The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation Novel

---- No, you insult me if you give me that.

Im not charging you...

And Tinsist.

Dont waste my time with this, Aldo.

I need you to secure your family, just in case.

Think about what we discussedI will follow through.

Ill return with support, and if you give me valuable information, even better.

Aldo looked him straight in the eye.

He understood that despite his honesty, he would feel more at ease undertaking something so dangerous if his family had money saved.

Fine.

You have fifteen days.

Not a day more, he warned, taking the ring.

Elliot nodded, convinced he would need far less.

After all, he was the Duke.

sek In the darkness, the gentle sound of oars dipping into the water echoed as the small rustic boat glided forward.

On the shore, a broad-shouldered man watched them until they disappeared from sight, then turned back toward his home.

Elliot held Rossella tightly by the waist beside him, both huddled in the bottom of the boat, seeking refuge from the cold mist as dawn approached.

It had been a stormy night, filled with turmoil, and now they had to find their way home.

Thank you.

Where can I find the inn? he asked the gruff old ferryman, who only gave him brief directions before rowing back to the other side.

Let's go.

---- Katherine let Elliot take her hand in his larger one.

Throughout this whole desperate escape, she couldnt help but notice the shift in the Dukes demeanor.

He had protected her at all times, never left her behind.

Something unfamiliar spread in Katherines chestshe wasnt used to being cared for by any man this way.

Elliot, you gave Aldo something valuable.

I dont think it was wrong, but ...

what if we need to pay for more things? she asked, frowning as she voiced her concern.

They walked hand in hand, trying to stay unnoticed along a path cutting through a field of tall wheat stalks.

Before Elliot could tell her he had kept the gold cufflinks he was wearing, he was taken aback by what Rossella did next.

Oh! Thats right, I still have this! She pulled her hand from his and reached into her neckline, fishing out an old pendant she had hidden among her fathers belongings.

She believed it had belonged to her mother because of the engraved initials on the black opal stone, which was why she had kept it.

When Elliot saw her take out the pendant with the black stoneone that didnt appear particularly valuable but to him meant his damnationhe froze.

Was Rossella really handing him the magical item her father had used to blackmail him?