The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin novel Chapter 72

SKYLA.

Mama had made a delicious meal, and Royce had not failed in complimenting her several times, making her blush happily.

“No really, it’s delicious.” Royce says as he eats Mama’s signature brownies with hot custard. “You went out of your way to make so much.”

“Oh thank you, it really wasn’t much at all!” Mama exclaims, waving her hand.

I cock a brow.

Wasn’t much? She went full out with six different dishes and three desserts…

“You are too modest Kiara.” Royce replies, placing his spoon down, and I can’t help but notice the way his tongue runs along his lips.

Yeah, Mama had been adamant he calls her Kiara. I bet Dad wouldn’t be happy with these two getting on so well, but with everything going on with the witches and the death noodle, he had to stay down there to deal with matters.

Night has fallen and Mama has told us to stay the night, and to be fair, I don’t mind. I need the break away from everything and even better; she was insistent that Royce also stay, and that is something I am not going to argue with. I want him right now, by my side.

I owe him for dropping everything and helping me get Malevolent down here. I really do and he said he has things he needs to do with his pack. I need to help him too.

“So, is it true you’re Skyla’s teacher?” Alessandra asks bluntly, her eyes piercing into Royce.

His smile fades as he becomes serious, and perhaps there’s a hint of guilt in his eyes. I’m not certain, as he masks it pretty well.

“Yes, that is correct, however, we did know one another from before I became her trainer, although that isn’t an excuse.” He says lightly, his grip tightening slightly.

“Does it matter?” I ask, cocking a brow at Alessandra.

“Did I say it does? There’s stuff going around, you know.” She counters scathingly. “So, I was just confirming if he’s the guy from the rumours.”

“Rumours?” Dante tilts his head.

“None of your damn business.” I growl.

“Let’s not do this now.” Mama warns, her voice gentle yet firm.

“She’s just asking. It’s completely fine.” Royce says to me, trying to ease the tension.

His hand rests on my thigh, and he strokes it sensually. Does he not know he’s driving me fucking crazy?

Mama is sitting opposite me. Next to her is Alessandra, who is opposite Royce and Dante is on Alessandra’s other side and although they can’t see his hand under the table, it’s working me up.

Alessandra stays quiet, watching him before she simply shrugs. “Ok.”

“It’s a harmless question.” Royce says, giving her a small smile. “It’s all good.”

“One that shall spread a lot of opinions sooner or later. Are you certain of your choices, Royce?” Dante says, drinking some water. His words shock me.

What the fuck does that even mean?

“Dante…” Mama replies, clearly as surprised as me at his remark.

I roll my eyes, him and his way of talking.

“We’re not all-seeing, so let Royce and the rest of us make the choices we want, or is that an indirect jab at me that I’m bad news?” I ask dangerously, cocking a brow.

Dante frowns slightly as he looks at me from behind those shades. ‘I love you, Skyla, but you yourself know that your feisty and reckless nature will only get you into trouble.’

My eyes flash as I glare at him.

‘Don’t antagonise me, Dante, just be a brother, not a fucking all-knowing god. I don’t need it, and if you can’t help me with whatever the fuck I should be careful of, then keep your shit to yourself.’ I growl back.

He tilts his head. ‘You know I can’t… my hands are tied, in a way more than you know. All I can do is warn you in the only way I can.’ He says softly.

I hate that tone of his too.

‘Well, I don’t need your cryptic shit. Whatever happened between you and Royce earlier was fucking weird, too. What was that about?’ I shoot back.

‘That was between us, I’m afraid.’

Yeah, you can’t even share that.

I clench my jaw, feeling my anger flare inside of me, the urge to let my Lycan come out growing and I’m about to stand up, but Royce’s hand on my thigh keeps me in place.

“Let’s drop this conversation, shall we?” He says, glancing at Dante. Both men stare at one another, and I can’t read either of their damn faces.

Royce is as emotionless as ever and Dante is hidden behind his glasses, but there seems to be a sizzle of power between them. I can feel their auras before Dante smiles faintly.

“Very well.” He says after a moment.

Mama sighs silently, but I still hear it.

She looks at Dante, me, and Royce with concern.

I shake my head, returning to my brownie and custard.

Whatever happened earlier between Dante and Royce was… fucking weird. There seems to be some sort of understanding of sorts between them, and something happened…