The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation – Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Suspects

ALDRIC

I stare into the panicked eyes of the Alpha. I’ve never liked her much, but her brother is a valuable member of the Guardians—and now, apparently, the only one who can read the Altars.

“Why were you carrying Valeria like you were running away?” I growl. “I know you heard my lycan’s roar—so why the hell didn’t you wait? Why put her in danger again?”

My hand tightens around her throat, fury boiling inside me as the memory flashes—the image of 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,” she stammers. “I was scared… more of those dark holes in the walls would open… more enemies… I panicked and acted on instinct…”

Her voice trembles. I lean in, studying her erratic, fearful eyes.

When I arrived, I clearly saw a shadow escaping through that same wall opening she mentioned. So, her words made some sense.

“She reeks of dark energy,” my wolf growls.

With him fully awake, my senses are razor-sharp. Things I couldn’t detect before are now painfully obvious.

I glance at the wound slashed across her abdomen—ugly, deep, tainted with dark magic. It looks enchanted. That would explain the scent.

“What happened to the bodies?” I ask coldly. “How did you find the Altar? Why was Valeria involved? What were you even doing there with her?”

She hesitates.

And the longer she stays silent, the more convinced I am that she’s hiding something.

“Answer me, Celine. Don’t make me command you.”

“The bodies… I… the boy was bewitched. He tricked your maiden. I—”

“Enough.”

“Aldric…” A soft, weak voice cuts through the tension. Valeria.

I release Celine instantly and rush to her side as she struggles to sit up on the forest floor.

“Easy, baby… don’t strain yourself,” I whisper, gently lifting her, pressing her cold, fragile body against my bare chest. She feels so delicate it makes my heart ache.

“She helped me… leave her alone,” she says weakly. “She did nothing wrong. It was those damned vampires… they used the pup… they bewitched him… and he died…”

Her voice breaks, her teary blue eyes dropping.

“It’s okay, baby. Shh… don’t think about it. Don’t remember that moment. Please don’t cry…”

She sobs quietly, tears soaking into my skin as she clings to me.

I know how much she cared about that boy. He might be the key to everything. His was the only body left untouched.

A low growl shifts my focus toward the forest. Quinn appears in lycan form, his fur dark brown—smaller than mine, but still powerful. He shifts back quickly and rushes to his sister’s side.

“Celine! Are you okay?!”

She nods weakly.

“Your Majesty, is Miss Valeria alright?”

“She’s fine. And put some damn clothes on, Quinn! One of us walking around naked is enough,” I snap, shielding Valeria in my arms and turning my back as he stumbles into the bushes for clothing.

I kiss her damp hair. She’s still shivering. I need to get her out of here—before she gets sick.

“Quinn, I’m taking Valeria back. Heal Celine and let her rest. Then inspect the basement thoroughly.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“I don’t understand why there were two Altars… and those portals… I’ve never seen anything like them. Something isn’t right.”

My mind spins with questions. That attack happened right under my nose.

The Vampire King and I have a fragile peace. If he’s behind this—another war will begin.

Valeria grips my hand suddenly.

“The body of… Edward…” she whispers.

“I’ll bring the boy back, Miss Valeria,” Quinn replies solemnly.

If I had reached that Altar sooner, my mate wouldn’t have faced such danger. I grunt and turn, carrying her—still completely bare—through the woods. I’ll deal with myself later. Right now, I need her safe.

“Thank you for saving Valeria, Celine. I owe you,” I say quietly through the mind-link. “You may make any request. But you will also give me a full report—of everything that happened and why you were there.”

She’s strong. But strong enough to take down multiple vampires? And the way she panicked… diving straight into the waterfall?

The bodies had been reduced to ash. Someone went to great lengths to erase the evidence. But why?

And for what purpose?

—

QUINN

“Celine! Damn it, stop acting tough. Drink my blood—now.”

I hold her close. She’s limp in my arms, trembling. I can’t tell if it’s from pain or fear. That wound is no joke.

She finally obeys, sinking her teeth in. Her color returns slowly as the wound begins to heal.

I had already told her about the vanished bodies through our sibling bond. While the chaos unfolded, I’d done a rushed inspection of the basement.

His Majesty’s wolf is fully awake now. That’s why his aura is overwhelming—more than ever.

I help Celine to her feet. Of course, Aldric returned and challenged me. My wolf knows—without a doubt—Valeria is his.

As if the scent of sex and that deliberately marked Altar weren’t enough of a slap to my face.

He marked her too. It’s temporary, maybe. But her body now emits a warning to every male nearby.

The enemy erased the bodies to cover the real killer. Aldric would know I wasn’t responsible.

But he might suspect Valeria.

Someone survived… and knows her secret.

Her importance.

“Damn it!” I growl, anxiety prickling under my skin. “I have so much to tell you.”

I know what the Altar says. I know 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 that obsession last? And if he finds out the truth…”

“She’s in danger at his side.”

“Wait—Celine, slow down! I don’t understand—”

“Oh no!” she suddenly gasps, clutching her mouth. “I put the silver relic inside Valeria’s dress!”