The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Kill her?
For a mere slave?
Valkyrie's eyes widened in shock at the King's words. They echoed over and over again, each repetition feeling like a brutal stab to her heart.
Her pulse thundered.
Why?
But that question was shoved to the back of her mind as the King squeezed harder.
"You've been overstepping your boundaries far too often, Valkyrie, and I’m growing tired of your theatrics. You are neither Queen nor ruler here." His eyes darkened further, and Valkyrie’s wolf whimpered under the intensity. "Do not overstep your bounds again."
Blood trickled down Valkyrie's lips. She was slowly losing consciousness and sanity at the same time.
Just when she thought she might die in the King’s brutal hold, his hand released her, and she crumpled to the floor.
She coughed, only making her throat burn even more. With her head lowered, her vision turned red.
Her body trembled violently from the pain and the pressure of her chest.
Only then did she remind herself—she was only chosen to be the King's future bride. The King harbored no feelings for her.
She felt foolish for thinking she had finally formed a bond with him today, simply because he had eaten with her, walk with her and listened to her talks for almost the whole day.
But she had been wrong. Nothing had changed, despite all her efforts to please him.
Something had shifted tonight.
Arianna meant something to the King. And that terrified her even more.
Tears spilled out of her eyes dropping to the floor. Tension settled in the room like a thick, heavy fog.
"Get out," the King growled.
No one needed to tell Valkyrie or the guards twice—they scurried out of the chamber.
As the door shut, Duncan still felt restless. His hand itched to slash something, to spill blood.
His Beta, Lucas, had attended the council meeting in his stead, and Duncan had simply gone to check on his warriors himself.
Then, for some reason, he decided to return to his chamber—only to hear Arianna's painful groan.
The scene had driven him to the edge, making every drop of his blood boil.
He had been hard on Arianna… He didn’t want to admit it, but the image of her speaking with the new slave master had slipped into his mind when he barked at her—calling her a slave.
The hurt in her eyes had been clear when she ran out. It only fueled his anger, making his bloodlust surge.
For a moment, King Duncan had nearly lost control. He had almost torn through Valkyrie right then and there.
A breath away from ripping her head off and watching it roll on the floor.
It was surreal that the sight of his slave could trigger him this way.
Only his mate should make him feel like this. She had no wolf to connect to. His Lycan never called her his mate.
One thing he hated the most was curiosity and confusion.
Only then did he make up his mind. It was time to visit the Seer.
•••••••••
She ran.
Like a wounded pup.
Not to her small room, but outside. She longed for the fresh air of the night to ease the painful knot that refused to go away in her stomach.
Leave, slave. Get out!
Slave.
Why did that word hurt so much, coming from him? He had called her that before, so why did it feel like it had not only stabbed her heart but torn it apart brutally this time?
Tears filled her eyes as her feet collided with the floor, light and hurried.
Finally, she reached outside, ignoring the soldiers barking at her.
Just for a while, she needed the cold breeze on her skin.
He hadn’t even listened to what she had to say. He had simply taken his betrothed’s side. Her words had meant nothing to him.
The realization clenched her chest so hard she couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
Valkyrie was his betrothed, while she, on the other hand, was a slave. Just like what Valkyrie had said, she was a mere body to satisfy his hunger.
What had she expected? That the King would take her side?
"Hey, slave! Get away from there!" a soldier barked. She wiped her damp cheeks, her jaw clenching.
Slave.
She hated that word.
The soldier approached, his footsteps growing louder, and then his hand grabbed her shoulder, pulling her up.
"Let go of me!" she snapped, jerking her arm free from his rough grip.
The soldier glared, the moonlight casting his broad shadow over her, yet she showed no fear.
"Do you have a death wish, woman?" he sneered. "Leave, or you'll find yourself in the dungeon."
Her breath came hard, chest heaving. She knew she should lower her head and retreat—but she couldn’t.
She was tired. Tired of being ordered around.
"I came out to get some air," she bit out, her head held high. "Is that a crime now?"
The soldier’s eyes narrowed. "For a slave to be unsupervised at night? Yes, it is. Now leave while I’m still being nice, slave."
Arianna’s fists clenched. That damned word again.
"What is going on here?"
A familiar voice cut through the tension. Sharp, calm—commanding.
Atlas.
He stepped forward, arms crossed, his gaze flickering between the soldier and Arianna.
"She was loitering out here," the soldier spoke gruffly. "Wandering alone. You know the rule—"
"I don’t recall fresh air being a crime in the Citadel," Atlas said smoothly. His tone was calm yet edged with authority, making the soldier hesitate.
Arianna never thought he had such a side. Intimidating.
Atlas stepped closer, his voice low and slightly dangerous. "Unless you want me to report to the King about how you’re treating his personal property."
Arianna bit her lip at the phrasing but said nothing.
The soldier knew better than to argue with Atlas. Casting a final glare at Arianna, he stepped back, retreating to his post.
Atlas’s gaze met Arianna’s, his usual calm and cheerful demeanor returning.
With a slight hint of worry in his eyes, he approached her. "Are you alright?"
Arianna nodded, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Ser Atlas and yes I'm alright."
Atlas squinted at her, his voice tinged with warmth and humor. "Liar. The tears in your eyes say otherwise. Did the soldier hurt you before I arrived?"
Arianna shook her head. "No."
Atlas sighed and extended a hand. "Come on. It’s not safe for you to be out here alone. I’ll walk you back."
Arianna glanced at his hand and politely declined. "That’s very kind of you, Ser. But I’d like to stay out for a while."
She felt like the small space of her room would suffocate her if she went back.
She’d be alone, drowning in her thoughts. And that would be mind-wrecking.
"Alright," Atlas said, stepping closer beside her. He flashed her a small smile before gazing up at the night sky. "Then I’ll stay with you."
Arianna was surprised, but then grateful.
She wasn’t alone. And Atlas understood that.
She tilted her head backward, gazing at the stars, feeling her nerves slowly ease as the cool breeze grazed her skin. She shut her eyes, letting it wash over her.
Meanwhile, Atlas tore his gaze from the sky and settled it on her face. She had this calm, almost serene expression.
A perfect female.
She was beautiful.
Definitely attractive to be his woman.