The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Selene and a healer tended to Arianna, doing an overall check-up on her state after giving her a nice bath.
Apart from the exhaustion and the red marks that signified the king's possession, Arianna was absolutely fine.
Selene, however, was restless. Arianna now had her trail of dragon—it was merging with her, giving her the ability to heal.
Selene had sighted the crescent mark on Arianna's neck; it appeared and disappeared.
A sign that soon, Arianna’s hair would turn silver, and the crescent mark would stay without fading.
The process was merely slow due to the alpha blood running through Arianna’s veins.
“She is fine, Your Majesty. All she needs is rest,” Selene reported to King Duncan, who sat just around the corner, his sharp yet tired gaze never leaving Arianna.
“Would you like me to stay and watch her, Your Grace?” Selene asked.
“No,” Duncan stated, his eyes not leaving Arianna for a second. “Leave us.”
Selene’s heart worried. With Arianna now meant to remain in the King's chamber, it will be hard for Selene to keep a close eyes on her.
The king's door creaked open as servants brought in Arianna’s belongings. It was just a few clothes and items that reeked of slavery.
King Duncan’s expression quickly turned displeased.
“Dispose and burn them all. She shall have new ones that don’t reek of filth,” he commanded, and the servants left immediately.
Duncan shot a questioning look at Selene, as if wondering why she was still there.
“Your Grace,” Selene kept her voice steady, “may I suggest that Arianna be given time to recover before any sudden changes are made?”
Duncan’s brows knitted. “Are you questioning my decisions, Selene?”
“No, Your Majesty, I dare not,” she replied quickly. “Only advising.”
“She will have everything she needs,” he muttered, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Selene cast one last glance at Arianna, who was sleeping on the bed, before finally stepping out and shutting the door behind her with a light thud.
Now left alone with her, Duncan stared at the woman lying on his bed. He took in her delicate, alluring features without restraint.
He drew closer, lying beside her. His fingers reached out, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face.
His touch was gentle—too gentle for the beast lurking beneath his skin.
Arianna stirred in her sleep, mumbling words as if responding to his presence. She drew close, wrapping her tiny arms around him.
Her silver eyes fluttered open—barely—meeting his own.
“Dun?” she whispered, then a sleepy smile spread across her lips. Her eyes slowly closed again as she murmured, “You're here.”
Duncan smirked amusingly.
He mumbled, caressing her face, “When you wake up, you will learn what it means to belong to a king.”
••••••••
Ambassador Wings
“Your things and the carriage are ready, Alpha Toran,” Lord Pericles informed the man standing by the window, who gave no reply.
Pericles walked to stand beside Toran, his gaze settling on the bustling servants in the yard.
"I assume Lady Valkyrie must be in her chamber, pondering multiple strategies to win the king's affection."
"Say what you want to say," Toran mumbled but Pericles lips stayed shut, letting many beats if silence pass.
“Everyone is talking about it,” Pericles said, breaking the silence between them. “The king ordered the slave’s belongings into his own chamber.”
Toran’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
“Isn't that supposed to be your sister instead of a mere slave?" Anger mated Pericle's voice. "Does that mean the slave is starting to have more value than your—”
“Don't you dare complete that word, Lord Pericles,” Toran snapped and Pericles' jaw clenched. “You should remember your place and watch your tongue. You wouldn't be here if it weren’t for the Black Iron Pack. My pack always gets what we want, how we want, and whenever we want it—no matter the circumstances.”
Pericles sighed, his voice lowering and softer now. “This is heading in a different direction, Alpha Toran. Do you realize what’s at stake? Valkyrie’s marriage to the king isn’t just about her—it’s about the power that comes with it. High nobles have spent years ensuring that union happens. They’ve made promises, forged alliances, and positioned themselves for what’s to come. If Valkyrie becomes queen, they secure their influence, their future.”
Toran’s expression darkened. He knew Pericles was right.
Pericles pressed on. “We’re talking about control over key trade routes, command over elite legions, and a direct claim to the king’s ear. And do not forget that the slave is the daughter of an Alpha too—Alpha Thane, at that. The only bastard who doesn’t agree with whatever we do.”
Pericles paused, his voice laced with frustration. “If the late bastard Thane’s daughter wins the king's heart—or worse, if she turns out to be the king’s mate—we are fucking screwed. Four guards and a slave master were killed in the forest by the king, and she survived his rut. Doesn't that ring a bell?"
“You need to relax your nerves, Lord Pericles,” Toran snapped again, growing frustrated by the constant reminder. “I know the risks and the worries, alright? But the king has promised us that he would crown her. As for the bitch being the king’s mate—that is entirely impossible. Her ex-mate, Alpha Kael, is still alive. So she is not the King's mate. Perhaps the king is merely… indulging. That is all.”
Silence stretched between them before Pericles finally spoke again. “I hope you're right, Lord Toran. I truly hope so.”
Pericles turned to leave but halted at the door, glancing back at Toran.
“By the way, I noticed your vertical pupils. It seems you didn’t satisfy yourself last night on the full moon—you’re at the edge. I'll send in the slave I have to you--to satisfy you before you leave.”
As the door shut behind Pericles, Toran let out a low growl.
Pericles was right… he was at the edge.
Every nerves of him was on fire desperately searching for something to destroy.