VALERIAAfter making the boldest agreement of my life, Aldric left and asked the innkeeper to prepare a hot bath.I appreciated the gesture and sank into the soothing water up to my neck, alone in the room, sighing in relief.I didn’t want to think about anything, but as I raised the hand where I had been burned by that strange stone, I realized it was almost fully healed. I touched my neck too—no pain.All my wounds and bruises were healing fast, faster than ever before, except for the most serious and old scars.It was the power of the Lycan, I knew it well.I also remembered all the strange things I had experienced. My memories of the specter attack were hazy, but one thing was certain—I faced it, and I even think it feared me.What am I, really?No one can ever know about this. Absolutely no one.Everyone connected with those creatures and vampires is executed without question.That order had been given by none other than the King himself. And I am right by his side.Aldric can ne
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