VALERIAI froze at Quinn's words.He kept deciphering the message, but my mind could only think about what the King must have felt when his children were murdered, and he had to take his mate’s life with his own hands.I know all too well that soul-crushing pain that leaves you wanting nothing but death.Aldric had it even worse—I didn't carry my baby in my womb for long.He held his pups in his hands and loved his woman.She didn’t betray him like I was betrayed. She didn’t deserve to die.She was his mate, so he had a companion, surely a beautiful female who shared his bed, his dreams, his life.Someone he truly cherished. Someone who bore his children.Why did I feel so bitter inside?I raised my hand and touched my scars. I had never cared about them before, but now, comparing myself to a poor deceased woman, all kinds of insecurities tightened around my heart.«Idiot, how can you even compare yourself to her? Aldric will never see you that way. Don't get your hopes up»I scolded

VALERIAThe disdainful stares didn’t take long to arrive when they eagerly stood, expecting the King, and only saw his ugly maid."Where is His Majesty?" one of them asked, glancing toward the door that had already closed."The King cannot come personally. I will be making the selection."I don’t even know how I managed to get those words out when my throat was drowning in thousands of negative thoughts."Seriously? That’s disappointing. What kind of taste could she have?""Maybe she’ll pick the ugliest out of envy.""Who are you to be doing something as important as selecting the possible future Queen?" a redhead with exotic features asked haughtily.She was much taller than me, intimidating, probably a Beta.All the women here were high-ranking she-wolves, but my anger was so consuming I couldn’t care less about their pedigree."If you have any complaints, you can take them up with the King himself. He’s the one who sent me," I replied, shoving my irritation deep inside.I wouldn’t

VALERIA"Vale!"Walking toward the training gym, I heard the hurried voice of Juliette behind me—the maid who had always been kind to me."Hi, Jul… wait! You’re going to trip and fall face-first!" I exclaimed, grabbing the large basket of laundry she was carrying before she nearly toppled into it."Whew! I thought you wouldn’t hear me! How are you feeling? Still in pain?" she asked, looking me over as if searching for injuries."In pain?" I blinked, confused."Yeah, the housekeeper said yesterday when I asked about you that you weren’t feeling well and had gone to your room. Oh, Val, you missed everything!" she exclaimed excitedly, then glanced around the hallway before stepping closer to me, whispering.I tensed slightly at her closeness, always expecting people to criticize my scarred face, but Juliette never seemed to care about that."Let me tell you—His Majesty was furious yesterday! There was a whole scandal in his chambers with those women you selected!" Her eyes sparkled, brim

VALERIAI barely had time to react before I was assaulted by the cold, sexy lips of the King.My back collided with the wooden backrest, completely trapped between his mouth and the chair.A rough hand gripped the nape of my neck, urging me to lift my head further, surrendering completely to the heated invasion of his tongue as it claimed my mouth, nearly reaching my throat.I felt as if I were floating, my brain deprived of enough oxygen.My jaw ached slightly, and I raised my hands, clutching his shoulders, digging my nails into his skin to keep myself grounded.A muffled growl reverberated in my mouth.We panted heavily, breathing each other’s air, a thin silver thread of saliva connecting us.I opened my blue eyes slightly, meeting the King’s wolf-gray gaze. I could see the beast roaring within him.The tip of his tongue grazed my trembling lower lip, giving it a soft tug before nibbling on it with his canines.My chest heaved, my heart pounding as molten blood rushed through my v

VALERIAHe keeps his grip on my hair, forcing me to meet his hungry gaze as it locks onto my hands, slowly undoing the front of my corset.One by one, the bindings loosen, exposing my heavy, taut breasts that bounce free from the constraints of the fabric.His tongue licks over his long canines—not even his beast’s—and the powerful erection in front of me twitches, betraying Aldric’s lust and just how aroused he is.It’s because of me. I’m the one driving him to this extreme, and it’s intoxicating—the feeling of being desired, of setting a man this sensual ablaze in such a raw, primal way.I push my dress down over my hips, leaving myself in nothing but panties as I kneel before the Lycan King.Anyone could walk into the showers and witness this scene. Anyone could discover I’m His Majesty’s lover."Stand up," he commands, his voice unyielding.My legs, shaky and slightly numb, manage to lift me upright.I sway forward, placing my hands on his strong shoulders for support.My long bla