The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 300

VALERIA

Silas, sitting beside her, holding her hand, has slowly been integrating into the family, though it’s obvious he still prefers to isolate himself with Sigrid.

My eyes linger on him for a second, and I can’t help the pang of sadness that hits me.

"Vale, you’re doing it again." Aldric warns me, and I immediately avert my gaze.

Silas came to me in secret—he wants my help with our Selenia magic.

He still has hope that he can be cured, that he might be able to give my daughter pups, and that filled me with deep sorrow.

Sigrid doesn’t know he’s asking for my help; Silas doesn’t want to give her false hope.

I promised to keep quiet, but I can’t hide something this important from Aldric. At first, he completely shut down. I thought he wouldn’t understand.

He barely spoke for an entire day, devastated, but the next day, Sigrid invited him to run as wolves, just the two of them.

I don’t know what happened, what they talked about.

But when he returned, he was calmer and accepted the situation. He told me he would support me however necessary.

But if Sigrid, such a powerful Selenia, hasn’t been able to heal her mate, I doubt any of us can. Still, I will never give up—I’ll do everything in my power to help them.

I’m considering seeking out the most powerful white sorceress, whose magic is primarily for healing.

“What…? What is this?” Zarek’s stunned voice pulls me from my thoughts.

I smile slightly at his usually impassive face; however, right now, his eyes are wide, confused, as he lifts the tiny pink garment.

“It’s a pup onesie. Are your eyes failing you already, old man?” my daughter teases, mocking him, despite being his much older mate.

At least I’m glad she isn’t upset, especially with Celine’s news.

“Whose gift is it, prince?” I ask, and the fool glances back at the red box with a black ribbon from which he pulled the baby clothes.

“It’s… from Celine…” he stares at her, then at her belly “But… but I didn’t sense it, I… are you… are you pregnant?”

Dave can’t hold back his snort, and despite his respect for Zarek, everyone bursts into laughter at his shocked expression.

“Yes, my love, we’re having a little vampiress,” Celine approaches him with a smile.

I see Silas lift a hand slightly; he was the one who helped her hide the pregnancy from Zarek, even within his own castle.

That man is far too powerful. Too bad that… no, I better not dwell on it.

Zarek drops to one knee before Celine. Now he can finally sense the tiny life growing inside her.

He touches her stomach gently over her dress, almost as if afraid she might break. He presses his face close and inhales deeply before kissing her belly softly.

Celine threads her fingers through his dark hair. Their love radiates so intensely that it washes over all of us.

“Darling! Hahaha!” Celine squeals when he lifts her up, spinning her around, laughing out loud.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like this, so euphoric.

He thanks his mate, kissing her lips, and Celine clings to him. It’s beautiful.

But I glance sideways at my daughter, searching for any trace of sadness in her eyes.

I don’t see it. I don’t know if she has truly come to terms with it or if she’s learned to lie to me.

Silas keeps his usual serious expression.

Celine and Zarek are going to be parents.

The best birthday gift for a being who spent millennia chained away.

*****

I stand near the balcony, taking in the fresh air, my soul full as I watch my family.

Aldric had to step away for a moment to discuss a border issue with Quinn.

"No, no, never. And I never blamed her either, Mom…"

"I know, I know, my daughter. My Valeria is so good," her fingers brushed my cheeks. She suddenly looked at me in a strange way.

She was my mother… I don’t know why, but now she gave me a weird feeling, though not a bad one.

It was a deep sense of peace and positive energy, a warmth radiating under her touch.

"I had a dream, Valeria. The Goddess spoke to me," she confesses, and I stare at her in amazement.

"What did she say?"

"Do you remember your gift when you passed the Selenia trial?"

"Yes, yes, she granted me great descendants, but Mother, phew, I think three is more than enough," I smile, making a joke that’s about 90% true.

"Then why not share that gift with someone else, someone who needs it more?" she whispers in my ear. "If you ask with enough strength, I am sure the Goddess will hear you and fulfill the desires of your heart."

She squeezes my shoulder firmly. My eyes meet hers—mysterious, as if an entire galaxy of silver stars were moving within them.

I open my mouth to ask more, but my mother steps away, leaving me alone and intrigued.

What was that? My gaze lifts to the sky.

The moon is nowhere to be seen. In an instant, the world feels plunged into deep darkness, hidden behind thick clouds.

Even so, I close my eyes tightly and surround myself with my Selenia magic.

"Powerful Goddess, benefactress and creator of all supernatural beings, your daughter Valeria speaks to you. Please, the blessing you have granted me, for which I am deeply grateful, I beg you to transfer it to my daughter Sigrid. She is good, your warrior, who fought to mend the mistakes of all,"

I murmur, pleading with all my soul.

"Heal her mate, that elemental who has suffered so much and deserves his complete happiness, his children who will forge a kingdom as it was always meant to be—Elementals and Supernaturals united."

I begged with all my strength, until exhaustion, feeling a luminous light shining over my body. Hope beats in my heart. Anything is possible—you just have to wish for it hard enough.