The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 207: Chapter 207

{Dragon realm}
While chaos raged in the Moon Realm, Arianna was simply bonding with her child, Rheal.
The boy reminded her so much of her love, Duncan.
His smile, tiny laughter, eyes—the way he carried himself and spoke.
Little Dun.
She would give him his first name once he reunited with Duncan.
Honestly, if it weren’t for her mate, she might never return to the Moon Realm. Or perhaps she would… because she had made promises to many there.
But it was tempting to remain here. Everyone had been so kind, respectful—making her feel at home.
Simple and peaceful.
Every night, those around her kissed her knuckles before going to bed.
They believed it to be an act of honor and blessing.
The only person she hadn’t really spoken to was Drakora. She had a lot to say, but several subtle things were holding her back.
Her real mother. She never thought they’d cross paths one day.
“She’s not bad,” Lylah whispered when she caught Arianna staring at Drakora, who was playing with Rheal.
“I know. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her.”
“You should talk to her. I mean a deep talk. You still need to get to know her… and learn to use your goddess power.”
Arianna sighed deeply.
“What’s holding you back?”
“The same thing holding you back from going to see Lucas. We’re both afraid of what we might find or hear.”
Lylah froze.
“I’ve already gone, by the way,” Arianna added.
“What?!”
“Falcon made me promise not to tell you his state. He wants you to come see him yourself.”
“Aria!”
“I promised, Lylah. I don’t want to break it.”
Lylah tried to read her sister, but Arianna had suddenly become a closed book—not just in this, but in many other things since she woke up.
“Fine. I’ll go see him,” she muttered, sipping from the cup of tea in her hands.
“The prisoners?”
“Lily ate twenty of them who tried to escape last night.”
Arianna simply smiled.
“But how the fuck is your dragon separate from you?”
“The same way Eryndor was separate from Selene. I guess that’s how Ouroboros beasts work.”
“So you’re fully an Ouroboros now?” Lylah turned to her.
“I’ll always have that drop of blood in me. I’m still part of the Moon Realm.”
The sisters stayed silent for a long while, both sharing the same thought running through their minds.
“Are we going back?” Lylah finally asked.
“You don’t have to.”
Lylah scoffed.
“Anywhere you go, I go.”
“I need you with Rheal.”
Lylah frowned. “Don’t tell me you plan to go there alone.”
Arianna met her gaze and smiled. “I’m not alone. Once I spend enough time with my son, I’ll go back to the Moon Realm.”
Lylah’s brows relaxed, though she still planned to do whatever she wanted—and Arianna knew that well.
•
Drakora was making tea when a knock sounded at her door.
“Come in,” she said, not looking up until the door opened. Her eyes lit up.
“Arianna.”
Arianna paused at the threshold for a moment before stepping further inside.
“Please, have a seat,” Drakora offered, and Arianna quietly obliged.
“Would you like some tea?”
“No, I’m good.”
Drakora nodded. Silence settled between them, laced with tension.
“Why haven’t you asked any questions since you arrived? I’m sure you have thousands of them in your heart.”
“You know, I might still not like you.”
“Yes.” Drakora finished making the tea. “There’s still more if you change your mind.”
“Just because you slept with my father doesn’t mean I trust you.”
Drakora didn’t take offense. “I’ve made many mistakes. But I don’t regret them.”
“Including casting me out at birth?”
“I cannot change the past, can I?”
Arianna leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “So you’re telling me you don’t mind that all your power is being channeled into the child you abandoned?”
“Half of the power—and no, I don’t mind. The heavens gave it to you because you deserve it.”
She wasn’t getting angry.
Because, apparently, that was what Arianna had been trying to provoke—to see Drakora’s true colors.
Betrayal had become a second skin lately, so if anyone turned against them, she wouldn’t be surprised.
“Half?”
“If you were given the full power, you wouldn’t be here among us. You’d become a deity, serving the heavens like the Moon Goddess.”
Okay. She didn’t like that.
Full power meant becoming a deity—definitely not something she expected or wanted.
Drakora gently set down her cup. “Having great power comes with great responsibility. I’m no longer the goddess, but I can teach you how to be one so you won’t lose yourself. I’m not asking you to trust me, and I can’t claim to understand how painful your past has been… All I ask is that you allow me to be here for you.”
Arianna took a deep breath.
“You have a lot of explaining to do.”
“I know.”
A moment of silence passed.
“I’ll have that cup of tea.”
•••••
{Same Night}
Reaching the north wing, Lylah dismounted from her horse.
She couldn't sleep after her discussion with Arianna.
She needed to face her fear.
It was easy to get to where Falcon was since he had been one of the first ever wolves to step into the dragon realm in centuries—well, including Lucas.
The small town was silent, calm, with a cool breeze swirling. Different aromas of meals wafted through the air.
As she walked, she realized she had been absentmindedly scratching her arm. A burn from within slowly surfaced. She looked up and froze.
The full moon.
It was the second one she had seen since she got here.
Falcon’s small abode was at the far end of the town. There was a shop with metal and weapon materials. His room was at the back, a small door, and a farm just beside it.
Lylah knocked twice. Falcon’s voice came from inside, asking her to wait. The next minute, the door opened, and a frown settled between his brown eyes.
“Lylah?” He stepped out, shutting the door behind him in haste as if hiding something. “What are you doing here?”
“Is that even a question?” Lylah raised a brow and tilted her head. “What are you hiding?”
“No—”
Lylah shoved him aside and stepped in, expecting to see Lucas, but instead found an ouroboros female in thin clothing. Her eyes widened, and she gasped.
“Hi,” she smiled as if caught in a crime.
Falcon’s lips thinned as he froze awkwardly.