The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 123

VALERIA

I walked out accompanied by Aldric, his hand on my waist, pulling me protectively against his side.

Outside, voices could be heard. I didn't know whose they were; they seemed to be coming from the courtyard.

I looked up at the tall ceiling beam. Even though this was the best house in town, it still felt dark and oppressive.

The green striped wallpaper on the walls gave off a dizzying and claustrophobic effect.

Turning a corner, we arrived at another hallway with bedroom doors on one side. Quinn was standing in front of one of them.

"Quinn, why aren’t you resting? Are you okay? How's Celine?" I quickly stepped forward.

I know Aldric doesn’t like my closeness with this Lycan, but we've been through too many life-or-death situations together.

To me, Quinn and Celine are like comrades-in-arms, my friends, and I feel nothing else for him.

"I'm better, and Celine is resting. I'm really glad nothing happened to you; that’s what matters most," he says with a nod.

He looks exhausted and haggard, with dark circles under his eyes. He doesn’t seem to have rested at all, and his expression is filled with worry. Is he lying to me about Celine’s condition?

"Love, your mother is resting in this room. I think she’ll want to see you alone," Aldric speaks from behind me before I can question Quinn.

I turn around when he strokes my back.

"Baby, take it easy, okay?" he says softly, caressing my neck.

"The pup is fine, but the sorceress told me she’s a bit stressed. You can’t keep putting yourself at risk. Even though she’s a strong baby, we need to take care of her, understand?"

I nod, promising that I will. I’m getting too nervous with all these precautions. What am I going to find in there?

My somewhat rigid hand reaches for the doorknob, and I slowly open the door.

"She’s been longing to see you. You are her reason to live now, Valeria," Quinn's whisper reaches me before I step inside.

I glance at him, a bit puzzled.

Why does he look so anxious, as if Gabrielle is too important to him?

Without overthinking it, I finally step into the dimly lit room and close the door behind me.

The strong scent of medicinal herbs assaults my nose, making me wrinkle it slightly.

The heavy curtains are closed, and the little light that enters seeps through a few slits in the window.

Step by step, I walk toward an old canopy bed, also draped with those white curtains, closed. Through the darkness, I can barely make out the silhouette of someone lying on plush pillows.

As I get closer and my eyes adjust to the dim light, my breath catches in my chest.

I can’t see her body because she’s covered up to her chest, but her hands, resting outside the quilt, are wrapped in white bandages, just like her neck.

Her face shocks me the most—she has a bandage around her eyes, covering her vision, and from its edges, horrible red burns spread across almost all the skin on her cheeks and forehead.

"Ga… brielle," I say, holding back tears as I carefully sit on the edge of the mattress.

I don’t even want to touch her. I’m afraid of hurting her with just a touch.

"My child, you’re finally awake," her voice comes out in a whisper, tired.