The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation

 "Gabrielle, you may be powerful, and I may be just a simple lycan, but things wont always go the way you want." I thought as I watched her, and I swear for a second she paused her torture and turned her head slightly, showing me her profile, as if she had heard me.

However, she continued torturing that manhonestly, I had no idea how he was still alive.

Would she do the same to me if she found out we were mates? Dying at the hands of that beautiful femme fatale didnt seem like such a bad thing.

ook VALERIA Aldric! I stood up, rushing to him, worried about his wounds.

However, I stopped just before touching him, my filthy fingers trembling mere inches from his chest.

Aldric...

I...

I'm sorry for deceiving you...

I didn't know how to explain what I was...

I didn't even understand it myself...

Tears began falling freely from my eyes.

Tlowered my gaze, unable to look at him.

The world was collapsing around us, but nothing could hurt me more than his rejection.

I didnt even understand why I was here, and I knew he had saved me many times.

---- But did that mean he accepted me for who I was and that we could still be together? After all, I was even carrying his baby.

A finger gently lifted my chin, and his presence surrounded me protectively.

His intoxicating scent made every pore of my body sigh.

My uncertain blue eyes met his stormy ones.

His furrowed brow worried me, and the blood still pouring from his wounds made my heart ache.

We were both a mess, but he was seriously injured.

The only thing I dont know how to forgive, he whispered, leaning over me, forcing me to swallow the lump of emotions in my throat, is the fact that you ever thought I could hurt you.

T was wrong too, love.

I made mistakes, my hatred blinded me, but you showed me the truth, Valeria.

You showed me from here.

He touched the pendant on my chest, which now felt void of magic.

His hand moved down the tattered remains of my dress, resting gently on my belly, caressing it slowly.

A wave of unconditional love flowed through our bond.

He knew.

He knew we were going to have a baby.

Suddenly, images of that strange raven flashed in my mind, andI remembered how Aldric had shifted from a bird to a lycan right before my eyes.

Even his voice had guided and encouraged me toward the exit.

Tt can't be...

I thought...

I thought it was Nana.

I looked up at him in shock.

Tt was me, that poor bird you almost scared to death by telling him he was going to be a dad.

That was me.

He smirked, letting out a soft huff.

My heart pounded with love.

I loved him.

I loved this man so much.

We'll talk about everything later, little one.

But right now, I have something more important to do.

In the blink of an eye, he knelt down, kissing my belly and whispering softly to our baby.

His strong hands wrapped gently around my waist, and he lifted me effortlessly into his arms.

Aldric, I whispered, clinging to his neck, desperate to merge with him, and he pressed my head against his chest, holding me like a child.

Protecting me, whispering how much he loved me, how much he had suffered upon realizing he had attacked and hurt me, how hard it had been to watch me be humiliated while he was imprisoned by the collar.

He told me that no matter my race, I was his mate, and he would burn in fire for me if necessary.

And I knewit.

I knewit with certaintyhis love washed over me, healing my insecurities.

I should never have doubted our bond.

I should never have doubted him, despite my fears, despite his hatred.

Baby, we re going to be fine, Valeria.

Everythings going to be okay.

We'll take care of our little one, no matter what happens.

Ill always be by your side, he promised.

And finally, I felt my soul had found its place.

---- Ilooked beyond us, watching the carnage my mother was unleashing, pouring out her hatred.

Honestly, I didnt feel the slightest bit sorry for that man.

Seeing the power of a mature Selenia made me realize everything he had stolen from me.

I was just a defective copy of my motherthat was the truth.

somethings happening.

Suddenly, Aldric tensed, holding me closer and pulling us away from the fight.

I lifted my head to see the shift in battleeverything happened too fast.

That man, a mere wreck, cut to pieces by the Queen, lunged forward with what seemed like his final will toward the Lunar Gate.

He was too close! NOOO, YOU DAMN COWARD! LYCAN KING, PROTECT VALERIA! My mothers scream echoed.

She turned to look at us, and I barely had time to sense the buildup of concentrated magic energyall coming from what remained of the Vampire King.

It couldnt be.

He was using his life force to blow up the gate.

That was insane! BOOOOOOMMMMM! Ablinding light filled my eyes, and in my final moments of consciousness, I saw Gabrielle spread giant crimson-feathered wings, as if soaked in blood, shielding the massive explosion, standing before the danger and holding back the debris from the gate.

"MOM!" I screamed in my mind one last time, feeling warm arms around me as I fell into the abyss from the collapsing bridge.

---- Then, nothingjust cold and darkness.