THE LYCAN KING'S TEMPTATION

VALERIA Are… are you sure, Esther? I ask with a broken voice.

My heart races, filled with happiness.

Very sure, Luna.

Youre pregnant.

Why havent I been able to smell it, or his father? I ask, worried.

Its very recent, perhaps thats why.

Give it a few more days and you should be able to sense the pheromones.

She replies, and I nod, my eyes blurred with tears.

I am the Luna of the Autumn Forest pack.

Three years ago, I married the man I love madly, despite not being destined mates, my Alpha Dorian.

Ive given everything to be the perfect Luna, the pillar he can lean on.

However, a shadow looms over my marriagethe topic of an heir.

Ive never been able to get pregnant, and I admit I dont share the bed with Dorian as often.

But I know his duties as Alpha keep him extremely busy and stressed.

Please, dont tell anyone in the pack.

I want to surprise my husband.

Dont worry, Luna, I wont say anything.

Congratulations! She smiles at me, and I return the smile, overflowing with excitement and happiness.

Despite being a foreigner, not originally belonging to this pack, ever since my parents died and the previous Alpha took me in, Ive never felt rejected or looked down upon.

Thats why Ive devoted myself fully to my duties as Luna.

Im grateful for my life and the wonderful man Im married to.

***** Whats with all this food? Is there going to be a party? Hands off! I swat away the greedy claws of Sophia, my best friend, who sneaked in through the back kitchen door.

But wow, puff pastry tart and everything! she says, sitting on a stool.

Honestly, I may have gone a bit overboard with the dishes, but Im so happy I want everything to be perfect.

All my Alphas favorite foods are ready! Well, today is Dorians and my anniversary.

I want to celebrate with an intimate dinner, I say, turning back to the caramel on the stove.

I dont hear her respond, so I turn halfway, curious.

Whats wrong? N-nothing, nothing… I just heard the Alpha had an emergency today.

Didnt he tell you? she asks, and I frown.

Actually, Dorian doesnt usually explain much about his work.

I guess its to avoid worrying me.

No, but hell come back anyway.

He knows today is special.

I respond, completely convinced.

She looks at me strangely.

Lately, I cant quite understand her, but shes the first person who approached me in this pack and has always supported me.

I value her greatly as a friend.

Sophie, theres something I want to tell you, but… Ill tell you tomorrow.

Its very important to me, I say suddenly, wanting to share the good news with her, but not before confessing it to Dorian.

Really? Cant you tell me now? she asks, gossip-mode activated, leaning over the counter while munching on a homemade cookie.

No, no.

Tomorrow.

I promise youll be the second to know, I reply, and I can feel my happiness radiating from every pore.

Fine, Ill leave you with your mystery then.

Ive got things to do.

Happy anniversary night, she grumbles, frustrated I didnt spill the secret, and leaves the same way she came.

I check the clock.

Theres still time.

I take off my apron and head to the second floor to shower and get dressed nicely.

Everything has to be perfect tonight, celebrating with my beloved mate.

***** I glance at the clock for the thousandth time, sitting on the sofa.

Its past midnight, and Dorian hasnt arrived.

I look at the cold dishes on the dining table and get up, resigned to reheating them again.

Im in the middle of that task when I hear the front door open and close.

His delicious scent tingles my nose, warming my stomach.

I glance at my burgundy dress, smoothing it out and fixing my hair in the hallway mirror.

My jet-black hair is tied in a high ponytail, and my intensely blue eyes, highlighted with makeup, stare back at me.

I step into the foyer, watching my imposing Alpha enter the door.

My love, how was your day? Lots of work, right? I grab the coat hes holding to hang it up.

I see him clutching some documents, but I assume theyre pack matters.

I move closer to kiss him, but he steps back.

Im sweaty and dirty from the road.

Dont contaminate yourself, he says, his piercing honey eyes staring at meeyes I adore despite their constant coldness.

Its just part of his nature.

He carries too many responsibilities after inheriting the role so young when his father died.

His blond hair is messily sexy, and for some reason, damp.

I can even catch the scent of an unfamiliar shower gel.

Why would he shower before coming home? And he said he was dirty, yet its clear he just bathed.

S-sure, give me a second to reheat dinner.

You must be hungry… Im not hungry.

Valeria, we need to talk.

But the dinner Forget dinner.

Lets go to the living room.

I need to tell you something, his authoritative voice makes me tense.

I follow him, starting to feel deeply worried.

My hand slips into my skirt pocket, clutching the folded document stating Im pregnant.

Why was the table so full of dishes? Were you planning a party? he asks, glancing at the dining room.

My heart clenches.

Love, I know youve been busy with pack duties.

But… dont tell me you forgot our anniversary? Today marks three years since we mated, I say, sitting on the couch.

I expect him to sit beside me, but instead, he chooses the armchair opposite.

Dorian has never been overly affectionate, but tonight hes too distant.

Too cold.

An alarm goes off inside me.

Of course, I remembered.

You have no idea how long Ive been waiting for our third anniversary, he replies, but I dont see a trace of joy in his expression.

I know everything will change with my news.

Our relationship hasnt been great because of this.

The pack elders keep pressuring him for an heir.

When I tell him about the baby, hell be happy.

Ill be quick because I cant stand this any Wait! Wait, Dorian.

Let me show you something first, and then you can tell me what you wanted to say, I interrupt him, feeling a strong premonition I wont like his next words.

Lowering my head, I take out the folded paper and hand it to him, my heart racing with emotion.

He takes it, reading silently as I watch him, anxious, waiting for his joy to match mine.

Im pregnant! Im carrying your pup! Well have an heir for the pack.

Im sure the Goddess has blessed us with a son! I cant hold back and blurt it out directly.

Tears in my eyes, I rise and move toward him, wanting to embrace him.

But as in love as I am, even I can see this isnt the reaction I expected from the father of my child.

Are you sure about this, or is it just a trick to keep me tied to you? he suddenly says, rising and pushing me away when I try to hug him.

Dorian… Of course, Im sure.

Look, thats the midwifes handwriting.

Why would I lie about something so important? My love, whats wrong? Whats happening, my Alpha? No, no.

Damn it! I watch him pace like a caged wolf around the living room.

This cant be happening.

Not now! Dorian… Did you tell my mother? Anyone else?! he asks suddenly, approaching me and gripping my shoulders tightly.

N-no, love.

I was waiting to tell you first.

I thought… youd be happy.

I know theyve been pressuring you.

Alpha, you dont have to be tense anymore.

Well have our family.

I raise a trembling hand to caress his cheek, but he just stares at me with those golden eyes, silent.

I cant figure out whats going on in his head.

Youre right… Ive been very stressed.

Im sorry, he suddenly pulls me into his arms, and I finally sigh, relieved, hugging him back tenderly.

For a second, I feared he wasnt happy.

Well get through this together, my Alpha.

Ill be the perfect Luna so no one will judge you, I whisper, lifting my head.

I want him to kiss me, to make love to me like we havent in a long time.

Lets go for a run.

A wild, unrestricted anniversary night.

He suddenly suggests it, taking my hand and pulling me toward the back of our house, which borders the packs forest.

Shift into your she-wolf, he commands, and I watch him undressing.

Hes so sexy and strong.

His hair glows under the moonlight, and I begin the transformation into my she-wolf, one of the greatest lies and secrets of my lifesomething not even Dorian knows.

***** We run freely across the packs lands.

But I notice how we keep going farther and farther, even crossing the borders, yet I just follow Dorians massive white wolf racing wildly ahead of me.

We reach a remote place, at the edge of a deep cliff, but above us, the moon shines intensely, and the forest landscape stretches far below.

Where is this? Were outside our packs territory… Arent we trespassing on someones land? I gaze into the distance from the edge, mesmerized by the view, having already shifted back into human form, but no one responds.

I feel uneasy and start to turn around.

However, something inside me stirs with alarm.

A crow caws in the distancebut its already too late.

Do… Dorian, wha?! Aaaaaahhh! I scream as I feel wolf claws tearing into my abdomen, deeply ripping through me.

Terrified and shocked by the sudden attack, I try to run.

I attempt to shift back into my wolf to escape into the forest, away from whatever is happening, away from this rabid Alpha wolf whose blood-red eyes glare at me with pure hatredbut its impossible to flee.

Ahhh! Let me go! Dorian, what are you doing?! What are you doing?! Ahhh! Help! Help! I scream as he jumps on me when I try to escape.