The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation by Luna Nova

Chapter 12 THE KINGS JEALOUSY VALERIA I trembled as King Aldric appeared through the door, furious completely enraged .

I pulled away from the Lycan who had been tending to me, instinctively curling into the corner of my bed shivering, clutching the sheets tightly against my chest as they could somehow shieldfrom his fury.

I was only giving her medicine, sir, the Lycan replied, standing and placing the brew on the bedside table before turning to face him.

You couldve ordered a maid for that.

I dont want you near her, Aldric growled, his voice rough and strange, like when he had been chained.

Fine.

I just wanted to help she was on the verge of death Theres much to discuss about that.

Now leave.

Call the housekeeper.

I want the entire staff gathered in the kitchen, he ordered, and the Guardian left, walking toward the door.

was still obvious he Lycans arent as submissive toward Aldric as the others, but the hierarchy between them was was the King, and he ruled over them all.

At the door, the Guardian turned slightly, glancing back at me.

Our eyes met, his brow furrowed, conflicting emotions on his face .

Anything else youve forgotten, Quinn ? No, sir, he responded and finally exited, closing the door behind him, leavingalone with the furious beast who turned toward me, approaching the bed step by step.

His anger radiated off him, and I clenched my fists so tightly my knuckles went white.

S Sir..

I didnt do it, please believe me, I pleaded, lowering my head.

His shadow loomed over me, as if devouringwhole, and the mattress dipped under his weight as he sat on the edge.

The bed was narrow no matter how much I pressed against the wall, his thigh still brushed against my legs. So, if youre innocent, why did you run? Were you seeking refuge ? Maybe with another Guardian? He grabbed my chin, forcingto look at him.

His steel gray eyes felt like blades slicing through my willpower, radiating danger.

His hand slid from my jaw down to my neck, closing around it, not squeezing but firm enough to terrify me.

N No... I... the housekeeper ... My words crumbled as he leaned closer, and I felt death itself breathing down my neck.

A single squeeze, and Id be gone.

I couldnt even form words anymore.

My eyes squeezed shut in surrender.

I hated how easily I cowered under this mans presence.

Why? His warm breath ghosted over my lips, his skin so close to mine as he trappedin the corner.

Tell me, Valeria ... why do you fearso much, yet you dont fear him? Isnt he a Lycan, too? I didnt understand his question at first.

Was he talking about Quinn ? Comparing them ... it was like comparing the heat of the sun to the frozen peaks of deadly mountains.

THE KINGS JEALOUSY Open your eyes.

Look at me.

If Ive treated you well, why do you always assthe worst of? Y Your Majesty- I hate when you callthat, he whispered, and finally, my heavy eyelids lifted.

My heart raced wildly as I found his masculine face mere inches from mine.

Didnt my scars disgust him? His eyes swirled like storm clouds, a beast lurking beneath the surface.

I thought... I thought you wouldnt believe me.

You accusedof poisoning you.

In the dungeon ... that man said you orderedto be taken from the pack and punished.

What?! he roared suddenly, fury rippling through every word.

Dont tell... dont tellyou actually believed that.

...

Do you truly think I would order someone to violate you? To beat you? Answer me, Valeria ! I swallowed hard, biting my lower lip to keep from answering because, yes, in my desperation, I had believed it.

They knew about the poisoning.

They knew everything.

And only you and I- And the person who set you up, obviously working with them! he cutoff, dangerous and sharp.

He exhaled heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose as if trying to calm himself .

The truth will cto light.

But I want you to understand one thing very clearly if I decide to end your life, it will be by my hands, no one elses.

No one has the right to touch you.

Possessive.

He owned my life or my death.

The small bed creaked beneath his massive weight as he leaned even closer, completely invading my space.

His hand on my neck tightened just slightly, his chest brushing mine, his lips so close they hovered just beyond reach.

His wild red hair fell to his shoulders, damp from the lake, bis entire aura dark, controlling, and somehow. dangerously enticing.

If I had wanted to kill you, I would have done it back there.

Do you really think Id send another man to touch what I havent even had yet? he growled deeply, his voice low and rough.

I had to go hunting just to burn off the venom because the prey I truly wanted to devour leftaching with frustration, A blush crept over my skin as the memory of our wild exchange resurfaced when I had almost surrendered to the temptation of this powerful Lycan.

It was logical forto distrust you at first.

I didnt even eat during the celebration.

I had to return here when the effects hitand chain myself up.

His explanation made sense now.

With the countless obsessive maids he had dealt with before, he had every reason to be cautious.

I would never do something like that.

I would never poison you ...

especially not with an aphrodisiac, I insisted.

Someone setup.

I realized that already.

You made it very clear that you didnt want to have sex with me.

You screamed it loud enough, Valeria, he said through clenched teeth, and honestly, I didnt know how to respond to that.

2/3 12 THE KINGS JEALOUSY He said nothing more but fruthis gazem lingered on my bruises or maybe my scars I wasnt sure. But shburned in my chest having him examinethis closely.

I tried to calm the frantic beating of my heart, certain he could hear it.

Finally, he pulled back slightly, and I exhaled the breath Id been holding, sitting up straighter on the bed.

I didnt understand his next move until he grabbed the medicine from the bedside table and brought it to my lips Drink, he commanded.

Y Your Majesty. Sir, you dont have to.

I can do it myself I protested, lifting my bandaged hands, trying to take the bowl from him .

I didnt see you resisting Quinn.

Should I call him back to give you the medicine instead? His threat was so clear I shook my head immediately.

The cold porcelain pressed against my parted lips, and I sipped the bitter / brew, expecting him to be rough, like everything else about him. But to my surprise, he was patient careful, tilting the bowl gently with a surprising tenderness.

He even reached for a cloth and wiped the stray drops from the corner of my mouth with the sdelicate care A strange warmth spread through my chest.

I told myself it was just the effect of the medicine..

King Aldric ... why are you such a complicated man? His actions ... I could never truly understand them.

I was on my way to the servants quarters.

Not on my own feet.

But cradled in the powerful arms of the Lycan King. How did we end up like this? mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1