The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Valkyrie noticed the tension radiating from the King. She followed his gaze and saw Arianna speaking with the slave master. Anger rose in her chest.
She had purposely walked with the King to show Arianna who truly belonged by his side, but her efforts were slipping away. Why was the King staring at her?
Determined to divert his attention, she spoke up.
"Shall we—"
"I'll head to my chamber," Duncan cut her off and walked away.
Valkyrie's gaze snapped back to Arianna. That girl annoyed her for no good reason.
Then a thought crossed her mind, and she smirked. It had been a while since she taught that bitch a lesson—now was the time.
By evening, Arianna was done with all her work. As she started to head to her chamber, a maid approached her.
"The King summoned you."
Sighing, Arianna turned toward the King’s chamber instead, her mind still reeling from the scene of the King with his betrothed earlier that day, wondering why he wanted to see her tonight.
Was he going to show her how he planned to spend the night with his betrothed too?
Tssk. Arianna had purposely laughed with Atlas that afternoon—since the King was showing off with his betrothed, she decided to show she wasn’t alone either.
She had no idea why she acted that way, but for some reason, she couldn’t handle seeing the King with that woman.
However, amidst it all, she had seen the King leaving and Valkyrie casting her a knowing smirk before walking away as well.
Now, being called to his chamber, Arianna couldn’t stop her mind from spinning, wondering what the reason could be.
Stepping inside, she found the room empty. It seemed the King was busy with something.
Or perhaps he’s with Valkyrie, her mind whispered, and she quickly shut the thought down.
Wanting to distract herself, she decided to explore the King’s chamber.
The room was beautifully crafted—huge and magnificent. Ancient paintings hung on the walls, accentuating its grandeur.
One of them caught her attention the most.
A large wolf-like painting surrounded by flames. It was beautiful yet terrifying, whispering untold stories. Terrible stories, she presumed.
She stepped in front of it, letting herself admire the wolf and fire. Before she knew it, her hand reached out to touch it—then paused as the door suddenly creaked open.
Three hefty guards stepped in, followed by Valkyrie.
With one look, Arianna knew what was coming. Valkyrie was about to start something.
"You dare come into my darling's chamber without being summoned? You’re here to steal something, aren’t you?" Valkyrie smirked, and Arianna’s brows furrowed.
"What are you talking about?"
Valkyrie took slow, menacing steps toward her, the heels of her boots clicking sharply against the marble floor.
“What am I talking about?” she repeated mockingly. “Oh, don’t play innocent now, little rat. I saw you touching that wall. What did you think you’d find—some hidden treasure? Or are you just trying to leave your scent on everything that belongs to my darling?”
Arianna’s jaw clenched. “I was summoned.”
Valkyrie gave a dramatic gasp, placing a hand over her heart. “Summoned? By my Duncan? How adorable. And yet… he’s not here, is he?”
The guards behind her stiffened, awaiting orders.
“I think it’s time you remembered your place,” Valkyrie continued, her voice venomous. “Guards, arrest her."
Before Arianna could react, one of the guards gripped her arm tightly. She struggled, eyes narrowing at Valkyrie.
“This is abuse of power,” she hissed. “The King won’t allow this.”
Valkyrie leaned in close, her voice a whisper. “He won’t know. And even if he did… who would he believe? His betrothed? Or a lowly thing he uses to warm his bed?”
That stung more than it should have.
"You fûcking b!tch!" Arianna spat defiantly, her eyes showing no fear.
"B!tch?" Valkyrie glared. "How dare you insult your Luna?" She shifted her gaze to the most powerful guard in the room. "Do it."
The hold on Arianna’s shoulders tightened. The hefty guard landed several punches on her stomach, making her groan out loud.
Blood spilled from her lips. The impact made her ribs ache painfully.
A roar tore through her. That familiar growl—just like when she burned the slave masters... Arianna’s eyes went wide. Oh no!
"Thieves are to have their hands cut off," Valkyrie smirked, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Perharps being a cripple will remind you of what you are Arianna. A slave."
They held Arianna’s arm as one of them pulled out a sword, raising it in the air to strike. The metal glistened under the dim lighting.
Another growl sounded from within her. A strand of her hair turned silver... Just around the corner, a fire in the room flickered violently in response.
Suddenly, a powerful aura and a commanding scent filled the room.
"What the fuck is happening here?"
The King’s deep voice made them all freeze.
Valkyrie’s eyes widened in shock. The King was supposed to be in a council meeting… not here.
"Darling," she kept her voice steady as the King approached, his boots clicking against the floor with a light yet menacing thud. "This slave entered your chamber without permission and even insulted me. She had to be punished."
King Duncan stopped in his tracks, casting a blank glance at Arianna, who shook her head.
"That is not true, Your Grace; she tricked me," Arianna defended, her eyes burning with unshed tears.
"Leave," he said coldly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. His gaze was devoid of warmth, and it struck her deeply. "Go to your room."
She shook her head. "I didn’t—"
"I said leave, slave. Get out!" he barked sharply.
Arianna flinched, her heart sinking like a stone tossed into a well.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she swallowed her pride, bowing her head before quickly retreating. Her steps quickened as she sought only to escape the suffocating atmosphere.
"Darling, we should have her punished for—"
Valkyrie’s words were abruptly cut off as the King moved faster than her eyes could track. Snatching a sword from the guard who had struck Arianna, he swung with precision, severing the man’s wrist in one brutal motion.
A sickening scream erupted, only to be muffled as Duncan clamped a hand over the man's mouth, his grip like iron.
"Make a sound," Duncan hissed, his voice venomous, "and the next swing will take your head."
The guard trembled violently, choking back his cries despite the unbearable pain, blood pooling beneath him.
Valkyrie stood frozen in shock, her breath caught in her throat as she watched the scene unfold.
Her horror deepened when Duncan turned his burning gaze to her, his golden eyes glowing with unrestrained fury.
Like a vice, he grabbed her throat and slammed her against the nearest wall—hard. Almost snapping her spine.
She felt as though she had fallen into the depths of hell when she locked gazes with him.
"You’re very lucky you weren’t the one who had hit her, Valkyrie," he growled, the sound rumbling through his chest…
Deep and burning with fury.
That Alpha voice made her tremble—each breath of hers felt like a stab in her chest.
"However, since it was your order, I’ll give you this warning," Duncan shifted closer, his face inches from hers as he glared…
"The next time you touch her, I swear by the gods… I WILL KILL YOU."