The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin novel Chapter 23

ALERIC.

The school day is almost over, and I couldn’t have been more elated today, and it is not because the day is done, but because of some good news. It was shortly after lunch when I had received a message, one I now look down at again. A message from Skyla- or should I say LuciferessX.

I scan the messages we exchanged with a smug smile on my face.

LuciferessX: Fine. Let’s meet. I hope you're ready to make it up to me, because I’m still angry, Reign.

Reign2.0: Absolutely. Name the time and place and I’ll be there.

LuciferessX: There’s a grill house in town, Kayoko’s. Meet me there this Sunday, at 7pm. Don’t be late. It’s your last chance…

Reign2.0: I won’t be late. I promise.

I turn the phone off and slip it back into my pocket as I make my way to River’s office. Unlike Royce, I’m far more careful with my phone and I can’t risk anyone seeing it.

Well, I’m glad that Royce was so careless. If I hadn’t spotted the message notification on her phone that day at her cottage… and recognised the name as Royce’s, this wouldn’t have been possible.

I head to his office door after the ugly secretary with good boobs announces me and step inside.

“You wanted to discuss something with me?” I ask as I shut the door behind me and take a seat opposite him.

He nods, closing the file he was viewing and joins his hands together in front of him.

“Ah, I do apologise for calling you at the end of the day. I wanted to discuss the upcoming field trip for the seniors. The king was here for the morning, so I had to cancel our lunch meeting due to that.”

I raise an eyebrow. The king had come here?

“The king was here? Today?” I ask smoothly.

How did I not know?

Rivers nods. “Yes, he wanted to talk to your brother and was there a while. He had come to finish some paperwork regarding Kataleya Rossi, anyway since you are one of the ones who will be chaperoning the trip, I was thinking….”

I zone him out as he blabbers on, while I try to mask my festering rage towards Royce. He must have known the king would stop to see him… or by now he should have told father. He could have notified me! I could have had the chance to talk to the king myself and leave an impression.

He always seems to have it easier…

“Is that alright?” Rivers draws me back to the present and I nod, smiling smoothly, although I have no idea what the twit was saying.

“That’s completely fine. Send me an email too and I’ll organise everything we need to handle.” I say, not really having listened to anything he was spouting.

“Oh, thank you. I think that would be absolutely ideal. Kataleya Rossi was always an excellent help on these matters. However, since she will be gone, do take on another student to help you. I will have a meeting on Monday with the other teachers who will be going on the trip.”

“Of course, that will be perfect.” I say as I stand up, not wanting to spend any further time with him than was necessary.

“Well then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I give him a nod and a smile before I leave swiftly.

‘Royce, where are you?’ I ask, trying to keep the irritation from my voice.

‘In Storm training room… why?’ He replies.

STORM. That’s where he trains Skyla, blistering jealousy rushes through me and I speed up.

‘Just needed to have a word with you. I’ll be there in a few minutes.’

Silence.

I’m going there now; he doesn’t have an option, anyway.

My eyes flash golden amber as I stride down the corridors. It’s pretty silent in this area, as most of the students have retreated outside or to the dorm houses of the academy. I head further away.

He had chosen the most deserted part of the building for their training... Then he says he doesn’t want to get close to her. Why else choose such an isolated place?

I reach the training hall and push the door open, my eyes blazing. I’m instantly hit with Skyla’s scent and look around the room. Royce is sporting a few cuts, and he’s coated in a thin layer of sweat. She’s gone, but it’s clear I barely missed her.

“What is the rush?” He asks, pulling his shirt off and wiping the sweat from his neck with it.

I step inside, letting the door slam shut behind me. “I heard the king was here.” I say smoothly, masking the anger within me, wanting to hear what he has to say for himself.

He nods. “Yeah, I heard.”

I almost scoff, shaking my head. “You heard? You knew he was coming, didn’t you?”

“Who said I did?” He counters, his grey eyes meeting mine.

His impassive attitude is grating on my nerves. He gets under my skin at times, like no other ever can.

“Rivers said he had wanted a word with you. That he did have a word with you, in fact, and you’re going to act like that didn’t happen? Complete fucking bollocks!” I snarl, trying not to let my voice rise.

He slings his shirt over his shoulder and crosses his arms.

“He did.”