The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation (Valeria) novel Chapter 435

NARRATOR

Lavinia, unconscious in Elliot’s arms, now in his human form, and Katherine, also clinging to the werewolf’s chest—both kneeling.

Wounded and beyond exhaustion, but alive. Very much alive.

Under the rain, Katherine met her man's blue eyes, and they melted into a desperate embrace, before she showered frantic kisses on their daughter’s forehead.

That’s when she noticed the pendant resting against the child’s chest. They had a rough idea now—this was magic. Lavinia’s magic had saved them.

A transmigration spell. Lavinia was special, just like Bella.

Katherine had never been the heir to that unique magic, as everyone had believed. It was her daughter.

Kath’s tears mixed with the rain.

"It’s over now, love. It’s over." Elliot tried to console her.

But deep inside, neither he nor Vorath were as calm as they pretended to be. He looked up through the downpour.

It was almost impossible that His Majesty hadn’t sensed all this supernatural power clashing in the air. Sometimes, Elliot wondered if the Specter King simply didn’t care.

There had never been a time when that being intervened in the affairs of the realm. He merely existed, suspended in resentment and his own world of darkness… waiting, accumulating strength, surviving—fed by his hatred.

But what if he changed his mind? What if he decided they were a threat now?

Escape? The Duke realized it wouldn’t be that simple. Chasing the promises of that journal felt like a utopian dream.

They had almost died without even reaching the critical point. Elliot stood, lifting Lavinia in a princess carry.

Katherine still clutched the leather satchel—she couldn’t afford to lose it after all they had sacrificed.

As soon as they stepped into the house, they heard the hurried footsteps of Tomas and Aldo’s wives rushing toward them.

The women had ordered the household staff to retire early, aware that tonight would involve a delicate operation.

Elliot didn’t stop—aside from how they all looked, his only focus was getting Lavinia to her room.

Katherine stayed behind to calm the women, asking about their mates.

Then, Freya arrived, draping a shawl over her shoulders, anxious. And when she heard that Lavinia had vanished from the castle—right under her nose, to such a dangerous place—her knees nearly gave out.

"Nana, Lavinia saved our lives. If not for her, we would have died out there. We…" Katherine pressed a trembling hand to her forehead, swaying forward.

"Katherine!" Freya dared to call her by name as she caught her. The pack members now knew her true identity.

"My lady!" The other women rushed to help as she nearly collapsed, dizziness blurring her vision.

"I’ve got her. She’s just exhausted."

Elliot had sprinted back down the stairs just in time to catch her.

"Lavinia…"

"Darling, she’s fine. She’s just recharging. She overloaded herself." He reassured her, cradling her in his arms, wrapping a blanket around her trembling body.

"Please, Lady Freya, change our daughter’s clothes so she doesn’t catch a cold. Take care of her. I’ll check on her in a moment."

Yet, just when their desperation was at its peak— The next morning, a messenger arrived from the royal palace.

Far from what the Duke of Everhart had expected—no death sentence, no investigation into the disappearance of the real Mr. Max—what he received was an urgent summons.

The Regent was ordering the full mobilization of his army… To defend the Elemental Realm in His Majesty’s name.

They were going to war against the Supernatural Realm. Elliot’s hands trembled as he read the official decree.

Did this mean… the impenetrable barrier would be opened? Was it possible for them to escape?

Thousands of possibilities surged through his chest as he watched the royal messenger gallop away.

He ran inside the castle, where his men had just returned safely from the swamp lands.

"Aldo, Tomas—read this!"

He handed them the document urgently.

Aldo’s dirty hands grasped the letter, his eyes catching the fire of excitement in the Duke’s pupils.

When they read the news, their eyes widened in equal disbelief.

"Do you think we can escape?" Aldo’s heart pounded, all three of them thrumming with the pure adrenaline of a possible chance at freedom.

"It’s a path. We need to be ready. Now, go! Summon Vittorio—our army must be prepared!"

Elliot took the stairs two at a time, the parchment burning in his grip, a rare smile breaking across his face— Hope igniting in his heart.