The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation – Chapter 64
The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation
Chapter 64 – The Wrong Side
VALERIA
I fell asleep a little longer. However, even though the King told me to rest all day, I’m not the type to spend so many hours in bed.
I walked to the bathroom to wash up, feeling the ache in my sore muscles from all the physical activity. My thighs were sensitive, and my intimate parts—well, even more so. Yet, I found myself smiling foolishly in front of the mirror, blushing and satisfied as I traced my fingers over the scars on my face and my swollen lips.
I wasn’t sure if it was just my imagination, but they seemed less marked, less ugly. It had to be his delicious blood—the one I couldn’t get enough of. I felt sexy and desired, noticing how the marks of his hands were already fading from my skin. That lycan made me feel alive, like the most beautiful woman in the world.
I got dressed and decided to visit little Edward and head down to find Celine, Guardian Quinn’s sister. The whole note incident wasn’t very smart, so even if we don’t get along, I had no choice but to trust her if I wanted to share what I found.
PAF! I heard the sound of a slap and something falling to the floor just as I was about to knock on the child’s door. Through the crack, hateful words from his mother escaped into the hallway.
“Don’t pretend all of a sudden! What are you trying to pull? Isn’t it enough playing with our sanity every day? What do you want, for the King to execute us all, you damn brat?”
“Mama, don’t hit me… uuuwww… Why don’t you love me? Why do you only care about my brother? I’m your little boy, Mama. I’m Edward… aahh…”
Edward’s sobs mixed with the Luna’s hateful words. I clenched my fists in rage and knocked forcefully, interrupting the exchange inside.
She immediately opened the door and looked startled when she saw me—I can imagine the furious expression I must’ve had.
“I came to ask for permission to take little Edward for a walk. Will his caring mother allow me?” I asked, trying not to let sarcasm drip from my voice. After all, it was a family matter, and I was still an outsider.
“Do whatever you want,” she replied with a frown, then passed me, leaning closer to whisper in a low voice, almost a hiss: “Be careful, Miss. Nothing here is what it seems. Your kindness could lead you to a tragic end.”
I stared at her, not fully understanding, but she continued down the hall. Turning back, I approached the bed where Edward lay crying, a red handprint visible on his face. No matter how you look at it, what she’s doing is wrong.
“Come on, little one. Don’t cry anymore. We’re going out to play, okay?” He clung to my neck, sobbing and telling me how his mother was cruel and didn’t love him. My heart ached, but there was nothing I could do. Tomorrow, I’ll leave, and this child will be left to his fate.
I calmed him down and helped him get dressed so we could go down to the garden. I was worried about not finding Celine—maybe she was still with her brother. Though Aldric had told me he would personally investigate the Altar with Quinn. I really hoped he had cleaned up last night’s mess—I’d die of embarrassment if the Guardian found those sticky traces on the stone.
Celine, I need to tell you something, I dared to reach out mentally when I felt her not far, exercising in the woods. I only did this because Aldric was distant and couldn’t intercept our messages.
Me? she responded, confused.
Yes. It’s hard to contact Guardian Quinn when he’s so close to the King. And no, it’s not something personal between us. I think you already know I can read the Altar, I added quickly to avoid misunderstandings.
I explained what I had found—the coordinates—and how everything else seemed to be a decoy, all while pushing Edward’s wheelchair toward the park.
No wonder Quinn was so frustrated. I know where those coordinates lead. I’ve searched this forest thoroughly. It points to an old abandoned greenhouse, she explained, giving me a solid lead.
I thought my part was done, that the rest would be up to her—or so I believed until Edward’s next words changed everything.
“I don’t want to go to the park today, Miss Valeria. Can we go to my secret place? I have treasures I want to show you!”
“Of course, sweetheart. Where is it?” I knelt beside him, smiling.
“It’s over there, in an old greenhouse,” he said, turning his head and looking straight at me.
That strange sensation of danger and darkness swept over me again the moment I touched his hand and gazed into his eyes.
Be careful, Miss. Nothing here is what it seems. Your kindness could lead you to a tragic end.
His mother’s words echoed in my mind. I wondered if I had misjudged everything all this time and blamed the wrong side.
“Of course, my love. We’ll go wherever you want,” I replied with a forced smile as I stood up and began pushing his wheelchair.
Celine, I’m heading to the greenhouse. Follow me silently. I think I might need your help.
