The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 70: Chapter 70

It all hit her at once.
The betrayal, anger, pain, sorrow, loss, and regret—emotions crashed into her like a tidal wave, leaving her frozen in place.
Kael, clad in a fine tunic embroidered with intricate golden stitches, stood before her, exuding the same cold arrogance that had once made her heart race. Now, it only fueled the fire raging within her.
He looked untouched by the past, unburdened by the sins he had committed against her. The very sight of him made her breath hitch, a sickening mix of fury and disgust crawling up her throat.
She had spent countless nights hunted by that moment—his words, his betrayal, the cruel finality in his voice as he sentenced her to death.
'End her, and burn her body.'
A death sentence from the man who had once vowed to cherish her.
Her fingers twitched at her sides, itching for a weapon, but she had nothing—not yet. Not until she could reveal this bastard for what he truly was before everyone.
"Cat got your tongue, boy?" Kael sneered, his words snapping Arianna back to reality.
She recalled—she was in disguise.
Her hair was short, her body clad in a commoner’s tunic, her breasts bound. Even Nyra had made subtle changes to her face, giving her a more masculine look.
She saw realization slowly dawning on his face. No--She couldn't let Kael recognize her.
Without hesitation, Arianna spun to leave.
"Wait!"
His voice echoed as he reached out, but before his hand could touch even a thread of her tunic, a strong hand clamped onto Kael's shoulder and shoved him back—hard.
Kael's body hit the ground with a thud, quickly gaining the attention of other people.
Arianna eyes widened spotting Duncan standing over Kael, his glare sharp as a blade.
"Who the fuck are you?" Duncan growled.
Arianna’s heart skipped a beat when Duncan glanced at her, his expression shifting.
He seemed to notice the unshed tears in her eyes, the uneven rise and fall of her chest. His eyes darkened, flashing the deepest shade of gold before snapping back to Kael, who forced himself to his feet.
"You fucking commoner!" Kael spat, his face twisted with anger. "How dare you lay your hands on me! Do you know who I am?!"
Duncan's eyes narrowed. "That’s why I asked, asshole. Who the fuck are you?"
Gasps rippled through the gathered onlookers.
Many knew Kael's reputation, but none recognized the mysterious man standing before him. Duncan’s presence was overwhelming—commanding. Dominant--Despite the scent suppressant concealing his identity of a Lycan.
"Alpha Kael Fangton," Kael announced, lifting his chin arrogantly. "Do you have any idea what they'll do to a commoner like you for assaulting an Alpha?"
Duncan tilted his head. "Kael?" he echoed, his voice tinged with something raw. Arianna swallowed hard behind him.
Was Duncan about to reveal himself? No. She didn’t want that.
But Kael mistook Duncan’s momentary silence for shock.
"Now, you're going to kneel and apologize," Kael commanded ignorantly. "Walk away while I handle that boy behind you. Otherwise, you'll face a gruesome consequences!"
A dark, devilish smile curled on Duncan's lips, his eyes glinting with venom.
CRASH!!!
A chorus of gasps filled the air as Duncan sent Kael flying across the room, crashing through a wooden door before slamming hard onto the ground of an empty room.
Kael groaned in pain, his eyes snapping wide in disbelief.
How? How could a man with such a low scent throw him like that—so effortlessly?
Duncan stepped forward, his sharp golden-amber eyes pinning Kael in place.
"You know…" Duncan's grin widened, his voice laced with amusement. "I've been looking forward to meeting you in person." His eyes darkened further. "How about I break a few bones just to say hello?"
Kael stiffened.
They were some kind who used scent suppressants to conceal their identity and strength. It was clear that the man before Kael was one of them.
Hiding one's scent meant hiding a secret, and that often led to suspicion and accusations of devious acts within the community.
"So you're hiding your scent? Just wait until the patrol finds out you're some hidden criminal!" Kael snapped as he stood.
Duncan remained silent, staring at Kael like a predator.
"But before that, I'm going to beat your ass," Kael growled, his fangs and claws snapping out as he lunged toward Duncan.
At his first swing, Duncan caught Kael’s arm and twisted it brutally. The sickening crack of bone echoed off the walls, mingling with the high-pitched scream that tore from Kael’s throat.
Duncan clamped his hand over Kael’s face, shoving the scream back down. In the next second, he smashed Kael into the wall—not enough to burst his skull, though he could have done so effortlessly—but just enough to send Kael into a pit of agony.
With a firm grip, Duncan lifted Kael off the ground.
Kael struggled, fear gripping every nerve in his body. Duncan made it worse by applying more pressure on Kael's face.
"Not much for running your mouth now, huh?" Duncan sneered, his expression one of pure enjoyment as he watched Kael suffer.
Wiggling his legs comically. Kael could see death clouding his vision, his body trembling.
Meanwhile, Arianna stood among the crowd, watching with wide eyes.
Duncan might actually kill him.
But this wasn’t what she wanted. Kael shouldn’t die like this. This wasn’t the revenge she had planned.
Not wanting to use her voice, Arianna shut her eyes and focused on a strange instinct that slipped into her mind.
Kael's guards stepped into the scene, drawing their swords, and Duncan glanced over his shoulder.
"Do you wish to die? If so, take another step closer. Not only will I burst your Alpha’s head, but I’ll do the same to you," he warned.
However—
'Dun.'
A small whisper crashed into Duncan's mind, pulling him back from the rage that had nearly swallowed him whole.
'Dun, that is enough… Please.'
The whisper came again in his, and Duncan’s eyes locked onto Arianna, who stood among the onlookers. The moment their gazes met, she shook her head lightly.
Had she just mind-linked him?
Duncan was stunned for a moment. Seeing the plea in her eyes, he turned back to Kael.
"We'll meet again, bastard," he whispered before letting go.
Kael crumpled to the ground, blood dripping from his broken nose, cheekbone, and jaw. He coughed out loud, his breath, a desperate heavy one.
His two guards stood frozen like trembling chickens, knowing that one wrong move could cost them their heads rolling on the floor. Their hand still on their sword, but they dared not take a step.
Duncan took Arianna’s hand and led her through the path the shocked onlookers quickly cleared for them.
Arianna let out a sigh of relief, but her chest clenched. Her moment with Duncan had been ruined. She had wanted to spend more time with the Duncan.
Why had Kael shown up so suddenly?
Right. The Grand Festival would start the next night. Kael must have been on his way to the palace and was settling down at this inn.
"Dun," she called softly as he prepared the horse.
Duncan turned to face her and offered his hand.
"Let's go back," he said, his voice soft—but the subtle anger in his eyes remained.
Without arguing, she accepted his offer and got onto the horse with him before they rode back