The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 108: Chapter 108

At the first hour of dawn, Lucas finally arrived at the imposing gates of Lord Valoreth's manor, deep within the southernmost highlands. The soldiers opened the gate, allowing the Grand Lord in.
Lucas stepped down from the carriage, his gaze drifting to the tall building that seemed to reach the sky, sprawling across the fine land like a living relic. The air surrounding it was slightly chilly, regardless of the season.
The domain stood proudly on its own, bustling with soldiers and servants attending to their respective duties for the day.
Some referred to this place as the Pride Hold.
A figure clad in a black cloak-one of Lord Valoreth's nobles-approached Lucas.
"Welcome, Beta Lucas. Lord Valoreth has been expecting you," he spoke with a calm, polite voice.
There was a dull ache in Lucas's chest that refused to go away-one he had tried to ignore. But now, standing here, it worsened, and he knew exactly what had caused it.
"Lead the way," Lucas nodded.
The interior of the manor was long and wide, bathed in gold and surrounded by ancient walls. The high ceilings held fine chandeliers that cast a warm glow around the space.
Lucas halted at a scent that caught his nose-one he hadn't perceived in so many years. His eyes slid toward the grand staircase, and there she was...
Lady Mearina-his ex-mate.
She was clad in a flowing white Florant gown, off-shoulder, revealing her smooth dark skin. Her makeup was light, and she looked breathtaking.
"The servants shall tend to your needs, Lord Lucas, while I inform Lord Valoreth of your arrival."
Lucas didn't respond. He didn't tear his gaze away from her. The noble left while Lady Mearina descended the stairs.
Despite their severed bond due to the rejection many years ago, she still haunted him. As a dark-skinned Lycan, Mearina was the last of her kind; her family had been wiped out centuries ago during the war with the Ouroboros.
After courting her for years, she had chose to reject him. Though she claimed Lord Valoreth was better suited for her, Lucas always believed there was more to the story-and it haunted him.
He might never move on if he didn't uncover the truth. But how could he ask, after giving his word to respect her decision back then?
Mearina stood before him, flawless and matured. She outstretched her hand.
Lucas finally tore his gaze from her face, took her hand, and pressed his lips to her knuckle.
The spark between them was dull, but Lucas felt it, and the ache in his chest seemed to double.
"Long time no see, my Lord," she said, her lips stretching into a warm smile as their hands disconnected.
Lucas returned the smile. "You're very beautiful, Lady Mearina." He normally called her 'Rina' back then, but the name would sound odd if he called her that now.
"You look great yourself, Lord Lucas," her smile widened. "Care to take a walk?"
Lucas nodded, and Mearina led him through the vast estate, where servants could be seen working on the crops from a distance, tending and cultivating.
Females who spotted Lucas gasped at his look. When they heard the Beta of the realm was visiting, they had been so curious, and now that they had seen him, they were awed by the male's beauty.
"This is my favorite season. I get to have my favorite fruit," Mearina said, her fingers brushing gently across a low-hanging pear. "I never get tired of the taste."
Without tearing his gaze away from her, Lucas muttered, "You've always loved them," his tone low. "You used to drag me to the markets just to taste every one of them."
Mearina let out a quiet laugh. "And you always complained."
"I did," Lucas admitted with a faint smile. "But you made it hard to say no."
She plucked a pear from the tree and offered it to him. "Peace offering," she said, her brows raised slightly.
Lucas accepted it with a light smile. "Thank you, my Lady."
She continued walking, her steps elegant and deliberate. "How is the king? I heard..." She paused and glanced at him again. "He is not feeling too well?"
"The king is well now. You need not worry," Lucas replied, and curiosity and concern danced in her eyes.
Her voice softened. "Has he found her? His mate?"
The word mate caused a lump in Lucas's throat. He didn't want to talk about it. She looked happy, well-he could have done this, or perhaps more. After all these years, he still couldn't understand the complexity that made her leave. He had tried to understand her, but-
'She is for another' Lucas's inner Lycan reminded him.
Right, it was very inappropriate to think like this. She was no longer his 'Rina.' He had healed from this, and he should not let it creep into him again.
She was the woman he once loved.
"My Lord?-"
Lucas cut her off. "Lord Valoreth must have heard of my arrival and probably doesn't want to keep me waiting. Thank you for the walk, Lady Mearina."
Mearina's face turned a little pale, but she nodded. "You're right, my Lord. We should probably head back."
"Lord Lucas!" Another voice cut in, deep and familiar.
Lucas turned to see Valoreth approaching them. He was tall, lean, but had a nice muscular shape. Despite being one of the oldest Lycans in the realm, Lord Valoreth only appeared slightly older than Lucas.
"It's good to see you've finally arrived," he said, approaching Mearina and wrapping one hand around her slender waist.
"The servants have prepared something delicious and salivating. You've traveled far; you should take a rest-"
"I'd like us to go straight to business. I must return to the palace before the full moon. You know, Beta duties."
Lucas knowingly added the last line.
Valoreth's smile faltered barely; he nodded, then placed a gentle kiss on Mearina's forehead before pulling away.
"Come with me, my Lord," Valoreth spoke, walking past him.
Lucas gave Mearina one last glance before following him.
"Lord Valoreth must be very busy not to attend the Grand Festival again," Lucas spoke first as Valoreth led him through the long hall.
"My apologies. I am very much occupied with the balance of the realm. Besides, the king doesn't really seem to need my presence..."
"Every elite was expected to attend. Younglings or ancients, great ones are to acknowledge this tradition without excuse every decade," Lucas's voice held more power than Lord Valoreth's. "You forgot your place, Lord Valoreth."
One shouldn't be tricked by Valoreth's inviting facade. Valoreth was a green snake in a green bush.
"And you forget who once stood in your shoes," Valoreth countered. "I've walked in the same hall you now claim as yours."
Lucas halted. "And yet the king chose otherwise."
Valoreth halted as well, facing Lucas fully. "He chose you, yes. But you and I both know Duncan's decisions haven't always been wise... especially when they are driven by prophecy and not logic."
A vein throbbed in Lucas's jaw as he stepped closer, glaring at Valoreth. "You will not speak ill of the king, Lord Valoreth. Watch that tongue of yours, or I will help you."
Lord Valoreth's lips simply stretched. "My apologies," his voice didn't sound like he meant it. "How about we focus on the main reason we are here?"
Lucas finally tore his gaze away and continued to walk with him. Both were quiet now, with different thoughts running through their heads.
Valoreth led Lucas to the dungeon. The air in the not-so-dark space was chilling, mingling with a distant scream.
"Let me go, you fucking bastards! You monsters! Haven't you done enough?!!"
It was a male voice, tinged with anger and frustration.
Lucas' brows creased, curiosity ran through his veins. The leader of the rogues was right in the cell at the end of the dark hall.
Had Valoreth made someone pretend to be the leader while he was the main mastermind behind it, just like what Duncan had said?
The door creaked open as they approached. Lord Valoreth stepped in first.
Lucas followed, and as his eyes settled on the figure bound in large chains hanging from the ceiling, his eyes widened to their fullest, and his blood ran cold...