The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 55

ALDRIC

When I arrived at that square and didn’t see Valeria, my blood ran cold.

I immediately tried to call out to her through the bond, but she seemed too far away.

I followed her scent like a madman until we found the Alpha’s son’s wheelchair abandoned in an inner courtyard.

Some people shared bits of what they had heard or seen.

She was in trouble again—reckless, chasing after a stranger.

I knew she was doing it for the pup, but risking her life like this, exposing herself to danger, made my blood boil with the urge to bend her over my knee and spank her for her foolishness.

“Valeria, I won’t punish you if you’re safe. I swear I won’t even scold you—just please, stay alive.”

I begged in my mind, running at full speed through the pack, nearly shifting into my beast, leaving the Alpha struggling to keep up behind me.

But when I reached that decrepit house, I could feel the rats escaping through the back. I didn’t have time for those men—I would hunt them down later.

Right now, the overwhelming scent of Valeria’s blood made my soul tremble with a fear I knew all too well.

The terror of losing someone I loved.

“VALERIA!!” I roared, storming inside, searching for her—only to see that dark hole where she lay dying at the bottom of the abyss.

I jumped without thinking, landing hard on the worn floor, which creaked under my weight. I fell to my knees beside her immediately.

My trembling hands went to the wound in her chest, where a rusty iron rod protruded, impaling her body.

“A…Aldric…”

“Don’t speak, little one. Don’t waste your energy. Hold on, I’m going to save you—I will save you, even if it costs me my life,” I promised her, though inside, I was cursing myself, sinking into despair.

If I removed the iron from her chest, the wound would worsen. I was afraid it had punctured her heart.

I couldn’t move her from this spot.

Valeria didn’t heal like other wolves; that’s why she had those scars.

She was dying—I could feel her pulse fading, her skin growing pale and cold.

My sanity was slipping away along with her life.

I was reliving the nightmare of holding the woman I cared for most as she slipped through my fingers.

“No, no, you can’t die, Valeria. I can’t lose you too. I can’t.”

My chest tightened, my emotions spiraling into helplessness and rage.

“Alpha Garret, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?! I NEED YOU HERE, NOW!!”

I commanded him with all my power, but deep down, I knew—no matter how fast he came, it wouldn’t be enough.

“You’re mine. My female. You belong to me, and you’re not leaving this world without me.”

I held her tightly against me, desperate not to move her too roughly, demanding over and over that she drink.

The blood trickled down her chin, wasted, as she grew colder, stiffer with every passing second.

“DRINK FROM ME, VALERIA! FIGHT! DON’T GIVE UP! DAMN IT, YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE UP! DRINK MY BLOOD! TAKE MY LIFE FORCE!”

I went mad, roaring inside her mind, forcing her with all my Lycan power to obey.

Desperation crushed my soul, building to unbearable levels—until, finally, when I was on the verge of losing her completely, I felt her lips begin to move against my skin.

My heart thundered wildly, more terrified than I’d ever felt in my life.

I was making her drink—forcing the cure, or the poison, down her throat.

I stayed completely still while she fed from my vein, cradling her close, my body half-draped over hers on the cold floor.

I closed my damp eyes, trying to suppress the knot tightening in my throat, overwhelmed by both fear and relief.

Pleasure coursed through my body despite the dire situation.

There was no longer any doubt in my mind—

Valeria was my mate. My second chance at love.