QUINN"Stop making that face, like someone just died… Nmmm…"I couldn't help but groan in pain, clutching several fractured ribs as I lay back on the bed."Why are you doing this, Quinn? I told you to stay away from that woman. It's obvious the King has become infatuated with her.""This is his warning. He noticed you paying too much attention to his maid!""Ah, damn it, easy, Celine, or you'll end up piercing my heart with the tip of a rib." Her rough hands were cleaning the blood from my torso, and as always, there was no trace of delicacy.Sometimes I even doubted she was a woman."Are you even listening to me?! Of all the women, you’re interested in her?!" she shouted, exasperated, straightening up."Yes, sister, I'm listening. It's just… Valeria is different. She has so many mysterious things about her that draw me in. I don't know why, but I can't stop following her with my eyes every time we cross paths," I finally confessed with a sigh."I know exactly what attracts you to tha

VALERIAFreed from my task and without the housekeeper watching, I decided to slip away with the excuse of organizing the King's clothes in his closet.So I grabbed a basket with clean sheets and walked into the castle.I reached the ebony door and hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to step into the wolf’s den or not.“Come on, Valeria, don’t be ridiculous. The agreement was fulfilled, and now it’s time to return to a professional dynamic—worker and employer. I’m the maid, and he’s the King.”I told myself, straightening my posture, because if every time Aldric and I shared intimacy under our arrangement, I acted like a nervous girl, then this was bound to fail.I entered with a serious expression, advancing into the room on legs that felt like jelly.I knocked softly, but no one answered, so I pushed the door open and stepped into His Majesty’s chambers.The delicious scent of wine immediately assaulted my senses. This was his private, intimate space, and everything here smelled

VALERIAHis cold, menacing aura surrounded me, crushing my will. I collapsed to my knees on the icy floor as his shadow loomed over me.I had forgotten how dangerous the King was, and now, perhaps, I would pay for my stupidity.I felt him rummaging through the album and then the boxes, probably making sure I hadn’t damaged his precious memories.Suddenly, he came closer, and I lowered my head even further, biting my bottom lip to stop my teeth from chattering.He gripped my chin tightly, forcing me to raise my gaze to meet his.His eyes were nearly red, like his beast, filled with fury and murderous intent."Never, ever in your life dare to go through my private things again! Don’t you dare take advantage of the trust I've given you, Valeria! This place is forbidden to you. You have no right to touch them! Is that clear?!""Y-yes… yes, sir," I stammered, feeling the pressure on my chin and as if an invisible hand was squeezing my throat."Get out!" he barked, releasing me roughly. I s

VALERIAShe turns her back and finally leaves, abandoning me completely alone, staring into nothingness and lost in thought over her words.I got up before nightfall; I didn’t want to be left alone so close to that eerie forest.I was hanging large white sheets on the clotheslines, needing to climb onto a small stool to reach the rope and secure them with wooden pegs.The cold breeze blew, making the sheets billow while also clearing my mind.I lowered my head to search for more pegs in the apron I wore, and when I lifted it again—I saw him.On the other side of the sheet, the massive shadow of a lycan stood silently, and I knew very well it was him.The wind howled through the trees, like a sorrowful wail echoing from the forest.I stayed still for a few seconds, staring at that terrifying and powerful presence, knowing that the King was watching me too from the other side.He had every reason to be angry, as he had made perfectly clear. I had no right to touch the precious belonging

VALERIAShe looked at me a bit surprised at first, but then quickly masked it as best she could and went back to her work.I guess my scars were enough to stun anyone.Clothing hung everywhere, and sewing accessories filled the display case along the back wall.I loved sewing and embroidery. In my free time, I had practiced a lot and was the one who always mended Dorian’s clothes."Valeria, come with me to choose His Majesty’s suits," the housekeeper ordered, and I followed her deeper into the shop.We spent quite some time selecting fabrics and pre-made outfits, handkerchiefs, accessories—everything.And practically every decision ended up relying on my taste.It seemed the King wanted to dress elegantly for the visit to the Silver Lake pack."I think this will be enough," I said to the housekeeper, who nodded in agreement.Just then, the shop’s owner, Mrs. Betty, entered."The new fabrics have arrived! Everything’s ready!" she announced enthusiastically, and for some reason, she loo

VALERIA"Yes, yes, of course, Your Majesty. What an honor to have you in my humble shop," Mrs. Betty responded nervously, bowing respectfully."Thank you for your work. Step out for a moment, Mrs. Betty—Sasha is waiting downstairs to pay," he replied, but his eyes never left mine for a second.I took advantage of the seamstress leaving quickly, closing the door behind her, to head over to where my dress was folded and put it back on.However, I had only reached the edge of the table when I heard hurried footsteps, and I tensed, feeling him press against my bare back.One hand wrapped around my waist, caressing my stomach, while the other slid over the arm I was using to cover my breasts.Only the thin slip over my hips separated my body from the King's warmth."Let me go! What do you think you're doing?" I struggled slightly, trying to break free from his hold, but his arms closed around me possessively, trapping me between the table and his massive body.The rapid beating of his hear

VALERIA"Tell me if you can comply with that condition, or I will leave my position right now, King Aldric. I am not your prisoner," I confronted him for the first time, raising my chin, ready to resist his whims and selfishness.However, Aldric just stared at me in silence.I could feel his entire body tense, as if he were struggling with an internal enemy, resisting with all his strength.In his gray eyes, the beast inside him flickered, tinged with red, like his lycan form."Fine," he finally relented, stepping back, clenching his teeth so tightly I thought his jaw muscles might snap. "I accept. For now."He responded, and we were left facing each other in a battle of wills.If someone had told me a month ago that I would do something like this, I would have called them crazy."You need these clothes. You have nothing else to wear. The women in that pack are extremely snobbish, and I don't want anyone looking down on you. Just think of them as extra uniforms if it makes you feel be

VALERIAI ran without thinking twice toward the small park.I didn’t know anyone here, but I simply couldn't stand by while watching a child's life in danger right before my eyes."Valeria!" Aldric's voice thundered behind me as he realized I had moved away from his side.I reached the spot where the pup lay on the ground, blood flowing from the deep wound on the back of his head, matting his brown hair into a sticky mess."Hold on, little one. Stay with me," I whispered, pulling the handkerchief from my pocket and pressing it firmly against the wound to stop the bleeding.I held him against my chest, trying to turn him slightly. My hands trembled, terrified he might already be dead.He was pale, with round cheeks, and barely breathing."Edward!" I heard the voice of that murderous man nearby and lifted my gaze, seeing him rush toward the child's body with a look of concern."Don't come near him! I saw exactly what you did!" I shouted, clutching the boy protectively against my body.H

VALERIA"Elena, shut your mouth already and go with the servant to take Edward to his room so he can rest! Michael, go fetch the doctor immediately, and we will talk later, you and I!" the Alpha began barking out orders.I stayed silent behind Aldric, frowning, with nothing else I could do.I watched as they carried the pup away, his cheeks showing more color and the bleeding stopped, which eased my worry.It seemed I was the only one who had witnessed that man's cruelty toward his brother, and I was in no position to interfere in their family matters.I truly hoped I had misinterpreted the situation."Your Majesty, what a shameful welcome. I apologize to both you and your maid. My youngest son was born with a rare weakness in his legs, very unusual for our kind, and he cannot walk properly. Even so, he’s quite mischievous and always manages to get into trouble. He will recover soon, don’t worry, miss,"The Alpha continued to apologize, bowing in front of the King.If it weren’t for H

VALERIAThe bedroom was actually lovely, with a bed, a closet, a small vanity, and a large window overlooking a beautiful lake."This is your room, and over there is the shared bathroom with the bathtub I promised," he pointed toward another small door in the back."Wait a moment—so to leave here, I have to pass through His Majesty’s room? This has no exit to the hallway. And… a shared bathroom? The King doesn’t have his own bathroom? He has to go through my entire room to use it?" I pointed out the obvious.Who designed these uncomfortable chambers?"I'm sorry. There are no other rooms available," he replied, his face harder than the stone floor."Your Majesty!" I turned indignantly toward Aldric, who watched me from the doorway between the rooms with a look of pure satisfaction."You chose to stay here, Valeria, so now we can’t offend Alpha Garret. This is the room available—stop making a fuss," he answered, and I could see just how pleased he was by the smug look on his face.A fus