The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 66

VALERIA

I immediately moved to the side, watching the ground creak open like an old, rusty machine.

In the depths of the earth, a dark passage revealed itself, descending through ancient stairs to what seemed like a basement beneath the greenhouse.

"What was that noise, Miss Valeria? Are you alright?" Edward's voice reached me, and I leaned out to see him right where I had left him, sitting in his wheelchair with a worried expression.

"Yes, I'm fine. It was a stuck window I tried to open, and it made that sound. Stay there, don't worry," I lied, as I no longer fully trusted anyone.

He couldn't climb the stairs alone, let alone descend into this narrow space.

"Celine, I think I've found the right place for the Altar to the Goddess. I'm going down to read it, watch my back up here. I left Edward inside the greenhouse—keep an eye on him."

"Valeria, I don't like this at all. I'm calling my brother to come over. I think it's better to wait..."

"Your brother will come with Aldric. How will we explain all this? The King isn't stupid. I don't know how much longer I can keep up the act."

"Fine, hurry. Do it, but Valeria, at the slightest danger, get out. Let me know right away—I'm close."

"Edward, wait there for a moment. I'm just looking at some beautiful statues I found," I said casually, and he replied that he was fine and would play with his friends.

I descended then, clenching my fists and summoning my courage, trying to plant my feet firmly so I wouldn't slip and break my neck on the stone stairs.

I glanced around, feeling the damp walls with mild disgust at their sliminess from the moss as I advanced through a narrow corridor.

There was a faint light at the end, so I headed towards it.

My feet occasionally stumbled on the uneven stone floor, but that tugging sensation in my chest only grew stronger.

I wasn't doing this out of curiosity or recklessness alone—I dared this far because something deep in my soul was pulling me towards those altars.

I wanted to uncover their secrets, to understand how the story continued and where it would lead next.

The corridor opened into a gallery.

The low, ribbed ceiling was supported by several sturdy columns, and at the far end, under a skylight, I saw it—the true Altar to the Moon Goddess.

I approached immediately, running trembling fingers over the inscriptions carved into the square stone base.

"Celine, I found it! I'll read it to you quickly, and then you can tell Quinn!"

I began translating everything I found for her—the continuation of the story and clues about the next pack.

My fingers trembled as I uncovered one by one the secrets no one else seemed able to decipher.

"Quickly, Valeria! Get out of there now—my brother just spoke to me. He's returning to the mansion with the King!"

She warned me, and my heart pounded wildly. Still, it had been worth the risk—we now had the advantage.

I was just about to leave when a detail caught my attention.

There was a narrow slot in the rock at the base of the statue. I leaned closer to examine the mechanism, tracing it with my fingers.

A powerful, dark energy emanated from it, but I couldn't quite figure out how to unlock it.

"I'll leave him alone... but first, tell me what the Altar says. Read it completely for me, or this cripple will die. And don't try any tricks like before. You can't imagine what dark energy can do to such a fragile body."

His threat made me freeze in horror as Edward's features twisted in pain. The veins in his pale neck darkened as though tainted blood was rising towards his face.

From his lips came agonizing, pain-filled whimpers.

"AAAAHHH! It hurts! Help me, Miss Valeria, help me!" he suddenly screamed, his tear-filled eyes meeting mine for a second.

"Leave him alone! Don't hurt him! I'll tell you—I’ll tell you everything! Just stop!" I take a step forward, hands stretched out, begging him.

I have no other choice. I turn around and start reading the information to the enemy.

"Skip the story, I don't care about it. Tell me directly where the next Altar is located!"

I try to deceive him with a few words, to avoid giving him all the clues, but he keeps threatening Edward's life.

He seems to know a lot about the Altar, making it difficult to lie to him.

"I told you everything! Let him go, please! He's just a little boy. If you want me, I won't resist. Come, you can take me, but leave him alone," I plead desperately, trying every way possible to save the pup.

I'm also stalling for time. I've seen the silhouette in the corridor behind him.

He's so caught up in threatening me that he hasn't noticed Celine yet.

"I think there's something else. Give me what you're hiding," he says, and I tense, remembering the star relic.

"Don't play tricks on me. I was already walking this earth before you were even born! Give me the d4mn relic from the Altar—every Altar has one!"