The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 181

VALERIA

"I hope to count on your power, Prince Zarek, because this fusion won’t be easy. Many will oppose it," Aldric stated seriously.

"Don’t worry, King Lycan. I know very well how to handle rebels. In fact, I need to expand my army—much, much more," he replied with a sinister chuckle that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Now, onto the next matter of the day—what’s our plan to defeat that son of a bitch, the Specter King? Because I think we all understand that door won’t hold forever. And this time, I’m not hiding like a fucking rat," Zarek added.

"And I’m not handing over my woman or my daughter under any circumstances," Aldric growled low, pulling me closer to him.

"And Gabrielle will not keep mutilating herself," Quinn growled in response as well. "Love, how much time do we have?"

He looked at my mother, and we all followed suit, a trace of fear in our eyes.

"The remaining Selenia power… I think it can hold for about 20 to 25 years. No more than that," my mother confessed with a furrowed brow.

Hearing it like that, 25 years seemed like a long time. But what was that to creatures who lived for centuries? It was nothing—a mere breath of life.

"Then we have less than 25 years to come up with a fucking solid plan because I’m more than ready to tear that shadow-sucking bastard apart," Aldric concluded, grinding his teeth, the fire of vengeance burning in all of our eyes.

But I pressed my hand against my belly, full of uncertainties.

By then, my pup would be an adult. I didn’t want her involved in this war. And the worst part? She was a Selenia.

I could not allow her to be exposed to danger.

*****

When the prince said a door’s distance apart, I didn’t think he meant it literally.

We descended an old staircase and walked down dim hallways lit by golden candelabras mounted on the walls.

At the end of one of them stood a completely silver door, adorned with intricate runes hidden beneath hundreds and hundreds of chains, draped over it like venomous snakes.

We decided to take this route, but since it was a secret passage, Aldric sent word to Beof via one of my messenger ravens, instructing them to return on their own.

"King and Queen, this door contains a translocation spell that links both castles. I ask permission to activate it so our families can visit each other whenever they wish, without having to travel long distances," Zarek turned to us, formally requesting approval, though obviously, Aldric already knew about this passage.

"You were the one who massacred nearly all the lycans, weren’t you?" Aldric suddenly asked, and the tension in the air thickened instantly.

What the hell was that aggressive question about now?

"I did," Zarek admitted without hesitation. "And I would do it again."

"Why?" I could feel the rage swelling inside Aldric. I gripped his arm, worried that all the progress we had made was about to unravel.

"Because I found them in an orgy—raping the elementals of this world, men and women alike. And when I confronted them, I saw not a single trace of remorse in their eyes," he responded, his ruby irises darkening to a shade so deep it looked like they were about to bleed.