The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation by Luna Nova

Chapter 17 FALLING INTO TEMPTATION VALERIA Y Your Ma Dont even think about it, Aldric snapped, his voice sharp, and the mans lips clamped shut as if glued together.

I had noticed he preferred to keep a low profile, avoiding the mention of his title whenever possible.

The newcomer remained frozen in the middle of the room while the guests at the tables avoided direct eye contact with us yet it was obvious they were all eavesdropping on the .

Valeria, go to the room, his deep voice ordered, and I nodded, watching him head toward the exit with that wolf who, despite his submissive demeanor, definitely seemed like an Alpha .

I climbed the creaking old stairs up to the third and final floor while the coachman fetched the luggage.

The narrow hallway led to the so called largest room available, as indicated by the number on the key.

Youve got to be kidding me, I muttered, on the verge of pulling my hair out.

Im screwed.

Sighing, I removed my cloak and glanced around.

A tiny bed was shoved against the wall, and across from it stood a glass paned door leading to a small balcony.

A folding screen separated the sleeping area from a rustic wooden tub.

With just the King alone, this room was already cramped let alone with both of us .

Am I supposed to sleep in the bathtub? Resigned, I approached the balcony door and opened it, gazing out at the distant, ancient pack.

Small wooden houses with tall chimneys lined the valley, smoke rising into the sky.

Mountains surrounded us on all sides, enclosing the settlement like a forgotten memory.

For sreason, it remindedof my original pack the place where I was born and where my parents had died that tragic day.

A day so confusing ... so painful.

Is sharing a room withthat awful? You look like someone just died.

That rough, deep voice whispered suddenly at my ear, makingtense and pullingfrom my thoughts.

Y Your Majesty... you wont have any privacy or space- Stop callingthat, he corrected, though he didnt move an inch away, his warm breath fanning against my neck I can decide for myself whether Im uncomfortable or not Besides, why does it bother you so much? Are you afraid III take advantage of you tonight? His voice was husky, seductive even but to me, it felt like cruel joke.

Why would the King bother with his ugly maid when he could have any beautiful woman in his bed? The words cout more bitter than I had intended, my gaze dropping to the floor.

25 LONUS 16 FALLING INTO TEMPTATION In a flash, a strong hand seized my waist, spinningaround to face him.

My breath caught.

Pressed firmly against his chest, there wasnt a sliver of space between us .

His hand gripped the back of my neck, tilting my head upward, forcingto meet those icy, moon gray eyes.

Dont ever call yourself ugly or worthless in my presence again, he growled, threateningly.

Anyone who dares insult you like that... Ill rip their throat out.

His thumb traced my cheek, brushing gently over the jagged scars.

Rough yet tender.

Harsh but gentle.

Everything about Aldric was so... confusing.

For sreason, I felt the sting of tears, remembering the brutal way I had been marked how my baby had been torn from my body.

S Sir... I choked, a lump forming in my throat.

My eyes burned, but I refused to cry.

Not in front of him.

Not in front of anyone Tellone thing.

I never dared to ask ... because its your private life.

But I cant hold it in any longer, Valeria, he whispered, the heat of his breath grazing my lips.

The bastard who did this to you who hurt you so cruelly is he alive or dead? A deadly rage radiated from his entire body, palpable and suffocating Dead, I replied without hesitation, keeping the details to myself.

I had killed him with my own hands.

I had ended him.

What a shame, he muttered through clenched teeth.

Because right now, I wish he was still alive.

I instantly recalled the gruesscene at the castle walls.

Perhaps Dorian had died too easily... too quickly.

Youre completely wrong, Valeria, he continued, his voice dropping lower as his face drew closer to mine.

You shouldnt feel so safe around me.

Any male would kill to bury himself deep inside you to touch you, to scent you, to lick your delicious pussy... to kiss these sexy, plump lips.

It was as if he were barely restraining himself from doing all the sinful things he described.

Heat stirred low in my belly.

The intoxicating tension the way hits stormy eyes darkened with raw desire was overwhelming.

His breath mingled with mine, and the tip of his thumb grazed my lower lip, parting it slightly, teasingopen for him.

What was I supposed to do in a situation like this? 16 FALLING INTO TEMPTATION Why was he acting this way? Despite his dominating control ....

I could resist him.

His hand gripped my neck, while his other slid dangerously low his palm splayed over my waist, just shy of my hips, pressingcloser to the hard length straining against his clothes.

I could say no.

Like in the dungeon, I could reject him again Yet with our breaths tangled, sparks crackling in the charged space between us ... I did the stupidest thing of all I closed my eyes, parted my lips slightly... Waiting wanting to taste that smoky, addictive flavor of his kiss. To get lost.

Just for a moment.

The brush of his lips barely touched mine, soft yet searing, and I was already surrendering already melting into him.

But then... No.

This is a mistake, he whispered hoarsely.

And just like that, he pulled away abruptly leavingcompletely humiliated.

I DONT WANT TO !!! VALERIA I never thought Id feel this kind of humiliation again practically begging a man for something intimate only to be completely rejected.

Im sorry, I... I lowered my head, trying to hide the sting of disappointment and shame.

Stop apologizing for every little thing.

Its my fault.

No one elses, he said, exasperated.

I dared to lift my eyes just enough to watch him turn away, his back toas he ran a hand roughly through his hair, visibly frustrated, as if he were battling something inside himself.

Take a bath and change your clothes.

Were having lunch at the Alphas residence.

Ill cback for you later, he ordered bluntly without even looking at me, then stormed out the door.

Why do I feel so hurt and disappointed? He was the one who started all this .

What did I do wrong? What the hell were you expecting, idiot? I scolded myself bitterly.

I was angry for giving in so easily.

For breaking the one rule I had set for myself.

Never make the mistake of falling for King Aldric.

To him, all women are disposable toys for a single night.

Maybe he was just bored, toying with the scarred freak to see how fast Id crumble.

Or perhaps it was revenge for rejecting him in the dungeon.

Whatever the reason, it served as a brutal reminder to get my priorities straight.

Id already had my heart shattered once I wouldnt let it happen again ALDRIC I left the inn like a damn coward.

Thats what I was.

. I had teased her, whispered filthy words in her ear, consumed by my uncontrollable urges only to back away like a fucking bastard.

I wandered through the narrow streets, heading straight for the forest .

I needed to shift to unleash my beast, to fight something wild and dangerous.

Anything to burn off this frustration ... Anything to forget those heartbroken eyes.

What the hell is happening towith Valeria? Why, from the moment I caught that bitter chocolate scent, havent I been able to stop fantasizing about devouring her? Deeper into the woods, I embraced the savage side of my nature, yearning to shed my human skin once more.

I stripped my clothes, stashing them under a bush, and let the transformation take hold.

I DONT WANT TOILE My muscles expanded grotesquely, bones twisting, lengthening, the pain both agonizing and exhilarating.

Dark fur spread over my skin as I shifted into the beast in the most powerful Lycan alive.

And yet, the most wretchedly alone.

fill No matter how many women warmed my bed, none could I the void gnawing at my chest.

But for the first tin centuries ....

I was afraid.

Because I could feel it changing.

This thing insidethis gnawing hunger was tied to her.

My claws dug into my chest where that unbearable pressure was rising again ....

That primal desire to claim her.

To protect her.

To own her.

The first tI felt it was when I had her moaning beneath my body, caressing her skin and touching her hot .

femininity, where Im dying to thrust into her like an animal in heat and come, knotting deep inside her.

NO! NO! NO! I roared into the void of my mind, sprinting faster through the forest desperate to shake the violent urges burning in my veins.

I WONT LET YOU OUT! I dont care if shes your fucking mate I refuse to hear me?! I it & Do you hear acknowledge it Do DON'T WANT HER! I knew he was listening. The other half of me.

The beast I had chained, caged, and shackled for years.

But it was too powerful, too persistent, battlingfor control.

Now, more than ever, we were at war.

But I wouldnt lose.

I couldnt lose.

I had felt pain before.

That unbearable agony of losing everything.

I would never let it happen again.

Especially not if Valeria ... Not if she was what I feared she might be.

I returned hours later, late for lunch I had been unable to regain control any sooner.

The moment I stepped into the room, I sensed her change demeanor.

Cold.

Distant DONT WANT TOUL She was putting more barriers between us far worse than when we had first met, when all she felt was fear.

Now? Now, she was closing herself off.

Ive prepared your bath, sir.

The clothes are laid out on the bed.

Ill be waiting downstairs, she said stiffly, her gaze lowered.

She left without even sparinga glance.

Not even brushing pastlike she used to now she kept as much space between us as possible.

The urge to reach out and stop her, to pull her into my arms and kiss her, to apologize- It was suffocating.

Valeria ... Her nescaped my lips, and she froze, still facing the door with her back to me.

What the hell do I even say after screwing things up this badly? She probably hatesyou thinks I was N only toying with her like the countless other women Ive used to satisfy my lust. Tell the coachman he wont be necessary today, I muttered instead, clenching my fists so tightly my knuckles whitened.

Must I attend, sir ? Id prefer to stay behind, she replied softly.

The first tshe had ever resisted my commands, Youre coming with me.

I wont leave you here alone, I growled, my jaw clenching hard enough to ache .

Without another word, she nodded and walked away, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. What the hell am I even doing anymore? mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1