The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 45: Chapter 45

"The horse might die with its baby,"
Arianna momentarily glanced at the two women a few paces away, speaking in worried tones, before continuing her work.
"Oh dear, and that’s one of the King’s favorite horses. There are barely any healers at the palace right now."
Her interest was piqued.
Arianna snapped her attention back to them. The King’s favorite horse?
Ignore them, Arianna. It’s none of your business, her mind whispered.
But as she continued working, her mind remained restless, her conscience eating her up for no damn good reason until she finally gave up. Before she knew it, she was heading to the barn.
The white horse lay on the floor, neighing painfully, its blood staining the soil as three healers tried to help the foal out.
Arianna's eyes assessed the situation for a moment, and without hesitation, she pushed her way through the crowd of onlookers and approached the healers.
"Let me help," she said.
The healers looked up at her, surprised by her sudden arrival. "Who are you?" one of them asked.
"She's the king's slave," another replied, giving her a skeptical look.
"And what makes you think we'll be needing someone like you?" another sneered.
"Quiet," the older one, seeming to be the head, snapped at them before looking at Arianna. "I heard you were once an Alpha's daughter. Do you have any knowledge about this?"
"Yes, I learned from my late mother. Please let me assist you."
The other healers exchanged a look, and the older healer agreed. "Very well. We could use all the help we can get."
Arianna quickly got to work, examining the horse and its unborn foal. She could feel that the foal was in a difficult position, and the beautiful white horse was in distress.
"We need to turn the foal," she said, her voice calm and authoritative. "Can you hand me that rope?"
One of the healers handed her a rope, and Arianna carefully inserted it into the birth canal. With a gentle but firm tug, she began to turn the foal.
The horse neighed in pain, but Arianna spoke softly to calm it. "It's okay, girl. I've got this. Just relax."
Slowly, the foal began to move into a better position. Arianna continued to guide it, her hands moving with precision.
"C'mon, almost there, girl. You can do it," Arianna said, throwing reassuring words to the horse.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the foal emerged into the world.
Arianna smiled, lying on the floor as she held it close, the blood wetting her attire. It was a beautiful little creature.
"She did it!" one of the healers gasped, as did some of the onlookers.
Handing it over to its mother, the horse nuzzled its newborn foal, and Arianna smiled satisfactorily.
"You did it, girl," she said, patting the horse's neck.
"Wow," Atlas said with wide eyes as Arianna began heading back to her work. "That was amazing. You saved the king's favorite horse. He might reward you for this."
"I doubt that," Arianna scoffed, then sighed, staring down at her dress. "Now I desperately need another dress."
••••••
Toran was now at the Sacred Wings, using the excuse of escorting Valkyrie, who pretended to be sick in her room.
He knew the excuse was weak, but at least it had finally granted him access after three days.
He crossed paths with Brigid and another maid, stopping to ask where the King's slave was.
"Why do you wish to know?" Brigid asked, raising a brow, clearly not liking Toran's presence.
"The King's slave works in the vineyard," the maid behind Brigid answered instead.
"I’d be glad if you could show me," he said with a charming smile, making the maid’s cheeks flush with heat.
"This way, my Lord," she replied, ignoring Brigid's glare.
Brigid watched them leave and muttered under her breath, "That’s Lady Valkyrie’s brother. No wonder he looks familiar."
Upon reaching the vineyard, the maid pointed. "There she is."
Toran’s eyes widened as he followed her gesture to the garden where Arianna was working. He blinked, making sure he wasn’t hallucinating.
Arianna Greystone? Kael’s fucking mate?
Wasn’t she supposed to be dead—killed by rivals on her wedding night?
“What an interesting twist,” he muttered. He had been worried for nothing.
According to the mating chronicles, a second-chance mate was only possible if the first mate was dead. Kael was still very much alive—there was no way she could be suddenly mated to the King.
But how the hell had she survived the King’s rut? Was it because of her Alpha blood?
No. Valkyrie had Alpha blood too, and she had almost died trying to satisfy the King. And if he recalled correctly, Arianna was said to have no wolf when she stepped into the lion’s den.
Then, a memory surged through him.
That night—he had pushed Arianna onto a bed, intending to force himself on her, only to get struck in the head. He had bled, but smiled like a madman.
“Touch me again, and I will kill you,” Arianna had spat before storming out.
They’d had bad blood ever since. Yet seeing her now, with features more striking than they were five years ago, Toran couldn’t help but lick his lips lustfully.
How about a taste of her before ending her? Sounds good, doesn’t it?
His eyes shifted to the slave master, who seemed to be trying to get Arianna’s attention.
Toran could spot a scumbag from a mile away.
First was Kael—Toran had always known that bastard had no good intentions. Then Kael’s father, Darius, who had tried to betray Arianna’s father, leading to his death.
And then finally was this slave master with her. He knew the young man—a man who raped a seven-year-old kid and got away with it.
Ser Atlas... isn't that his name?
Atlas had a deep trait of his bastard father, Ser Orion; the difference was Atlas tended to be calculative.
But then, a thought slipped through Toran's mind, and a smirk graced his lips as he turned to leave.
••••••
Atlas stepped into the room, only to halt when he spotted Toran lounging lazily on the couch.
He hadn’t expected him. His expression quickly turned guarded.
“Ser Toran. What a surprise,” Atlas said cautiously.
Toran rose to his feet, skipping any formalities. “I know you’re drawn to the king’s slave. You want a taste of her, don’t you?”
Atlas let out a short scoff. “I won’t be your pawn, Toran. I know how you use people to get what you want.”
“Oh, come on,” Toran said, waving a hand dismissively. “I saw the way you looked at her earlier. I’m offering to help. Since when is that a crime?”
Atlas shook his head. “I’m not like you. If something’s meant to happen, it’ll happen. I’m taking things slow with her.”
"Oh yeah? And how is that going? A man who raped a seven-year-old kid decided to suddenly take things slow? You can simply have the king's slave tonight if you do what I say. Just a taste of her, and you'll be done with it."
"I'm leaving." Atlas turned on his heels, but as he reached the door, he paused and took a deep breath.
Slowly, he turned to Toran, who raised a brow at him.
"Are you sure?" Atlas asked, his voice low. "That I'm going to have her tonight?"
Toran smiled. "Of course, she'll be all yours."