The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 48

VALERIA

I ran without thinking twice toward the small park.

I didn’t know anyone here, but I simply couldn't stand by while watching a child's life in danger right before my eyes.

"Valeria!" Aldric's voice thundered behind me as he realized I had moved away from his side.

I reached the spot where the pup lay on the ground, blood flowing from the deep wound on the back of his head, matting his brown hair into a sticky mess.

"Hold on, little one. Stay with me," I whispered, pulling the handkerchief from my pocket and pressing it firmly against the wound to stop the bleeding.

I held him against my chest, trying to turn him slightly. My hands trembled, terrified he might already be dead.

He was pale, with round cheeks, and barely breathing.

"Edward!" I heard the voice of that murderous man nearby and lifted my gaze, seeing him rush toward the child's body with a look of concern.

"Don't come near him! I saw exactly what you did!" I shouted, clutching the boy protectively against my body.

He feigned shock, but in the depths of his blue eyes, frustration and anger were clear.

"Valeria, what happened?"

"Your Majesty, please save this pup—he's badly hurt!" I pleaded, my voice cracking as Aldric knelt beside me, checking to see if the child was still alive.

"Edward! What happened to my son?!" The Alpha's roar echoed as he approached, pulling the boy from my arms.

Now I knew—he was the Alpha’s son.

Could that be why the other young man had tried to harm him?

"My boy… my boy! Garret, give him blood, quickly!" The Luna arrived, hands covering her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

The Alpha tore open his arm right there and began feeding his blood to the pup.

I watched as the child’s tiny lips began to move slightly, and a sigh of relief escaped me.

Goddess, if I hadn't seen this horrible act, that little one might have died.

Now that I looked closely, they did bear a resemblance.

"Miss, I believe there must be some misunderstanding. Perhaps you didn’t see clearly—it was quite far away," she added, suddenly calmer, as if trying to smooth things over while wiping her tears.

"I know very well what I witnessed. I understand they are both your sons, but this young man—"

"I appreciate your concern and thank you for helping my Edward," she interrupted me sharply.

"But please, I ask you not to slander my eldest son like this. He is the future Alpha, and spreading a rumor that he tried to murder his younger brother in front of the King would harm this pack's future."

Her words were diplomatic, but I couldn't help but wonder—what kind of mother prioritizes her son's image as a future Alpha over the safety of her injured child?

I clenched my fists and bit my tongue, struggling not to get more involved in this family affair.

"My maid has no need to slander anyone, and she is far from a liar. So, future Alpha, I’ll be watching you closely. And for your sake, I hope this truly was just an accident."

Suddenly, the broad figure of the King stepped in front of me, his voice cold and commanding enough to make the Alphas tremble.

"Alpha Garret, control your troublesome family and your Luna's tongue, because no one speaks so insolently to my companion, especially not to my face!"