The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 126: Chapter 126

It had been five days since her betrothal. Duncan watched the passion in Arianna and how she put her all into whatever Selene was teaching her.
Her dragon was still not fully connected with her—it was a gradual process due to her Alpha blood, according to Selene. More of her hair had turned silver, but Nyra helped dye it to conceal her identity for now.
“She will be great,” Lucas said beside him.
Duncan, not realizing when his friend had come to stand next to him, didn’t bother glancing his way, keeping his gaze fixed on Arianna talking with her sister.
“I know,” Duncan muttered under his breath.
Silence settled between them, both watching the girls.
“How is the investigation of that elder going? Have they found the culprit yet?” Duncan asked.
“None, Your Highness. I'm still wondering why anyone would abduct one of her pack’s elders,” Lucas sighed.
“It’s because of Arianna. They’re trying to dig up something about her,” Duncan replied, recalling Arianna’s mention that the elder had supported betraying her after discovering she was a half-blood bastard.
Could that be the reason? He needed to dig deeper—and once he found the culprit, he wouldn’t be merciful.
From a distance, Arianna glanced at him, waved, and blew him a kiss.
Duncan pretended to catch it and placed it over his heart with a smile. Arianna laughed—her voice distant, but beautiful.
“Urgh... she is so pretty,” Duncan breathed.
Lucas looked at the king as though he had grown a second head. "Oh my, this is so hard to watch,” He mumbled.
Duncan’s expression returned to its usual cold one as he shifted his gaze back to Lucas.
“I kind of read some interesting books,” Duncan said, and Lucas looked at him with another new kind of shock.
Lucas sighed again. “Seriously, does the king have a twin I don’t know about?”
“Go find a woman,” Duncan snapped.
Lucas scoffed. “Sounds easy.”
“I gave you a chance. The Alpha daughters I invited—but you asked me to go ahead and cancel their invites,” Duncan raised a brow.
“It’s hard to let someone in. You know that,” Lucas replied.
Duncan sighed, understanding him. It wasn’t easy for him either, but he really wished Lucas would open his heart to someone.
“I wonder if Lylah will be alright in her match tomorrow,” Lucas mumbled again, eyes fixed on the girl.
“You said it yourself—she’s a born warrior,” Duncan replied, beginning to leave, and Lucas followed.
“You and the king's relationship is starting to remind me of Mom and Dad,” Lylah said, and Arianna glanced up from the scroll.
“Hm,” Arianna smiled. “It’s a beautiful thing—when you’re with the right person.”
“Sure it is,” Lylah clicked her tongue, glancing up at the sky as a name flashed through her mind. Her smile instantly disappeared.
“It seems you're thinking of someone.”
“No!” Lylah quickly replied, letting out an awkward, soft laugh afterward.
“You laugh after lying,” Arianna sat up. “Woah, is my sister falling for someone… Ouuu… who is he?”
Lylah shook her head. “I’m not thinking of anyone.”
“C’mon, little bear. Who is he?”
Lylah sighed, knowing her sister wouldn’t give up. “Someone impossible.”
Arianna scoffed. “No one is impossible. The king was impossible once—and here we are. Now, tell me his name.”
“Why should I, when you never told me the head maid was one of you?”
Arianna paled. “What? How did you find out?”
“She told me,” Lylah replied, sounding hurt. “I wonder why you never did. Don’t you trust me?”
“I do, of course I…” Arianna sighed. “I just didn’t want to expose someone else’s identity.”
Lylah nodded with understanding. However, Arianna’s face contorted with worry as she dropped the scroll.
“Are you sure you still want to spar with the head warrior tomorrow, without a wolf?”
Lylah took a deep breath. “For the millionth time, Aria—yes. I’m not changing my mind… I’m going to do it.”
Arianna bit down her lip, still worried. Yeah, Lylah was strong. She had seen her train with the Beta a few times and was shocked by how much she'd improved in combat.
But still, Lylah hadn’t gotten her wolf yet and was about to face a Lycan—the head warrior, no less.
“I’ve got to go train and see Brigid. She has some strategies to teach me,” Lylah said, rising to her feet.
Hearing the name, Arianna asked, “How’s Brigid? It’s been a while since I’ve seen her. Selene is quite worried about her too. I hope she’s alright?”
“Yeah, she’s fine,” Lylah said, eyes squinting slightly. “Probably just needed some time to herself.”
“Alright… my regards to her.”
With that, Lylah left.
••••••••
Next day...
The Barrack was a little chaotic than expected.
The duel was taking place in the large training ground, with only a few spectators since it was just a short match. The audience consisted mostly of warriors, including Lucas and the King himself.
Word had spread like wildfire—maids, servants, and soldiers whispered about it.
A young warrior without a wolf was about to face the head warrior. How crazy did that sound?
‘She’s too full of herself. Just because the Grand Lord let her win that night doesn’t mean the head warrior will go easy on her.’
‘She definitely has a death wish.’
‘Is it because her sister is the King’s betrothed? Does she think she'll get favouritism?’
‘I heard the King is among the audience, including the Beta. She’s about to embarrass herself.’
‘Oh dear… I’m so curious how this match is going to go.’
The head warrior stood tall, muscles rippling beneath his clothes. His aura exuded menace. The scar on his face made him look so fucking intimidating.
When the Grand Lord told him Lylah Greystone was going to spar with him, he thought it was a joke. But Lord Lucas wasn’t the joking type. He really was going to spar with the same girl he once called pathetic.
Standing on the ground, he still felt like this was some kind of a trick.
Arianna found Lylah preparing, wrapping a white cloth around her wrists.
Lylah sighed. “It feels like I’m crazy.”
“We both are,” Arianna said with a light chuckle.
“I’m…” Lylah let out a shaky breath. “Pretty scared.”
The brave Lylah would always show her true self to her sister.
“That’s completely normal,” Arianna said, approaching and poking a finger at her chest. “With that spirit of yours, you’ll pull this off.”
Lylah’s smile widened, her courage returning. She hugged her sister. “Thank you.”
“Go show them what you've got,” Arianna said, ruffling her hair.
Lylah’s eyes blazed with determination. She picked up her dagger and headed to the ground where the fight would take place.
All eyes turned toward her as she stepped into the light.
On the floor above, among the crowd, Toran sneaked in to watch. It was too interesting to miss. Who wouldn't want to?
Unfortunately, it turned out to be a big mistake, because as his eyes scanned the crowd, they landed on the King…
Staring right back at him.
Those golden menace eyes locked onto his soul.
Squinting like a devil who had just spotted prey.
Holy shit! Fuck!
Toran quickly backed away. He had been avoiding crossing paths with the King or Lucas, keeping a low profile.
Unlucky for him, Duncan’s jaw clenched as he mindlinked the head guard, Falcon.
*Get me Toran Venis.*
Meanwhile, on the ground, the head warrior and Lylah stood face-to-face. The warrior held a sword, while Lylah gripped a dagger.
Lucas watched with a calm expression.
Tension hung in the air like fog, clading it like a second skin.
Then came the order.
“Fight!”