The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 15

VALERIA

The King's carriage was spacious and comfortable, lined with soft red and black velvet.

We had left the castle that morning, traveling along winding roads toward a distant pack.

As soon as we emerged from the dark mist surrounding the forest, I tensed slightly, nervously watching out the window.

It was absurd to think they might still be hunting me outside the Golden Moon pack. Maybe they didn’t even realize I was still alive.

His Majesty sat across from me, absorbed in reading several manuscripts, fully focused on his task.

He wasn’t a man of many words, and the trip was quickly becoming dull.

At some point, I closed my eyes, but a sudden jolt of the carriage startled me awake.

A comforting warmth was pressed against my side—my head resting on a broad, muscular shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Your Majesty!" I shot up, stiff as a board, realizing I had been sleeping against the King.

Wasn’t he supposed to be sitting across from me?

"Why are you apologizing this time? For breathing? Or for drooling on my shirt?" he asked sarcastically, tilting his head to glance down at me.

My eyes immediately searched for any stain on the dark fabric, but it seemed His Highness had also learned how to mess with me.

"Go back to sleep, Valeria. We still have a long way to go," he muttered, his rough hand settling on my hair, gently pushing me back against his shoulder.

The journey continued, mile after mile.

Outside, the temperature was freezing, but nestled between the carriage wall and Aldric's massive body, his protective warmth surrounded me, and I eventually drifted off to sleep again.

When I stirred much later, still half-drowsy, I realized the carriage had stopped—and I was alone.

Voices echoed from outside.

Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I noticed the King's heavy cloak draped over me, almost covering me from head to toe.

Carefully, I folded it, fixing my messy hair before peeking out the window.

"You're awake?" his deep voice cut into my thoughts, suddenly filling my view. "Come. Get down. We're staying here for the night."

I nodded, pulling on my own dark cloak, which shielded my face somewhat from view.

I hated how people stared at me like I was some kind of freak.

Looking around, I realized we were inside a courtyard. There was a stable in the back and, ahead, an old wooden and stone building with several floors.

"Stay close to me, Valeria. Always. Don’t stray," he ordered firmly—short, precise commands I obeyed without question.

I followed the King and the coachman as we left through the gate and rounded the front of the inn.

"Sunrise Inn," the sign read above the door.

Aldric gestured for me to enter before him.

We were immediately greeted by a cozy hall filled with tables where people were eating, while the innkeeper stood behind a long counter on the side.