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

anyone

dared to ask … because its

he whispered ,

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

him with my own

ended him

he

right now , I wish he was still alive

scene at

had died too easily …

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

feel so safe

scent you , to lick your delicious

as if he were barely restraining himself from doing all the sinful

in

hits stormy eyes darkened with raw

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

this ? 16 FALLING INTO

resist

dangerously low his palm splayed over my waist , just shy of my hips , pressing me closer to

could say no

in the dungeon , I could reject him again

sparks crackling in the charged space between us … I did the stupidest thing of all

slightly … Waiting wanting to taste that smoky , addictive flavor of

To get lost .

for a moment

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

But then … No.

is a mistake , he whispered hoarsely

that , he pulled away abruptly

VALERIA I never thought Id feel this kind of humiliation again practically begging a

,

for every

Its my fault .

one elses , he said , exasperated

enough to watch him turn away , his back to me as he ran a hand roughly through his hair , visibly frustrated , as if he were battling something

and change your clothes

at the

ordered bluntly without even looking at me , then stormed out

I feel so hurt and disappointed ? He was the one

were you expecting , idiot ?

for giving in

the one rule I had set for myself

of falling

are disposable toys for a single night

the scarred

was revenge for rejecting him in the dungeon

the reason , it served as a brutal

had my heart shattered once I wouldnt let it happen again

I left the inn like a damn

I was

consumed by my uncontrollable urges only to back away like

the narrow streets , heading straight

my beast , to fight

… Anything to

to me with Valeria ? Why , from the moment I caught that bitter chocolate scent , havent I been able to stop fantasizing about devouring her ? Deeper into the

under a bush ,

DONT WANT TOILE My muscles expanded grotesquely , bones twisting

over my skin as I shifted into the beast

, the most

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

first time in centuries