The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 156: Chapter 156

Lucas met Duncan in the observatory. The king wanted to hear every explanation from his Beta first, and after he did, Duncan fist clenched.
“I knew her bloodline would be exposed, but not in this kind of way,” Duncan muttered.
What was done was done. He just needed a way forward.
“They're still in the Citadel. I don’t think they plan to leave soon.”
“I don’t expect them to. They’ll pry on her for a while, but I’ll make sure they never get to even catch a glimpse of her again,” Duncan muttered.
His dearest was pregnant. First rule: no stress.
“I’m sorry. I tried to stop them, but they all unexpectedly supported Valoreth,” Lucas said apologetically.
“I’m still surprised I didn’t get any message about this.”
“You don’t joke with the Moon Goddess’ call. I didn’t want you to leave the ritual unfinished,” Lucas replied. “But I did send one immediately after the trial was decided. I sent a crow.”
“You mean that crow?” Duncan pointed at the dead crow on the desk, an arrow stuck in it. “One of my soldiers found it.”
Lucas seethed. “That bastard Valoreth must have done this,” he sighed, keeping his cool. “Well, I also tried to stop Arianna. I wanted her to stay away until you came back, but she insisted on staying and facing them.”
“Sounds like her,” a smile tugged at the King’s lips. “She doesn’t run.”
“That’s exactly what she said. No wonder you’re both mates.”
Duncan’s smile widened.
“You don’t look as angry as I thought you would be. Did something happen? Or are you just happy to see your mate after a few days?”
“Ah, yeah I'm happy seeing her,” Duncan clicked his tongue. He wasn’t ready to tell Lucas about it yet. His gaze turned serious again. “I’m still so fucking upset though. What about the maids—the ones who drugged Lylah?”
“Nowhere to be found. I heard Brigid showed up once, but she disappeared again after I sent a guard to bring her in.”
“And Toran?” Duncan’s eyes darkened, regretting not crushing that asshole’s windpipe when he had the chance.
“Must be hiding. My soldiers didn’t find him in the south. One of the Lords is hiding and guarding him somewhere.”
“Hm.” Duncan let the information sink in. Toran could be in Damaris’s domain—the male who suffered fatal injuries during the war.
He could just as well be in Atheon’s domain. That male knew nothing about the war and clearly had no desire to.
Toran might even be in Lord Merek’s domain. That male devoted himself to the realm, and he might have agreed to hide Toran just to keep him safe, since Toran was the one who exposed everything.
Lucas took out the sketch he brought with him and gave it to Duncan.
“The design of the new weapon.”
Opening it, Duncan raised a surprised brow at the drawing.
“Not bad.”
He walked to his large desk and stretched the sketch out on it, studying the numerous details.
“I’ll go through it tomorrow. I need to return to Ari.”
“She did well,” Lucas said, and Duncan met his gaze. “Lady Arianna. She did well at the court. She stood like a true queen before them. I never thought she’d be able to face them. She didn’t waver.”
Pride swelled in Duncan’s chest.
“She even called them cowards,” Lucas added, amused.
“I bet they didn’t even try to listen. They are indeed cowards for pulling such a stunt. I’ll make sure they understand I don’t joke when it comes to her. With or without their approval, she will be my queen.”
Lucas sighed, recalling how Arianna dealt with them. “She deserves a kiss on the cheek. I was fucking proud of—”
A growl from Duncan reminded him just how jealous he could be.
“A kiss from you, Dun. Don’t kill me right now.” When Duncan didn’t reply, he added, “I meant figuratively—nothing mouth to skin.”
The mated male clicked his tongue, still glaring.
“I think I’ve got some work on my table. I gotta go,” Lucas excused himself, inwardly amused. “It’s good to have you around, friend.”
“Little punk,” Duncan scoffed after Lucas left, then returned his gaze to the sketch. The fine drawing was detailed, pulling his attention and making him decide to stay a little while longer—but not for long. He needed to get back to Arianna.
•••••••
Yard
“How is she now?” Lylah asked, seated beside the Grand Lord as she inquired about what happened at the court.
“She’s fine with the king. Duncan will keep holding them off until she becomes Queen—and untouchable,” Lucas said, and Lylah let out a breath of relief, as if her soul, which had wandered out, had finally returned.
“What about Elder Varyn?” she asked.
“Safe as well. Brigid wasn’t found,” Lucas replied, and Lylah’s demeanor changed.
“That bitch must have returned to Toran. I regret aiming for her shoulder instead of her neck,” Lylah muttered.
Lucas didn’t reply.
“I should’ve just killed her for using me.”
“Go get some rest, little wolf, and stop whining,” he said, ruffling her hair as usual. Heat crept onto her cheeks, and the anger she felt before completely vanished, as if it was never there.
She stared at him, watching his well-defined lips curl into a small smile. Her heart pounded in her ears, and she swallowed.
“You have nice hair, by the way,” he said, then rose to his feet and left.
Lylah sat there, face red. Her lungs felt like they were void of air. She reached up and touched the left side of her chest, her heart still pounding.
She sniffled, glancing at the spot where Lucas had been.
“Should I just tell him? How… hard he makes my heart race? And…” she paused, lowering her gaze to the floor.
Then she sighed, eyes shutting as she mumbled, “How in the world did I fall for the Beta? Lylah… you must be insane.”
At the same time, Lucas stopped walking and glanced back, thinking about the little wolf, recalling how red her face had been.
A smile tugged at his lips before he continued walking.
•••••••
After several minutes, Duncan decided to go to Ari before she woke up and panicked about him not resting.
Ash was already restless.
Just as he was about to leave, Lord Merek stepped in. The older male gave a respectful bow Duncan didn’t bother returning.
He simply tucked his hands into his pockets and waited for him to speak.
“I hope I’m not intruding, Your Grace,” Merek said.
“Maybe,” Duncan replied flatly.
“Long time. How have you been?”
“Great—until now,” Duncan said in the same tone. “Why are you here?”
“I came to discuss what happened today. I heard you were awake, so I came. On behalf of the Emissaries, we apologize for pulling such a stunt without your knowledge.”
Duncan didn’t reply, knowing that wasn’t the main reason for his visit.
Merek continued. “However, I have a question for you, Your Grace. My apologies if this sounds out of line.”
Taking a sharp breath, he asked, “The realm or her?”
The way he said the word her made Duncan snicker. Wrapping the sketch, he approached the older male.
“What a question, Lord Merek,” he said, clasping his hands behind his back while descending the small stairs.
“You have a mate. So what do you think? The realm, or your mate? You also serve the realm, after all.” He returned the question to him. And just as expected, the male stayed silent.
No words—until Duncan reached him.
“See?... That question can’t be answered. You know why?” Duncan flashed his perfect teeth. “Because deep down, we already know what we’d do. The madness that would come with it. The realm is doing just fine, Lord Merek. The only problem is those trying to mess with my woman.”
“But you need to understand this,” Duncan leaned in slightly, “I am the realm, Lord Merek—and she is the one who keeps it beating.”