The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 52

VALERIA

I immediately walked toward the bed, my heart tightening in my chest, but I sighed in relief when I saw him open his bright blue eyes, very much alive and well.

"Thank you so much, Miss Valeria, for helping me at the park," he said in a soft, polite child's voice that melted my heart.

The saddest part of all, given my possible infertility, was that I had always loved pups.

"You're welcome, little Edward. I just did what anyone would have done," I replied, sitting on the edge of the bed.

He smiled sweetly, and his small, soft hand reached out to grasp mine, which rested on the blanket.

He looked so lonely in this dark, isolated room.

I didn’t need to stay long to realize the “defective” child was clearly not the favorite.

"Could you open the curtains, please? It's too dark in here," I asked the maid, and for a moment, I felt Edward’s hand tense against mine.

But when I looked at him, nothing seemed wrong, and he quickly relaxed.

The heavy curtains were drawn open, letting sunlight flood the wide chamber.

I suddenly remembered the scars on my face and worried I might scare him, but he didn’t seem the least bit afraid of my presence.

As he spoke about childish things, I subtly scanned every corner of the room.

Whatever had been lurking earlier had either left or was now hiding better, which only made me more uneasy.

Leaving him alone here, with something—or someone—ready to attack him from behind made my stomach twist.

Yet, I didn't trust this house enough, and I had already had a tense encounter with his mother.

There was nothing else I could do but hope I was being paranoid.

"Valeria, we must leave now." Suddenly, Aldric’s voice echoed in my mind, sending a shiver through my entire body.

"Little Edward, I'm so sorry, but I must go to the center of the pack for some errands. I'll come back to visit you later. Please rest—"

"Wait, Miss Valeria!" He clutched my hand tightly as I started to rise.

"If you're going to town, you should visit the traveling theater! Simone, one of the maids, told me it's very pretty and fun."

His voice softened to almost a whisper, his abandoned-puppy eyes tugging at my heartstrings.

It was obvious he wanted to go. This poor child truly broke my heart.

"Sir, would it be possible... I mean... if you ask the Alpha—"

"Valeria, just tell me what you want," Aldric’s voice replied, firm yet patient.

"Could we take the Alpha's youngest son for a walk through the town? I’ll take care of him. He won't be a bother!" I added quickly, smiling at Edward and gesturing for him to give me a moment.

His bright blue eyes immediately sparkled with hope.

"The Alfa says that he does give permission, and I'll come up now to help bring him down the stairs since he can't walk properly on his own,"

And despite his usual roughness, it warmed my heart that he agreed to something that truly mattered to me.

That was how little Edward ended up seated on my lap in the carriage, his small face peeking out with both excitement and a bit of nervousness as he watched the grumpy Lycan sitting across from us.

I kept him distracted by pointing out the passing scenery while Aldric remained silent.

Yet my heart raced, aching with happiness every time I imagined the image of her and my pups, safe and sound, held protectively in my arms.

But that was a painful fantasy.

Even if Valeria could conceive, I wouldn’t survive holding a child of mine again—only for my enemies to hunt them down like prey, wiping out my bloodline out of fear for how strong my offspring could become.

I turned my gaze away, focusing on the passing trees, my heart heavy with sadness.

*****

When we arrived at the traveling theater set up in the town square, I left them seated near the stage, surrounded by other children and parents, laughing at the puppets.

"Is the place where the old wolf lives far?" I asked the Alpha as we followed his servant.

"No, not far. The stable boy told me it’s just up on one of those hills," he pointed, and though it wasn’t far, it also wasn’t exactly nearby.

I glanced back, scanning for Valeria again.

Everything seemed secure around her, and this pack was peaceful.

But I couldn't forget there was a Lunar Altar here—and I didn’t know if the enemy had discovered its location yet.

The Altar was deep in the mountains, where Quinn was still studying it.

"Valeria, stay here until I return, alright?"

She assured me she would, and our eyes met for a brief moment.

I gazed into those beautiful blue eyes of hers, and for once, I felt at ease as I quickened my pace to return to her side sooner.