The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 385

KATHERINE

"Sweetheart, careful!" I caught her in my arms, breaking the impact.

She was gasping for breath, completely leaning against me—I could feel her tiny heart racing wildly.

"Baby, just a little more, honey. We’re so close. We can’t stop." I cast a nervous glance toward the path ahead. I couldn’t see clearly, but I knew the monsters were out there.

I crouched in front of Lavinia, who could barely speak, still trying to catch her breath.

"M-Mama, I’m so… so tired… Mama… I’m scared…" She threw her arms around my neck, sobbing again.

All I could do was stroke her head and back, my heart aching at the bruises marring her delicate face. Those filthy bastards hadn’t even spared a child.

"My love, I know you’re tired, but I can’t carry you, sweetheart—you’re too heavy. We’d never escape." I wiped her tears away with my fingers, pressing a soft kiss to her dirt-streaked forehead.

We were both a mess.

"Just a little more, my love. I promise we’re almost there." I started to stand, but then—her exhausted face suddenly twisted into pure terror.

"It’s him!" The scream was all it took for me to spin around.

I barely had time to shove her away from me.

"RUN, LAVINIA! Run to the castle, baby! I’ll catch up to you—I’ll catch up!" I ordered frantically.

She hesitated for a second, but then, with relief, I saw her turn and flee.

I intended to do the same, but deep down, I knew I wouldn’t make it in time.

So the moment I felt him closing in behind me, I lunged toward a patch of jagged rocks on the ground.

"Aasshhh!" I gritted my teeth as I hit the earth hard.

Pain ripped through my ankles as something yanked them back brutally.

My nails scraped against the dirt, my hands clutching desperately at one of the rocks.

Before he could pin me down, I twisted to face him—his furious face, twisted with rage, nearly foaming at the mouth like the disgusting mutt he was.

I swung the rock up to knock him out, but this time, he wasn’t so easily caught off guard.

"You filthy whore! How dare you hit me?!"

"Aaah!" I cried out as he wrenched the rock from my grasp, his rough hand clashing against mine.

"Now I’ve got you, little wildcat. I never imagined you’d be this intense. I have to admit… this is turning me on. A lot."

His vengeful voice slithered against my skin as he leaned in.

I lunged forward, teeth bared, ready to bite him—but he jerked back, laughing mockingly.

His hot breath against my face disgusted me. The sick, lustful look in his eyes made my stomach turn.

"Francis—what the hell are you doing?!"

A breathless voice cut through the haze of fear. His witch of a mother.

Through the corner of my eye, I saw her emerging from the mist, stopping to catch her breath.

"How did you find us?! Did you come with someone else?" She advanced toward us, her face twisted in fury.

"Stop wasting time with stupid questions—she’s not going to answer! Go that way—the brat can’t have gotten far, and the swamp will block her escape! Catch her, now! Don’t waste time!"

He barked the orders at her. They were still after Lavinia. And the word swamp sent pure terror through me.

If a child fell into those treacherous waters, she would never come back out.