The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 393

DUKE THESIO

“Sir, I saw everything from the shadows. Luckily, I hadn’t entered the camp yet. They came like a plague and wiped out our men! The Duke of Everhart led the charge…”

I listened to my soldier’s report, pacing like a caged beast inside my study.

He hadn’t even had time to warn Arthur about the retreat.

Truth be told, deep down, I was relieved they had killed him rather than taken him hostage as a witness.

Now, he could serve as my scapegoat.

I would deny everything. It was better to be seen as an incompetent Duke than to be linked to witchcraft and my plans to ruin Elliot.

“Damn it!” BAM!

I kicked the chair in fury.

So much money invested in raw materials and bribes, and what I stole from Elliot barely compensated for it—it had all gone into feeding my soldiers.

I feared the Regent’s men would pay me a visit at any moment.

Knock, knock, knock.

I froze at the sound at the door.

“Shut up,” I signaled to the soldier and motioned for him to open it.

“Yes?”

“Someone is asking for your lordship…”

“I told you not to disturb me! Are you deaf?” I stormed toward the door and yanked it open. “This better be impor—Brenda?”

I was stunned to see the woman standing beside my butler.

She pulled back her heavy hood, revealing her face.

“I apologize for disturbing you, your excellency. I…” She hesitated for a moment.

Her presence here, on my lands, told me she had considered my proposal.

“My dear, I must finish something quickly. Wait for me in the private salon. Show her the way and treat her as the lady of the house,” I ordered the butler.

I met her beautiful eyes for a brief second, and for the first time since I had known her, I saw something more than just disgust. I watched as she walked away.

Now that Brenda was inside my castle, an idea formed in my mind. But first things first.

“Let’s continue,” I said to the soldier, shutting the door myself and locking it.

As he resumed his account of the massacre at the camp and how lucky he was to have avoided it, I leaned against my desk, my back to him, and grasped the sharp letter opener in my hand.

I slid the blade inside my sleeve.

“You’d better, Alfred. Because you know very well what will happen to your daughters if you ever think of betraying me.”

“N-No, sir. You know I’m loyal,” he said quickly, lowering his head in submission.

“I hope so,” I muttered, downing my drink in one go. “Is Brenda in the salon?”

“Yes, sir.”

I nodded, heading for the door as he rolled up the carpet with the body inside. I stepped over it carefully, making sure not to stain my boots with blood.

“And replace the letter opener.”

BAM!

I slammed the door shut behind me, striding down the hall, scowling. I would not make the same mistake as that fool Elliot, who had the enemy right under his roof and let them play him for a fool because he was too soft-handed.

I paid for the butler’s daughters to attend private school.

At first, he had been so grateful, unaware that it was my way of ensuring his loyalty—of keeping his offspring as my hostages. If he ever betrayed me, his precious little girls wouldn’t make it home for the next holiday season.

I hurried to my chambers to change, just in case I had been splattered with blood, and to freshen up.

Not every day did I get the pleasure of finally caging that lioness. I was certain of her surrender.

And I would savor every moment of it.