The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 111: Chapter 111

"The king hasn't spoken to me since last night," Arianna said to Selene as they stood in the garden, her voice edged with concern. "I haven't seen him either."
Then she turned to face Selene fully, a hard expression on her face. "I thought you said the Ouroboros wanted nothing but peace-that they were trying to settle with the Moon Realm, not assault it."
"Aria, I have no idea what's going on," Selene said, shaking her head. "I'll have to wait for the Grand Lord to return with him."
Arianna let out a long breath. Worry gnawed at every inch of her. Now, it would be even harder if anyone found out about her hidden blood.
The Emissaries had caught the Ouroboros. Ancient Lycans must have found out, and the hatred within might have doubled.
She might never be accepted. Her relationship with Duncan might be ruined, or...
"Aria," Selene's voice snapped her back. "Your hair. You should dye it again; more of it..." she paused, "is turning silver. I'm sorry."
"You should have ended me," Arianna muttered, and Selene's eyes widened.
"What? Why would you say that?"
"I don't belong anywhere!" Arianna snapped, her voice rising. "I'm half there and half here-two realms that hate each other to the core. Two worlds that will never accept one another. I stand in between; do you know how suffocating that is?"
With a heartbroken look, Selene bit her tongue. "I do understand, Aria... truly, I do."
"No, you don't!" Arianna cut her off, her breath shaky. "It's just too much, Selene. Knowing that one day the truth will spill, and when it does, everything will crumble at my feet. I don't know where to stand; everything spins without making any sense. Why do the heavens have to be so cruel?"
Arianna took a deep breath, pinning her gaze to the sun disappearing on the horizon, its yellow and orange hues casting a warm glow over the land.
It was a beautiful sight, but it did nothing to ease the ache in her chest.
Finally, Selene's voice broke the silence. "You know what, Aria? You're right."
Arianna looked at her.
"You're right. The heavens are cruel. Life is cruel. And this world-this realm we live in-it feeds on cruelty like it's air. You're bound to feel frustrated."
A beat of silence passed, and Arianna wondered where Selene was heading.
"But Aria... you are still here." Selene's eyes flashed with admiration. "Trust me, I doubted you the moment you declined my request and stayed, even though you knew the king might end you right there," Selene murmured with a rare smile. "You're the bravest I've ever seen. From entering the king's chamber, surviving the deadly part of being a slave, handling a revelation that tore you apart... you freed yourself, defeated those who betrayed you, and now you stand as the king's woman."
Arianna felt tears burn in her eyes. The lump in her throat tightened. "I did... but it feels like my luck is running out."
"You've felt that many times, but here you are. And even though it feels like everything might be crumbling, there's still a part of you that wants to push on, Aria."
Selene moved closer, reaching for her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "That part is what you should hold onto. Do what you want, and I will stand between heaven and earth to protect you. Not because my goddess asked me to... but because you are Arianna Greystone, and you've won this old woman's heart."
"Oh, Selene." Arianna couldn't hold back the tears any longer; they cascaded down her cheeks like a river.
Selene's own eyes welled up, but her smile remained. She pulled Arianna into a warm embrace, stroking her hair gently.
"You're doing well, Aria."
"Thank you, Selene," she whispered in a choked voice before breaking the hug and wiping her tears. It felt as though her shattered courage had somehow pieced itself back together.
"The full moon is close. I'll head back and find Duncan," Arianna said, and Selene inclined her head slightly.
"Very well, my lady."
••••••••••••
The imposing gates opened, letting the horses ride in, their hooves echoing across the stones of the courtyard.
Lucas dismounted, his boots landing with a soft thud.
A servant approached, taking the horses away while Lucas watched one of the warriors sling the unconscious prisoner-the Ouroboros, his head covered with a bag-over his shoulder and carry him toward the dungeon.
"Welcome, my Lord," Falcon greeted as he approached Lucas.
"The King?" was Lucas's first question.
"His Highness is in his chamber. He's alright," Falcon replied-brief, but enough.
Lucas nodded and glanced at the sky. The full moon was close, and he could feel its presence slowly creeping into his bones.
"What would you like me to do, my Lord?" Falcon asked, already sensing the situation.
Lucas paused, then said, "Bring me a female. Don't be late."
Stepping into his chamber, Lucas bathed first, washing off the dirt from his travels. The water had already been prepared-warm and soothing, easing his tense muscles.
Then it hit him: the Ouroboros still existed beyond the realm.
That was the only thing they had said-nothing more. Tomorrow, a proper investigation would be held, likely by the King himself.
Duncan might not take that revelation well. Lucas wondered if his friend was truly alright after reading his message.
But how had they never known until now? Questions swirled in his mind, making his head spin.
A groan escaped his lips as his Lycan stirred beneath the surface, a clear sign of restlessness.
Lucas got out of the tub, put on his robe, and stepped out into the room.
His feet carried him back and forth restlessly. He needed a female, just like during the last full moon. The bloodhunt wouldn't satisfy him this time.
The last one had helped-not completely, but more than the hunt ever did.
Lucas waited.
Where the hell is Falcon?
Hungry! his Lycan roared impatiently beneath the surface.
Finally, a knock sounded at his door.
"Come in," Lucas growled, gripping the table tightly, his eyes shut as he drew in several breaths to calm his raging beast.
But then, his golden eyes snapped open at the scent that filled the room.
He sniffed sharply-once, twice, three times-before whipping his gaze toward the door, where Lylah stood, her excited expression shifting into concern.
"Lord Lucas?" she asked, taking a step forward.
"What are you doing here?!" he snapped, his voice icy, freezing her in place.
"I-I heard you had returned and wanted to see you... Are you alright?..."
"Get out, Lylah!" he cut her off, but instead of leaving, her eyes dropped to his claws digging into the wooden table.
"Didn't you hear me?! I said get out, Lylah!" he seethed.
Move, Lylah. Fucking move your feet!
She heard her own mind as clearly as day. Every instinct screamed for her to bolt out of the room. It was the full moon-yeah, she knew. But her excitement had gotten the best of her, leading her straight to his chamber just to greet him before heading back to her own.
However, her limbs refused to obey.
She didn't know if it was the Grand Lord's intense gaze that froze her... or if she was simply crazy enough to stay... with him.
Then he moved-too fast for her eyes to catch.
Her back hit the door with the force of his sudden strike.
One moment, Lord Lucas was at the table, and the next, he had shoved her against the wall, his hand gripping her neck with no escape.
His figure loomed over her like a death blanket, making her freeze and tremble.
Oh heavens! Was she going to die?!
His nose pressed hard against her neck.
He sniffed.
Then again.
And again-letting out a low, guttural growl that sent a shiver down her spine.
A crazed, dangerous grin spread across Lucas's lips,
revealing his hideous fangs.
Then he muttered against Lylah's neck, his voice husky and hungry:
"Why the hell do you smell so fucking good?"