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 drama .

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 some reason , it reminded me of 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 with me that awful ? You look like someone just died .

That rough , deep voice whispered suddenly at my ear , making me tense and pulling me from my thoughts .

Y Your Majesty … you wont have any privacy or space- Stop calling me that , 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 Ill 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 came out 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 , spinning me around 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 , forcing me to 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 some reason , 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 .

in front

in front of anyone Tell

never dared to ask … because

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

is he alive or dead ? A deadly rage radiated from his entire body , palpable and

with my

ended him

, he muttered through clenched teeth

now , I wish he was still

instantly recalled the gruesome scene at the castle walls

died too easily

Valeria , he continued , his voice dropping lower as his face drew closer to

feel so safe

scent you , to

himself from doing all the sinful things

in

way hits stormy eyes

and the tip of his thumb grazed my lower lip , parting it slightly

16 FALLING INTO TEMPTATION Why was he acting

could resist

my neck , while his other slid dangerously low his palm splayed over my waist , just shy

could say

, I could

tangled , sparks crackling in the charged space between

my eyes , parted my lips slightly … Waiting wanting to taste that smoky , addictive

To get lost .

a moment

mine , soft yet searing , and I was already

But then … No.

a mistake ,

just like that , he pulled away abruptly leaving me

humiliation again practically begging a man for something intimate only to

, I … I lowered my head , trying to hide the sting of disappointment

for every little

Its my fault .

elses , he said , exasperated

dared to lift my eyes just enough to watch him turn away , his back to me as he ran a hand roughly through his hair , visibly frustrated , as

and

having lunch at the

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

and disappointed ?

I do wrong ? What the hell were you expecting ,

was angry for giving in so easily

breaking the one rule I

of falling for King Aldric

, all women are disposable toys for a single

was just bored , toying with the scarred freak

for rejecting him in the dungeon

a brutal reminder to get

shattered once I wouldnt let it

the inn like a damn coward

what I

ear , consumed by my uncontrollable urges only to back away like

the narrow streets , heading straight for the forest

to shift to unleash my beast , to fight

to burn off this frustration … Anything to

, from the moment I caught that bitter chocolate scent , havent I been able to stop fantasizing about devouring her

, stashing them under a bush , and let the transformation take

, bones twisting , lengthening , the pain both agonizing and exhilarating

fur spread over my skin as I shifted into the beast in

, the most wretchedly alone

matter how many women warmed my bed , none could l the void gnawing

the first