The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Lylah stood frozen at the male's intimidating look. Her throat felt try but she forced her words out.
“I’m sorry for...”
He cut her off.
“What is your name, and why did you plan on intruding this place, despite being aware of the dire consequences?” His voice was icy, making her stomach twist.
Lylah drew in a deep breath, sounding polite. “Lylah Greystone, my Lord, and I'm here to find my sister.”
A beat of silence passed.
“Greystone?” Lucas frowned, a flicker of recognition in his gaze that gave Lylah a little more confidence. “You're an alpha's daughter?”
“Yes. My older sister was sold to the Citadel.” Lylah's voice slightly trembled as she nodded. What if Lady Gelena was right? What if her sister was truly dead?
That would truly break her heart, she wasn't sure she'd be able to handle that kind of news.
“Arianna... is that her name?”
Lylah's eyes flickered with hope. This man knew her sister? “Yes... yes, Arianna is her name. She is average height, with long black hair and these hazel-green eyes... she's...”
“I know who you're talking about, little one,” Lucas cut in and Lylah froze.
“She's alive?” Tears welled in her wide eyes. Her lips parted, lost of words.
Lucas eyes momentarily scrutinized her, then his voice was flat. “Yes.”
Lylah breathed out in relief, a wide smile flashing on her face. She wiped her tears before they could fall. “Where is she? I need to speak to her. She needs to find a way to return home...”
“You think you can get in here, demand your sister, and step out of the Citadel freely?” His voice cut her off like a jagged blade.
“I know what they said about her being a traitor, but that is not true. She is an alpha who loves her pack. The Elders and her so-called mate... ex-mate betrayed her...”
Lucas frowned at the word “ex-mate.” Arianna had a mate?!
“The guards sold her instead of killing her. This is all a mistake...”
Lucas stepped forward, leaning slightly as her height barely reached his shoulder, the barricade stood in between them. His cold gaze locked with hers.
“Sinners labeled as traitors are normally sentenced to die. Why do you think your sister survived the slave trial?”
Lylah blinked in confusion. She was curious about that too. Clearly, Lady Gelena wasn't joking when she mentioned that Arianna was going to die that day.
But Lylah had held onto a little bit of hope. Arianna was strong, a type that would never give up.
However, Lucas's next words sent dread into her core.
“The king took an interest in your sister. She is a slave to King Duncan now... There's no guarantee that your sister will ever be free from him.”
The blood drained from Lylah's face.
The king's... what?!
“And as for you, little wolf, for planning to intrude this Citadel and for your disrespectful act, you'll be punished severely—one that will make you regret each day that you made that decision,” he declared with utmost solemnity.
"Your high--" her words were caught of when Lucas spun and left the place
The gate shut, and Lylah’s jaw clenched, but then a smirk formed on her lips.
“At least she is still alive,” she mumbled.
She just needed to find a way to escape the clutches of this handsome lord.
•••••••••
VINEYARD
"They look good together," said a servant to another.
Arianna glanced at the king and Valkyrie walking gracefully outside. Valkyrie was saying something to him while he listened with a stoic expression on his face.
Seeing them together gave a strange pang in her heart.
The king's gaze met Arianna's, but it didn’t last a second before he averted his eyes as if she doesn't exist.
"I know, right? I've heard the king plans to announce Lady Valkyrie as his Luna at the upcoming Grand festival."
Ariana's movement froze, her heart fell like stone thrown into a well.
"The news is spreading like wildfire through the citadel."
"I guess the king has been delaying this, using it to wait for his true mate. Maybe he has given up. His mate is never show up."
"The king has no choice, by the way. He needs to show allegiance with the Alpha. So I've heard."
For some reason, the servant's words got under her skin. When she glanced in the king's direction again, they were already leaving.
“Hello again,” Atlas greeted behind her, flashing a sweet smile.
“Good evening, Ser,” she replied, forcing herself to return the smile.
“I hope you have a beautiful night,” he said, walking with her as she took an empty bucket to fetch some water.
“I did, Ser,” she replied, her voice hesitant. “How about yours?”
As they walked, they crossed a slave who flashed a smile at Atlas but shot a displeased gaze at Arianna.
Atlas had a lean, muscular frame, a cheerful aura, and a cute smile. Many of the female slaves swooned over him, but not her.
“Mine was alright. It looks like you didn't sleep a wink, though,” Atlas observed. “Is there something troubling you? You know I promised to help.”
Ariana forced a smile. “That is so kind of you, Ser Atlas. But do you have any idea where I can find the headmaid Selene?”
She hadn't seen Selene since that day, and she needed answers about what was happening to her.
“She is in the servants' wing, preparing for the upcoming grand festival,” he replied. “Is there something you need? I can help instead.”
Ariana's lips paused. Why was this master so nice to her? Did he have any motive, just like the previous one?
She shook her head lightly. “No, Ser. I'm good,” she continued walking, and he followed.
“So you've confirmed it. Your eyes are silver in color,” Atlas said as they walked.
“Yes, they are,” her voice trailed off.
"Wait," Atlas said, and Arianna stopped in her tracks. "You have something in your hair."
He reached out to pluck the leaf from her hair before she could reply.
"Thanks," Arianna flashed him a small smile.
As they spoke, Duncan watched from a distance, his gaze piercing as he observed Arianna smiling with the new slave master as they discuss.
His brows furrowed, A flicker of something unreadable crossed the King’s face.
From where he stood, partially hidden beneath the shade of the vineyard archway, Duncan's eyes followed every movement of Arianna and Atlas.
He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he didn’t need to. The way she smiled at the slave master, tightened something in his chest.
Her smile wasn’t meant for him… and yet it burned.
His jaw ticked.
Ash sneered within watching the smile on her face widened, still directed to another man. It irritated him in ways he didn’t fully understand.
An urge to snatch her away made his head reeled but he restrained himself.
Beside him, Valkyrie continued speaking, “The Alpha of Raven’s Hollow arrives tomorrow.”
“Hm,” Duncan muttered.
She gave him a side glance. “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said.”
He didn’t answer. Instead his mind reeled from the fact a man was speaking with HIS slave.