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 .

front of him

anyone Tell me one thing

to ask … because its your private

longer , Valeria , he

deadly rage radiated from

had killed him with my own

ended him

shame , he muttered

wish he was

instantly recalled the gruesome scene at the castle

too easily … too

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

so safe

scent you , to lick

if he were barely restraining himself from doing all the sinful things he described

low in my belly

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

with mine , and the tip of his thumb grazed my

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

could resist him

neck , while his other slid dangerously low his palm splayed over my waist , just shy of my hips , pressing me closer to the

say no

the dungeon , I could reject him

our breaths tangled , sparks crackling in the charged space between us … I did

… Waiting wanting to taste

To get lost .

for a

his lips barely touched mine , soft yet searing , and I was already surrendering already melting

But then … No.

a mistake , he whispered hoarsely

that , he pulled

never thought Id feel this kind of humiliation again practically

lowered my head , trying to hide the sting of

for every little

Its my fault .

he said

as he ran a hand roughly through his hair

bath and change

having lunch at the Alphas

for you later , he ordered bluntly without even

hurt and disappointed ? He was the one who started

? What the hell were you expecting , idiot ?

for giving

rule I

the mistake of falling for King

disposable

he was just bored , toying with the scarred freak

it was revenge for rejecting

a brutal reminder

already had my heart shattered once

I left the inn like a damn coward

I was

filthy words in her ear , consumed by my uncontrollable urges only to

wandered through the narrow streets , heading straight for the forest

beast ,

off this frustration … Anything to forget those heartbroken

I caught that bitter chocolate scent , havent I been able to stop fantasizing about

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

grotesquely , bones twisting , lengthening , the pain both agonizing

my skin as I shifted into the beast in the most powerful Lycan alive

the most wretchedly

matter how many women warmed my bed , none

the first