The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

"Spread her legs."
A frown settled upon Arianna's face as the words stirred her out of her sleep.
When she felt the touch on her thighs, her mind cleared. Memories struck her, and her eyes snapped open.
"Get away from me!" she yelled, yanking the arms off her body.
Her eyes frantically scanned the place. They had brought her to a cold, empty cell. The only light came from a small fire burning around the corner.
"How the hell is she awake? Didn't you say it would put her into a deep sleep?" snarled Ser Orion at Ser Zephyr.
"Perhaps she didn’t inhale enough," Zephyr replied, grabbing her legs again, dragging and pinning her underneath him.
Arianna struggled, but her strength was no match for his. No wonder they had made her work until her bones ached and her energy was drained.
"Stay still, will you!" Ser Orion growled, his eyes flashing and glowing in the darkness.
Arianna’s hand shot out, grabbing a stone. With a scream, she struck it against Zephyr's head.
His head tilted as blood oozed from the side of his temple.
"Bitch!" he roared in her face, but she struck him again. Managing to pull away from his hold, she forced herself toward the door, only to find her path blocked by Orion.
His hand collared her neck, lifting her up, and slammed her back to the floor.
Like a small fountain, blood spilled from Arianna's lips. Her teeth gritted against the pain slicing through her body.
"Surrender, or..." His claws snapped out, and he raised them. "I'll fucking tear you apart."
"No... you won’t," Arianna managed to speak, her voice low as her lungs desperately begged for air. "You'll... never do that... ASSHOLE," she spat, her eyes burning with fury.
She wasn't going to give them the satisfaction they want.
Zephyr chuckled, rising to his feet and walking closer. "Such fire in a slave like you. Do you think anyone will care if we kill you here?"
Before Arianna could register his words, Zephyr’s claws began to rip off her fabric.
"No! Help!" she screamed.
"Relax, sweetheart. No one will hear you." Zephyr reached to touch her bare skin, right above her breast. "I planned to let you live after our fun, but this..." He pointed to the wound on his face, which healed under the dark. "I’ll kill you for it."
A growl. A sneer.
Not from the men. It came from within her.
It was familiar—the one she heard in the dream she met a reange beast instead of her inner wolf. Lily.
Orion leaned closer to force his lips onto hers, but her hold on his wrist tightened. Where the strength came from, she had no idea.
A sickening crack echoed through the cell. Orion screamed in pain as his wrist twisted 360 degrees.
For a fleeting moment, a strand of Arianna’s hair glowed silver, along with the mark on her neck.
Using the advantage, she pulled herself away, rushing to the side of the fireplace in shock.
What in the world was that feeling?
Zephyr, frozen in shock, cast a wary, curious, and angry look at her. "I thought you had no wolf."
Arianna was confused too. She didn’t know what had happened. But that was definitely not Lily.
It was something else. Something within her.
Then, for some reason, her eyes snapped to the fire crackling beside her.
It was as if it was calling to her.
"Little flame," the King’s words echoed in her ears.
"I’m killing you," Zephyr mumbled, roaring as he half-shifted and charged toward Arianna.
The world seemed to slow. She saw Zephyr in the air, claws ready to tear her apart. No protection.
But her body acted on instinct. Her arm swung forward, eyes shutting.
Burning red. Flames erupted, sweeping across the cell and colliding with Zephyr.
He caught fire.
"Argghhhh!!!!!"
••••••••••
Never in his life had Zephyr danced so much, but the burning flame did the work. Skin clenched, layers upon layers burned away, surging excruciating pain through every fiber of his being.
With wide eyes and parted lips, Arianna watched Ser Zephyr burn, his movements slowing until he collapsed in the corner of the cell.
D…id I do that?
Orion was not left unaffected. The terrifying sight made him step back, horror evident in his eyes.
"What in the world is…" Selene’s voice halted as she stepped through the cell entrance, her gaze landing on Zephyr’s burnt body. Dead.
Shock flashed across her face, but she quickly shifted her focus to Arianna without a word. The girl was in total shock.
Silence settled over the room, broken only by the crackling of the fire.
"She… What in the world are you?" Orion questioned, beads of sweat dripping down his face. His expression was that of someone who had seen a ghost.
Tears slid down Arianna’s face.
She had just killed a Ser in the Citadel. A huge crime had just settled upon her head.
They'll cut her head off for this!
Then her eyes met Selene’s. The head maid was staring at her, silent. But the shock in her expression had faded, replaced by something else.
Something like... recognition.
Like she wasn’t surprised.
"Selene! Get the guards!" Orion yelled in fear, his eyes never leaving Arianna. His voice trembled. "She needs to be arrested! The king needs to know about this!"
Selene remained quiet, her unwavering gaze making Arianna feel even more unsettled.
Arianna had thought her survival might last longer, but maybe that had all been some cruel fantasy.
She could only hope Selene wouldn’t tell on her—but who was she fooling?
"What are you still waiting for?! Call the damn guards!" Orion shouted at Selene.
This time, Selene shifted her gaze to Orion for a moment before looking back at Arianna. Tilting her head, she asked in a flat tone,
"Burn him as well."
Like a blow, Selene’s words hit Arianna. Had she heard the head maid correctly? Burn him as well???
"Are you out of your goddamn mind?! How treacherous of you to dare speak such words! Know your place, maid, and get me the guards to arrest this murderer!" Orion shouted, his voice cracking as though he were losing his sanity.
"Would you rather burn the man who tried to have his way with you, alive or have both our heads hanging on spikes?" Selene asked, her voice unwavering.
"I... I don't know how to." Even if she did, Arianna wouldn’t do it. She had just killed someone!
Selene sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Fine," she mumbled, raising her right hand into the air. The fire blazed beside Arianna. "I'll do it."
With a swift motion, the flames swept across the cell, reaching Orion. His clothes ignited, and his screams echoed off the walls.
Arianna’s knees gave out, and she slid to the floor, breathing raggedly.
This is a dream.
This must be a dream!
What in the world is Selene? What is she?!
Orion struggled like an insane man. He scream. Roared until it all settled back to silence.
Arianna looked up, and Selene was standing before her, scrutinizing her from head to toe.
Then, a rare smile crept onto the mysterious head maid’s lips as she murmured,
"My theory was right. You are indeed the one."