The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 127

QUINN

“Celine, do you really want to take on such a dangerous mission alone?” I spoke through the bathroom door while she was getting ready to leave.

“I know it’s important, but maybe they can track Beof through magic.”

“Brother,” she suddenly stepped out, already dressed, with her dark hair pulled up in a high braid that fell down her back.

“We’ve spent our whole lives fighting to fit in somewhere—at least I have—and I dragged you along with me, making you feel like an outcast too. You’ve found your mate now, and I have to keep searching for my path.”

She raised her hand and placed it on my shoulder, looking at me with that innate bravery in her bones.

“No matter what I say, you’re not going to back down, are you?” I sighed, cupping her cheeks and pinching them.

“When you were a baby, you were so cute and always followed me around like a little tail. When did I lose my obedient Celine?”

She huffed, pretending to be annoyed, but the redness in her ears betrayed how poorly she hid it when being praised.

“Stay here and take care of your mate. Nothing will happen to me. It’s not the first time I’ve traveled incognito through the Dark Realm.”

“Yes, but this time it’s different. Everything is in turmoil—the internal war between sorcerers, hybrids, and vampires is about to explode,” I warned, frowning.

“That’s exactly why I need to warn Beof, so he doesn’t get involved too. Otherwise, it’ll be a disaster. Besides, I’m a Guardian now; I need to prove myself,” she puffed out her chest proudly.

She always worked so hard to be recognized, and Aldric, with his foolish prejudices, had never given her the place she truly deserved.

A sudden knock on the door interrupted us.

“It’s your stepdaughter. When are you going to have the awkward conversation?” she leaned in and whispered.

The word stepdaughter made me shudder in discomfort.

"Just because she’s my mate’s daughter doesn’t mean we have to call each other that. Valeria and I are friends; it doesn’t matter what my relationship with Gabrielle is," I told her mentally, walking over to open Celine’s door.

“Oh, you’re ready… and Quinn, haha, you’re here… yeah, of course…” Valeria avoided my eyes unnaturally, clearly already in the loop.

“I’ll leave so you two can talk alone…” I made to leave.

“No, no, stay. I just came to say goodbye to Celine,” she stepped forward and hugged her.

I sighed, at least relieved that my sister had found a friend with such a “masculine” personality.

“Take care of the pup. No reckless ghost hunting, okay?” Celine scolded Valeria.

“Yes, yes, ma’am,” Valeria nodded with a smile, holding both of Celine’s hands. “Celine, I’m worried about you leaving alone. Here, I made this for you. Just relax.”

Suddenly, she pulled down Celine’s sleeve, exposing her bare shoulder.

Valeria placed her hand there, and that dark misty magic began to swirl around her as she chanted an incantation.

“Aashsh,” Celine whimpered in pain.

“I’m sorry, the burning will pass quickly,” Valeria withdrew her hand, leaving behind the shape of a raven between my sister’s shoulder and collarbone, like a black ink tattoo.

“I learned how to do this. It’s one of my messenger ravens. We can communicate through it. If you ever get into trouble, just do this…” and she explained how to activate the magic.

“I’m sorry I can’t offer you more protection. I’m not as great as my mother was.”