The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving novel Chapter 233

233: Seven years ago [1]

FLASHBACK

Seven years ago)

The realm will tall and so will its king.

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Duncan was breathing hard, veins bulging at his forehead as he struggled with his Quill. He could feel it. The unmistakable poison spreading through his nerves.

Painless, but deadly. Ash was already at the edge, fighting it, and he knew he wouldn’t have much time left.

Why? Why did it have to be on a day like this?

Not finding out about the poisoning plot had been his greatest mistake. Connecting the dots too late was his downfall, but how could he have stopped it?

It was written to happen.

He had thought he could rewrite fate. Stop it. But he was wrong.

It hurt. To know that once his eyes closed, they might never open again. So he decided to write down his plans. The ones he had prepared the night he found out Arianna was pregnant.

He selected a few he could trust. Barely. But he hoped to the gods they would hear him.

At least, that had been the damned purpose of going to the ritual before Arianna’s bloodline was exposed.

Lord Merek: His father figure, though after the war, the male had barely crossed his path. That night, Duncan told Merek, he was the realm… and Arianna was the one who kept it beating. He saw that flicker.

That flicker that made Merek realize what Duncan actually meant.

Lady Gatha: Merek’s wife and voice. They hardly met, but she was the backbone of the abode and fiercely has her heart to protect the throne. He heard Gatha wasn’t bothered with Arianna’s bloodline.

And perhaps Lord Atheon. This male knew nothing about the Ouroboros war and simply wanted peace for the realm. Duncan had seen the look on Atheon’s face at the court–apologetic, worried that the chaos might never end.

Atheon was like his father, who probably would’ve wanted the same. Honest, calm, maybe a little anxious–but strong in many ways. He would do anything for peace.

And finally, the last person. Evelora. The destined Seer to stay and guide his path. The one who might be able to find the antidote. It was something they had been trying to secure for years ever since Cor Triantha was known.

It could be used to save him, and his Bestfriend Lucas too.

Just as Duncan sealed the scrolls and sent them away using his night crows, a knock sounded at the door. Catching the scent, he gave permission.

Amy stepped in.

“Your Majesty,” she bowed. “You called?”

Duncan rose from his seat, took one of the scrolls, and handed it to her.

↓

Amy looked up, shocked, almost flinching when she met the King’s gaze. His eyes were half–open, his breathing shallow and strained.

“Open it,” he ordered.

Amy obeyed. As she read, the color drained from her face. Before she could speak-

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“De not freak out To Whist it says. You can do it, can’t you? You’re only herman maid who can carry out this task.”

Amy nodded quickly, though her eyes welled with tears

“Good Bide the scroll until the time comes.” He walked past her.

Amy watched him head back toward the chamber, her heart pounding

The moment the door shut behind Duncan, he almost cried out of frustration. Almost burst into tears.

His eyes settled on the woman lying on his bed, that was when he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

A single tear rolled down his face. He wiped it away and dragged himself to the bed.

He stared at her peaceful face for a long time. He couldn’t wake her and tell her everything that had happened, it would completely freak her out. And leaving the palace wasn’t an option, especially when he was a breath close to lost his light…

His Lycan, Ash was wailing. Struggling to hold on any longer.

He wanted to leave the room not wanting her to wake up terrified, but the thought of never holding her again made him selfishly stay. To feel his woman and his child once more.

The moment his body touched hers, she instinctively drew closer, snuggling against his chest like she’d been waiting to breathe in his scent again.

His trembling hand stroked her hair, traced her delicate features, then moved to her stomach, feeling the life they created together.

He kissed her soft lips gently, his last act before the darkness closed in completely, swallowing him whole.

His last words:

“I’m sorry, Ari. I’m truly sorry.”

{West Emissary Manor}

“You did what?!” Merek’s voice thundered through the living room. Servants flinched in fear, trembling. None had ever seen The Lord of the west this angry.

“I had no choice, Father. He threatened to kill you. I had to do it!”

Merek struck him again, sending him to his knees.

“Father-!”

“I told you not to interfere! Yet you sent soldiers to betray the King under my name?! What in the gods‘ names have you done?” he roared. “Do you have any idea how this could implicate us? We were supposed to stay silent!”

“I asked them not to kill the Beta and his guard, just Lady Mearina to make Valoreth think the job was done.”

“You still killed someone. You indirectly killed the Beta too, you fool!!!” Merek spat.

“I’m sorry, Father. I was only trying to protect the family. Valoreth has gained more power with the chaos in the realm… I can’t lose anyone, especially now that he’s deranged enough to perform the Cor Triantha,”

Merek pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re dumb. I can’t believe you did this behind my back,” he mumbled.

A gentle hand rested on his shoulder. His wife, Gatha.

“It’s alright, darling,” she said, facing their son. “Have those soldiers go back and find the Beta. They must not return until they do or I shall have them executed.”

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233 Seven years ago

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Their son scrambled up and left without question.

“Who would have thought Valoreth would go to such extremes? Now he’s dragged my name into this,” Merek muttered, sinking his fingers into his hair.

“Don’t you think we’ve been selfish?” Gatha asked. Merek looked up at her.

“What do you mean selfish? I don’t want our family dragged into this war. I spoke with Duncan, but he’s not ready to listen to me. He loves her. So deeply. And I can’t go against him for that. I know how that feels.”

Gatha stepped in front of him. “This is our war as well…”

“Gatha…”

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