching for a weapon, and spotted a thick branch fallen from a cypress tree.

Crawling, staying low, I moved to grab it. I couldn’t see much, and that worried me—this area was dangerous. I had heard there were swamps.

I was preparing to move closer, silently creeping toward the cabin, when a commotion caught my attention.

My heart nearly leaped out of my chest as the door burst open and a small figure dashed out.

Lavinia!

I sprang to my feet, ready to run to her, to call her name—but she disappeared into the forest before I had the chance.

She was fast, and with the shouting and cursing coming from inside the cabin, she wouldn’t hear me.

"You useless fool! I told you not to untie her!"

"Run! She can’t have gotten far!" They were arguing, but I didn’t waste another second.

"What the fuck—?!" He howled, raising a hand, trying to turn around— I hit him again, harder, screaming in fury. I watched him crumple to the ground.

"Run, Lavinia! Run!" I shouted, shaking her from her shock.

Her teary eyes met mine across the small gap between us, and I rushed to grab her hand.

"Mama!" she cried, throwing herself at me, sobbing.

I knew she was terrified, but now was not the time to break down.

"Come on, baby, run! Run, sweetheart, run!"

I tugged her little arm, her short legs struggling to keep up, weak but steady. I felt completely drained—this magic I had used today was taking a toll on me.

But my will to save her overpowered everything else.

Through the thick white mist obscuring my vision, through the eerie whispers of the night creeping from all sides, I searched desperately for the castle.

I had to remember the way.

"Aah!" Lavinia couldn't keep going. Her exhausted legs tripped again, and this time, she nearly fell flat on her face.