The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 59: Chapter 59

"Aria!" Lylah ran to hug Arianna tightly the moment Nyra brought her to her new room—a room connected directly to the King's chamber but with its own space and privacy.
The room was larger, comfortably filled with silken sheets, a grand fireplace, and clothing not meant for a servant.
"Aww... I've missed you," Arianna said, breaking the hug with her sister, her soft laughter mingling with Lylah's own.
"Me too." Lylah's eyes teared up, and Arianna cupped her face.
"What is it?"
"You scared me," Lylah admitted in a cracking voice, and Arianna hugged her again.
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. I just... I didn’t want to burden you."
"I thought you said you wouldn’t keep anything away from me?" Lylah muffled against her chest.
"I won’t."
It was dark outside as Lylah sat beside Arianna, listening to her stories. It broke her heart, but somehow, she was glad that things seemed to be looking a little better.
"I haven't seen Mistress Valkyrie, but Brigid mentioned she hasn't left her chamber all day. Rumors say she is not feeling well."
Arianna shrugged. "I hope she gets better."
"Sarcasm," Lylah mumbled, and they both chuckled.
"Judging from your dressing, I guess you're not a slave anymore?"
"My clothes don’t mean I'm free." The King was being nice to her, but that didn’t mean the chain that clad her was broken yet.
"Oh yeah?" Lylah's eyes darted around the room. "Now you have a room of your own, a personal maid..."
"But I don’t have my own free will."
Lylah pressed on. "Yeah, but... since you show traits of being the King's destined mate, you could be the Luna."
Arianna’s smile dropped, her gaze lowering, and Lylah caught a disturbing look.
"That’s nonsense. No matter how much I hate Valkyrie, she is the King's betrothed," Arianna muttered.
"But she deceived the King."
"And the King hasn't punished her, despite knowing. Apart from that, I can't be the Luna."
"You're an Alpha's daughter. Full-blood."
Arianna looked away and settled her gaze on the fireplace. "Can we talk about something else?"
Lylah squinted. "You promised not to keep anything from me."
Arianna took a deep breath, staring at the fire and recalling the part about her bearing the Ouroboros blood.
"Aria," Lylah called, and Arianna finally faced her, drawing closer.
"Look into my eyes, Lylah, and tell me what color they are."
Lylah nodded lightly and stared closer, then frowned. "Silver? I thought you had green eyes, like Father."
"Hm," Arianna nodded. "I have the bloodline of the Ouroboros."
"Ouro... What?!"
"Ouroboros. They are dragon keepers. They have silver eyes, silver hair, and..." Arianna began explaining everything to Lylah—the story she found in Selene’s book, the dreams she had, and everything she knew about the Ouroboros.
Her voice was quiet and hushed for only Lylah to hear.
Lylah was stunned.
"I think one of our parents is actually from that bloodline," Arianna said, her voice panicked.
But Lylah was quiet, as if realizing something. Her hands slowly slipped from Arianna’s hold, her gaze lowering. Arianna squinted.
"Now you're the one making that face."
"I need to leave," Lylah said, standing abruptly, but Arianna held her back.
"Lylah. Seriously?" Arianna stared at her in disbelief.
"I don't... I don’t want to believe it," Lylah muttered.
"Believe what? You need to spit it out," Arianna's voice laced with frustration.
Lylah took a deep breath. "Years ago, before Father died, I heard him talking to Kael's father, Ser Darius. They were arguing about you being the heir of our pack. Darius claimed... you're a... bastard."
Arianna’s grip immediately loosened, her mind going blank as the news hit her like a huge blow.
"What?"
"I didn’t hear all of it because they sensed my presence, and I had to leave. But I didn't believe any of it—at least, not until I heard Father telling Mother that you're not her true child. They spoke for a long time, but that was the only part I heard. Mother looked upset, while Father caught me listening and made me promise not to tell you until my last breath. They—"
"Stop talking," Arianna cut in.
"They are still our parents, whatever—"
"Lylah, stop." Arianna's voice grew cold. "I think I need some time for myself."
"Aria, I couldn’t tell you—"
"We'll see each other tomorrow." Arianna stood, her expression disturbed. "It’s getting dark. The King will be back any moment. He can't meet you here—you need to understand that."
Lylah swallowed hard, guilt gnawing at her.
After Lylah left, Arianna sneaked to the garden, stood in the middle, and stared at the night sky. The cold breeze did nothing to ease the anxiety in her, even after an hour passed.
The more she thought about Lylah's words, the more the knot in her stomach tightened.
•••••••
Meanwhile...
Selene sat near the fireplace, her mind swimming with thoughts of how to see Arianna as soon as possible.
The King—Selene could sense that strange energy he emitted anytime he stared at Arianna. It had better not be what she was thinking, or it would bring a huge problem to the realm.
"This is beautiful, actually. Who is it for?" Brigid asked curiously, staring at the cloak in Selene’s hands.
"None of your business," Selene deadpanned.
Brigid expected that reply. She had never been curious about what Selene stitched before, but this one was different.
It had fine silver embroidery—eye-catching and elegant.
"Can you help me make one? I promise to do anything. Anything at all."
Selene sighed. "Let me guess. You want me to stitch one for Beta Lucas."
Brigid's smile dropped, hating how the head maid was so good at reading her.
"Sure, he is the one." Brigid's face lit up at the thought of Lord Lucas.
"Oh, such a poor heart you have there," Selene muttered. "Sadly, I do not have time to help you nurture it."
"Pleaseee, Madam Selene. I'll do anything. Just name it!"
"How about... don’t go near the barracks again?"
Brigid’s smile vanished. "Are you serious right now?"
A knock sounded, interrupting the moment. Selene sniffed once, immediately knowing who it was. She quickly stood to open the door, and—Eureka!
The person she badly wanted to see was at her doorstep.
Arianna.
"We need to talk," Arianna's jaw clenched, eyes blazing. "And if you don't tell me everything, I swear by the heavens, I'm gonna do something crazy. Selene."