The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation by Luna Nova

Chapter 51

LURKING IN THE SHADOWS VALERIA The Altar was beautiful .

Whoever had created it had clearly put great effort into it , but it lacked the intense , dark energy that had drawn me to the other one .

At the foot of several snow capped mountains , with massive waterfalls cascading in the distance , stood the altar in a clear space within the pine forest surrounding us .

Its base was circular , covered in arabesque carvings that , in reality , didnt convey anything meaningful .

Above it , the statue of a beautiful woman stood , draped in a delicate , sensual veil and tunic , representing the Goddess .

Her hands were open , her head tilted toward the sky , and behind her , wings extended from her back as if she were about to take flight toward the stars .

A large , round disk , also filled with exquisite carvings , completed the stonework behind her .

For a moment , we were all struck with awe .

Even Aldric and the Alpha smiled proudly at their packs Lubar Altar .

I wondered if he knew it was fake like many things in this strange pack The only one who seemed completely oblivious was Quinn He quickly dragged his sister along to examine the inscriptions , clearly enthusiastic .

I stole a glance at Aldric , who was speaking with the Alpha about something related to the small temple , then at Quinn , who had just discreetly looked at me as well .

It was obvious he was silently asking for my help , but I couldnt explain the details of the symbols in front of everyone especially not with the King watching .

Still , I approached , pretending to be amazed by the altar while making my way over to where he was scribbling in his notebook .

Celine , keep watch , I heard him murmur , and that was when I realized my tightly guarded secret had already reached other ears ..

my frown .

Dont worry .

She wont say anything , he whispered , noticing my Alright , no time to waste .

This altar- His Majesty is coming , Celine warned urgently , making me tense up .

as best 1 could This one is more beautiful than the one in the last village , I commented , brushing my fingers along

lacking the roughness of the other altar

up at the towering statue ,

Quinn and Celine to their studies

to attend to other matters , Aldrics cold voice sounded close

obvious he didnt

his orders , being pulled into more problems nothing new in my chaotic life beside the Lycan King

Your Majesty , my servant

break that spell you inquired

theres a more practical way , The Alpha explained , and I nodded in gratitude while my eyes drifted toward Valeria , who was standing at a distance , pretending to admire the

toward that jackal It was obvious

them , as if they shared a secret I wasnt privy

was all in

I was the only one who

Good .

Well leave immediately .

and then head directly to the cure , I replied to the Alpha before adding coldly , Remember ,

out your tongue

threatened , and he immediately nodded , swearing his loyalty

walked back toward the

who was cursed

taboo , but because I didnt

were hers and mine

was another , far more selfish reason

Valeria knowing she

found out , shed likely run away

me a fool for wanting to

a way that was

want her to suffer through those painful heat attacks every month just

in my bed out

choice because she

some sexual hunger forces her into the arms of the first man she meets

and Celine to their