The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 70

ALDRIC

I stare into the panicked eyes of this Alpha.

I've never particularly liked her, but her brother is a valuable member of the Guardians, and now, the only one who can read those Altars.

"Why were you carrying Valeria as if you were running away? I know you heard my lycan's roar—why the hell didn't you wait for me and instead put her in danger again?"

I tighten my grip around her throat, anger boiling inside me as the memory flashes back—seeing them being dragged by the current when I reached the drainage outlet.

I hadn’t even thought before jumping in after my mate.

"S-Sir... I-I was injured from the fight... I was scared more of those dark holes in the walls would open again... that more enemies would come and kill us before you arrived... I acted on impulse... I panicked and jumped without thinking..."

Her voice stammers, and I lean in closer, watching her trembling, erratic eyes.

When I arrived, I clearly saw the shadow of a man escaping through that same wall opening she mentioned.

So, her words made some sense.

"She reeks of dark energy," my wolf growls under his breath.

With him fully awake, my senses sharpen—things I couldn’t smell before are painfully obvious now.

Lowering my gaze, I examine the ugly wound across her stomach, tainted with dark magic.

It looks like it was inflicted by an enchanted weapon, which would also explain the strange scent.

"What happened to the bodies? How did you discover the Altar and involve Valeria? What were you doing there with her in the first place?"

She remains silent for a few seconds, and the longer she hesitates, the more convinced I am that she's hiding something.

"Answer me right now, Celine! Don't make me command you!"

"The bodies... I... The boy was bewitched. He tricked your maiden. I—"

"Enough... Aldric..."

The soft, weak voice of Valeria suddenly draws my full attention.

I turn instantly, releasing Celine, and rush to Valeria's side as she struggles to sit up from the ground.

"Easy, baby... Easy. Don't strain yourself. Does it hurt anywhere?"

I lift her gently, pressing her cold, fragile body against my bare chest.

She feels so delicate in my arms it makes my heart clench.

"She helped me... leave her alone... she did nothing wrong. It was those damned vampires... they used the pup... they bewitched him... and he died..."

Her broken voice cracks as her teary blue eyes lower.

"It's okay, baby... Shh, don't think about it. Don't remember that awful moment. Please, Valeria... don't cry, little one, don't cry..."

She's sobbing quietly now, her tears soaking my skin as she clings to me.

I know she had grown attached to that pup—he seems to be the key to all of this.

His was the only body left untouched.

A sudden growl makes me look toward the forest, just as Quinn appears in his lycan form.

His fur is dark brown, much smaller than my beast but still powerful.

He shifts back, moving toward his sister, who is still slumped against the tree.

"Celine! Are you okay?!" He inspects her, and she nods weakly.

"Celine, damn it, stop acting tough—drink my blood, now."

I hold her close, almost limp in my arms as she hovers on the verge of collapse.

She’s trembling. I can't tell if it's from pain due to that nasty wound or from fear of Aldric.

"What do you mean the bodies disappeared? Why does the King's aura feel stronger?"

She clings to me tighter, finally drinking, regaining some color as the wound begins to heal.

I had already told her about the vanished bodies through our private sibling bond.

I explain what I saw in the basement during my rushed inspection while running through the chaos.

"And it seems like His Majesty’s wolf has fully awakened. That's why his power feels even more overwhelming now... if that's even possible."

I frown, helping her back onto her feet.

Of course, he came back and challenged me, making it crystal clear to my inner wolf that Valeria belongs to him.

As if the scent of wild sex and the "evidence" deliberately left at that Altar weren’t already a brutal slap to my face.

He marked her too—it seems temporary, but Valeria's body still emits a raw warning to any male who dares approach her.

"I think the enemy erased the bodies to cover up the real killer. Aldric would immediately know I wasn’t the one who killed them... He might suspect Valeria. Someone survived and knows her secret—her importance. Damn it!" he suddenly growls, his eyes flickering with anxiety.

"I have a lot to tell you. I know what the Altar says and the mystery behind the King's maiden. Quinn, we need to protect her. She's different... she might even help me with my problem."

"His Majesty is in love with Valeria—but how long will this obsession last? And what if he finds out the truth? She's in danger at his side..."

"Wait, wait, Celine! I don’t understand—slow down!"

"Oh no!" she suddenly exclaims, clutching her mouth in horror. "I put the silver relic inside the pockets of Valeria's dress!"