The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving novel Chapter 264

Seven months had felt like a hundred years, because each passing second was torture, and now this male says he still has seven years to live?

Cruel. So fucking cruel.

“How can you live with this, Duncan? You think you’re punishing he with all this? No, you’re punishing yourself.”

“Right. I was the one urging the king and your older brother to wage war on the devils. The Moon Realm was supposed to be the strongest. We ought to be at the top, with other creatures worshiping us. But your father disagreed, talking about the heavens‘ decision to bring both realms together….

So I took back my written letter and decided to use it to show their true colors. The war happened. Sure, I hadn’t expected it to be that dire, but for some reason, Duncan…”

Valoreth let out a low chuckle.

“I enjoyed watching everything burn. Who do you think gave the Ouroboros the idea of where to find you, your brother Lucas, and the other survivors you tried to save? Me!” He spat, eyes blazing. “The Ouroboros promised to pardon me e and a few others I appointed since I was the one who revealed the letter they thought your father wrote.”

Duncan remained quiet.

“But the Dragon Goddess interfered, and we lost. Then you… Duncan, you stole everything away from me, bastard. I dreamt of ending you all for several nights and I enjoyed fulfilling that. I still remember her scream the moment she was shot from the sky. If it weren’t for her goddess power, you’d all be dead.”

“Seven years, you say. My existence will torment you, King Duncan Thornevale. I’ll find a way out and finish what I started. And this time, I’ll make sure you all burn to ashes.”

Silence followed, broken only by the dragon’s breathing. Smoke curled from the beast’s nostrils.

Duncan suddenly burst into laughter, every line of his face etched with amusement.

“Lily, you hear that?” he said to the beast. “Oh heavens. I knew torturing you would be one of the most exciting moments of my life. What? You thought your existence torments me?”

He laughed again, then cleared his throat. “Lord Merek mentioned you were good at giving speeches. What a waste of talent, Valoreth. You think those words will get to me? That I’ll give you the death you crave? Nonsense.”

Valoreth’s hand curled into the warm soil.

“But at least try to tell me something I don’t know. And try harder next time. It’s not that easy to make me lose my temper, dear friend. But it’s a good thing your tongue healed after I severed it for the fifty–fourth time in seven months.”

No. No. No.

Valoreth’s gaze flicked toward the cliff nearby. Judging from the distant rustling sound below, it had to be a deep one.

Without thinking twice, he summoned the last of his strength, called on his lycan, and surged to escape.

Duncan didn’t follow. Lily did.

Before Valoreth could leap, the dragon’s long tail slammed into him, launching him several feet through the air.

His body hit the ground with a thud. Bones cracked, skin tore as it dragged through the soil. His back slammed into the nearest rock. His spine gave way.

Valoreth let out a silent cry, face buried in the ground.

With effort and ragged breaths, he looked up. Duncan was staring down at him.

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“I expected that move. You can’t get away from me Valoretir.

Duncan..” Valoreth’s hand shot out to grab his leg. “I’m sorry. Please… spare me this once and I swear I’ll… I’ll never go against you again… I–ahh!”

Duncan grabbed his hair. “Come on. I’ve got to get back to the palace. Let’s have some fun.”

He began to drag him back toward the dungeon.

Valoreth struggled, but with wolfsbane still in his system, his healing had slowed. Everything hurt.

“Please, let me go!”

“Haven’t you done enough, you bastard?!”

“Let me go!!!”

Several months later.

Whispers flooded the palace. Maids and healers bustled in the Sacred Moon Wings. Soldiers broke into a cold sweat.

The Queen was in labor.

Arianna’s scream echoed off the four walls of the

room,

her hand clutched tightly by two healers standing side by side.

Gatha was the one between her legs. She had been caring for Arianna since the first day of her pregnancy. They had grown close

over the past months.

Arianna’s blood soaked the sheet beneath her. Her breathing was heavy, and her body damp with sweat.

“Almost there, Your Majesty. It will be over soon.‘

”

“Gatha, please get it out!” Arianna screamed again, chest heaving As her eyes darted around, the door burst open, revealing her

anchor.

Duncan rushed in, his heart shattering at the sight. He had been in the south, tending to matters, when it hit him. The throb in his head had given him the signal.

He sprinted through the woods without stopping.

“Ari,” he said, kneeling beside her and holding her hand. Her teary gaze met his.

“Dun…”

“I’m right here, my love,” he whispered, kissing her hand. “I’m right here.‘

”

“It hurts.”

“I’m sorry. Keep your eyes on me.‘

>>

Arianna let out another scream and Duncan tensed. He felt helpless, wishing he could take her pain away.

Their gaze remained locked and their hands entangled until the cries of their baby echoed through the room. Only then did Duncan breathe properly. He hadn’t even realized the tears pooling in the corner of his eyes until Arianna’s trembling second hand wiped one away.

He took that hand and kissed it several times.

“We are not doing this again. Having kids. I never knew it would hurt this much,” his voice wavered. “This will be the last, okay?”

Arianna gave him a weak smile. She looked exhausted. The labor had taken a toll on her.

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