The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin novel Chapter 51

ROYCE.

“Give me a minute, I need to check if my sister is alright.” I say, knowing I sound cold, but I need a moment, turning I leave the room.

Prescott is pacing the hall, but I can tell he’s mind linking. He’s frowning, and I can sense his worry. He sighs and runs his fingers through his beard.

“Has my sister arrived yet?” I ask him when he finally turns to me.

“She’s on her way. The two bodies have been collected and the king ordered them to be brought here…” He hesitates.

There’s something different in his behaviour. He’s different from the panicked Alpha I had seen when I came in. He looks almost uneasy.

“What is it?” I ask, frowning.

“There’s… there was no sign of this apparent monster, Alpha Arden.” He says quietly.

I frown as I look up at him sharply. “What do you mean there was no sign of the body? I killed it. It was there.”

“Ah yes… you did say that… but there is nothing in the woods.” He huffs, shaking his head. “However, my men have brought Skyla Rossi’s car and cat here for the time being, until the King gives us further instructions. But your story is… intriguing.”

How?

I shake my head. Maybe it did disappear, but there were clear signs of mass destruction.

“There was blood everywhere. The entire area in the woods was destroyed, so many trees were ripped up and the bodies of two young girls were found. That is enough proof that the unseen monster was there. Your men saw that at least, correct?” I ask.

He shakes his head slowly. “No, I have no idea what part of the woods you mean, Alpha Royce. As for these bodies, that is all there was. Just two girls murdered.” There’s a suspicious look in his eyes and I frown.

“Murdered.”

What is he insinuating?

“Yes, perhaps someone did this…”

My heart thuds. What is going on?

“She’s been poisoned… is that not proof enough?”

“By a venom that the Ardens possess, your father, Alpha Kenneth, was adamant to attain that venom from past attacks, to perform some tests on.” A second voice says from behind me. I turn and look at the head warrior of the Luminaria pack.

To create an anti-venom, exactly what I used on Skyla.

“Care to explain?” Prescott asks.

I shake my head. A few loose strands of my makeshift bun fall in front of my forehead.

“When people have their minds made up, you can declare the truth or present proof, but they will not listen. The small-minded will still believe and stick to the first version of the story they heard.”

He looks offended at my words, but I really am not in the mood.

There’s a lot more I want to say but I bite my tongue. If they are so untrusting of us, why even let Dad on the council?

I know the answer… They had needed the investment from the Arden Empire for the startup of the academies… it was a business deal. Everyone is the same in the end...

“Are you insinuating that we are small-minded Alpha Royce?”

“No, I was talking about the chickens in your pen,” I reply sarcastically.

He looks confused, and I internally roll my eyes.

What a bloody idiot.

“I have nothing more to say. I will take my sister and take my leave. Thank you for being understanding and allowing me to bring the princess here.”

“Not so fast.” Alejandro’s cold voice comes from behind me, fuck I didn’t even notice when he opened the door.

I’m about to turn to him when I’m called.

“Royce!”

I turn to see a shivering Charlotte running down the hallway, a look of worry and panic on her face, and she’s soaked. Her hair sticks to her face as she rubs her arms, trying to keep herself warm.

That’s not how I’m used to seeing her, and I hate seeing her like that.

She reaches me, and I pull her close, hugging her tightly.

“Royce, it’s gone! The snake is gone!” Her heart is pounding as she looks up at me.

I frown, looking down at her.

“Don’t worry, it’s going to be fine.” I say, kissing her forehead. I draw some of the water off her, but I can’t do much, not when there’s an audience. “Can we get some dry clothes for her?” I ask Prescott.

I don’t want her to get ill, until she shifts, she can catch common illnesses.

“Of course.” He says, and I’m grateful he isn’t punishing Charlotte, despite his suspicion towards me.

“Let’s step back inside and talk.” Alejandro says.

That’s a clear command.

Just then a nurse hurries over with a towel and some hospital scrubs for Charlotte. I Guess Prescott's mind linked someone fast.

Charlotte’s eyebrow cocks up at the sight of them, but she accepts them.

“Thank you.” She says politely, but I don’t think she’ll be putting them on.

Looking back at Alejandro, I give a small nod.

Best we get this over with.

Taking a silent, steady breath, I step back into the room where the women have somehow got Sky into a hospital gown. The sheets are changed, and her hair is completely dry.

Her scent is soothing, but relief floods me when I hear her steady breathing.

She’s alright… Thank god, fuck she scared me…

Alejandro closes the door after us and Charlotte moves away from me as she begins to towel dry her hair, shivering.

“Would you like me to dry you?” Delsanra asks her.

“Uh no, I know how to use a towel.” Charlotte says, tossing her wet hair over her shoulder.

Delsanra smiles. “I meant with a little magic like I used on Skyla.” She says, pointing to the bed.

Now that made sense.

“Oh sure, I hate feeling so sticky and wet.” Charlotte scrunches her nose, placing the towel and clothes down.

Kiara smiles gently from where she’s sitting on the chair, looking exhausted as she holds her daughter’s hand.

Delsanra mutters something before Charlotte’s clothes and hair become dry within seconds.

Nice.

“Oh wow, thank you.” Charlotte says, running her fingers through her hair.

“What would you like to talk about?” I ask Alejandro.

It’s hard being in the same room as Skyla and keeping my distance.

“What exactly happened that sent Skyla to death’s door?” Alejandro asks, his eyes glimmering red as his aura fills the room.

It takes me a few seconds to realise he has enforced his Alpha command.

“The fact that you need to use your Alpha command on me to get the answers you seek… shows you don’t trust me. Why not wait for Skyla to wake up and ask her yourself.” I say, my voice softening when I mention her.

“Alejandro, he saved her… please.” Kiara says, standing up. She kisses Skyla’s forehead before she comes over and stands beside her mate.

“I agree. My brother did everything to protect your daughter, including leaving me in the soaking rain, and he told me to call you so I’d rethink my attitude if I were you.” Charlotte says haughtily with a toss of her hair.

I look at her sharply.

“Charlotte.” I warn her.

Does she know who he is?

“No, I’m not allowing anyone to talk down to you. You should go pick on someone your own age King Alejandro. And yes, I said age, not size.” She says, casting a pointed look at Alejandro.

I’m about to pull her behind me when I’m surprised to see Alejandro smirking.

“I like that spark, kid, but I’m not doubting him. I’m just… being a father. Seeing Skyla in this state… it isn’t fucking easy.”

That was not how I was expecting him to react.

“Yeah, it clearly wasn’t easy for my brother, too.” Charlotte adds with a pout.

Ok, now she’s making matters worse.

I feel both women’s eyes turn to me, and although I want to say Skyla is my student, the words just don’t come, so I stay quiet.

“She tends to be a little dramatic.” I say instead, tilting my head towards Charlotte. My gaze flits to the bed, and I swallow.

I want to hold her…

“So, this is Kenneth’s little girl. He likes to keep you hidden away now, doesn’t he? What’s your name?”

“Charlotte Sophia Arden,” She declares,

“Beautiful name,” Kiara says with a smile. “I’m Kiara.”

“I know, you're pretty.” Charlotte replies, turning to Delsanra. “White hair, magic powers. You’re the Hybrid Luna…”

Delsanra smiles. “Yes, I am, I’m Delsanra Rossi.”

The females continue their introductions and lightly talk, and I find myself turning my attention to Skyla.

Best to just tell them what I saw.

“I was taking Charlotte out for ice cream when Skyla’s voice came into my head…” I trail off.

As all eyes turn on me.

“In your head?” Charlotte asks, confused.

Alejandro looks at her, but before he can speak, I know what he’s going to say.

“Charlotte can be trusted.” I say quietly, looking him dead in the eye.

He frowns, but nods. “So, I’m assuming Skyla told you.”

I give a curt nod, not wanting to explain the situation that happened between us, that was between us.

“When I located her car, the back window was smashed, and there was a body on the floor, I heard the commotion and followed, there was another dead girl in the woods and just when Skyla came into view… I saw him swallow her whole. One second, she was up in the sky, the next she was gone.”

Reliving that moment makes my chest squeeze. “I ended up cutting his head off with my sword, and that’s when its body materialised. I don’t know how it has disappeared, but it was there.”

“And by being inside of it, her entire body was exposed to high levels of its venom…” Kiara murmurs, glancing over at her daughter. “Her body is still weakened, despite healing her.”

“Because that thing is not from our world.” Delsanra adds with a frown.

“Yes, that’s for sure. If you didn’t take measures, I don’t know if I would have been able to heal her to this extent.” Kiara whispers, looking at me.

Our eyes meet and I have a feeling she realised what I had done to Skyla’s body…

“Then you brought her here.” Alejandro states.

“Yes,” I reply simply.

Silence follows, and Alejandro sighs.

“At least it’s dead, or I fucking hope it is. Maybe it’s somehow still fucking out there. Alive. I mean, you know how these otherworld fuckers just don’t stay dead.”

I’m not sure… I fried the entire fucking thing…

“I hope not…” I say quietly.

“Well, even if it’s linked to Apophis, as Kataleya said, then who knows what was at work? Maybe some divine fucker took the body. Someone who doesn’t want that thing to be found or, then again, maybe the snake just feared your father, even in death. I mean, the fucker likes to experiment on every little shit he can get his hand on.” Alejandro smirks.

The words feel like a punch to the gut.

I know that about Dad. I’ve been his test subject for years…

I can hear Charlotte’s heart thud before she moves closer to me, her eyes filled with sadness as she wraps her arms around one of mine.

Kiara and Delsanra exchange looks, and Alejandro’s smirk fades as he watches us intently.

“So uh… Apophis, as in the Egyptian god of Chaos?” Charlotte asks, trying to lighten the tension.

Delsanra nods, as she crosses her arms.

“Yes, Apophis is one of the names of the god of darkness, chaos and monsters. Around the world, different cultures, religions and history itself will have their own take on mythology.” Delsanra takes a pause before continuing.

“For example, Apophis is the same as the Greek god Typhon, who is the god of darkness and monsters, mainly Apophis is tied to serpents, and some say he can take that form himself. Mythology changes over time and around the world. There are so many versions that not everything we know is the truth, but one thing is for certain, the serpent is what represents Apophis, darkness and chaos.” Delsanra explains.

I know witches are said to be smart, but I’m impressed, and what she said actually makes sense.

“So, Kataleya calling him Apophis, would mean, that is the name he recognises himself most by?” Kiara asks, frowning slightly.

“I would assume so.” Delsanra says.

I glance back at the bed. Her chest is rising and falling steadily, her pouty lips slightly parted.

Fuck.

I hate seeing her like this…

Charlotte digs her nails into my arm, and I’m snapped from my thoughts and look down at her. She side-eyes Alejandro and I glance at him, to see he’s watching me with that same calculating look.

Shoot.

“The weather is really bad, isn’t it?” Charlotte asks innocently, giving one of her gentlest smiles to Alejandro and I’m relieved when he turns his attention to her.

“Yeah, it is…” he says, before frowning slightly as he observes her. Something seems to cross his mind, his frown deepening, when the sound of a small whimper makes all our attention go to the bed.

My heart thuds as Skyla stirs slightly, her fingers moving, a small frown on her face before another little moan leaves her.

Sky…

Kiara and Delsanra rush to her side as I stay rooted in my spot.

“Royce…” Skyla whimpers.

My eyes widen as she murmurs my name, making all eyes turn back on me…