VALERIAI froze at Quinn's words.He kept deciphering the message, but my mind could only think about what the King must have felt when his children were murdered, and he had to take his mate’s life with his own hands.I know all too well that soul-crushing pain that leaves you wanting nothing but death.Aldric had it even worse—I didn't carry my baby in my womb for long.He held his pups in his hands and loved his woman.She didn’t betray him like I was betrayed. She didn’t deserve to die.She was his mate, so he had a companion, surely a beautiful female who shared his bed, his dreams, his life.Someone he truly cherished. Someone who bore his children.Why did I feel so bitter inside?I raised my hand and touched my scars. I had never cared about them before, but now, comparing myself to a poor deceased woman, all kinds of insecurities tightened around my heart.«Idiot, how can you even compare yourself to her? Aldric will never see you that way. Don't get your hopes up»I scolded

VALERIAAt last, he released me from the pressure of his power, and I could finally breathe again.Guardian Quinn also stood up, wiping the blood from his bruised cheek despite his rapid healing.That punch had been brutal."Tell me, what did you discover?" he asked, the three of us standing before the Goddess's Altar.Quinn explained everything he had deciphered.There were actually quite a few mistakes, but I didn’t think they mattered, so I didn’t correct him."It’s clear it speaks of the Moon Goddess descending to earth to mingle with us. It’s part of an ancient legend," Aldric concluded."They seem to be searching for altars like this one, as it points to the location of another Lunar Altar," Quinn indicated the final lines."They want to take some of the decorative pieces, like here. That idiot Alpha gifted them silver stars that used to hang from the figure of the Moon. His wife told me," Aldric added, making the whole thing feel like some kind of mysterious adventure."We need

VALERIAThe disdainful stares didn’t take long to arrive when they eagerly stood, expecting the King, and only saw his ugly maid."Where is His Majesty?" one of them asked, glancing toward the door that had already closed."The King cannot come personally. I will be making the selection."I don’t even know how I managed to get those words out when my throat was drowning in thousands of negative thoughts."Seriously? That’s disappointing. What kind of taste could she have?""Maybe she’ll pick the ugliest out of envy.""Who are you to be doing something as important as selecting the possible future Queen?" a redhead with exotic features asked haughtily.She was much taller than me, intimidating, probably a Beta.All the women here were high-ranking she-wolves, but my anger was so consuming I couldn’t care less about their pedigree."If you have any complaints, you can take them up with the King himself. He’s the one who sent me," I replied, shoving my irritation deep inside.I wouldn’t

VALERIAI felt him freeze, his lips brushing against my scarred cheek.I thought he would withdraw, upset by my rejection, storming off like the ogre he usually was.But I’ve never been able to fully understand the King—he remains a mystery to me.A soft kiss landed on my scarred cheek, sending a shiver through my sensitive skin.It felt more intimate than kissing on the lips.My chest fluttered nervously.He exhaled deeply and finally let me go.The coldness immediately invaded my body without his embrace."Fine. I understand your decision and that you’re angry. I won’t force you into anything you don’t want," he said quietly, and I thought this dramatic moment was finally over, that he would retreat to his room.Instead, he walked to the old floral armchair near the bed and sat down calmly, crossing his legs and picking up a sewing book from the bedside table."What are you doing, Your Majesty? Is there something else you need?" I asked, confused by his actions."No, I don’t need an

VALERIA"Vale!"Walking toward the training gym, I heard the hurried voice of Juliette behind me—the maid who had always been kind to me."Hi, Jul… wait! You’re going to trip and fall face-first!" I exclaimed, grabbing the large basket of laundry she was carrying before she nearly toppled into it."Whew! I thought you wouldn’t hear me! How are you feeling? Still in pain?" she asked, looking me over as if searching for injuries."In pain?" I blinked, confused."Yeah, the housekeeper said yesterday when I asked about you that you weren’t feeling well and had gone to your room. Oh, Val, you missed everything!" she exclaimed excitedly, then glanced around the hallway before stepping closer to me, whispering.I tensed slightly at her closeness, always expecting people to criticize my scarred face, but Juliette never seemed to care about that."Let me tell you—His Majesty was furious yesterday! There was a whole scandal in his chambers with those women you selected!" Her eyes sparkled, brim

VALERIA"Why not? Are you afraid someone will find out you’re a cheater? Look at this serious maid here; she’ll know exactly how to choose the most handsome one, won’t you, darling?"He threw his arm over my shoulders, and I froze completely.Clearly, the “darling” was meant to sway me in his favor.I was about to pull away any way I could when—"What the hell?! S-sir?" His voice trembled, and I wished I could melt into the floorboards.His arm was yanked roughly off my shoulders, and a pained groan escaped his lips, though he tried to mask it."Touch my maid so casually again, Dave, and I’ll cut off your arm," Aldric’s cold voice rang out from behind me, sending chills through my entire body."Y-your maid? By the Goddess, I’ve completely lost my mind! I didn’t know, sir! If I had, I’d never have been so bold," Dave stammered."M-maid— I mean, forgive Guardian Valeria— wait, damn it! Forgive me, I mean Guardian Dave…""Pft, if you propose to your mate like that, she’ll kick your 4ss,

VALERIAI barely had time to react before I was assaulted by the cold, sexy lips of the King.My back collided with the wooden backrest, completely trapped between his mouth and the chair.A rough hand gripped the nape of my neck, urging me to lift my head further, surrendering completely to the heated invasion of his tongue as it claimed my mouth, nearly reaching my throat.I felt as if I were floating, my brain deprived of enough oxygen.My jaw ached slightly, and I raised my hands, clutching his shoulders, digging my nails into his skin to keep myself grounded.A muffled growl reverberated in my mouth.We panted heavily, breathing each other’s air, a thin silver thread of saliva connecting us.I opened my blue eyes slightly, meeting the King’s wolf-gray gaze. I could see the beast roaring within him.The tip of his tongue grazed my trembling lower lip, giving it a soft tug before nibbling on it with his canines.My chest heaved, my heart pounding as molten blood rushed through my v

VALERIAI know he loves my submission—Lycans are obsessed with domination and control.He leans back, resting his hands on the bench, watching me challengingly, as if daring me to disobey.But I don’t; I’m dying to see just how far I can push this wild man over the edge.His hips are level with my chest, and my hands move to unbutton his pants one by one, brushing constantly against that damp bulge that’s tempting me to lick it."Mmm," Aldric growls, arching his pelvis upward as I finally manage to undo the buttons, sweat trickling down my back and wetness pooling at my core."Take off the boxers already, you teasing woman. You’ve got me so hard I’m about to come with my clothes on."I glance up at him and see his canines bared, danger pouring from his almost-white gray eyes.His oppressive, heated aura wraps around me, ready to consume me.I grip the waistband of his boxers and pull them down along with his combat pants.Aldric lifts his hips, letting the fabric slide down his muscul

VALERIAHe keeps his grip on my hair, forcing me to meet his hungry gaze as it locks onto my hands, slowly undoing the front of my corset.One by one, the bindings loosen, exposing my heavy, taut breasts that bounce free from the constraints of the fabric.His tongue licks over his long canines—not even his beast’s—and the powerful erection in front of me twitches, betraying Aldric’s lust and just how aroused he is.It’s because of me. I’m the one driving him to this extreme, and it’s intoxicating—the feeling of being desired, of setting a man this sensual ablaze in such a raw, primal way.I push my dress down over my hips, leaving myself in nothing but panties as I kneel before the Lycan King.Anyone could walk into the showers and witness this scene. Anyone could discover I’m His Majesty’s lover."Stand up," he commands, his voice unyielding.My legs, shaky and slightly numb, manage to lift me upright.I sway forward, placing my hands on his strong shoulders for support.My long bla

VALERIAStill, I had already taken advantage of him—it was only fair to return the favor.I let him grab me by the waist and hips, pulling me against his solid body to lift me up.«I’m only helping out of camaraderie» I told myself, keeping my thoughts carefully hidden from his mind.«Of course, it’s just pity. It has nothing to do with the tingling I felt imagining that "thing" splitting me in half like a melon»Aldric kissed me again, yanking me out of my chaotic thoughts.This time, the kiss was more intimate, sensual.He bent down to my smaller height, both of us naked and sticky with sweat, his hands caressing my back and hips as I clung to his chest with mine.He guided me toward the shower, one step at a time.But suddenly, everything went to hell.Aldric tensed, his body going rigid.He pulled me behind him protectively, turning toward the entrance with a guttural growl.His aura shifted from heated to icy and furious as the door slammed open, followed by loud moans.Peeking o