The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation by Luna Nova

Chapter 30 COMPLICES VALERIA After making the boldest agreement of my life, Aldric left and asked the innkeeper to prepare a hot bath.

I appreciated the gesture and sank into the soothing water up to my neck, alone in the room, sighing in relief.

I didnt want to think about anything, but as I raised the hand where I had been burned by that strange stone, I realized it was almost fully healed.

I touched my neck too no pain.

All my wounds and bruises were healing fast, faster than ever before, except for the most serious and old scars It was the power of the Lycan, I knew it well.

I also remembered all the strange things I had experienced.

My memories of the specter attack were hazy, but one thing was certain I faced it, and I even think it fearedWhat am I, really? No one can ever know about this.

Absolutely no one.

Everyone connected with those creatures and vampires is executed without question.

That order had been given by none other than the King himself.

And I am right by his side.

Aldric can never discover my oddities.

www I rose from the bathtub and grabbed the towel from the screen along with my clothes, ready to change.

The moment I stepped out, drying my hair, there was a sudden knock at the door.

I answered confidently, thinking it was the innkeeper coming to empty the tub.

I froze when I saw Guardian Quinn standing there.

Y Your Excellency? What are you doing here? I asked, surprised, then realized my rudeness.

Why? Am I interrupting something between you and the King ? he asked bluntly, stepping inside without waiting for an apology, his sharp gaze immediately scanning the bed and my clothes.

I felt judged.

His tone was cold, nothing like the sunny Lycan he usually was.

Of course not, Your Majesty has gone out, I replied respectfully, lowering my gaze but matching his coldness. After a few tense seconds, he sighed.

I apologize, Valeria.

Im frustrated by other matters and took it out on you.

Im here because the King called me, he explained, and I nodded without holding a grudge His Majesty is likely handling pack business.

You can find him at the Alphas house, I informed him.

No, Im more interested in the Goddesss Altar he mentioned in his message.

I want to inspect it.

Would you takethere? I saw no reason to refuse .

Honestly, I wanted to see it again too.

A few minutes later, I cdown the stairs, meeting him the inns reception area IF my roommate returns, please tell him I went to the old temple, I instructed the innkeeper, who nodded.

1/3 COMPLICES Quinn and I walked through the packs streets toward the forest .

You share a room with the King? Why sleep so uncomfortably? he asked along the way, so I explained the issue with the limited rooms.

He fell silent and didnt press further, which I appreciated, When we finally reached the ancient temple, Quinn immediately approached the stone, inspecting the carvings closely.

I climbed the worn steps as well, standing nearby, listening to him mutter.

Can you read it? I asked, surprised.

This entire tragedy had unfolded because no one seemed capable of deciphering the writing.

More or less.

Its an ancient language, lost to time.

Only fragments remain, and Ive studied them out of fascination.

Thats why His Majesty called me, he explained, and the doubts in my mind grew.

Then how on earth can I understand it all? I watched him scribble notes in a small notebook, clearly misunderstanding many parts.

He had no clue what he was reading.

How can I casually reveal this without putting myself in danger? Staying silent was an option, but my gut toldit wasnt the right one, not when the enemy was seeking this information.

L... I can understand sof it too, I suddenly admitted, making his golden eyes widen as they snapped to mine.

My father... he was a scholar too.

He taughtslessons about this mysterious language when I was a child, I invented the lie on the spot, but his intense stare madenervous.

Im terrible at lying.

Did he catch? I see.

Thats... helpful.

Then perhaps you could assistwith this phrase here? He pointed to a section of the carvings.

I leaned closer, pretending to think hard.

I made it seem like it was difficult, though I knew exactly what it said.

... and to the skies, it shall rise ... like an eagle taking flight I recited it as if unsure, though I was certain .

Quinns face darkened, and he suddenly grabbed my arm, squeezing it firmly, Valeria, never never tell anyone you can read this, he warned gravely.

This is a dead language, used only by beings of darkness vampires, specters, and creatures more terrible than you can imagine.

My heart pounded in fear.

I couldnt hide it as I tried to pull away from his grip.

No, my father- Dont lie toagain.

The only traces of this dark script in the entire kingdom are locked away in our private library.

Its impossible for your father to have studied it less he had ties to the Dark Realm.

COMPLICES I shook my head frantically, panic rising.

That accusation would ruin my parents memory completely.

... What will you do withnow? Just tell... how do you know this language: I swear, I have no connection to the Vampire Kingdom! 1 ... I just understand whats written here.

It was the truth.

But I was still trembling, gnawing on my lower lip, ready to bolt.

Calm down, Valeria.

Breathe, he finally released me.

Dont be scared.

I wont expose you.

Your secret is safe withbut you must keep this from the King.

He hates the Dark Kingdom more than anyone.

Why would you keep a secret that could be considered treason? Youre a Guardian ... I stepped back, still unsure Because I like you, Valeria.

Ive liked you from the start.

I have no intention of harming you.

If you keep quiet, not one will ever hear about this from me.

Besides... its good to have someone who shares my passion for this language and can helpdecipher it.

1 nodded slowly, watching him closely.

I wasnt sure if he was being truthful but I had already put the noose around my neck.

Thank you, Guardian Quinn, I whispered, genuinely grateful .

He didnt seem like a bad man.

But Ive been wrong before If youre truly grateful, helpfigure this out.

Its incredibly complex.

This altar seems to be from when the kingdoms were still united, he requested.

And since I was already in this mess ... I had no choice but to dive in.

I knelt beside him and began helping him decode the stones tale.

Why does the King hate them so much? I finally blurted out. Quinn hesitated.

Because ... vampires slaughtered his newborn pups in their cradle.

He walked in on them.

In his rage, he lost.

control of his Lycan form, slaughtering the vampires but someone else also entered the room during his frenzy His mate.

The mother of his children.

And she died... under his claws.

VALERIA IS MINE VALERIA I froze at Quinns words.

He kept deciphering the message, but my mind could only think about what the King must have felt when his children were murdered, and he had to take his mates life with his own hands. I know all too well that soul crushing pain that leaves you wanting nothing but death.

Aldric had it even worse I didnt carry my baby in my womb for long- He held his pups in his hands and loved his woman.

She didnt betray him like I was betrayed.

She didnt deserve to die.

She was his mate, so he had a companion, surely a beautiful female who shared his bed, his dreams, his life.

Someone he truly cherished.

Someone who bore his children.

Why did I feel so bitter inside ? I raised my hand and touched my scars.

I had never cared about them before, but now, comparing myself to a poor deceased woman, all kinds of insecurities tightened around my heart.

<< Idiot, how can you even compare yourself to her ? Aldric will never see you that way.

Dont get your hopes up I scolded myself and forced my focus back on the text I had practically memorized by now.

<< Beautiful and mysterious, bold and alive, the most rebellious daughter of her father.

It was so dull just watching the creations from afar.

So vivid, so complex in themselves.

They loved, suffered, hated, and lived each day as if it were their last .

A longing grew in her heart, watching and wishing every night, until one day, she decided to break the rules and cdown to play » That was what the beginning of the story said.

It seemed to speak of a woman, and below, it described a place I didnt recognize.

Quinn seemed more interested in this part.

It looked like the location of another altar.

I dont quite understand where it could be... he murmured.

You got this wrong.

Its not lava; its water.

It talks about a place with a large lake or something like that, I pointed out, and he stared at the passage.

Of course! Of course! How could I be so stupid? It must be that pack near the waterfalls he exclaimed happily, like a child, and suddenly surprisedby grabbingaround the waist and liftingup. Youre amazing, Valeria ! Amazing! Thank you! he spunaround, laughing The sunlight reflected on his pale hair, and his smile was radiant, contagious.

I clung to his shoulders for balance, about to ask him to putdown m I when, looking toward the forest, I saw the man who always had the gift of showing up at the most suspicious moment. mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1