Lycan King's Regret: Punished The Wrong Daughter

Arabella Toussaint:

Thank Goddess, this time, they didn’t ask me to use the king’s bed.

A small room was right next to the king’s chambers, where a narrow bed was provided for me. Its mattress was far better than the ones I was used to.

I didn’t know what to do with so much free time on my hands. Never in my life had I been this free.

I didn’t have a phone to scroll through, nor did I have a friend to gossip with, so I did the only thing I could think of.

To lie on the bed and daydream.

"Where are you, my friend?" I asked Maya silently, keeping my fingers crossed. I hoped that she had managed to escape the pack. Staring at the ceiling, I started drawing random shapes in the air with my fingers.

For a moment, all I wanted to do was run from here and join Maya. I yawned loudly and was about to go to sleep when my door was knocked loudly.

I jerked upright in my bed and hurriedly fixed my hair, "Yes," then I wanted to slap myself. I was a slave, and I was supposed to open the damn door.

The door swung open, and I found Beta Bradley standing in the doorway, "Hello, Arabella."

I nodded at him and quickly dropped to my knees and bowed my head.

"You can stand up... and there’s no need to bow to me," he said with a friendly smile, but no, sir. I learned my lesson that day.

You people are too indecisive. First, you expected me not to bow or kneel, and the next day you suddenly remembered I was supposed to do both. So, no. Sorry. Let me do my job. I don’t like being dragged around the palace.

"If you need anything, there is a small call bell installed here," he pointed towards the lower part of the wall where I could see a switch.

My eyes widened in shock because slaves usually weren’t provided with such switches.

"Umm..." he was looking around the room, trying hard to act casual, "Did you eat?"

I nodded at him, while remaining on my knees, "Yes. Thank you."

He nodded back, and then his eyes drifted to me again, "Do let me know if you need anything."

"You have already said that; now get the fuck out of that room!" We both jumped when Lucien barked from somewhere outside.

"Yeah... I know, man!" Beta Bradley looked annoyed as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Goodnight, Arabella," he gave me a tight-lipped smile, "Sleep tight."

What was going on? Why was the royal beta so concerned about my comfort? Should I go back to my bed or wait for the king’s visit too?

My pulse accelerated at the thought of him. In the hospital, I had fallen to my knees to make him believe that I was still his slave while he was cooing me as if I were a frightened baby.

I kept hearing faint noises and rustling from his room.

Once I was sure that he wasn’t coming inside, I climbed into my bed and lay down. I had no idea what duty they would assign me the next day. Still, the whole thing felt like a sick game to me. Maybe that was why they had brought me here.

To abuse me, then to show me some kindness, and then repeat the cycle all over again. I didn’t know much about these royals, but one thing was certain. Their kindness always came with a price.

***

I didn’t know how long I had been sleeping. My eyes flew open when I heard a faint rustling sound. I gasped in fear and sat up immediately. My heart was pounding against my ribs.

My first thought was that the king was here to drag me out of bed again. But I was wrong.

My big friend was kneeling against the bed, watching me with his glowing orange eyes. Relief washed over me.

"Hey, Doggy!" A smile spread across my face. Without thinking, I threw myself at his furry body and wrapped my arms around his thick neck.

"Where were you?" I buried my face into his fur, "I missed you."

A low rumbling vibrated through his chest. I didn’t know if he was growling or purring.

"Did you miss me? Hmm?" I asked, brushing my palm over his chest. His large head nudged my shoulder. I laughed, but then stopped myself in time.

Goddess! The king was sleeping nearby, and the beast might get caught. What if they tried to kill it?

"No, no," I started shaking my head, "You can’t stay here," I whispered, "If someone finds you here, then you might get reported. I don’t want to lose my only friend."

The beast huffed and lowered himself beside the bed. My fingers disappeared again into his soft fur, "I wish Maya could meet you. She would love you, big guy," I said with a sigh, "If Maya were here, she would have given some really tough time to that farm in-charge who asked me to collect carrots..." I rubbed my nose against its fur, "That man was a scoundrel. He tried to touch my ass that day..."

The beast rested his massive head on my lap and closed his eyes. I needed to find out if this beast was a rogue or had a human too.

I didn’t think it was a rogue. No way. Or he wouldn’t be wandering around in the palace so boldly.

Who could he be? Some warrior? A head warrior?

He looked like someone important based on his size. A small smile tugged at my lips.

I was lonely and was losing my mind. But talking to this beast felt easier than talking to people. He never looked at me like I was trash.

"After Maya, you are the only hope I’ve left, love," I whispered to it. He lifted his face and looked into my eyes. It felt like he understood every word I was saying.

Then he raised one of his giant paws and wiped my face gently.

"Oh. I’m crying," I giggled, "I’m letting you stay here, big guy. But this needs to stop..." He again raised his face, but I gently placed my finger against his snout, "I’m already a slave here. Nobody will care if I die. But you... my friend... you have a heart of gold. Don’t come here anymore, or I might lose you, too."

He simply stared at me and then lowered his head back onto my lap. With a smile, I rested my cheek against its head.

It seemed I would be sleeping like this tonight.