The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 67: Chapter 67

"Did you hear it?” Valkyrie asked her maid, her eyes focused on her own reflection in the mirror.
“What, my lady?” her personal maid asked, concern lacing her voice.
"The moans. The cries of pleasure. The creaking of table beneath them... The sound of a woman taking my place. Did you hear everything, Cassia?" Valkyrie questioned.
Cassia who had saw the king with his slave earlier with the mistress, bit down her lip, not knowing what to say.
"My life has never been my own. I've always tried to be his perfect daughter, but it was never enough. My mother died because she wasn’t perfect for him—I don’t want the same life," Valkyrie began lighting the candle set before the mirror before her. "That is why I’m trying so hard. And now that I am this close, this damn close to satisfying his wishes by becoming the Grand Queen of this Citadel, some bitch comes to snatch it away from me. Whether I live or die... My doom is certain ."
The maid’s heart dropped to her feet. Biting her lips, she hesitated before whispering, "You do not want this?"
Valkyrie stared at her reflection, her expression blank.
"I don’t even know what I am anymore. I don’t see me. I’m like a torch, one my brother and father ignite whenever they please. I don’t even know what I want."
"My lady… may I offer counsel?"
"Go on," Valkyrie replied, surprising Cassie who hesitated for a moment.
"If this isn’t what you want, if this isn’t what you truly seek—if it troubles you—then you should… leave."
"Leave?"
"Yes, my lady. Leave the city. Perharps the realm. Go somewhere far, somewhere no one can find you. Find peace. A home. A man who will cherish you day and night."
"And you think my father won’t find me?" Valkyrie scoffed. "My bastard of a brother has countless connections. If I leave this palace, If I must leave this kingdom—this realm. They would find me."
"But I shall be with you. In every way. I will serve you to my last breath, my lady."
It was strange hearing this from her personal maid. Valkyrie never treated her well, yet the girl still cared—cared enough to offer help, even loyalty.
Tsk. How dumb. Valkyrie thought, but for some reason, the maid's words echoed her head. Tempting.
"What a nice speech," a voice drawled from behind them.
Before Valkyrie could react, a sword pierced through the maid from behind. Cassia gasped, blood spilling from her mouth, her wide eyes locking onto Valkyrie’s before flickering to blade that had emerged out of her tummy.
She then shifted her gaze to the man who had stabbed her.
Ser Magnus.
Magnus watched as the maid crumpled to the floor, lifeless. Her blood pooling beneath her.
His cold eyes flicked toward his daughter, his expression unreadable as she stood in silent shock.
"You will not entertain foolish words like those, Valkyrie." Magnus approached Valkyrie. "You understand well that you are no puppet—you are the Queen of this nation."
"I understand, Father," Valkyrie responded in a quiet, restrained voice.
"Good. Under no circumstances should you let anyone get into your head."
Valkyrie remained silent, letting silence reign in the room before she finally spoke.
"I have a question."
"Go on."
"What if I don’t want this anymore? What if I am losing? What if that grand seat ends up belonging to someone else? What will happen to me then?"
Magnus’ expression darkened under the dim glow of the room. "Let’s just hope that never happens, because what comes after that, my dear daughter, is not something you would want to have any inkling of."
Valkyrie swallowed, speechless. Her gaze blank.
Casually, Magnus ordered his guards, "Clear the body."
The maid—one he had personally chosen for Valkyrie, a girl who had been devoted to their pack since birth—was now nothing more than another casualty.
"Your brother has returned. You should find a way to congratulate him, should you not?"
Valkyrie gave a small nod.
With that, Magnus bid her goodnight and left the room.
The door shut behind him with a heavy finality, like the sealing of fate itself in Valkyrie’s ears.
“Please! Please, let me just see him!” A desperate scream tore from Nadia’s lips as she tried to push past the guards.
“Get off me!” One of them shoved her back against the door, the impact sending pain shooting through her knees. “You’d better behave yourself, or I shall cut your throat.”
Nadia dropped to her knees. “I just need a few moments with Lord Pericles. I promise I won’t take more than two minutes. I swear!”
“Leave. Now,” the guard sneered.
But Nadia wasn’t going to give up. Summoning all her strength, including her wolf’s, she launched herself toward the door. She wasn’t strong enough, but she put in everything she had.
Swiftly, she bashed into the guard. He grabbed her hair, but before he could yank her back, Nadia turned and sank her fangs into his hand. A sharp scream tore from his lips.
“You bitch!” he growled, but she had already barged into the chamber—only to be met with the sight of Lord Pericles being pleasured by a male slave.
Pericles didn’t take interest in women. He preferred men—preferred their tightness, their obedience, their eager mouths to take his phállus. This was why Nadia had remained a virgin, despite being his slave for weeks.
“My Lord!” Nadia fell to her knees, sobbing.
Pericles, who had been lost in pleasure, snapped out of his tranquility. His eyes, dark with lust just moments ago, hardened into a deadly glare.
“I’m so sorry! I just need to talk to you! Please!”
The guard stormed in, seizing her by the shoulder. “You’ll pay dearly for this!”
“Leave her,” Pericles’ voice stopped him. “Let her speak.”
Nadia let out a breath of relief. “Thank you, my Lord.”
Pericles raised a brow. “What is it?”
“Please take me back,” Nadia blurted out, the panic in her voice palpable. “I’ll do anything. Anything at all.”
“That’s why you disturbed my moment?” Pericles questioned, his voice thick with irritation, the remnants of his arousal fading. He looked as though he regretted letting her stay.
“Please. He’s going to kill me. I don’t want to meet him again. Please. He’ll kill me—I don’t want to die!” Nadia crawled forward, reaching for his leg. “I really don’t want to. Please.”
“You were bound to serve me, but I offered you to Alpha Toran. He is your master now. Instead of being here, crying at my feet, you should find a way to please him.” He scoffed. “You should be happy—you’re being fucked by an Alpha.”
Happy?
Nadia’s stomach twisted as memories of the brutal night that stole her innocence clawed at her mind. And this man expected her to be happy about it?
Anger burned in her chest, but she swallowed it down. She knew her words meant nothing.
“Take her out of my sight,” Pericles ordered.
The guard grabbed her, yanking her to her feet.
“Don’t whip her,” Pericles added. “Alpha Toran might not like it when he returns. Just keep your eyes on her.”