The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation by Luna Nova

---- The scent of iron flooded the alley as the dying soldier collapsed into the filthy sewer below But before I could even take a step back, the kids jumped on him. They drank him dry, wild and frenzied, not leaving a single drop. The man's muffled groans were lost in the sound of their ravenous gulps. I dropped the whip and stepped back. Rarely had I seen something so heartbreaking. They looked like tiny animals drinking from a savage kill.

"More guards are coming!" Suddenly, Rousse's rough voice echoed in my mind as he kept watch nearby. "We need to get out of here and not cause more trouble," he added tensely, and I heard his footsteps approaching. I knew this would bring problems-! shouldn't have acted on impulse. No matter how strong I was, I couldn't fight an entire wolf guard. ---- And I wasn't even sure I could summon my father's army here. I doubted it would work.

While I wasted time thinking of options, those kids ran past me, blood still fresh on their mouths, not even glancing my way. I wasn't expecting thanks, but I was left standing over a half- devoured corpse, no time to clean up the mess. "I smell her over here!" The shadows were already closing in on us. "Rousse, get up on the roof!" I shouted, but the walls here were tall. I could float like mist, but Rousse couldn't.

And it didn't work! What curse was placed on this place? "I'll push you up to the roof. Step into my hands." He crouched, cupping his palms together. "No! I'm not leaving you-we fight together!" ---- "Miss, don't be

wasn't going to leave him behind. He sighed, knowing

a brick wall. "Hurry, get in!" A hand reached out from the shadows. A blond man with anxious red eyes was offering us an escape tunnel. I didn't know him. What if this was another trap? "Trust me or die here."