The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 148: Chapter 148

Breath hitching and heart pounding, Arianna stood before the large mirror, staring at her reflection. Her face was slightly pale, silver eyes swirling with disbelief and shock.
On the night Duncan marked her—she had asked if he’d been ready. His reply had left her breathless.
"More than anything, Ari. More than anything."
Gently, her hand reached for her belly, trailing her fingers softly. Selene's words echoed in her head:
"You're carrying a little one, my lady."
A little one. The King's little one.
"I'm pregnant," Arianna whispered to herself, gaze locked on her reflection as countless emotions swirled in her chest.
"The King's child is in me," she whispered again, her tone edged with disbelief, yet filled with bliss. The news was unexpected and overwhelming—she wasn't sure how to react.
The mark on her neck hadn’t been completed, so how was it possible?
Did it even matter?
Arianna let out a shaky breath, tears burning behind her eyes. She was going to have a family—with the male she loved.
The male she would stand between heaven and earth to be with.
Oh, how she wished Duncan was here. Those strong, muscular arms around her, whispering lovely words in her ear. How beautiful it would be to see their little ones running around the palace.
She would love a little Dun… wait, a cute little her? Perhaps both. Twins—that would be incredible.
Tilting her body to the side, she imagined herself with a swollen belly.
"I'm still going to look beautiful with a swollen belly, Selene," she said to the older woman across the room, who was staring at her amusingly.
"Yes, my Lady. You are going to do well."
Arianna pouted, still fantasizing and rubbing her belly. She glanced at Selene with one of her perfect brows arched.
"Are you sure I'm carrying a child? Shouldn't I wait for the healer’s confirmation first?"
"I've known about pregnancy far too long not to be able to tell. I’m like an expert, so you don’t need a healer. You are indeed carrying the King’s child," Selene said, her voice hushed.
The smile on Arianna’s face brightened, her perfect white teeth flashing.
"I am," her voice tinged with pure joy. "You're very talented, Selene. It's great to have you by my side."
"I am flattered, but I am not nearly as talented as you," Selene chuckled, joy swirling in her as well. "I think it would be best to keep the news between us for now—until the King returns and the storm settles."
Arianna’s smile faltered slightly. "Oh, I had nearly forgotten about that." She tightened her lips, her gaze drifting back to her belly’s reflection. "But I still can’t believe I’m going to be a mother in a few months."
Selene bowed slightly. "I shall take my leave and fetch you some medicine that will help you."
"And the child," Arianna completed, not tearing her gaze from the mirror.
"And the child," Selene echoed with a soft, amused laugh before finally leaving the room.
Stepping out, Selene's smile widened, her heart swimming with joy.
‘She looks a lot like her mother’.
She quickened her steps, heading to her chamber. Fortunately, she still have some medicine for pregnancy since last month she had tended to a marked maid carrying a child.
Though she still needed to find more herbs—ones that would help the baby grow stronger—she couldn’t leave the palace just yet. With chaos unfolding within the walls, she would have to use what she had now to give Arianna strength.
However, as Selene stepped into her room, she froze at the sight of Brigid seated on a stool, tending to her stab wounds.
"Brigid?" she muttered in disbelief.
"Madam Selene," Brigid instantly rose to her feet, worry and guilt swirling in her eyes—but that wasn’t Selene’s concern, not even the wounds on her.
Selene stayed quiet, staring at the girl she had taken in as her own daughter—now seeming like a stranger.
"Selene, I can explain," Brigid's eyes glittered with tears. "I was fooled. I let my obsession take over and—"
"You drugged Lylah, made her confess, stole the book, and gave it to Toran," Selene finished flatly. "That’s it, right?"
"I was forced—"
"Into his bed?" Selene cut in, her voice cold. "No, I don’t think so."
"Selene, please—"
"What is Toran currently planning? Why are you here?" Selene asked, her cold gaze unwavering.
"I don’t know what he’s planning. After he read the book, he headed south. I was locked up—only released early this morning and sent back here."
"Get out," Selene said, reaching for the door and opening it.
A wracking sob tore from Brigid’s throat. Her lips quivered as hot tears streamed down her face.
"No, don’t do this to me. Please. I’m sorry."
Selene sucked in a deep breath. "Do you have any idea what you’ve done? The damage you’ve inflicted?"
"I don’t," Brigid shook her head. "I don’t understand what Arianna’s bloodline means or how you got a book about them. The Ouroboros are enemies. I don’t understand why she bears their blood or how she’ll become our queen soon—"
"Get. Out," Selene bit out, her head reeling as the last string of hope she had in Brigid snapped.
"Selene, you’re not one of them, right? I don’t understand why you're so obsessed with Arianna—"
"Get out, Brigid!" Selene shouted, rage tinging her tone. "Don’t make me do it for you!"
Brigid sniffed, wiping her tears with her palm. Her expression shifted—disappointment and worry flashing in her eyes.
"She might not win, Selene. This is going to be hard, and I don’t want you to get involved in—"
Selene didn’t wait. She launched forward, grabbing Brigid by the arms and shoving her out of the room.
Before Brigid could speak again, Selene’s voice cut through—pure anger and disgust.
"You are the greatest shame of my life," she said, her voice low and trembling as tears welled in her eyes. "I gave you love Brigid. A home. I raised you like my own flesh and blood—I trusted you with my heart, yet you sold yourself to lust..."
Brigid seethed. "If only you had given me attention, this wouldn’t have happened!"
Selene exhaled, her voice shaky as she shook her head. "We’re strangers now. I never want to see your face again. Forget you have someone like me because as of this moment, as long as you still support Toran... You're no longer my daughter."