The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation (Valeria) novel Chapter 234

SIGRID

He straightened up from his leaning position, one eyebrow raised, giving me a once-over—I could’ve sworn, even with disgust.

"You can sleep easy, I don’t have the slightest interest in you." The way he said it, so direct and knowing his future, convinced me even more.

"Did you bring what I want?" I asked, watching as he finally pulled out the runes from his pocket, the ones I needed to assemble the artifact. I actually had everything else, that was the only thing missing.

"Here are your pearls," I said, taking off the necklace I wore around my neck, where I’d cleverly hidden them before the fight.

"On the count of three, we make the exchange."

He nodded, stepping closer, one step at a time.

"One… two…" I stared at his hand, waiting to see if he'd pull some trick. "Three!"

I snatched the rune map from him while he quickly grabbed the pearls.

We both sighed, having achieved our goals.

"I’ll get dressed and leave. Pleasure doing business with you," I told him, though honestly, I didn’t think he could help me much with my mission.

I didn’t like that the Vlads were conspiring with Lucrecia. I didn’t know how fate would twist things, but I wasn’t here to fix everyone’s life—just to save one man, a man I had no clue how to approach.

"Actually, I’d like to ask you a personal favor." Oh, great, now he’s being all formal.

I froze, turning to face him again.

Tall, black hair, red pupils—the very image of elegant danger.

He reminded me of Zarek, though the dark prince had a different kind of beauty… more bloodthirsty.

"I’m all ears."

"Pretend you’re my chosen fiancée."

"What?" My mouth literally dropped open.

"I need my parents to stop trying to find me a match. I need a stand-in… time, and you can help me buy some."

Time? For what?

The more he explained, the crazier it sounded. But at the same time, I was weaving my own plans and calculations.

"What do I get out of pretending to be your fiancée?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest with an air of defiance.

"We have a deal, Mr. Vlad. But if you betray me…"

"I won’t if you don’t," he said, gripping my hand with strength and confidence.

I’d just sealed a risky deal, and I had no idea how it would end.

"Get dressed and leave through the west side of the forest surrounding the mansion—it’s the safest route. I’ll send your coachman to your family’s estate later. After that scene you made, you can be sure they’ll be waiting to ambush you."

"Thanks," I nodded, grabbing some clothes—just a black skirt that I slipped under the corset of my shredded dress.

I stepped out onto the balcony and stood at the balustrade, my boots grazing the edge under the full moon that lit up the miles of gardens and forests.

"You know where to find me now, fiancé," I said mockingly.

When my family hears about this, they’ll either die laughing or skin me alive.

I jumped into the void, into the night’s freedom, into the chill of the air, and transformed with magic into an owl soaring through the skies.

I’d find a safe refuge in the deep forest and contact my family tonight.

My heart beat with both excitement and worry, consumed by my stormy emotions, unaware that I was already being hunted by a being far too powerful, even for me.