The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Felt

Valkyrie’s blood drained from her face as she spotted King Duncan behind her. Her body went rigid, her throat suddenly dry.

With one glance from the King, the guards immediately bowed and released Arianna, keeping their gaze low.

“Darling…” Valkyrie exclaimed softly, attempting to step closer, but Duncan’s glare froze her in place.

Dread pooled in her stomach. If she hadn’t gone to the restroom before coming here, she might have peed herself.

Still, she tried to explain. “Your Grace, this slave dared to-”

“Did I ask for your explanation?” Duncan’s sharp tone cut her off, making her swallow hard.

“N-no… no, Your Grace…” she stammered, her face flushing with humiliation as her mouth snapped shut.

Duncan’s gaze shifted to Arianna, who stood silently with her head lowered.

“Did I not give you an order, slave?” he questioned in an icy tone that made Arianna shiver where she stood.

“You did, Your Grace,” she replied softly.

“And what are you still doing here?” his icy tone made her glanced up at him, but it was only for a moment.

“My apologies, Your Grace.” Arianna said, her fists clenched at her sides as she held her composure.

Valkyrie, however, felt her sense of authority return as she watched Arianna leave. For a fleeting moment, she had thought the King might defend Arianna and toss her aside. But she was wrong.

Arianna was just a slave to him. Valkyrie couldn’t understand why the King had chosen her in particular, but a slave was still a slave-without rights, without value.

A mere speck of dust against regal splendor.

A property to be discarded once used and deemed worthless.

How could she have thought, even for a moment, that Arianna might hold more value in the King’s eyes than she, his betrothed, the true Luna of the Citadel?

How could she compare herself to such a repugnant creature?

Arianna was certainly clever to have made her feel such doubt, even if only for a moment.

“My king,” Valkyrie called lightly, bowing with a radiant smile.

King Duncan’s piercing gaze remained unreadable.

Valkyrie had tried countless times to read him during their meetings, but the King was a closed book.

“Are you that desperate to be my Luna?” he suddenly asked, his voice devoid of warmth.

The question caught her off guard, but she knew better than not to keep him waiting.

Not understanding the underlying meaning behind his words, she replied, “As your betrothed, I will do everything in my power

to rule by your side, Your Grace. It is my duty to serve the realm as your Luna, no matter what.”

“Is that so?” Duncan’s eyes seemed to darken, his lips tugging slightly. Or perhaps she had imagined it.

“Yes, Your Grace,” she replied, her tone as sweet as she could manage.

“Fine, Valkyrie,” the King said, his tone unwavering. “At the Grand Festival, where Alphas from every corner of the kingdom

gather at the Lunaris Citadel, I will announce your position before the Grand Court. Every eye shall witness your fate.”

Valkyrie’s heart leapt with excitement, nearly bursting from her chest.

Finally!

Finally, the King had decided when to enthrone her.

“Thank you, My K-”

Before she could finish, Duncan turned and strode away.

“Did you hear that?” Valkyrie asked the soldiers once the King was out of sight, her face beaming with joy as she twirled once and gazed up at the sky. “At the Grand Festival, I’ll be enthroned!” (1)

A soft, triumphant laugh escaped her lips.

Later

Lucas moved through the vast corridor with a purposeful stride and regal bearing.

Reaching the yard, Lucas spotted a figure.

King Duncan stood with his arms crossed. He was dressed in a simple tunic and breeches, his gaze piercing and serious as he watched warriors training under the scorching sun.

Lucas stopped a few paces away. “Your Grace,” he greeted with a small bow. “It’s been a while since you’ve visited the training grounds.”

Without tearing his gaze away from the soldiers, Duncan replied, “I’m very much occupied, you know that.”

Lucas nodded.

Silence settled between them for a while, with King Duncan lost in his thoughts.

Lucas could tell Duncan had something troubling him.

“You know you can share every bit of your trouble, instead of keeping it locked in that hard chest of yours,” Lucas said, and

Duncan snorted.

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “That hard chest of mine has carried the weight of centuries, Lucas. What makes you think there’s anything left to share?”

Lucas folded his arms, mirroring the King’s stance, though his posture was more relaxed. “Because I’ve known you long enough to recognize when something is gnawing at you, Your Grace. And judging by the tension in your jaw, it’s not just these soldiers that are troubling you.”

King Duncan’s smirk faded, replaced by a hardened expression. Finally, he tore his gaze from the soldiers and fixed it on Lucas.

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