COMPLICES VALERIA After making the boldest agreement of my life , Aldric left and asked the innkeeper to prepare a hot bath . I appreciated the gesture and sank into the soothing water up to my neck , alone in the room , sighing in relief . I didnt want to think about anything , but as I raised the hand where I had been burned by that strange stone , I realized it was almost fully healed . I touched my neck too no pain . All my wounds and bruises were healing fast , faster than ever before , except for the most serious and old scars . It was the power of the Lycan , I knew it well . I also remembered all the strange things I had experienced . My memories of the specter attack were hazy , but one thing was certain I faced it, and I even think it feared me . What am I , really ? No one can ever know about this . Absolutely no one . Everyone connected with those creatures and vampires is executed without question . That order had been given by none other than the King himself . And I am right by his side . Aldric can never discover my oddities . www I rose from the bathtub and grabbed the towel from the screen along with my clothes , ready to change . The moment I stepped out , drying my hair , there was a sudden knock at the door . I answered confidently , thinking it was the innkeeper coming to empty the tub . I froze when I saw Guardian Quinn standing there . Y Your Excellency ? What are you doing here ? I asked , surprised , then realized my rudeness . Why ? Am I interrupting something between you and the King ? he asked bluntly , stepping inside without waiting for an apology , his sharp gaze immediately scanning the bed and my clothes . I felt judged . His tone was cold , nothing like the sunny Lycan he usually was . Of course not , Your Majesty has gone out , I replied respectfully , lowering my gaze but matching his coldness . After a few tense seconds , he sighed . I apologize , Valeria . Im frustrated by other matters and took it out on you . Im here because the King called me , he explained , and I nodded without holding a grudge His Majesty is likely handling pack business . You can find him at the Alphas house , I informed him . No , Im more interested in the Goddesss Altar he mentioned in his message . I want to inspect it . Would you take me there ? I saw no reason to refuse . Honestly , I wanted to see it again too . A few minutes later , I came down the stairs , meeting him the inns reception area IF my roommate returns , please tell him I went to the old temple , I instructed the innkeeper , who nodded . 1/3 +25 BONUS COMPLICES Quinn and I walked through the packs streets toward the forest . You share a room with the King ? Why sleep so uncomfortably ? he asked along the way , so I explained the issue with the limited rooms . He fell silent and didnt press further , which I appreciated , When we finally reached the ancient temple , Quinn immediately approached the stone , inspecting the carvings closely . I climbed the worn steps as well , standing nearby , listening to him mutter . Can you read it ? I asked , surprised . This entire tragedy had unfolded because no one seemed capable of deciphering the writing . More or less . Its an ancient language , lost to time . Only fragments remain , and Ive studied them out of fascination . Thats why His Majesty called me , he explained , and the doubts in my mind grew . Then how on earth can I understand it all ? I watched him scribble notes in a small notebook , clearly misunderstanding many parts . He had no clue what he was reading . How can I casually reveal this without putting myself in danger ? Staying silent was an option , but my gut told me it wasnt the right one , not when the enemy was seeking this information . L … I can understand some of it too , I suddenly admitted , making his golden eyes widen as they snapped to mine . My father … he was a scholar too . He taught me some lessons about this mysterious language when I was a child , I invented the lie on the spot , but his intense stare made me nervous . Im terrible at lying . Did he catch me ? I see . Thats … helpful . Then perhaps you could assist me with this phrase here ? He pointed to a section of the carvings . I leaned closer , pretending to think hard . I made it seem like it was difficult , though I knew exactly what it said . … and to the skies , it shall rise … like an eagle taking flight I recited it as if unsure , though I was certain . Quinns face darkened , and he suddenly grabbed my arm , squeezing it firmly , Valeria , never never tell anyone you can read this , he warned gravely . This is a dead language , used only by beings of darkness vampires , specters , and creatures more terrible than you can imagine . My heart pounded in fear . I couldnt hide it as I tried to pull away from his grip . No, my father- Dont lie to me again . The only traces of this dark script in the entire kingdom are locked away in our private library . Its impossible for your father to have studied it less he had ties to the Dark Realm . COMPLICES +25 BONUS I shook my head frantically , panic rising . That accusation would ruin my parents memory completely . … What will you do with me now ? Just tell me … how do you know this language : I swear , I have no connection to the Vampire Kingdom ! 1 … I just understand whats written here . It was the truth . But I was still trembling , gnawing on my lower lip , ready to bolt . Calm down , Valeria . Breathe , he finally released me . Dont be scared . I wont expose you . Your secret is safe with me but you must keep this from the King . He hates the Dark Kingdom more than anyone . Why would you keep a secret that could be considered treason ? Youre a Guardian … I stepped back , still unsure . Because I like you , Valeria . Ive liked you from the start . I have no intention of harming you . If you keep quiet , not one will ever hear about this from me . Besides … its good to have someone who shares my passion for this language and can help me decipher it . 1 nodded slowly , watching him closely . I wasnt sure if he was being truthful but I had already put the noose around my neck . Thank you , Guardian Quinn , I whispered , genuinely grateful . He didnt seem like a bad man . But Ive been wrong before If youre truly grateful , help me figure this out . Its incredibly complex . This altar seems to be from when the kingdoms were still united , he requested . And since I was already in this mess … I had no choice but to dive in . I knelt beside him and began helping him decode the stones tale . Why does the King hate them so much ? I finally blurted out . Quinn hesitated . Because … vampires slaughtered his newborn pups in their cradle . He walked in on them . In his rage , he lost . control of his Lycan form , slaughtering the vampires but someone else also entered the room during his frenzy His mate . The mother of his children . And she died … under his claws . VALERIA IS MINE VALERIA I froze at Quinns words . He kept deciphering the message , but my mind could only think about what the King must have felt when his children were murdered , and he had to take his mates life with his own hands . I know all too well that soul crushing pain that leaves you wanting nothing but death . Aldric had it even worse I didnt carry my baby in my womb for long- He held his pups in his hands and loved his woman . She didnt betray him like I was betrayed . She didnt deserve to die . She was his mate , so he had a companion , surely a beautiful female who shared his bed , his dreams , his life . Someone he truly cherished . Someone who bore his children . Why did I feel so bitter inside ? I raised my hand and touched my scars . I had never cared about them before , but now , comparing myself to a poor deceased woman , all kinds of insecurities tightened around my heart . « Idiot , how can you even compare yourself to her ? Aldric will never see you that way . Dont get your hopes up I scolded myself and forced my focus back on the text I had practically memorized by now . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!