The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation Novel

COMPLICES VALERIA After making the boldest agreement of my life , Aldric left and asked the innkeeper to prepare a hot bath .

I appreciated the gesture and sank into the soothing water up to my neck , alone in the room , sighing in relief .

I didnt want to think about anything , but as I raised the hand where I had been burned by that strange stone , I realized it was almost fully healed .

I touched my neck too no pain .

All my wounds and bruises were healing fast , faster than ever before , except for the most serious and old scars .

It was the power of the Lycan , I knew it well .

I also remembered all the strange things I had experienced .

My memories of the specter attack were hazy , but one thing was certain I faced it, and I even think it feared me .

What am I , really ? No one can ever know about this .

Absolutely no one .

Everyone connected with those creatures and vampires is executed without question .

That order had been given by none other than the King himself .

And I am right by his side .

Aldric can never discover my oddities .

www I rose from the bathtub and grabbed the towel from the screen along with my clothes , ready to change .

The moment I stepped out , drying my hair , there was a sudden knock at the door .

I answered confidently , thinking it was the innkeeper coming to empty the tub .

I froze when I saw Guardian Quinn standing there .

Y Your Excellency ? What are you doing here ? I asked , surprised , then realized my rudeness .

Why ? Am I interrupting something between you and the King ? he asked bluntly , stepping inside without waiting for an apology , his sharp gaze immediately scanning the bed and my clothes .

I felt judged .

His tone was cold , nothing like the sunny Lycan he usually was .

Of course not , Your Majesty has gone out , I replied respectfully , lowering my gaze but matching his coldness .

After a few tense seconds , he sighed .

I apologize , Valeria .

Im frustrated by other matters and took it out on you .

Im here because the King called me , he explained , and I nodded without holding a grudge His Majesty is likely handling pack business .

You can find him at the Alphas house , I informed him .

No , Im more interested in the Goddesss Altar he mentioned in his message .

I want to inspect it .

Would you take me there ? I saw no reason to refuse .

Honestly , I wanted to see it again too .

A few minutes later , I came down the stairs , meeting him the inns reception area IF my roommate returns , please tell him I went to the old temple , I instructed the innkeeper , who nodded .

1/3 +25 BONUS COMPLICES Quinn and I walked through the packs streets toward the forest .

You share a room with the King ? Why sleep so uncomfortably ? he asked along the way , so I explained the issue with the limited rooms .

He fell silent and didnt press further , which I appreciated , When we finally reached the ancient temple , Quinn immediately approached the stone , inspecting the carvings closely .

I climbed the worn steps as well , standing nearby , listening to him mutter .

Can you read it ? I asked , surprised .

This entire tragedy had unfolded because no one seemed capable of deciphering the writing .

More or less .

Its an ancient language , lost to time .

Only fragments remain , and Ive studied them out of fascination .

Thats why His Majesty called me , he explained , and the doubts in my mind grew .

Then how on earth can I understand it all ? I watched him scribble notes in a small notebook , clearly misunderstanding many parts .

He had no clue what he was reading .

How can I casually reveal this without putting myself in danger ? Staying silent was an option , but my gut told me it wasnt the right one , not when the enemy was seeking this information .

L … I can understand some of it too , I suddenly admitted , making his golden eyes widen as they snapped to mine .

My father … he was a scholar too .

He taught me some lessons about this mysterious language when I was a child , I invented the lie on the spot , but his intense stare made me nervous .

Im terrible at lying .

Did he catch me ? I see .

Thats … helpful .

Then perhaps you could assist me with this phrase here ? He pointed to a section of the carvings .

I leaned closer , pretending to think hard .

I made it seem like it was difficult , though I knew exactly what it said .

… and to the skies , it shall rise … like an eagle taking flight I recited it as if unsure , though I was certain .

Quinns face darkened , and he suddenly grabbed my arm , squeezing it firmly , Valeria , never never tell anyone you can read this , he warned gravely .

This is a dead language , used only by beings of darkness vampires , specters , and creatures more terrible than you can imagine .

My heart pounded in fear .

I couldnt hide it as I tried to pull away from his grip .

No, my father- Dont lie to me again .

The only traces of this dark script in the entire kingdom are locked away in our private library .

Its impossible for your father to have studied it less he had ties to the Dark Realm .

COMPLICES +25 BONUS I shook my head frantically , panic rising .

That accusation would ruin my parents memory completely .

… What will you do with me now ? Just tell me … how do you know this language : I swear , I have no connection to the Vampire Kingdom ! 1 … I just understand whats written here .

It was the truth .

But I was still trembling , gnawing on my lower lip , ready to bolt .

Calm down , Valeria .

Breathe , he finally released me .

Dont be scared .

I wont expose you .

Your secret is safe with me but you must keep this from the King .

He hates the Dark Kingdom more than anyone .

Why would you keep a secret that could be considered treason ? Youre a Guardian … I stepped back , still unsure .

Because I like you , Valeria .

Ive liked you from the start .

I have no intention of harming you .

If you keep quiet , not one will ever hear about this from me .

Besides … its good to have someone who shares my passion for this language and can help me decipher it .

1 nodded slowly , watching him closely .

I wasnt sure if he was being truthful but I had already put the noose around my neck .

Thank you , Guardian Quinn , I whispered , genuinely grateful .

He didnt seem like a bad man .

But Ive been wrong before If youre truly grateful , help me figure this out .

Its incredibly complex .

This altar seems to be from when the kingdoms were still united , he requested .

And since I was already in this mess … I had no choice but to dive in .

I knelt beside him and began helping him decode the stones tale .

Why does the King hate them so much ? I finally blurted out .

Quinn hesitated .

Because … vampires slaughtered his newborn pups in their cradle .

He walked in on them .

In his rage , he lost .

control of his Lycan form , slaughtering the vampires but someone else also entered the room during his frenzy His mate .

The mother of his children .

And she died … under his claws .

VALERIA IS MINE VALERIA I froze at Quinns words .

He kept deciphering the message , but my mind could only think about what the King must have felt when his children were murdered , and he had to take his mates life with his own hands .

I know all too well that soul crushing pain that leaves you wanting nothing but death .

Aldric had it even worse I didnt carry my baby in my womb for long- He held his pups in his hands and loved his woman .

She didnt betray him like I was betrayed .

She didnt deserve to die .

She was his mate , so he had a companion , surely a beautiful female who shared his bed , his dreams , his life .

Someone he truly cherished .

Someone who bore his children .

Why did I feel so bitter inside ? I raised my hand and touched my scars .

I had never cared about them before , but now , comparing myself to a poor deceased woman , all kinds of insecurities tightened around my heart .

« Idiot , how can you even compare yourself to her ? Aldric will never see you that way .

Dont get your hopes up I scolded myself and forced my focus back on the text I had practically memorized by now .