The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 124: Chapter 124

"Two of them," she replied, her voice barely a whisper. "A girl and a boy. I couldn't see their faces though, but… they were ours and… happy, playing in the garden while we watched."
He stayed silent again, and while Arianna tried to read him, they got interrupted by a knock on the door.
The guard announced the arrival of Lord Fredrick.
Duncan tore his gaze from her to the door momentarily, before shifting it back to Arianna.
"I’ll be right back," he said to her and rose from the bed, leaving the room.
Arianna sat up, staring at the door that closed behind him. Kids with Duncan? The thought of it was... oh, she couldn't describe it, but one thing was clear—she didn't hate it.
Now that he had marked her, there was a chance she'd carry his child.
Right! The mark!
Arianna flung the sheet covering her to one side and rushed to stand before the mirror. She swept her hair aside, and there it was.
The mark.
Her lips stretched into a smile. It was there. He had marked her.
However, her eyes squinted. The mark looked strange. Unlike the one she usually saw on her mother, the one on her neck looked a bit different…
Strong arms wrapped around her from behind.
"The mark," she muttered, worried. "It's different."
"It's like that because you haven't connected with your Dragon fully. Once that happens, the mate mark will be complete," he explained, and her heart sank.
The mark wasn’t complete because of her?
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Don't be." He turned her around, cupped her face, and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"It's your first day as my betrothed. Cheer up," he said to her.
She nodded, feeling her nerves soothed. There was something different... new. It was beautiful because she felt the pull between them growing stronger, and she knew he felt the same too.
Arianna’s betrothal spread like wildfire. The kingdom was happy—the king had finally found his mate—while a few thought it was a trick being played just to suppress the commotion.
But those nobles who witnessed the king smile publicly for the first time knew Arianna was indeed the mate the king had been searching for, for centuries.
Arianna received congratulations from every corner. Maids bowed as she passed and... two months ago, they had glared at her in disgust.
She then started the process. First, she would need to learn what it meant to be queen. She couldn’t wait to meet the teacher Duncan had prepared for her.
"Huh?" Arianna paused, staring at her teacher. "Selene?"
"Surprise," Selene smiled.
"I'll take my leave, my lady," Nyra said before leaving.
"You're the one who is going to..." Arianna was stunned. "How come?"
"I’m the only one the king trusts with you. He believes I won’t do anything to hurt you. Now that the Citadel knows you're the king's mate, those who are against it might find every possible means to pry," Selene explained. "It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, Aria. We'll figure out a way to have you connect fully with your dragon and at the same time build you up to be a queen."
They decided to take a little walk while discussing.
"Drakora is a queen; I've learned many things from her. I've seen a lot of Lunas, read about politics and their ways."
"You're sure a lot, Selene," Arianna’s voice tinged with admiration.
"Indeed I am, my lady."
Arianna paused and faced her fully. "Sorry about what I said the other day... about you choosing me or your goddess. That was quite unthoughtful of me."
"It's alright. I understand," Selene nodded.
"Aria!" Lylah’s voice sounded from a distance.
She approached with Elder Varyn.
"Lylah," Arianna chuckled, hugging her.
"Future Queen, huh? I told you, didn’t I?" Lylah raised a teasing brow.
Arianna chuckled, then faced Elder Varyn. "You're here."
"My lady," Elder Varyn gave her a respectful bow. Arianna did the same, and they straightened up. "I came to congratulate you in person. You have no idea how big this is. You're the king’s mate."
"I am," Arianna nodded. Even after all this while, the news was overwhelming—hearing it over and over again.
Duncan was hers.
While watching Arianna discuss with Elder Varyn, Selene’s mind drifted to Eryndor and she lifted her gaze to the sky.
Ever since she had sent it to Drakora the night she told Arianna about her bloodline, it hadn't returned.
Was everything alright beyond the realm?
••••••••
That night, Lylah had a training session with Lucas.
This time, they were about to spar.
"Are you really sure you don't want to wait for your wolf before challenging the—"
"I don't want to," Lylah stated firmly, wrapping a fabric around both her wrists. "My sister will become Queen someday, and I need to be a warrior before then."
Lucas tilted his head curiously. "Why are you so adamant about becoming a warrior because of your sister?"
Lylah blinked, not expecting the question. "She... she is all I have left," she muttered. "And she is the only one I look up to."
Lucas’ gaze softened, then he threw a dagger at her, which she caught swiftly.
"Come at me," Lucas ordered.
Lylah's eyes blazed with determination. Her hold on the dagger tightened, and she bolted to attack.
Unlike the first time they met, Lylah was crazy fast. It was hard to tell if she had a wolf or not.
Impression glittered in Lucas’ eyes as he caught the hand she swung to slash his face. However, Lylah dropped the dagger to her other hand below and swung again, barely missing Lucas.
She pulled off some crazy moves—moves that were new.
Lucas’ lips tugged into a smile of admiration mid-strike. He stopped her next attack and swept her feet off the ground, sending her crashing to the floor.
Lylah shut her eyes, breathing heavily. They had been training for hours now, and she had pushed herself too hard despite her aching bones.
Lucas crouched before her. "Those moves?"
"A book my sister gave me," she smiled satisfactorily. "I'm glad I was able to pull it off."
"Hm... You really think you can face the head warrior, little wolf? He's stronger than you think."
"Being a warrior isn't about being strong. It's about not giving up," she replied, and he smiled.
Lucas smiled more often these days, and it stirred something within her whenever he did.
"Good luck. Just don't die out there," he muttered.
"Is the grand, handsome lord worried about me?" she grinned.
He didn't reply; he just simply tsked before straightening up to leave.
Lylah's smile widened. Deciding to stay a little longer on the floor, she placed her hands behind her head, staring at the night sky.
Everything seemed to be going beautifully right now. Aria would be becoming not just any Luna, but the Luna of Lunas, and she, on the other hand...
Would finally spar with the Head Warrior soon and get her chance to become an official warrior.
It scared her.
A female without a wolf facing a Lycan. How crazy that sounded.
But she was going to do it anyway. If she lost, she'd try again. If she wins, then so be it.
Someone stepped beside her, hovering over.
"Hey."
Lylah’s eyes met with a familiar figure.
Lylah rose to her feet, facing the girl she hadn't seen, heard from, or talked to in more than two weeks.
"I came to apologize, Lylah," Brigid muttered. "I hope you forgive me and take me back as a friend."