The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation by Luna Nova

---- "Rousse, I can move her and help you climb!" his witch's voice came from that stranger's mouth. "Don't you dare risk yourself... Mnnn..." Several of Rousse's fingers were slowly fracturing. It didn't really hurt, but if he lost his grip... Meridiana reached for the elemental magic inside the witch and summoned nature's power. The girl used to play with plants, so she pulled the right spells from her memory. Her hands touched the soil and strong vines began to grow and weave together.

"Grab them, Rousse, hurry!" "Don't let go of my back!" Rousse growled, afraid she'd slip from his waist. Now more than ever, he had to protect her-because she wasn't just a witch anymore. His female's life was at stake too. The vines anchored firmly into the rocks and climbed upward, forming a staircase of tangled growth. ---- Out of the darkness and into the light, the massive shadow of a dead man carried a small woman on his back as he rose to the top.

had long stopped hearing the dull thud of the warrior's body falling into the deadly depths. Rousse placed his hands and knees on the edge and managed to lower the girl from his back. As soon as she touched the ground, a black shadow slithered from her body and materialized as Meridiana. The witch,

Meridiana began chanting healing spells. The general took one look at the teenager's condition-they had really gone cruel on her. ---- Who could do this to a child? He stayed close, keeping watch, scanning the forest for danger. But then, he

hurt," Meridiana said, then turned her face toward him. Rousse froze, as if expecting her to say she regretted everything. "You think I haven't seen what you really are?" she asked, catching him red-handed She stood up, brushing off her dress slowly. Rousse started to get nervous. He hated that insecurity that clung to him like