The Lycan King's Wrong Obsession novel Sorin Carter (by Circeleari) novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88

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The knock came as a fucking alarm clock you couldn’t snooze–loud, insistent, and supremely unwelcome. I was still trying to remember how to breathe like a normal person when Alaric went completely still beside me, his whole body tensing in that way that meant someone was about to have a very bad night.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?‘ he muttered, and honestly, same. His irritation practically crackled in the air between us. “We shouldn’t answer it. Humans always show up at the worst possible fucking time. I

hate them.”

And yet, because the universe has a sick sense of humor, he was already dragging on a robe, stalking toward the door like he was personally offended by its existence. Which, fair.

I wiped myself down with whatever was nearby–classy, I know–and grabbed the first thing that looked halfway presentable. My brain was already shifting gears, moving from holy shit that was good to holy shit what now. I followed behind him, calling out sharp enough to cut glass.

“Who the hell is it?”

The door swung open.

Badges, Radios, Uniforms that screamed local authority with absolutely no idea what they’re walking into.

My blood went cold, Not fear, exactly–more like that moment when you realize the test you forgot about is happening right now and you have to bullshit your way through it with a smile.

Two officers stood there looking like they’d rather be literally anywhere else. The taller one–buzz cut, dad bod, the works–cleared his throat. “Evening, folks. Sorry to disturb you. We’ve had an incident on the property. Two men were found deceased in front of your villa. We’re canvassing the area, seeing if anyone saw or heard anything unusual tonight.”

Deceased. What a polite little word for drained and dumped.

His partner, shorter and stockier, added, “Do you have security cameras we could review? Anyone come or go during the night?”

They sounded bored. Like this was routine. Like they were asking about a noise complaint and not two dead bodies twenty feet from our door.

Alaric’s jaw tightened, and I could practically feel him about to say something monumentally stupid, so I moved.

I crossed to him, pressed myself into his side, and let my eyes go wide and glassy. Performance mode: activated.

“Oh my goddess,” I said, voice going soft and shaky in all the right places. “I’m so sorry, officers. We—we don’t have security cameras. We wanted privacy for our vacation.” I looked up at Alaric, letting my hand rest on his chest. “This is my husband. We’ve been inside all night. We didn’t hear anything–well, actually…” I paused, like I was just remembering. “We did hear some screaming earlier, but we just assumed it was drunk tourists, you know? People get loud at resorts.”

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Chapter 88

Buzz Cut nodded sympathetically. “Understandable, malam.”

I bit my lip, playing up the concerned citizen angle. “Can we–I mean, is it okay if we see that the bodies felt Alaric’s hand tighten at my waist, a clear what the fuck are you doing squeeze, bar I kaye my eyes on the officers. “I just want to know if they’re anyone we might have seen around the resort it’s so scary to think the happened right here.”

Alaric, bless his irritated little heart, caught on. He turned his annoyance on the officers med My wife in stressed enough without you people showing up in the middle of the night. You’re making this me

Hook, line, and sinker.

Both officers immediately backpedaled, hands up in apology. “Of course, of course. We’re very sorry, maar If you’d like to take a quick look, we can escort you down. Just to ease your mind

“Thank you,” I breathed, squeezing Alaric’s hand. I looked up at him with my best trust me expression s okay, baby. I just need to see.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but he followed me anyway, because apparently I’m very permaine when I’m lying through my teeth.

The bodies were exactly where I’d left them earlier, now surrounded by more official–looking people vis clipboards and cameras. The scene had that weird artificial brightness that comes from too many portable lights trying to make night look like day.

I approached the nearest corpse—the one I’d personally liberated of all his blood–where a woman officer was crouched, methodical and gloved, examining what was left.

“Hi,” I said, friendly and curious. “Sorry, I just wanted to see if I recognized them.”

She looked up, and I got my first good look at her face. Sharp features, calculating eyes, hair pulled back right She had that look people get when they’re really good at their job and know it

“Tessa,” she said, standing up slightly but not moving away from the body. You’re from the villa

“Yeah. Sorin. This is ….. god, this is awful.” I crouched down, getting closer, like I was actually squeamish and trying to overcome it. “Do you know what happened? Was there a struggle?”

Tessa’s eyes tracked over me, assessing. “Looks like exsanguination. Time of death estimated between eleven PM and one AM. No signs of struggle, which is unusual given the trauma.

I nodded, playing the part of concerned civilian. “That’s so strange. Do you think they knew whoever did

this?”

“Hard to say.” She stripped off her gloves with practiced efficiency, patting her hands together. “But well figure

it out.”

The other officers were already loading the bodies into bags, zipping them up with that particular sound that’s supposed to mean case closed for now. Tessa stood fully, signaling we were done here.

I started to turn back toward the villa, ready to collect Alaric and get the hell out of this conversation, when

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Chapter 88

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Tessa leaned in close. The other officers were distracted, climbing into their vehicles, radios crackling

Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper.

“What the hell are werewolves doing here?”

I stopped dead. Every muscle in my body locked up, and I slowly turned to face her, eyes wide.

She met my gaze, completely calm. Not scared. Not surprised. Just… knowing.

“Go back to your pack,” she said quietly, firmly. “Before this gets complicated.”

She hadn’t clocked Alaric. Hadn’t seen enough to know what we actually were. She thought I was just another wolf on vacation who’d gotten messy.

If only.

Before I could respond–before I could even process what the fuck was happening–she turned and walked away, climbing into the passenger seat of the nearest cruiser. The cars pulled away one by one, taillights disappearing down the resort road, taking the bodies and their secrets with them.

The property went quiet.

Too quict.

I found Alaric inside, pacing the living room like a caged animal, all that earlier satisfaction completely burned away.

“The police know,” I said flatly, no point in sugarcoating it. “About us. Well, about me. About wolves in general.”

He stopped mid–stride. ‘So we’re leaving. Going back.”

It wasn’t a question, but I answered it anyway.

“Fuck no,” I said, grinning despite everything. “We’re going to that party I mentioned.”

Alaric stared at me like I’d just suggested we set ourselves on fire for fun. “Sorin. There are dead bodies outside. The police just left. There’s a cop who knows what we are. And you want to go to a party?”

“Yep.”

“We should stay here. Lock the doors. Spend the night doing literally anything else.” His voice dropped, going rough and suggestive. “I can think of several very good ways to pass the time.”

Tempting. Very tempting. But also not happening.

“We’re going,” I said firmly. “Because I want to know who the fuck Tessa really is, and why she’s here, and what she actually knows. And I’m not going to figure that out hiding in a villa.”

Alaric actually pouted. This ancient, powerful, hot–as–hell vampire pouted at me like I was denying him

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Chapter 88

dessert.

I crossed to him, grabbed his face in both hands, and kissed him thoroughly enough that the disappeared and his hands found my hips instead.

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pout

“We’ll go,” I murmured against his mouth. “Have some fun. Figure out what’s going on. And then come back here and pick up exactly where we left off.”

He sighed, dramatic and long–suffering. “You’re going to get yourself killed.”

“Probably, but you’re there for me.” I agreed cheerfully. “And at least we’ll look hot doing it.”