The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation (Valeria) novel Chapter 261

NARRATOR

Alessandre roared at them, baring his fangs, his red pupils narrowing, exuding the intimidating aura of a powerful vampire.

At his command, the warriors snapped out of their astonishment and obeyed.

BAM!

The doors were flung open, and he strode in with firm steps, unleashing all his superior power, crushing any thought of rebellion.

His mother stared at him with wide, red eyes, standing at the back of the hall near the leaders' tables.

She brought a trembling hand to her mouth, tears spilling as she saw her husband's head. She knew.

The searing pain of losing her mate struck her all at once—but she couldn’t understand how.

He had just left to speak with their son.

Now, everything made sense. Her heart trembled, consumed by agony and betrayal.

Alessandre didn’t even glance at her as he ascended the stairs. He turned to face the crowd dining at the banquet, long tables overflowing with exquisite delicacies and stunning elemental slaves, there to serve and be touched.

“FROM THIS MOMENT FORWARD, THE LEADER OF THE VLAD CLAN HAS CHANGED!” he roared, tossing his father’s head, which rolled down the wide aisle between the seats.

“I, ALESSANDRE VLAD, AM THE NEW LORD OF THE VAMPIRIC BLOODLINE! IF ANYONE OPPOSES ME, SPEAK NOW!”

Silence. Not even a fly could be heard. No one dared to challenge him.

Alessandre had taken down his father, one of the first descendants of the original vampire, an ancient.

Everyone tacitly accepted him as their leader.

Everyone—except for one person.

“I stand against you!” His mother’s voice rang out. He turned to face her, but a sharp slap landed across his face.

“Mother…”

“Don’t call me that! I could never have given birth to a traitor like you!” she spat, hatred burning in her eyes.

How could he do this to his father? How could he leave her without her mate?

“This is all because of that whore, Selenia, isn’t it?!” she screamed, pointing at him. “Because of her, you turned your back on your family! Because of her, you’ll become a dog for the Selenias! All of you!” She spun toward the gathered vampires.

“If you support him, you’re supporting a lackey of the Selenias! Vampires will never reach the top this way! The throne will never truly be ours!”

“SHUT UP!” Alessandre’s command was absolute, but she was too consumed by grief, mourning the loss of both her husband and her son.

“Take her to her room and don’t let her leave. She’s just in shock!” he ordered the maids and guards. They dragged her away as she cursed him.

A deep wound opened in Alessandre’s heart. He knew what he was giving up for his love.

“Then… who stands with me?!” he demanded, his icy gaze piercing the souls of all present—his most loyal subjects, lords, dukes, feudal leaders of the vampire clans.

“LONG LIVE THE LORD OF THE VLAD CLAN!”

“LONG LIVE ALESSANDRE VLAD!”

Cheers erupted through the hall. He had won. He had seized control of his people.

His first decree: absolute secrecy. He wanted Lucrecia Silver to believe that his father still served her plans.

“Tell me everything you know about the supposed Selenia inhabiting the body of the sorceress Electra De la Croix. Every. Last. Detail. And forge a secret alliance with me.”

Her vision in the Witch’s Forest had left her shaken—so much destruction, the remnants of a dark magic so potent it made the hairs on her neck stand on end.

Who had caused it? Lucrecia Silver? Morgana De la Croix? Who…?

Then, that witch, Drusilla De la Croix, had appeared, offering safe passage and protection in exchange for crucial information—the truth that Morgana had been killed by Electra.

The pieces fit. Her guards had told her that her daughter had escaped again.

She had heard that Alessandre had chosen Electra at his celebration, that she was his “fiancée,” and that they had vanished together after the event.

Brianna knew her daughter. She was hiding something. And she would never remain so calm if she believed Alessandre was involved with another woman.

Alessandre was stunned. He never expected this proposal.

“If you help ensure things unfold as I desire, if you truly assist in eliminating all obstacles for my daughter, if you prove your loyalty to the throne—I will give you her hand in marriage and accept you as the future king. What do you say?”

Alessandre remained silent for a few seconds.

It was obvious the queen was using him, and that Renata wouldn’t know about this arrangement. But later, he could convince her that it had been for the best, the most strategic move.

“That Selenia… she’s from the future. Her lineage cannot die,” he warned.

“And she won’t. But she can’t stay here either. As you said, she belongs to the future. She will return to her time. There is no place for more Selenias here.” Brianna extended her hand.

Alessandre reached out as well, sealing the pact.

“I accept your alliance. I will tell you everything I know—all the plans. I only hope you uphold your part of the bargain.”