The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 14

VALERIA

I couldn't even catch the scent he mentioned—but of course, he was a far superior species.

"How clever... Valeria tasted the food that wasn’t poisoned, but when she covered it with the tray, that blue powder fell onto the food," the housekeeper summarized exactly what we were all thinking.

"Maybe it activates with heat and blends with the food's aroma, making it impossible for His Majesty to detect."

Suddenly, loud commotion echoed from the back door, and the cook burst into the room, sobbing uncontrollably.

A massive man nearly dragged her in by the arm, shoving her to her knees on the cold tile.

I was a bit startled by his sheer size—the tension in his bulging muscles made his arms look even bigger than Aldric's.

A dark beard, sharp electric-blue eyes, and the fact that he was bald only made this Lycan appear even more savage.

I was certain... he was one of the Guardians.

"Your Majesty, I've been your cook for years! How can you believe the accusations of this whore who only wants to get into your be—"

"SHUT UP!" Aldric roared, and I could swear the entire castle trembled.

He stormed toward the woman like a furious wolf, grabbing her hair and dragging her outside.

"The fact that you've gotten away with this for years is what angers me most! How many maids have you done this to? Do you think playing with innocent lives is a joke?!"

The growls, the woman's desperate cries—they echoed from outside the castle, growing fainter and fainter.

No one dared to speak. No one moved.

The two suspected maids sobbed quietly, clinging to each other.

I jumped, startled, when the heavy silence was suddenly shattered by a chilling, high-pitched scream—a woman's scream—cutting through the stormy night.

I felt eyes on me and turned toward the dark corner where Guardian Quinn still stood.

He was watching me closely.

I hadn’t had the chance to thank him yet—for saving me from almost being violated, from the fall down the ravine, and for helping find the evidence.

The firm footsteps of the King echoed again, returning.

"Everyone out. The servants too!" he ordered, pointing toward the exit. The scent of fresh blood clung to him.

"Look carefully at what happens to traitors! In your fucking lives, don’t you ever dare mess with my maid again—or the punishment you face will be far worse!"

I froze when he mentioned me.

Honestly... I felt grateful deep down.

King Aldric didn’t need to pretend in front of me, nor deceive me like Dorian—who had lied right to my face for his own gain.

I walked slowly, following the line of staff toward the door, already imagining the horrible sight awaiting us outside.

"Valeria, return to your room! Beof, come with me!"

I raised my head at his command.

"Thank you, Your Maj—" He had already disappeared through the same door, taking the giant Lycan with him, leaving me with no chance to finish.

As rude as ever... this savage man, I thought but dared not let it show on my face.

"Thank you, Housekeeper," I said softly to the woman.

"Don’t thank me. You got lucky this time, Valeria. But I think you've realized by now... you always need to stay on guard around the King," she warned with a stern expression.

"I’m sorry that happened near my home. It seems you were being watched."

A chill ran down my spine at the thought of the cook's seemingly kind face—and that someone had been stalking me in the shadows while I left the castle.

She was right. If I wanted to keep my head on my shoulders, I couldn’t afford to be so trusting anymore.

*****

I walked through the hallway back toward my room, but as I turned a corner, I caught sight of Guardian Quinn’s back as he was leaving.

"Sir," I dared to call out.

He stopped, turning to face me.

"Thank you so much for your help. If you hadn’t arrived in the forest when you did... those men... well, you saw what happened," I murmured, my voice lowering even more as I stared at my boots.

"You also saved me from the fall... I don’t know how to repay you."

I bowed deeply, bending at the waist, my dark hair falling over my face.

"It's fine. You don't need to be so formal. Stand up," he said gently.

"I only did what was right. I'm sorry I didn’t believe you in the first place."