The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 18: Chapter 18

In his arms, she looked small and fragile against his imposing frame. Duncan’s brow furrowed at the words he had muttered.
What was she? Could she be...
No, he would know. He knew the symptoms, the pull, the intoxication. His heart wasn’t drawn to her; it was his Lycan. Lusting, wanting to devour her whole. Instead of purring and protecting her, it was raging to take her.
There should be an answer. He always had an answer, but...
Duncan’s eyes squinted as her head tilted slightly to the side. At first, he thought he was mistaken, that perhaps it was due to the dim light and shadows. But as he stared closer, it became clear.
A mark.
By the moon, could he be mistaken?
Duncan’s mind froze as shock hit him like a tidal wave. The tattoo that ran across her neck let out a silvery glow for a fleeting moment. A crescent-shaped moon, like an endless circle. The symbol reminded him of his past.
Centuries of memories surged through him like a storm, unbidden and merciless. Flames engulfing his homeland. The soil soaked with blood. The screams of his people. His family. His brother, sprawled lifeless before him.
The Ouroboros mark had been their sigil—the crest of the enemies who had waged war upon his land long ago, leaving a deep, dreadful scar on his heart.
A symbol of destruction, of betrayal, of everything he had sworn to eradicate.
And now here it was, branded on her skin.
Duncan watched as the mark faded into shadow. The mark seemed to be manifesting—that was why he hadn’t seen it clearly during the Grand Court when she sat by his leg and his branded slave.
As instructed, the healer and head maid arrived at the chamber in less than five minutes. Duncan, now dressed, stared blankly as the healer rushed to Arianna’s side to check her condition.
Though he looked calm, his Lycan was on edge, restless at the surface, ready to burst out.
‘Stay still!’ Duncan roared at his Lycan beast.
‘Take her!’ Ash begged, growling in his chest.
As the healer reached to take Arianna away, Duncan snapped. “Treat her here,” he ordered, his voice rougher than usual.
The trembling healers hastily prepared their equipment while Selene calmly checked on Arianna. Apart from light bruises, the female lying on the bed was utterly exhausted.
It was understandable, as she has no wolf to handle it. So much had been happening to her.
Selene made her drink some vial. Arianna’s face twisted at the bitter taste, but she didn’t open her eyes. After that, Selene applied lotion to her bruises.
“All done, Your Grace,” Selene said with a bow to the male who sat with his eyes shut.
“Leave,” he ordered.
The healers exchanged uncertain glances, unsure whether to take Arianna with them. The king had never allowed anyone to stay in his chambers for too long, let alone sleep on his bed. Not even Lady Valkyrie.
Selene began to leave, and the healers quickly followed.
“Selene, stay,” he commanded, halting the head maid. The healers left.
Now alone with her, Duncan opened his eyes. His burning golden gaze had returned to normal. He glanced at the girl lying on his bed, then turned his attention to Selene.
“Now speak. Who is this slave? And why does everything about her feel... familiar?”
Selene’s palms grew sweaty, but she had expected this moment and prepared for it.
"And do not even think of hiding anything Selene. You know what happens if you do."
The king was not one to be deceived. He would always notice and uncover anything hidden.
•••••••••••••••
After a long mission, Lord Fredrick finally returned to his chamber at the Citadel. He freshened up and immediately headed to the Sacred Moon Wing to report to the king.
Soldiers and maids greeted him and cleared his path. Reaching the king’s imposing chamber, Lord Fredrick announced his arrival.
After receiving permission, he stepped inside. As usual, King Duncan was busy with a mountain of scrolls and documents spread across his desk.
Being the ruler of so many packs, there was no rest for him. If not for King Duncan, many lives would have perished. He had been royalty since birth, chosen as the true ruler of the realm.
Yet those ungrateful Alpha bastards were starting to complain, conspiring against him. Did they not realize what this male had done and sacrificed to protect them? How he had shielded them from countless threats for centuries?
“Speak,” Duncan’s voice cut through the thick silence.
“Yes, Your Grace,” Lord Fredrick bowed before speaking cautiously. “The Alphas are splitting territories and relocating estates. Whispers of discontent are spreading.”
“Like what?”
Fredrick hesitated, then gathered his courage. “They claim your reign has lasted too long. They fear you may lose control without a mate or Luna. Some are suggesting that Lady Valkyrie be enthroned as your Luna soon, believing it would signify their importance in the Citadel.”
Duncan continued writing, his gaze not lifting from the documents.
“I heard you brought in the recent slaves,” Duncan finally said, his eyes flicking toward his bed. “What was her purpose?”
Fredrick followed his gaze, and recognition struck him like a blow. Holy seven hells. What was she doing here? Alive? Sleeping on the king’s bed?
“I did, Your Grace,” Fredrick replied carefully. “I brought her to satisfy your last rut.”
Duncan looked up, his expression unreadable, his eyes calculating before they darkened.
Returning to his work, he simply said, “You may leave, Lord Fredrick.”
With a bow, Fredrick glanced at Arianna one last time before leaving.
Reeling from the realization, Fredrick assumed Arianna had never satisfied the king’s rut that night. He recalled the rumors of the king’s new slave—it had to be her.
How had she caught the king’s interest? A slave with a claim of treason? The very thing King Duncan despised the most.
However King Duncan's eyes flicked to Arianna. He mummered. "So she was indeed the one."