The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 63: Chapter 63

"Where were you?"
Just that one question shattered the final thread Arianna had been holding onto—the last bit of strength keeping her from breaking under the weight of everything she had just learned.
Her breath hitched, and her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst through her chest. She couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.
Not because of the King's commanding presence, but because of how cruel the heavens had been to her.
"I..." Her lips trembled, barely forming the word.
Where could she even begin?
That she was born out of wedlock, a product of lust under a full moon.
That her biological mother was Drakora, who hated her from the moment she was born?
That everything she believed growing up was a lie?
That her Ouroboros side was mated to King Duncan—who hated that bloodline and might end her for it?
The thought of it reminded her of Kael's betrayal—a mate who had merely used her and ordered her death without batting an eye.
The thought of King Duncan possibly doing the same shattered her heart in a cruel way.
Why were so many things happening to her? It was too much.
Too hard to take in. But...
She wanted to tell him everything, despite the danger, despite the chance he might kill her right here. Yet the words refused to come.
"I..." She tried again, her voice breaking, chest heaving. She couldn’t breathe. Tears burned in her eyes.
King Duncan’s gaze slowly softened. The dangerous aura clinging to him like second skin began to fade.
"Your... Grace, I am..." Arianna’s breathing worsened, and Duncan immediately cupped her face, drawing closer.
"Ari, breathe," Duncan whispered—his voice a command, yet laced with concern.
"I'm sorry," a sad, wrecking sob escaped her lips. Tears streamed down her face like a waterfall. "I do not... wish to be born like this. I do not... wish for any of this to—"
"Look at me," Duncan cut in.
"Your Grace, I—"
"Look at me," his deep voice finally broke through. Arianna looked up, meeting his golden-amber eyes, filled with concern.
Duncan’s thick finger ran across her cheek, wiping away the tears.
"Don’t say anything, okay? Just breathe. Keep your eyes on me, alright?"
As warmth enveloped her, Arianna tried her best to focus on him. It did calm her, but the tears still burned behind her lashes.
"Now, let it out," he whispered. She looked at him, confused. Then he added, "In my arms."
And that was all Arianna needed to hear.
She threw caution to the wind and wrapped her tiny arms around his tall, broad frame.
Arianna broke into a wrecking sob—a sound filled with raw pain, as though every heartbreak she had buried resurfaced.
She let it all out. Her tears soaked his fabric as she clung to him. He was dangerous, yet she didn’t care.
Her body tensed for a moment as she felt Duncan’s hand gently touch her head, his fingers tangling in her short hair. His touch eased her nerves, quieting the panic and frustration in her chest.
His fingers stroked her hair gently, and Arianna melted completely in his arms.
She wished she could stay like this a while longer.
"Did I scare you, little flame?" His deep voice broke the silence, his fingers still running through her hair.
Arianna's bit her lower lip. Did he scare her? She wasn't sure how to answer that.
However, she focused on how she felt right now.
In his arms. She wasn't afraid. Not of him.
Weird, but true.
"No," she finally responded, her voice hoarse from her cries. "You didn’t scare me."
He stayed quiet, still holding her in his strong arms. "You disappeared all of a sudden and didn’t tell your maid where you went... It made me mad and curious."
So that was why he had been upset earlier.
"I’m sorry," she whispered, her voice sincere. She felt sorry for almost everything.
King Duncan reached for her chin, making her meet his gaze. "Are you hungry?"
"No," she shook her head. She might throw up if she take anything.
"Do you want me to stay?"
Arianna's gaze traveled back to his face, his expression tender and it warmth in her heart retuned.
Before she could stop herself, she nodded. Spending the night alone in this space would literally soffocate her, beside, she wanted to stay in his arms a little bit longer.
"Good. We’ll talk about what made you this upset later. You need to rest," he said softly.
"Yes, Your Grace." She whispered.
•••••••••
The sun rose, its hues peeking through the slightly parted curtains, casting a warm glow into Arianna's room.
She stirred awake with a gentle moan, slowly waking from her sleep.
She stared at the empty space beside her, memories of last night flooding her mind.
She had slept in the King's arms, even though he had been upset and curious about her sudden disappearance.
With the reminder that she was yet to reveal the truth to the king, Arianna's felt her anxiety return, gnawing at her.
He hadn’t forced the truth out of her… not yet.
But he would ask. And when he does...
What will she say?
What can she say?
Selene...
Arianna shut her eyes, feeling her breath quicken.
This could ruin everything.