The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation romance Capítulo 70

ALDRIC

I stare into the panicked eyes of this Alpha.

I've never particularly liked her, but her brother is a valuable member of the Guardians, and now, the only one who can read those Altars.

"Why were you carrying Valeria as if you were running away? I know you heard my lycan's roar—why the hell didn't you wait for me and instead put her in danger again?"

I tighten my grip around her throat, anger boiling inside me as the memory flashes back—seeing them being dragged by the current when I reached the drainage outlet.

I hadn’t even thought before jumping in after my mate.

"S-Sir... I-I was injured from the fight... I was scared more of those dark holes in the walls would open again... that more enemies would come and kill us before you arrived... I acted on impulse... I panicked and jumped without thinking..."

Her voice stammers, and I lean in closer, watching her trembling, erratic eyes.

When I arrived, I clearly saw the shadow of a man escaping through that same wall opening she mentioned.

So, her words made some sense.

"She reeks of dark energy," my wolf growls under his breath.

With him fully awake, my senses sharpen—things I couldn’t smell before are painfully obvious now.

Lowering my gaze, I examine the ugly wound across her stomach, tainted with dark magic.

It looks like it was inflicted by an enchanted weapon, which would also explain the strange scent.

"What happened to the bodies? How did you discover the Altar and involve Valeria? What were you doing there with her in the first place?"

She remains silent for a few seconds, and the longer she hesitates, the more convinced I am that she's hiding something.

"Answer me right now, Celine! Don't make me command you!"

"The bodies... I... The boy was bewitched. He tricked your maiden. I—"

"Enough... Aldric..."

The soft, weak voice of Valeria suddenly draws my full attention.

I turn instantly, releasing Celine, and rush to Valeria's side as she struggles to sit up from the ground.

"Easy, baby... Easy. Don't strain yourself. Does it hurt anywhere?"

I lift her gently, pressing her cold, fragile body against my bare chest.

She feels so delicate in my arms it makes my heart clench.

"She helped me... leave her alone... she did nothing wrong. It was those damned vampires... they used the pup... they bewitched him... and he died..."

Her broken voice cracks as her teary blue eyes lower.

"It's okay, baby... Shh, don't think about it. Don't remember that awful moment. Please, Valeria... don't cry, little one, don't cry..."

She's sobbing quietly now, her tears soaking my skin as she clings to me.

I know she had grown attached to that pup—he seems to be the key to all of this.

His was the only body left untouched.

A sudden growl makes me look toward the forest, just as Quinn appears in his lycan form.

His fur is dark brown, much smaller than my beast but still powerful.

He shifts back, moving toward his sister, who is still slumped against the tree.

"Celine! Are you okay?!" He inspects her, and she nods weakly.