The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 39: Chapter 39

“I asked you not to do too much,” Duncan said to the maid, his cold predatory gaze never leaving Arianna for second.
The maid bowed apologetically. “I only made a few touches, Your Grace. My lady is naturally beautiful.”
Another moment of silence passed before Duncan ordered, “Leave us.”
The maid left, shutting the door softly behind her, leaving only the two of them.
Arianna finally snapped out of her trance. She bowed respectfully, steadying her voice.
“Your Grace.” She straightened and cleared her throat. “With all due respect… may I ask why the sudden, uhm… treatment?”
Without a word, he stepped forward, approaching her. Arianna quickly took a step back, not wanting to be overwhelmed by his dangerously presence. But he didn’t stop—and neither did she—until her back met the table.
The way he stared at her made her skin stand, his gaze was like a predator who had just found its prey, ready to pounce and devour it.
“Let me get straight to the point,” he began, leaning in and placing his hands on the table behind her, trapping her between his broad frame.
Arianna's breath seized.
“I know what you are, little flame. I know you bear the blood of those bloody dragon keepers,” he said, and Arianna felt her heart plummeted.
King Duncan lean further, his face came dangerously close.
“I… I do?” she asked in a trembling voice, confused. How was that even possible? And how did he find out?
“That’s strange, because you told me about your parents—and I knew you weren’t lying at that moment. Your heart didn’t skip a beat as you spoke.”
Arianna’s mind whirled at the news. She really bore the Ouroboros blood? How was that even possible?
His strong arm suddenly pulled her close, her breasts pressing against his hard chest. The sudden movement made her gasp.
“How you got those bloody bastards’ blood in you—I’ll figure that out later. But one thing is clear, Ari,” he said, his grip on her waist tightening as he pulled her closer, his other hand rising to cup her face.
Her lips parted slightly as she remained frozen like a puppet in his hold.
“We are bonded. Tied. A bond that is irresistible," his voice dropped low and husky. "I tried to deny it, but only ended up deceiving myself. The way my Lycan keeps screaming mine, like it is now—a primal call that cannot be silenced,” he growled, his hand sliding to the back her neck, his breath warm against her face.
Arianna let out a soft, trembling sigh when his lips brushed against her neck.
He continued, his deep voice vibrating through her veins. “The bond isn’t clear because your wolf has gone into hibernation. I mistook it for something else because you carry two bloodlines. You’re special. And I’m going to wait for that hibernating wolf of yours to resurface so everything can be clarified… Then I’ll know.”
He paused and looked at her before adding, “Whether to take you in—or kill you.”
••••••••••••
"So the King's slave lied last night."
The head guard scoffed after hearing the report from the man he had sent to trail Arianna. He clicked his tongue in excitement.
The slave had dared to lie to his face and act superior, just to sneak off to go to the barrack uninvited? How brazen of her!
Now, that foolish act was about to land her in serious trouble. She was supposed to get twenty lashes for lying under the King's name... but he planned to double it-forty lashes!
How satisfying it would be to land those sharp-edged whips on her back, watching her skin bleed as it tore open. How thrilling it would be to hear her cry and beg for mercy.
She would taste hell, and he would enjoy giving it to her. And she'd better not survive-because he would keep hunting her.
Alpha's daughter, my ass!
"You, you, and you. Come with me. We're going to arrest the King's slave," he pointed and ordered, then marched off with them.
Upon reaching the Sacred Moon Wing, a guard stepped in front of them with a frown.
"What are you doing here in the Sacred Moon Wing, Rickon?" he asked.
"Step aside, Bolt. We're here to arrest the King's slave for lying under his name and insulting her superior." Rickon's voice sounded impatient. He badly wants to lay his lay his hands on her right now.
Bolt glanced at the other three soilders behind him before leaning towards Rickon and speaking in a low voice. "I'd advise you not to do that, Rickon."
Rickon raised a brow. "Why not? That damn slave was blabbering about being an Alpha's daughter, acting all high and mighty. I want to remind her who's in charge. Lucky for me, the King is around now-he'll let me punish her severely."
"Look," Bolt said, his voice dropping lower, "I saw the King cut off the mistress' personal handmaid right in front of me. All because of that slave."
Rickon barked out a laughter, but then his face fell with skepticism. "You expect me to believe that?... Move. You're standing in my way."
Bolt sighed. "Don't say I didn't warn you." He stepped aside, allowing the group of soldiers to pass.
•••••••••••
"So, tell me- which of your parents acts strange? One that has silver eyes like yours?" Duncan asked, still keeping her trapped between him and the table.
Arianna, struck by every word the King spoke, replied, "None of them, Your Grace."
Duncan scrutinized her, and Arianna was sure he was listening to her heartbeat as he interrogated her.
"Do you have a dragon?"
"No, Your Grace. Dragons are long gone," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
"What about the power of fire? Do you have it?"
Arianna's heart sank at the question. She was done for. She could still recall the fatal moment she and Selene killed a slave master using her powers. The King must never know-but how was she going to avoid this question?
"Answer me, Ari. Do you?"
Arianna swallowed. With no choice left, she replied, "Yes."
Duncan's eyes settled on her lips, his thumb reaching up to caress her lower lip.
"If you know you have the power of fire, that means you've used it. How did you use it?"
Beads of sweat pooled on Arianna's forehead, the knot in her stomach worsened. Yet his touch was messing with her senses.
Oh heavens, please save her!
A knock sounded on the door-quiet yet urgent-followed by the soft creak as it opened. Duncan, who had been mesmerized by her alluring lips, tore his gaze away and flicked it toward the guards who dared to interrupt him.
'The hell-they just interrupted our moment!' Duncan's Lycan, Ash, roared angrily beneath the surface.
Rickon froze where he stood, taking in the scene before him. He clearly hadn't expected the slave he wanted to arrest to be dressed in a fine gown, standing in the King's embrace.
And the King's eyes-gods-they looked ready to rip his throat out.
Arianna, on the other hand, exhaled in relief.
Thank the heavens for the interruption!
But her brows furrowed as she recognized the guards-especially the one standing at the front. The same one she had challenged last night.
"Cat got your tongue?" Duncan asked, his voice rough and edged with venom making the tension in the air double.
"Your Grace," Rickon stammered, slamming his right fist to his chest and offering a shallow bow. But his frame trembled, as did the guards who had followed him.
"W-We came to arrest the slave. While you were gone, she... she lied under your name to-" Rickon swallowed hard as Duncan's eyes flashed yellow. If he hadn't already relieved himself earlier, he would've surely peed his pants.
Rickon fell silent, unable to finish his sentence.
"Was that why you interrupted the moment?" Duncan asked, his brows knitting further.
"I'm sorry, Your Grace. I didn't know..." Rickon scrambled over his words. He had thought the slave was only here to clean the King's used plates... He figured it was the perfect time for an arrest-who would've thought things would turn out this way? Maybe he should've listened to Bolt.
"Pardon me, Your Grace... please forgive me," Rickon bowed deeply, his head nearly touching his knees. The other guards did the same, echoing his plea for forgiveness.
"Sure, I'll forgive you," Duncan said. "After you give me three thousand push-ups-along with the fools who came with you."
Rickon's eyes widened like the moon, and his palms instantly turned sweaty.
Duncan turned to Arianna, who swallowed the bile rising in her throat. Then he ordered,
"Sit, and let's eat."