The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 213: Chapter 213

While Lylah spent time trying to help Lucas wake, Arianna was building.
Feel the fire.
That was a primary fact of being a dragon keeper. Fire is part of you. You are the fire. The fire is you.
When determination burns within, there's no stopping.
That was the state of Arianna. The power felt strong, yet familiar—part of her, as if she had been in these shoes before.
Within a few days, she was thriving, loved and respected by the people, except that something kept calling her. Something she couldn't ignore.
Her half was still there. And as badly as she wanted to stay with her son and mother to grow the connection, Arianna still felt empty.
Now, she stood on top of a small mountain, below were the werewolf soldiers being led out by the Ouroboros warriors.
The werewolves hadn't been starved ever since they got here, and it was time to see if the hospitality had shoved some senses into them.
Falcon stood by her right side like the strong protector he had always been, eyes sharp.
Eryz was on the left, looking brutal with his weapon.
Many of the soldiers looked around, fear etched on their faces.
"Don't worry. I didn't bring you all out to end up as meat in my dragon's belly or as ashes like your commander who tried to kill my son that night."
Eyes widened. Fear doubled.
"If you're curious," Arianna pointed at the mountain afar, "she is there."
They all saw Lily in the distance, looking small afar and asleep.
"You all came here under one order: ruin this land and eradicate us all," she began, and they all shifted their gaze to her. "Many of your men died for it, and you all became prisoners, but never treated like one. That's to tell you this realm has no intention to become the devils you portray them to be."
Her words sank into their bones.
"I could have easily destroyed every last one of you. But I didn't. That's my choice, and today you shall make yours," she said, her voice calm and powerful. "I’m not here to beg you. I’m not here to inspire you with dreams and false hopes. You’ve had enough lies shoved down your throats to know how empty those are."
She looked at them one by one.
Males and females stood at a crossroad.
"We've been shoved into a war that should have been buried, hearts manipulated by those who held scars that should have been long forgotten." Her eyes sharpened. "And this led the world to burn. The home we once knew is barely recognizable. You've seen it—the moon realm, rotting inside."
Silence fell. The air was heavy. Most of the soldiers lowered their gazes.
“I’m going to change that. Not with peace treaties. Not with sweet words or noble games. But with fire, and blood, and truth.”
She took a sharp breath.
“So here’s your choice.”
She raised her hand and pointed at the valley to the south, one that led to the moon realm.
“Go back. Join the Lords and fake gods. Serve your titles. Drink their poison. Be their blades. But know this: when I come for them—and I will—anyone standing with them will burn just the same.”
Then she turned, and her finger came down to the earth beneath their feet.
“Or bend the knee. Right here. Right now. Not to me. I don’t want your worship. I want your spine. Your fists. Your war.”
Her gaze flared.
“If you kneel, you kneel not to a queen—but to the battle that will bury this corrupted world and make space for a new one.”
She gave them a heartbeat to decide.
The air was thick. A few still hesitated. A few began to tremble.
And then—one soldier, the old one who had challenged Rodaric that night, stepped forward and dropped to his knees.
Another followed.
Then another.
Until the clatter of armor meeting stone echoed across the mountainside like drumbeats.
Arianna didn’t smile.
Her right fist was placed over her left chest.
The old one's voice rose in the air.
"All hail the Queen!"
Silence stretched for some beats, clearly catching the others off guard, even Arianna herself.
But he continued. And then another joined.
"All hail the Queen!"
"All hail the Queen!"
"All hail the Queen!"
Their chant grew heavy as time passed until all of them were saying it.
Arianna cast a look at Falcon, who joined them in chanting with a smile.
Even Eryz hit his own chest harder, that's how deep the male respected her.
You don't need promises to be chosen.
You don't need bloodlines or blessings.
You don't wear the crown.
You become it.
"All hail Arianna Greystone. The true Queen!"
•
The dragon soared high, slicing through the clouds. The land was vast and far beneath, mountains like jagged teeth, rivers, and forests with wild animals roaming.
Rheal’s tiny laughter mingled with Arianna’s as they watched two birds collide and lose balance. Two mountains stretched in the distance.
“Hold on tight, baby,” Arianna called over the wind. Rheal, before her, tightly strapped onto the dragon's back, giggled.
“I’m not scared. Go on, Lily!” he screamed excitedly, his hair blowing behind him.
The dragon rumbled low, like a purr of approval.
“Heard that, Lily? You've got yourself a fan!”
The beast dove without warning.
The mother and child screamed, high-pitched, excitement etched on their features as the dragon sliced in between the two mountains.
Rheal shut his eyes and screamed louder while Arianna held him closer. The dragon emerged into the clear sky, heading back to the town once again.
“Auntie was right! This is really fun. Lily, you're awesome!” Rheal screamed.
The dragon purred again.
Arianna chuckled, recalling the time Lylah rode the beast with her. Her sister had been terrified, even though she tried to hide it. The look on her sister's face was priceless.
They settled at the top of a mountain where they could see the others—Ouroboros and even the werewolves—all around a large fire. Most of the females were dancing, swirling their waists to the beat, while Eryz and a few males were drumming.
It was a small festival to honor the fire. Though the wolves had sworn their loyalty to her, she was still worried they might turn their backs on her. But Falcon promised to keep an eye on them; he was their commander now.
“Do you have to go?” Rheal asked, clutching the edge of Arianna’s clothing, his eyes fixed below.
“I have to, Rheal, and I'm so sorry,” she replied, kissing his hair.
Rheal drew closer. “But what if you don't come back? What if the bad people take you away again?”
“They won't, darling,” she stroked his hair with all the gentleness in the world. “I'm stronger now. And I've got something to fight for.”
“Me?” he asked.
“Hm. You. And this whole messed-up realm. I want to create a beautiful life for you, my love.”
He didn't smile. Those beautiful eyes still didn't want her to leave. She wanted to stay too, but Duncan… she needed to know his state—alive or not.
She wanted her son to meet his father.
“Can I come too?” he blinked.