The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 91: Chapter 91

Kael waited, glancing at the gate his opponent was supposed to come out of, but as time stretched, no one did.
Then the king raised a hand, commanding silence. Murmurs immediately abated.
“Alpha Kael Fangton,” the host called. “The king would like to know more about you.”
Kael hesitated, his eyes squinting. Toran was right, the king indeed has interest in him.
His voice rang with confidence. “I am Kael Fangton, son of warrior Darius of the Ravenwood Pack. I was trained in combat from a young age and have proven my strength in battle. It is an honor to stand in the Royal Arena before you, Your Majesty.”
“Warrior?” The king's smirk didn't waver. “How did you become an Alpha when your father was only a warrior?”
Kael's heart somersaulted, but he didn't panic. There was no need for that since he left no trace.
“I was mated to the heir of the Ravenwood Pack, Your Grace. Tragically, she was killed by a rival on the night of our wedding,” Kael spoke, his voice unwavering. “It hurts my heart to this day.”
“Hm,” Duncan drummed his fingers on the armrest of his throne, his piercing gaze never leaving Kael. The tension in the arena thickened, the spectators barely daring to breathe.
"Tragic," the king mused, though there was no sympathy in his tone. "And yet, you wear the title of Alpha now. Did you earn it, or was it simply handed to you upon your mate’s death?"
Kael clenched his jaw, keeping his expression steady. "I earned it, Your Grace. I led my pack through conflict, proving my worth as Alpha."
“Elder Varyn,” Duncan called in a gentle voice.
Elder Varyn, who sat not too far from the king, rose from his seat.
Kael's brow shot up, his eyes squinting at the old man.
“Was all he said true?” Duncan asked.
“No, Your Grace,” Elder Varyn replied, locking gaze with Kael. “On the night of the union of Kael Fangton and Arianna Greystone, I was strangely locked in my room, and then the next morning, Arianna was claimed to have been attacked and killed by some rivals. Your Grace,” Elder Varyn looked at the king, “I personally did not believe it, as Arianna Greystone is a strong woman.”
Kael scoffed. “Your Grace—”
“Let him speak,” Duncan cut him off, like the edge of a dagger.
Elder Varyn continued, “Late Alpha Thane, Arianna’s father, executed the late warrior Darius for his betrayal—attempting to merge with rogues and selling young pups. Kael witnessed his father’s death, and on that very same day, he harbored hatred for the Greystones.”
“This has nothing to do with it,” Kael countered. “Your Grace, Arianna Greystone was my mate. I tried to protect her that night, but…”
“I was there when you ordered the death of her seventeen-year-old sister, Lylah Greystone,” Elder Varyn cut in. “She challenged you for killing her sister, and you wanted her dead because she spoke the truth about you murdering your own mate.”
“Nonsense! You have no proof of what you're talking about!” Kael’s voice rose. “This is a blatant attempt to frame me!”
“There is nothing fabricated about this,” Lylah’s voice rang out behind Elder Varyn as she stepped forward, clad in a simple attire.
The color drained from Kael’s face. Lylah was alive? When he had ordered Ryder to kill her and received no response, he searched for them—but since he couldn’t find them, he assumed she was dead.
Never had he imagined Lylah would be in the Lunaris Citadel.
But he quickly composed himself. “Lylah?” He feigned excitement. “I was worried about you! You suddenly left the pack without—”
“Oh, please, cut the bullshit,” Lylah interrupted. Someone cleared their throat, and her eyes met Lord Lucas, who subtly signaled for her to watch her words in the presence of the King.
“You, Kael Fangton, ordered warrior Ryder to take my life, knowing that I knew the truth—that my sister died by your hands.”
“What sort of nonsense are you spouting, Lylah?” Kael snapped. “Rivals attacked us! I was devastated, and yet you keep blaming me. If you say I ordered Ryder to kill you, then where is he now? You all have no proof. No proof!” He turned to the King. “Your Grace, she is just a child, and Elder Varyn is old—perhaps his memories are muddled. I would never kill my mate… I loved her more than anything.”
Lylah scoffed. Geez! What a performance.
One thing Kael didn’t know was that his last statement was dangerously triggering for King Duncan. He was a breath away from tearing this male apart.
Kael, however, wondered if this was a combat trial or his own trial. But one thing he knew was that as long as there was no proof of him killing Arianna, there was no way he would be punished.
The guards he had ordered—one of them was found dead. That must have been Ryder’s work. The second guard, along with Ryder, was nowhere to be found.
And even if these two testifiers spoke until heaven came down, they had no proof.
Arianna herself was dead. Her body burned, and he had witnessed her burial.
Kael had been careful.
“Kael Fangton, are you sure that everything you have said before the Grand King is nothing but the truth?” the host asked.
All eyes were on Kael—Alphas, Betas, Lunas, and Lords from different packs, along with many werewolves gathered for the combat trial.
“This is insane,” Pericles muttered while Toran remained silent. “If the slave planned this as revenge on her mate, then she must be insanely smart.”
Toran drank more from his wine, clearly enjoying the show.
Imagine standing before countless werewolves, elites, and the King himself—spewing lies.
“I must say, Toran,” Pericles chuckled, “you’re more devious than your father.”
Toran shot him a glare.
“My apologies, I’m a little tipsy,” Pericles quickly said, and both returned their gazes to the arena.
Kael steadied his breathing. Nothing would go wrong. She was dead—perhaps in heaven or hell, hoping in vain that he would be punished for ending her.
Screw you, Arianna Greystone. I’d kill you all over again if I had to—on our wedding night.
“Yes, Your Majesty, everything I have spoken is nothing but the truth. I swear on my life,” he said, making sure his voice remained steady.
Lucas looked down at the warrior by the opposite gate of Kael and gave a slight nod.
Then, the gate creaked open, allowing a figure to step out slowly.
All eyes flicked toward the entrance. Clad in a fine silk gown that shimmered under the sunlight, the woman’s presence commanded attention. Eyes widened, and lips parted in awe at her beauty.
Her short, shoulder-length hair was styled elegantly, her jewelry matching her gown.
Lylah smirked, while Elder Varyn gave a proud smile. The woman approached, walking like true royalty.
Kael, on the other hand, assumed his royal combat trial opponent had arrived. But as his gaze shifted toward the approaching figure, all color drained from his face.
The dagger in his grip slipped from his fingers, clattering to the ground as he went rigid, his breath catching in his throat at the sight of the woman escorted by a few guards.
Arianna Greystone?
His ex-mate?
What the actual fuck was happening?
His mind screamed that this was impossible—she was dead. He had stabbed her, rejected her, watched her body burn, and seen them bury her.
How could she be standing before him, staring him dead in the eyes, with that familiar, faint smirk playing on her lips?
She was alive this whole time? In the palace?
Wait.
Kael’s gaze immediately flicked to Toran, who smirked down at him and casually raised his glass of wine. Pericles did the same.
Those bastards! They fucking knew!
He was being played the whole time?! Why?!
Kael’s breathing turned heavy and ragged, as if he were having an attack. His eyes snapped back to Arianna, who now stood before him.
Locked in a stare with the woman he had betrayed on their wedding night… the sight of her triggered every fiber of his being.
Just when he began to think she wasn’t real, Arianna finally spoke, her voice edge with vengeance.
“Hello, Kael Fangton. It’s so nice to finally meet you again..." Her voice dropped colder. "Ex-mate.”