The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 163: Chapter 163

Rain poured from the sky, thunder roaring as lightning flashed its zigzag pattern across the dark heavens.
Falcon found the regal Grand Lord standing by a corridor, eyes tightly shut, his arms clamped behind his back. The tension in his broad shoulders showed the male was raging with his Lycan within.
Worried that Lucas might lose himself, Falcon suggested, “Shall I call Yvonne back?”
The male didn’t reply for what felt like too long. His mind replayed everything he had said to Lylah.
Apart from Duncan, Falcon and a few females he had harshly mounted, Lucas had never spoken of his sick desire.
Now that Lylah knew of it, it felt… strange.
After realizing what he had said, he had added more.
‘If you want to keep your soul still intact, little wolf… run as fast as you can. Before I stop caring whether I’ll break you…’
He had left her there after those words—words he had meant. Now, knowing how she felt, and how crazily her scent intoxicated him under the full moon, Lucas feared it would get to a point where he wouldn’t care anymore.
To see her break under his hold. Her body bruised, marred with red marks he’d inflicted. To hear her scream until—
Lucas’s fists clenched behind him, forcefully suppressing that thought.
She was young, inexperienced, wolfless. He had taken her in like a little student who amused him and reminded him of his own stubborn younger self.
Not a body to... fuck!
“My Lord,” Falcon called, and Lucas’s eyes snapped open, glowing like molten lava. His chest heaved with a silent sneer.
“I’ll get a female,” Falcon offered, turning to leave, but Lucas’s voice stopped him.
“No. I’ll go for a night hunt instead.” Lucas shut his eyes tightly for a moment. When he opened them, they were back to normal.
“My Lord—”
“Night. Hunt,” Lucas bit out. He wasn’t going to feed that sick part of his mind. He’d rather make the devoid creatures in the dark forest bleed.
“Yes, my Lord,” Falcon nodded and went to make the preparations.
•••••••••••
LYLAH
The rain had soaked her attire, yet she stood unmoving from her spot for over an hour, staring into blank space, her lower lip caught between her teeth.
The cold was harsh on her delicate skin—but not as harsh as the words ringing in her head.
His words. The way he looked at her as though she were the craziest being alive, expecting fantasy.
He was a Lycan, and she was just a wolfless eighteen-year-old girl.
She didn’t know how things like this worked; she had never experienced any of it.
She hadn’t planned to—but her crazy heart wouldn’t listen.
Finally, Lylah stepped out of the rain and found somewhere quiet to sit. Drenched, she hugged herself and sighed.
"I'm so stupid," she mumbled to herself.
Someone suddenly wrapped a thick blanket around her. She looked up and met Amy’s worried gaze.
“Why are you here? You're all drenched. Are you alright?” Amy blinked, but Lylah didn’t reply.
••••••
KING'S CHAMBER
Duncan was gentle and passionate, his large frame keeping her warm from the harsh cold of the night. All she felt was him—his kiss, his touch, his words, and his soul. It felt as though their bond intensified with each passing day, and she didn’t mind.
As he buried his face in her neck, she felt a sudden sharp pain shoot through her. It lasted only a second before intense pleasure coursed through her system.
Duncan retracted his fangs from her neck, licking the blood and sealing the wound.
“How was it?” she asked, her heavy breath mingling with his, as they had just released at the same time.
“Better. It seems your training with Selene is paying off. I’ll have her rewarded,” he said with a sweet smile, and she chuckled.
“Whether the mark is complete or not, you’ll have me forever,” Arianna whispered, and the king kissed her nose.
She lay with her back pressed against his chest, his hand caressing her stomach. He did that every night; his touch there soothed her.
His other hand brushed her hair away from the mark, and he pressed his lips to the nearly complete brand.
“I hope I didn’t exhaust you, my lady,” he whispered in a teasing voice, and warmth spread through her.
“No, my king. You satisfied me instead,” she whispered, and he continued stroking her belly.
“Good to hear,” he said.
“I remember when I stepped into the chamber for the first time. Vulnerable. Lost. Terrified. I thought it was the end for me,” she said, her smile widening. “But it was only the beginning.”
When he stayed quiet, she turned her head to look at him. His eyes were filled with guilt.
“I felt a connection that night. Faint, but beautiful. While you slept, I crazily admired your beauty.”
He kissed her gently. “I felt it too. Whenever it happens, it feels like I’m drowning, with no hands reaching out to pull me out,” he said, stroking her hair. “And then, for the first time in centuries, I felt a touch—and heard a voice.”
Arianna’s lashes fluttered as she held his gaze.
“Even when I didn’t remember after waking up, it branded my soul. Faint, but unmistakably real. And then… I found you in the court.”
“I thought I was going to lose my head,” Arianna chuckled.
“You were brave,” Duncan corrected. “The bravest woman I’ve ever met. I thought the heavens had cursed me… but I was wrong. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Ari.”
Tears gathered in her silver eyes. “I love you,” she croaked.
“I love you, Arianna Greystone,” he sighed. “But those words don’t contain what I feel for you. They’re far too small, too soft. You’re the air I breathe, Ari,” his eyes stared deep into hers. “I used to wonder if I’d forgotten how to feel. But then you came… and it felt soft. Certain. Endless.”
He brushed her tears away with the back of his fingers.
“I’ll spend forever loving you,” he said, pressing a kiss to her lips. “In this life, and every one after.”
"Me too. My love," she muttered letting herself listen to his heartbeat before speaking again.
“Do you think they’ll listen?” Arianna raised her head from Duncan's chest in concern. She was to face the Alphas and nobles in a few days.
“They will. You managed to convince the strong-headed Lucas, remember?” he assured her. “Besides… they’ll know a future is coming.”
Arianna’s eyes widened. “We’re telling them?… About the child?”
“Not yet, dearest. Not until the storm clears,” Duncan nodded. “The future is you.”
Arianna nuzzled his chest. “I’ve lost count of how many times my heart has exploded since I met you.”
“Well, get used to it, my brave queen.”
She shifted closer, resting her head on his firm chest. “Well, I got it from my father. He’d stand between heaven and earth if it meant keeping his family safe.”
“He really did. I should thank him,” Duncan muttered.
“You’re not mad at him?” she whispered. The ancient Lycans had looked furious that her father had kept her secret buried.
“Why should I be mad at a male who did everything to protect his daughter? He shouldered it and did the unexpected. Some would have fed their daughter to the wolves for golden coins,” his voice was soft.
Arianna’s lips tightened, recalling the moments she’d spot a subtle worry in her father’s eyes whenever he taught her policies, always telling her she had to be strong no matter what.
‘Being strong doesn’t mean you don’t cry, dear Aria. It means you wipe your tears and still rise like you were born to rule.’
A quote he had said to her and her younger sister, Lylah. While she tried to understand those words, Lylah rambled on and on about becoming a warrior and fighting on the battlefield.
Their father didn’t scold; he simply patted her head and told them they could do anything.
Now that she thought of it—all those years spent building her into a great leader—could it be that it was his way of training her to face these obstacles?
Father, Mother… help me win this battle.