The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

An Alpha daughter?
The spokesman, gave Arianna a skeptical look. He had sensed no wolf from her.
“State your crime before the king,” he ordered.
Arianna took a deep breath. “My crime was trusting the wrong people. I let the wrong person into my heart. They betrayed me and took my pack away from me. I barely escaped with my life before being sold to the Citadel.”
To satisfy your rut, Your Majesty. Her mind added the unspoken truth, though voicing it would be a death sentence. A slave’s word held no weight, especially one with no proof.
She had long made up her mind. She would rather die than admit to being a traitor. She was never one.
"You’re accused of treason—betraying your pack for selfish reasons. Now you stand before the Grand Court, claiming it was all a lie?" one of the Lords seated at the altar at the left side of the King questioned.
"Do you have any idea of what you're getting yourself into? The consequences of your words?" asked another Lord seated beside him.
"Do you have any proof of your claim?"
Arianna drew a deep breath. "No, my Lord... Neither is there any proof of my treason."
The Lord who spoke frowned deeply.
How bold!
No slave had even spoken this way before!
The chatter among the crowd grew louder. However, King Duncan remained silent, his thoughts unreadable.
Valkyrie smirked. She had foreseen this. What a foolish slave—denying an accusation before without proof.
She’ll be dead soon… The King will behead her before the court and display her head on a spike. A surge of thrill rippled through Valkyrie.
Oh, what a foolish one.
You might have Alpha blood, but you'll be nothing more than a corpse soon.
"Let’s have some entertainment with her before her punishment!" one of the nobles exclaimed from a corner. A roar of excitement rippled through the room.
"Strip her! Let’s have some fun... before her death!"
Arianna was blessed with the body of a goddess. Every curve and edge screamed perfection. Despite the bruises on her skin, she was flawless. Her jagged, messy hair only accentuated her beauty.
The gown she wore barely reached mid-thigh, revealing long, slender legs with flawless skin.
Men couldn’t wait to lay their hands on her, to make her cry out for their entertainment.
With just one order from the King, they would rip apart the thin fabric obstructing their view of her flesh.
Arianna panicked, knowing all too well what they wanted. There was nowhere to run or hide. Her fate was about to unravel, her dignity torn apart.
Her eyes fluttered shut, as she tried to steady her breath.
Shey won't break before them.
Lucas sighed, his bored gaze sweeping through the nobles. "Hungry bastards."
"You can’t blame them, Lord Lucas. She’s such a beauty. I’d mount her myself before she dies," remarked the Lord seated beside him.
Lucas stared at Arianna wordlessly, then glanced over his shoulder. The King had been quiet for what felt like an eternity.
King Duncan despised traitors. His dark past—about traitors—had left deep scars in his soul, earning him the title "Ruthless."
Lucas had witnessed countless traitors meeting cruel punishment and deaths before the King. None had been spared.
This slave girl, though… She denied the accusations but had no evidence. Another dire offense.
Lucas could only pity her slightly.
Finally, King Duncan moved, raising a finger. The hall fell silent, every soul stilled. A pin drop would have echoed in the room.
"Step forward," the King’s voice echoed, deep and commanding, sending chills down Arianna’s spine.
The spokesman stepped aside for her.
Summoning all her strength and courage, Arianna took a step forward, then another, until she stood at the bottom of the small stairs leading to the throne.
"Closer," the King demanded.
Arianna longed to look at him, to glean any hint of her fate from his expression. But she feared it would worsen her situation.
Each step felt like walking toward her own execution. Her gaze remained fixed on the floor, her skin crawling under the King’s piercing stare.
Finally, she stood before him, trembling slightly, despite her efforts to hide her fear. Her body betrayed her.
"Closer," the King ordered again, and Arianna obeyed without delay.
His strong scent enveloped her, triggering memories of that night. Her knees weakened, her breath shaky.
Not now, Arianna!
"Sit."
Arianna bowed before lowering herself onto the cold floor by his side, her head bowed.
Would he snap her neck and watch her bleed out?
A gasp nearly escaped her lips as his hand gripped her chin gently, lifting her face to meet his gaze.
Arianna’s heart skipped a beat as she took in his features. Larger than life, seated on his throne, he resembled a Greek god.
"You claim innocence," he began, his voice calm yet edged with danger as his eyes locked onto hers. "Yet you stand here as a traitor, sold to this court without evidence to refute the charges against you."
Arianna’s lips parted, her voice trembling as she whispered, "I am not a traitor, Your Majesty. I swear on my life... I was betrayed by those I trusted most."
His gaze bore into her for what felt like an eternity, unreadable. Then, his hand moved to her jagged hair, gently placing her head on his lap.
"From this moment onward, she will be my slave," his deep voice resonated through the room. "Her sole purpose will be to serve me, Grand King Duncan Thornevale." His thick fingers caressed her disheveled hair.
Valkyrie froze, as did many others in the court.
"She belongs to me—her mind, body, and soul. That will be her punishment. She is my possession... Mine.