The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 98

VALERIA

I sat up immediately, pressing myself against the intricate steel headboard carved with black roses and leaves, imitating a dark garden.

My legs were pulled protectively against my chest.

The clinking of the heavy chain echoed in the room, as did his approaching footsteps at the edge of the immense bed.

I looked at him with a mix of fear and unease as his features became clearer: ebony-black hair, blood-red eyes, and that cynical smile on his refined lips.

"What do you want from me?" I managed to say, swallowing hard and trying to hide the trembling in my hands and voice.

He sat down calmly beside me, brushing aside the long black coat with golden embroidery.

"I think you know very well what I want from you. It’s incredible that you managed to hide all these years," he said, studying me curiously. His hand suddenly reached for my chin, and no matter how much I wanted to escape his strong grip, I couldn’t. "How did you do it?"

I wanted to defend myself, to summon all my power, to transform and break free. But for some reason, my body felt utterly drained, as if all my energy was being slowly siphoned away.

Even shifting into my wolf form seemed impossible.

He leaned forward, trapping me against the pillows. I couldn’t look away from those hypnotic, cruel eyes.

"I don’t... I don’t know what you’re talking about..."

"That’s fine. What matters now is that you’re here. I never imagined you would be the key," he murmured, his breath brushing against my lips like a sweet spell. "You resemble her so much, except you’re the sweet, innocent version. A kitten compared to the tigress."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. How could those savage beasts do this to such a beautiful face? Don’t you want revenge, darling? Don’t you want to wipe out that race of backward creatures? You have the power, Valeria, and I can help you wield it."

He whispered, planting ideas in my mind, probing through my memories.

His finger slowly caressed my damaged cheek, and his mouth inched closer to mine.

That sweet scent flooded my mind, clouding my senses. I couldn’t stop staring at his beautiful face, even as his hand slid sensually up my leg, pulling along the white nightgown someone had dressed me in.

What was happening to me?

"What are you doing to me?" I asked, struggling to break free from the trance, his lips nearly brushing mine. "Get out of my head!"