The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation (Valeria) novel Chapter 412

NARRATOR

He pulled out the old registry papers with portraits of the employees.

That man, in particular, was the one he was most interested in. The woman had pointed him out as the caretaker of the Duchess’s sister.

He discreetly lifted his gaze to confirm. The more he compared, the more alike they seemed.

This was a blessing—what incredible luck!

However, just as he was about to get up, he noticed the man was no longer alone. Another gentleman had joined him at some point.

Frowning, he settled back into his seat, thinking about how to approach him. He needed to catch him alone. This was a delicate matter.

He even prepared money to bribe him for information about his former patient. All his efforts were in vain.

He watched as both men stood up from the table and swiftly headed outside the tavern.

Rosendo quickly stuffed everything back into his bag, tossed some coins on the table, and rushed after them to avoid losing sight.

He pushed through the wooden saloon doors, which creaked loudly as they swung open and shut behind him.

"Where are they? Damn it!"

He scanned both ends of the street, wandered around, and questioned passersby.

Nothing. The man had vanished into thin air.

That other guy had gotten to him first and stolen his prey.

*****

Brenda approached the tavern in a discreet carriage belonging to her family.

She had left Thesio’s estate that morning, despite his insistence on keeping her prisoner. She had refused outright—she wouldn’t sleep with him again until after their wedding.

For a moment, she thought he would forcefully keep her there. But in the end, the Duke relented after her dramatic outburst of feminine rage—complete with tears and the total destruction of the fine porcelain breakfast set.

As she traveled through one of the dimly lit, narrow streets, the carriage was suddenly intercepted.

Brenda heard the panicked neighs of the horses and the coachman’s startled shouts as he tried to calm them.

In the blink of an eye, before anyone could react, the door beside her opened, and a man’s shadow appeared in the darkness.

"It’s me," Salvatore spoke coldly before she could scream.

Could she not smell him?

Brenda watched as he slid into the seat across from her, closing the door discreetly.

"Tell your coachman to leave the carriage here and take a walk nearby. We’ll talk right here," he ordered with authority.

The challenge in her wolfish eyes intrigued Salvatore even more.

A deep, husky laugh rumbled from him, filling the carriage.

"Very well, I’ll tell you what I know." He pulled away from Brenda, reclining back into his seat and crossing one leg over the other.

"We’re going to execute a rather risky plan. But first, let me tell you—I’ve looked into your life. Despite your grievances, you cannot distance yourself from the Duke of Everhart. He is essential to our plan… or rather, the Duchess is."

"That idiot?" Brenda muttered through clenched teeth, shifting to listen closely to his grand plan.

"Yes. I just met a ‘friend’ who shared some very interesting things about her. And they’re not lies... I compelled his mind. Everything he told me is true."

Salvatore recalled how he had later filled his belly with that fool’s alcohol-laced blood. He couldn’t leave such a dangerous loose end alive.

"So, here’s what we’ll do…"

With every word that left the vampire’s lips, Brenda’s eyes widened in astonishment. It was a crazy, dangerous, deranged plan—yet simply brilliant.

Her wolfish heart raced at the possibilities. She had never dreamed of this. She had never fantasized about complete freedom.

A hint of fear crept into her mind. What lay beyond this prison?

Could they really escape the Elemental Realm?