The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation

---- desperately craved. Centuries of servitude... had been far too cruel. Frederick lifted "the face" with trembling hands, revulsed by the cold, sticky skin. The worst part came when he turned it over and saw the black, shriveled veins reaching out from inside the flesh. He nearly vomited on the spot-not to mention the stench of death that oozed from it. But his premonitions had kept him alive so far.

He knew exactly when to redirect General Hagen's attention to his friend's wife, so that bastard vampire wouldn't lay eyes on Aghata. He didn't hesitate to betray Dracomir's father when he was caught by one of the Lord's soldiers and cornered. He wasn't going to die playing the loyal friend. Yes, he wanted to escape slavery, but first he needed to stay alive... and protect his woman. But things got complicated. ---- His daughter was born...

and for the first time, he understood what it meant to be a real father. Then came the worst. Frederick found out one of the nobles had marked Celia to be his blood slave. He put himself in his former friend's shoes... the helplessness of knowing he couldn' protect his family. That's why this time, he truly was willing to rebel alongside Dracomir and escape the fortress.noveldrama

Frederick used the "Face of the Damned" and learned where the Vampire Lord had drawn the power to rule over the most powerful fief in the realm. Through that relic that chained so many witches, he uncovered prophecies and forbidden spells. He was able to forge magic, even though he wasn't borna sorcerer. 'That first time, Frederick dropped to his knees, wanting to scream, to rip off the living mask that clung to his face.

The dried veins stabbed into his skin like needles and began sucking his blood greedily. ---- But then came the revelations... and the whispers of countless ghostly voices. 'They wanted freedom, something the Vampire Lord would never give them, so they turned to him. Inexchange, they'd make him the next Lord. All the secrets he knew, he owed to them. At least, the ones his mind could handle without shattering.

That's how he learned about the incredible power that had mysteriously appeared in one of the underground tunnels. He had to find it. Only a wolf with a pure heart could plead for the Gods' blessing. Then he could control that beast, deceive him, manipulate him into protecting his family. He would be the true master in the shadows. The witches' oracle had given him every step to follow... and he obeyed. He planned coldly, waited patiently, betrayed without blinking.

---- But this time, not only his own kind. He betrayed the Vampire Lord too, who never imagined that a cunning rat had snuck into the chamber of his greatest weapon. The Damned... no longer served him.»