The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 152: Chapter 152

“Say it, Elder Varyn. Tell the court what you told us.”
Elder Varyn flashed Arianna a guilty look. The old man looked as though he was about to drop a bomb.
“When Arianna was born, Alpha Thane was unsettled about the silver-haired woman he’d slept with. Even though Arianna had his traits, he feared he might have lain with a dangerous witch.
“For the sake of the future, he dug through as many scrolls and histories as he could find. After a few years, he came across a hint and visited one of Lord Merek’s sons. When he returned, he looked distressed and told us never to let it be known that you were the child of a silver-haired woman.
“Dirus asked why he still chose you as heir, saying it would bring harm. When Alpha Thane didn’t listen, Dirus went against the pack—which cost him his life.” Elder Varyn met Arianna’s gaze, eyes full of guilt. “I’m sorry.”
“As a father,” Merek added, “I love sharing histories with my children. My first son will soon take over my position. And as a Lycan, I expect them to know every story about the Moon Realm. Your father got the story from my son, and then chose to hide your identity.”
“My Lord, Arianna had no idea her father knew about her bloodline. She was just a child—clueless,” the old man said as he dropped to his knees, trembling. “Please, have mercy. She poses no threat. I swear on my life!”
“Your life?” Lord Valoreth sneered, glaring at the old man. “Oh, don’t make me laugh. Your late Alpha swore to serve and protect the realm—yet he hid something this crucial from us.”
“He was trying to protect his offspring. He meant no harm,” Elder Varyn pleaded. “She bears our blood too.”
“And yet her wolf is silent,” Lord Damaris spoke this time, his eyes flicking to Arianna. “I’m afraid she is completely one of them. Too many complications about her. She is very dangerous.”
Lord Atheon looked as though he was torn, unsure which side to choose. “She is the king's woman. I'm sure I'm not the only one seeing the mark on her neck. The king would rage if he found out—”
“You mean the incomplete mark?” Valoreth sneered. “How sure are we that she is indeed the king's mate?”
“That is enough,” Lord Merek spoke before Lucas could interfere.
Lucas was raging inside, and Arianna was no less so.
First, her father had known what she was all along. She understood his actions, but couldn’t he at least have told her?
And now, these males before her insulted the royalty of the realm—and not only that...
They insulted her bond with Duncan.
A tremble in her chest caught her attention; her beast was slowly rising to the surface. She shut her eyes, taming it just as Selene had taught her. Breath control.
“There is another theory I discovered myself,” Lord Merek continued. This time, he rose to his feet, clasped both hands behind his back, and slowly stepped down from the small staircase. “I did some research about you last night. You survived the Grand King's rut due to the bond you had with him. You went in vulnerable, and according to testimony, you were screaming for more—while previous slaves pleaded to be spared. Is that correct?”
Arianna didn’t like where this was going. How could the air suddenly shift with heat? “Correct, my Lord.”
“Kael was still alive at that time. And in the mating chronicles, wolves—including Lycans—cannot bond to another unless their mate dies first. But you have two bloodlines. If your wolf side was mated to Kael Fangton, then your dragon side is mated to the king.”
“What?” Damaris's eyes widened. Atheon looked almost lost, while Lord Valoreth simply smirked.
Well, this is getting too interesting, he thought.
Lord Merek continued, “The very same thing happened with the crown prince—King Duncan’s older brother—who mated with the Ouroboros princess. That led to the death of many.”
“And everyone is just going to ignore the fact that Drakora was the reason the Lycans won that war?” Arianna said, having calmed her beast.
“You're talking about the power suddenly bestowed upon us while we were on the brink of losing the war,” Lord Merek said coldly, keeping his gaze on her.
So they had read the book after all—and still refused to believe that part?
“Can you prove that?” Lord Damaris asked.
Arianna paused, thinking for a few seconds. “Fangs and claws symbolize the Moon Realm. Fire and wings symbolize the Dragon Keepers. Why do you think wings capable of withstanding fire were gifted to ancient Lycans?” Her brows furrowed. “She is a fallen goddess, punished for saving the Moon Realm. Isn’t that proof enough?”
Lord Valoreth scoffed. “Words are not enough. We prefer to believe what we see.”
“No—you prefer to believe what you want. You’re just afraid to accept the whole truth,” Arianna countered, her calmness wearing thin.
Lucas flicked his gaze to Falcon, giving him a silent signal. Falcon reached for his sword discreetly.
“If they truly pose no threat, then why did one of them lead the rogues in slaughtering lives from lower packs?” Damaris pressed. “That action alone shows that the Ouroboros want nothing but war. They want revenge.”
“And we are not going to sit back and watch. Even you, Arianna Greystone, who claims to have never harmed the realm—tell me,” Lord Valoreth smirked as he leaned farther into his seat, “did you not attack the slave masters—Ser Orion and Ser Zephyr? Did you not burn them alive?”
Lucas frowned.
At the mention of those names, a shock rippled through Arianna. Those slave masters had tried to rape and kill her when she was still a slave. That was the first time Arianna realized she wasn’t just a wolf. She and Selene had burned them alive.
“Lord Valoreth,” Merek cut in, and Valoreth was clearly displeased. Arianna, however, let out a secret breath of relief. “I think we’ve made ourselves clear.”
She didn’t want to involve Selene’s name, and she was glad none of the questions led to her. But she didn’t keep her hopes high.
Many beats of silence passed before Merek spoke again.
“I hate to admit it, but Arianna Greystone—you have truly surpassed my expectations. Seeing you stand there with no hint of fear shows how brazen you are, as they say. Not many could stand before us without trembling or bawling their eyes out in fear.” His arms remained clasped behind him. “However, none of that matters as long as that blood runs through your veins. You’ll never be accepted in this realm.”
Arianna almost scoffed.
“Due to the king’s absence, we will be the ones to determine your fate,” Merek concluded.
Arianna let out a low laugh—one that shocked the judges. “Cowards.”
Lord Valoreth’s head nearly exploded with rage. “What the fuck did you just say?”
Even Lucas hadn’t expected those words from her lips. But fuck, they all deserved it.
True, she had wanted to keep her cool until the end of this, but seeing these bastards only proved they weren’t here to listen. They were here to judge.
No matter what she said. No matter what she proved.
They had already made up their minds. Their fear disguised as logic. Their pride cloaked in tradition. So since it had come to this, it would be pretty satisfying to give them a piece of her mind.
“You all sit on your high chairs and twist the truth right in front of you just to fit your fragile pride.” Her silver eyes flicked to each of them. She sighed. “How disappointing. I expected better from the Emissaries. You bark rules and hide behind old scar, but not one of you has the spine to face what you don’t understand. I’ll say it again—you’re all cowards.”
Valoreth slammed his fist on the desk. “You little—”
“You all talk about protecting the realm. About danger. About loyalty,” Arianna cut him off, not giving him the chance to spill more trash. “But none of you give a damn about the truth. You fear my blood, but it’s your ignorance that will burn this realm to ash.”
The four lords’ eyes widened to their limits except.
Lucas almost smiled. Oh shit. She deserves an award. His claws snapped out—he knew things were about to go down.
Tension thick in the air like fog.
“Guards, arrest—” Before Lord Valoreth could finish, another loud voice boomed, echoing like a war drum.
“All rise for His Majesty, the Supreme Ruler of the Realm—GRAND KING DUNCAN THORNEVALE!”