VALERIAFreed from my task and without the housekeeper watching, I decided to slip away with the excuse of organizing the King's clothes in his closet.So I grabbed a basket with clean sheets and walked into the castle.I reached the ebony door and hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to step into the wolf’s den or not.“Come on, Valeria, don’t be ridiculous. The agreement was fulfilled, and now it’s time to return to a professional dynamic—worker and employer. I’m the maid, and he’s the King.”I told myself, straightening my posture, because if every time Aldric and I shared intimacy under our arrangement, I acted like a nervous girl, then this was bound to fail.I entered with a serious expression, advancing into the room on legs that felt like jelly.I knocked softly, but no one answered, so I pushed the door open and stepped into His Majesty’s chambers.The delicious scent of wine immediately assaulted my senses. This was his private, intimate space, and everything here smelled

VALERIAShe turns her back and finally leaves, abandoning me completely alone, staring into nothingness and lost in thought over her words.I got up before nightfall; I didn’t want to be left alone so close to that eerie forest.I was hanging large white sheets on the clotheslines, needing to climb onto a small stool to reach the rope and secure them with wooden pegs.The cold breeze blew, making the sheets billow while also clearing my mind.I lowered my head to search for more pegs in the apron I wore, and when I lifted it again—I saw him.On the other side of the sheet, the massive shadow of a lycan stood silently, and I knew very well it was him.The wind howled through the trees, like a sorrowful wail echoing from the forest.I stayed still for a few seconds, staring at that terrifying and powerful presence, knowing that the King was watching me too from the other side.He had every reason to be angry, as he had made perfectly clear. I had no right to touch the precious belonging

VALERIA"Yes, yes, of course, Your Majesty. What an honor to have you in my humble shop," Mrs. Betty responded nervously, bowing respectfully."Thank you for your work. Step out for a moment, Mrs. Betty—Sasha is waiting downstairs to pay," he replied, but his eyes never left mine for a second.I took advantage of the seamstress leaving quickly, closing the door behind her, to head over to where my dress was folded and put it back on.However, I had only reached the edge of the table when I heard hurried footsteps, and I tensed, feeling him press against my bare back.One hand wrapped around my waist, caressing my stomach, while the other slid over the arm I was using to cover my breasts.Only the thin slip over my hips separated my body from the King's warmth."Let me go! What do you think you're doing?" I struggled slightly, trying to break free from his hold, but his arms closed around me possessively, trapping me between the table and his massive body.The rapid beating of his hear

VALERIAI ran without thinking twice toward the small park.I didn’t know anyone here, but I simply couldn't stand by while watching a child's life in danger right before my eyes."Valeria!" Aldric's voice thundered behind me as he realized I had moved away from his side.I reached the spot where the pup lay on the ground, blood flowing from the deep wound on the back of his head, matting his brown hair into a sticky mess."Hold on, little one. Stay with me," I whispered, pulling the handkerchief from my pocket and pressing it firmly against the wound to stop the bleeding.I held him against my chest, trying to turn him slightly. My hands trembled, terrified he might already be dead.He was pale, with round cheeks, and barely breathing."Edward!" I heard the voice of that murderous man nearby and lifted my gaze, seeing him rush toward the child's body with a look of concern."Don't come near him! I saw exactly what you did!" I shouted, clutching the boy protectively against my body.H

VALERIAThe bedroom was actually lovely, with a bed, a closet, a small vanity, and a large window overlooking a beautiful lake."This is your room, and over there is the shared bathroom with the bathtub I promised," he pointed toward another small door in the back."Wait a moment—so to leave here, I have to pass through His Majesty’s room? This has no exit to the hallway. And… a shared bathroom? The King doesn’t have his own bathroom? He has to go through my entire room to use it?" I pointed out the obvious.Who designed these uncomfortable chambers?"I'm sorry. There are no other rooms available," he replied, his face harder than the stone floor."Your Majesty!" I turned indignantly toward Aldric, who watched me from the doorway between the rooms with a look of pure satisfaction."You chose to stay here, Valeria, so now we can’t offend Alpha Garret. This is the room available—stop making a fuss," he answered, and I could see just how pleased he was by the smug look on his face.A fus