The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Lord Lucas turned another girl into a warrior after only one spar? Meanwhile, she fought with everything she had, nearly dying, yet the Beta never gave her a chance.
Brigid's fists clenched as the healer tended to her wounds. She could hear the whispers around the room... the news was spreading like wildfire.
Brigid had been unable to witness the fight because she had passed out after the strange little girl entered to challenge the Grand Lord.
But when she heard what had happened, it only made her blood boil.
The Grand Lord made the girl win.
"All done," the healer said, and Brigid immediately put on her clothes. "Madam Selene will get mad if she hears about this."
"Where is the girl?" Brigid asked the healer, her hand clenching secretly as she stared into space.
"You mean the girl who sparred with the Grand Lord?"
Brigid hummed in response.
"She's in that room," the healer pointed to the room across from them.
"How badly is she injured?"
"Just a broken rib. Lord Lucas only swung her to the floor and asked her to yield. Despite how scary he was, she didn't give up..."
"I've heard enough," Brigid cut in, and the healer snapped her mouth shut.
"Oh," the healer's excitement cut short. Right, how could she have forgotten how this must feel for Brigid? She gathered her things. "I'll take my leave."
As she left, Brigid's eyes flicked toward the room across.
She got out of bed and approached to take a peek. The room was empty. Where is she?
"Hi," a tiny voice caught her attention. She turned and met the gaze of a young girl. Familiar.
"Do you know where I can find my sister or the handsome Grand Lord?" she asked, her hands behind her back.
"Handsome Grand Lord?" Brigid raised an eyebrow.
"I meant the Lord who sparred with me last night."
Brigid's eyes widened. She is the one! Damn, she's young.
"Wait!" Lylah blinked. "You're the maid who sparred with him before I did. Wow," she grinned and stretched her hand out for a handshake. "I'm Lylah Greystone. Nice to meet you."
Another shock rippled through Brigid. Greystone, as in Arianna's sister?!
••••••••••
The guard's count of whispers slowly grew forced and uneven. It was the only sound in the quiet room, hushed due to the king's presence, but Arianna could hear it.
Arianna took a sneak peek at them, and a pang of pity struck her heart.
The king's actions had shocked her to the bone, but she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter over it.
These guards were shaking so badly, sweat dripping down every part of their bodies, wetting the floor beneath them.
Three thousand? And they weren't even close. They looked as though they were about to faint, veins bulging on their foreheads.
Especially the one in the middle-the one she had challenged last night when she was desperate to see her sister.
This man was literally about to cry.
The pity Arianna had once felt was replaced with humor. She pressed her lips together, struggling to suppress her urge to burst into laughter.
But as she shifted her gaze away, her eyes settled on the king, who was staring back at her. Her smile dropped.
There were so many complications happening to her at the moment, especially with the king.
And here she was smiling?
Everything the king had said to her sent dread into her very cells.
The bond between them, the fact that she truly had the blood of an Ouroboros running through her veins.
Also, the fact that the king had almost found out what she did to the slave masters.
Everything made her feel unsettled.
Arianna averted her gaze, trying her best to focus on the food and continue eating her barely touched meal.
"You don't seem hungry," Duncan spoke, his deep voice vibrating through her space.
How could his voice carry so much effect on her?
"Yes, Your Grace. But I'm thankful for the meal," Arianna replied in a smooth voice. That was one of her talents.
No matter how much of a storm was swirling inside her, she always found a way to maintain a calm facade.
"Did you really lie under my name last night?" He asked, and Arianna almost choked on her saliva at his sudden, unexpected question.
Arianna's pulse thundered.
One thing was clear: she mustn't lie before him.
"I did it because I desperately wanted to see my sister... I'm sorry."
Duncan took the small knife on the table, then gently stabbed the piece of steak before putting it in his mouth, chewing on it gently.
"Your sister left your pack, went into the dark forest, and even sparred with Lucas. And then, you, on the other hand, dared to lie in my name just to see her... I can see the resemblance between the two of you... Does she bear Ouroboros blood too?"
"No!" Arianna quickly shook her head. "She's a full-blood werewolf, Your Grace."
"We cannot be sure yet. She is young and still has yet to have a wolf. It's good that you two are here because..." Duncan paused as he was interrupted by one of the guards falling with a thud and a groan.
His gaze flicked toward the guard who had fallen due to exhaustion but quickly continued his push-up as he met the King's sharp gaze.
Duncan sighed, mind linking with Falcon, who stood outside. The door opened, and Falcon stepped in.
"Yes, Your Grace," he bowed.
"Get up," Duncan ordered the guards on punishment. "State the numbers you've done so far."
"255, Your Grace."
"241, Your Grace."
"240, Your Grace."
"219, Your Grace," Rickon spoke last, his voice like a man who was about to pass out.
"Hmm, that's quite interesting," Duncan muttered, caressing the golden ring on his finger.
Rickon's eyes flashed with a bit of relief, thinking the King was proud of the number, but his relief was replaced with dread when the King spoke again.
"Falcon, they will continue outside. They are to do 3,000 push-ups. Even if they pass out and wake up, they should continue until that number is completed. If they don't finish before midnight, then I'll take their heads. Understood?"