The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation romance Capítulo 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."

One held the cook's head—her features twisted in agony, frozen in the moment of her brutal death.

Beside her, the limbless torso of that damned warrior, his genitals gone, and the thick iron pike impaling his body... through the back.

It made me sick to my stomach.

I turned away, nauseous at the barbaric scene but reminded that my head could have been there instead—displayed as a warning.

I walked away quickly, foolishly believing my days would return to normal.

That I’d simply serve King Aldric in his castle.

But about a week later...

*****

"Valeria, pack lightly—just a spare change of clothes. You're coming with me to inspect a pack," he said bluntly one morning as he ate his usual massive breakfast.

"M-Me?" I pointed at myself, confused.

"Is there another Valeria here?" he muttered, lifting those sharp gray eyes from the mountain of meat on his plate, raising a brow.

"N-No, Your Majesty... I just... why would you want someone so weak to accompany you?" My courage—or stupidity—was definitely growing stronger each day.

"Because I might be away longer this time. And I need you with me," he answered and returned to eating.

I assumed he needed someone to care for his belongings and clothes, so I nodded in silence.

Turning, I walked toward my usual corner to wait for him.

"Besides... I won't be able to focus knowing you're here alone. With that dangerous jackal lurking around."

What jackal? Are there jackals in the pack's forest?

I said nothing, standing silently in my place as usual.

"I don’t want you to miss me, so I’m taking you with me," he added so casually and continued his meal.

Peeking from behind my bangs, I blinked at him in disbelief.

Who said I was going to miss you, Your Majesty?!

And so... I found myself dragged into this crazy, dangerous adventure—thanks to this possessive, dominant Lycan.