GET IT NOW 14 IDONT WANT TO MISS YOU I DONT WANT TO MISS YOU VALERIA I couldnt even catch the scent he mentioned but of course , he was a far superior species .
How clever ….
Valeria tasted the food that wasnt poisoned , but when she covered it with the tray , that blue powder fell onto the food , the housekeeper summarized exactly what we were all thinking .
Maybe it activates with heat and blends with the foods aroma , making it impossible for His Majesty to detect .
Suddenly , loudmotion echoed from the back door , and the cook burst into the room , sobbing uncontrobly .
A massive man nearly dragged her in by the arm , shoving her to her knees on the cold tile .
I was a bit startled by his sheer size the tension in his bulging muscles made his arms look even bigger than Aldrics A dark beard , sharp electric blue eyes , and the fact that he was bald only made this Lycan appear even more savage .
I was certain … he was one of the Guardians .
Your Majesty , Ive been your cook for years ! How can you believe the usations of this whore who only wants to get into your be- SHUT UP ! Aldric roared , and I could swear the entire castle trembled .
He stormed toward the woman like a furious wolf , grabbing her hair and dragging her outside , The fact that youve gotten away with this for years is what angers me most ! How many maids have you done this to ? Do you think ying with innocent lives is a joke ?! The growls , the womans desperate cries they echoed from outside the castle , growing fainter and fainter .
No one dared to speak .
No one moved .
The two suspected maids sobbed quietly , clinging to each other .
I jumped , startled , when the heavy silence was suddenly shattered by a chilling , high pitched scream womans scream cutting through the stormy night .
I felt eyes on me and turned toward the dark corner where Guardian Quinn still stood .
He was watching me closely .
a I hadnt had the chance to thank him yet for saving me from almost being vited , from the fall down the ravine , and for helping find the evidence .
The firm footsteps of the King echoed again , returning Everyone out .
The servants too ! he ordered , pointing toward the exit .
The scent of fresh blood clung to him .
Look carefully at what happens to traitors ! In your fucking lives , dont you ever dare mess with my maid again or the punishment you face will be far worse ! froze when he mentioned me .
Honestly .
I felt grateful deep down .
I DONT WANT TO MISS YOU King Aldric didnt need to pretend in front of me , nor deceive me like Dorian who had lied right to my face for his own gain .
I walked slowly , following the line of staff toward the door , already imagining the horrible sight awaiting us outside .
Valeria , return to your room ! Beof ,e with me ! I raised my head at hismand .
Thank you , Your Maj- He had already disappeared through the same door , taking the giant Lycan with him , leaving me with no chance to finish .
As rude as ever … this savage man , I thought but dared not let it show on my face .
Thank you , Housekeeper, I said softly to the woman .
Dont thank me .
You got lucky this time , Valeria .
But I think youve realized by now … you always need to stay on guard around the King , she warned with a stern expression .
Im sorry that happened near my home .
It seems you were being watched .
A chill ran down my spine at the thought of the cooks seemingly kind face and that someone had been stalking me in the shadows while I left the castle .
She was right .
If I wanted to keep my head on my shoulders , I couldnt afford to be so trusting anymore .
I walked through the hallway back toward my room , but as I turned a corner , I caught sight of Guardian Quinns back as he was leaving .
Sir , I dared to call out .
He stopped , turning to face me .
Thank you so much for your help .
If you hadnt arrived in the forest when you did … those men … well , you saw what happened , I murmured , my voice lowering even more as I stared at my boots .
You also saved me from the fall … I dont know how to repay you.
I bowed deeply , bending at the waist , my dark hair falling over my face .
Its fi fine .
You dont need to be so formal .
Stand up , he said gently .
I only did what was right .
Im sorry I didnt believe you in the first ce .
No , no you dont have to apologize .
You didnt know me If you ever need my humble help in the future , you can ask , I offered , daring to nce up at him briefly before almost pping myself .
What would a powerful Lycan ever need from someone like me ? Do you know how to sew ? he suddenly asked , surprising me .
Y Yes , I replied , confused .
Then I might bother you for some repairs .
I have a few roles Im fond of , but theyre torn , and I dont want to get rid of them .
He smiled then so bright and warm that I couldnt help but smile back like aplete fool .
14 I DONT WANT TO MISS YOU Of course , you can count on me , I assured him .
Good , Valeria .
Ill bring them to youter .
But … b but to my room , not His Majestys , I added quickly , a bit scared .
If that possessive man found out I was handling another Guardians clothes , he might strangle me with the fabric .
Itll be our secret , Quinn replied , pressing a finger to his lips before walking away .
I stayed there for a moment , watching him go , feeling strangely … at ease .
Despite being a Lycan too , the difference between their personalities was painfully obvious .
Compared to a certain ferocious wolf I knew .
Suddenly , something behind me made the hair on my neck stand on end .
No … dont tell me Ive been caught again .
Goddess , please , no … But when I turned around , bracing myself to face that possessive re … I only found an empty , dark corridor so dark it felt like the maw of a beast .
But I could feel it The shadows were my allies , and right now , someone was watching me from within them .
I didnt stay to find out who .
This castle was bing more terrifying by the day .
Thurried to my tiny room , but as I passed one of the windows , I nced outside toward the castle walls and I covered my mouth in horror .
The metal spikes protruding from the high stone wall were dripping with blood .
One held the cooks head her features twisted in agony , frozen in the moment of her brutal death .
Beside her , the limbless torso of that damned warrior , his genitals gone , and the thick iron pike impaling his body … through the back .
It made me sick to my stomach .
I turned away , nauseous at the barbaric scene but reminded that my head could have been there instead- disyed as a warning .
I walked away quickly , foolishly believing my days would return to normal .
That Id simply serve King Aldric in his castle .
But about a weekter … Valeria , pack lightly just a spare change of clothes .
Youreing with me to inspect a pack , he said bluntly one morning as he ate his usual massive breakfast .
M Me ? I pointed at myself , confused .
Is there another Valeria here ? he muttered , lifting those harp gray eyes from the mountain of meat on his te , raising a brow , 14 I DONT WANT TO MISS YOU N No , Your Majesty … I just … why would you want someone so weak to apany you ? My courage or stupidity was definitely growing stronger each day .
Because I might be away longer this time .
And I need you with me , he answered and returned to eating .
I assumed he needed someone to care for his belongings and clothes , so I nodded in silence .
Tuming , I walked toward my usual corner to wait for him .
Besides … I wont be able to focus knowing youre here alone .
With that dangerous jackal lurking around .
What jackal ? Are there jackals in the packs forest ? I said nothing , standing silently in my ce as usual .
I dont want you to miss me , so Im taking you with me , he added so casually and continued his meal .
Peeking from behind my bangs , I blinked at him in disbelief Who said I was going to miss you , Your Majesty ?! And so … I found myself dragged into this crazy , dangerous adventure thanks to this possessive , dominant Lycan .