The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation romance Capítulo 10

VALERIA

It’s not like I have much to pack.

On the bed, I make a small bundle with a few old clothes you’ve donated to me and, most importantly, the money the King gave me.

That’s all I have to survive.

Shielded by the night and the darkness, I wander through the corridors, glancing around fearfully, clearly intending to escape.

I reach the kitchen and search for the back door—obviously, I won’t risk leaving through the main entrance.

When I glance at the counter where the King’s meals are served, a surge of anger rises in my chest.

Why would they do something like this?

Who could be so cruel as to send an innocent woman to certain death?

The maid who helped the one who cut her hand is my main suspect—the one who had the opportunity while I was distracted.

Perhaps both of them are working together.

I step out into the inner courtyard and run toward the gate where the carts with supplies and goods enter.

The forest welcomes me—dark and menacing. It’s frightening, and I have no idea where to go now.

I think about shifting into my wolf form and simply running far from these lands.

However, fireworks echo in the distance, coming from the pack's lands, drawing my attention and deepening the indecision in my chest.

I have nowhere to go. Maybe they’re still searching for me out there. And if not... what would I become?

Just a rogue without a pack, bait for any scum to abuse me or sell me as a slave to an even worse pack.

Maybe the housekeeper can help me—give me another position if I explain everything to her properly.

She’s far more rational than the King.

I gamble everything on that decision and start following the stone path down the mountain toward the valley where the Golden Moon pack lies.

*****

Knock, knock, knock.

I knock repeatedly on the door of the house belonging to the housekeeper.

I had asked a woman, and she told me she lived here, yet the window was dark, and no one responded.

Could she be at the celebrations?

I thought about circling the house to be sure no one was home, but then, the angry voice of a man made me freeze.

"Hey, you! What are you doing snooping around someone else’s house?"

I turned, startled, to see an intimidating warrior with two other men behind him.

"Sir, I—I was just looking for Madam, the King's housekeeper. I work for her," I replied, trying not to sound too nervous or suspicious.

"I know exactly who you are—the King's maid. And I’ve been looking for you. The King has given orders. You’re coming with us," he said, and panic gripped my heart.

"W-With you? Where...?"

"Wherever we want to take you, traitor! Don’t think we don’t know you tried to poison His Majesty. Grab her!"

"No, no! I didn’t... wait! Let go of me! Aggh!" I groaned in pain as a brutal punch landed in my stomach, cutting me off and making me double over in agony.