The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 12

VALERIA

I trembled as King Aldric appeared through the door, furious—completely enraged.

I pulled away from the Lycan who had been tending to me, instinctively curling into the corner of my bed, shivering, clutching the sheets tightly against my chest as if they could somehow shield me from his fury.

"I was only giving her medicine, sir," the Lycan replied, standing and placing the brew on the bedside table before turning to face him.

"You could’ve ordered a maid for that. I don’t want you near her," Aldric growled, his voice rough and strange, like when he had been chained.

"Fine. I just wanted to help—she was on the verge of death."

"There’s much to discuss about that. Now leave. Call the housekeeper. I want the entire staff gathered in the kitchen," he ordered, and the Guardian left, walking toward the door.

Lycans aren’t as submissive toward Aldric as the others, but the hierarchy between them was still obvious—he was the King, and he ruled over them all.

At the door, the Guardian turned slightly, glancing back at me. Our eyes met, his brow furrowed, conflicting emotions on his face.

"Anything else you’ve forgotten, Quinn?"

"No, sir," he responded and finally exited, closing the door behind him, leaving me alone with the furious beast who turned toward me, approaching the bed step by step.

His anger radiated off him, and I clenched my fists so tightly my knuckles went white.

"S-Sir... I didn’t do it, please believe me," I pleaded, lowering my head.

His shadow loomed over me, as if devouring me whole, and the mattress dipped under his weight as he sat on the edge.

The bed was narrow—no matter how much I pressed against the wall, his thigh still brushed against my legs.

"So, if you're innocent, why did you run? Were you seeking refuge? Maybe with another Guardian?"

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.

His steel-gray eyes felt like blades slicing through my willpower, radiating danger. His hand slid from my jaw down to my neck, closing around it, not squeezing but firm enough to terrify me.

"N-No... I... the housekeeper..." My words crumbled as he leaned closer, and I felt death itself breathing down my neck. A single squeeze, and I’d be gone.

I couldn’t even form words anymore. My eyes squeezed shut in surrender. I hated how easily I cowered under this man’s presence.

"Why?" His warm breath ghosted over my lips, his skin so close to mine as he trapped me in the corner.

"Tell me, Valeria... why do you fear me so much, yet you don’t fear him? Isn’t he a Lycan, too?"

I didn’t understand his question at first. Was he talking about Quinn?

Comparing them... it was like comparing the heat of the sun to the frozen peaks of deadly mountains.

"Open your eyes. Look at me. If I’ve treated you well, why do you always assume the worst of me?"

"Y-Your Majesty—"

"I hate when you call me that," he whispered, and finally, my heavy eyelids lifted.

My heart raced wildly as I found his masculine face mere inches from mine.

Didn’t my scars disgust him?

His eyes swirled like storm clouds, a beast lurking beneath the surface.

"I thought... I thought you wouldn’t believe me. You accused me of poisoning you. In the dungeon... that man said you ordered me to be taken from the pack and... punished."

"What?!" he roared suddenly, fury rippling through every word. "Don't tell me... don't tell me you actually believed that. Do you truly think I would order someone to violate you? To beat you? Answer me, Valeria!"

I swallowed hard, biting my lower lip to keep from answering—because, yes, in my desperation, I had believed it.

"They knew about the poisoning. They knew everything. And only you and I—"