The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation (Valeria) novel Chapter 384

KATHERINE

I lay on the ground for a second, catching my breath, staring at the distant treetops, filling my lungs with fresh oxygen.

I coughed softly and sat up.

Beside me stood the stone well I had just climbed out of.

In the distance, the silhouette of the castle faintly outlined itself against the evening sky, the last orange rays of the sun casting a glow.

This had to be some secret exit from the Duke’s residence.

I got to my feet—there was no time to lose. Every second counted.

Quickly wiping the dirt from my palms, I checked the red seal, concentrating. The signal hadn’t faded, and it was pointing me in a direction through this tangled woodland.

With a furious tug, I tore the skirts of my dress, ripping away several layers. I needed more agility—they had nearly tripped me several times, and the weight was unbearable.

Now with my boots free, I took off running toward the path traced by the red line.

*****

Crouching behind the bushes, I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady my breathing.

I peered through the thick white mist rising around me, darkness quickly swallowing this old forest.

A wooden cabin stood in the clearing—rustic, isolated. My eyes narrowed, trying to make out the figures moving behind the dirty windowpanes.

A dim light flickered inside. Two people. That had to be him and his treacherous mother. What do I do now? Goddess, light my way, please.

I scanned the area, searching for a weapon, and spotted a thick branch fallen from a cypress tree.

Crawling, staying low, I moved to grab it. I couldn’t see much, and that worried me—this area was dangerous. I had heard there were swamps.

I was preparing to move closer, silently creeping toward the cabin, when a commotion caught my attention.

My heart nearly leaped out of my chest as the door burst open and a small figure dashed out.

Lavinia!

I sprang to my feet, ready to run to her, to call her name—but she disappeared into the forest before I had the chance.

She was fast, and with the shouting and cursing coming from inside the cabin, she wouldn’t hear me.

"You useless fool! I told you not to untie her!"

"Run! She can’t have gotten far!" They were arguing, but I didn’t waste another second.

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