The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation romance Capítulo 47

VALERIA

"Tell me if you can comply with that condition, or I will leave my position right now, King Aldric. I am not your prisoner," I confronted him for the first time, raising my chin, ready to resist his whims and selfishness.

However, Aldric just stared at me in silence.

I could feel his entire body tense, as if he were struggling with an internal enemy, resisting with all his strength.

In his gray eyes, the beast inside him flickered, tinged with red, like his lycan form.

"Fine," he finally relented, stepping back, clenching his teeth so tightly I thought his jaw muscles might snap. "I accept. For now."

He responded, and we were left facing each other in a battle of wills.

If someone had told me a month ago that I would do something like this, I would have called them crazy.

"You need these clothes. You have nothing else to wear. The women in that pack are extremely snobbish, and I don't want anyone looking down on you. Just think of them as extra uniforms if it makes you feel better," he said, turning away without waiting for my reply, storming out the door just as he had entered.

I sank onto the bench beside the table, my legs weak, but feeling proud of myself.

I could only hope the walls around my heart were strong enough to withstand His Majesty's siege.

*****

The next day, we departed for the Silver Lake pack in a carriage I shared with the woman who always accompanied Guardian Quinn.

Outside, on horseback, rode His Majesty, while Quinn was driving the carriage.

I knew he had brought them along on this trip because of the Altars. The lycan Quinn seemed to be the only one capable of deciphering them.

I felt uncomfortable, not just because of the silence but because I could sense that woman's constant gaze on me.

There was something very strange about her. I couldn’t quite explain it, but she seemed different from the others.

"During this trip, keep as far away from my brother as possible."

"Excuse me?" I lifted my head from my embroidery book when she spoke in a low voice.

"Quinn. He's my brother, and I don't want him getting into trouble with His Majesty because of you," she said, staring at me with cold, dark eyes.

"I would never cause him any trouble…"

"The King is interested in you. I don't know what kind of relationship you have, but he’s jealous of Quinn. I think you've already noticed that. Please, I’m asking you politely—stay away from Quinn," her tone was becoming increasingly hostile, and it was starting to irritate me.

"I'm just the King's maid. If Guardian Quinn doesn’t approach me, I won’t seek him out either. We’re not friends or anything like that. So spare me the threats. I have no intention of causing problems for anyone," I replied in a quiet yet firm voice.

It was obvious neither of us wanted this conversation to be overheard.

The woman, who I was now certain was a rare female Alpha, kept staring at me, and I held her gaze.

Then she nodded and looked away, turning her attention to the curtain by the window.

I lowered my head to return to my reading, thinking the awkward conversation had finally ended, when she added:

"The Lycan King doesn’t see you just as his maid. He has never looked at another woman the way he looks at you or treated anyone the way he treats you. Even if you don’t notice, he’s always watching you… possessively. Lycans don’t share their favorite person with anyone."

"But be careful, Maid Valeria. No matter what feelings His Majesty might have, betrayal and lies are something he never forgives."