The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 136: Chapter 136

It was an excuse. He had used that to make her stay a little longer. The reason—he had no idea.
Lucas glanced up at Lylah, who started scrubbing the corner where she had begun. Her face contorted into a frustrated expression.
A pang of guilt hit his chest. Had he gone too far? The little wolf looked as though she wanted to cry.
Her lips parted, brows creased, and the loose part of her hair that was tied into a bun stuck to her neck and forehead due to sweat.
He didn't understand why he was doing this. She was stubborn, talkative, and said whatever came to her mind. A rebellious little wolf who never listen to him.
She even dared to ask for a kiss… that night her words strangely lingered in his head.
She easily got under his skin—but in an amusing way.
She was the strangest young wolf he had ever come across.
Yet, he wanted her to stay for a little longer. Was it boredom?
“I can't believe this is happening… how could he be so cruel?” she muttered softly under her breath, so low she must have thought he couldn't hear her.
“Did you say something?” Lucas asked, she glanced at him with shock and a hint of fear.
“No,” she shook her head too quickly.
“You thought this was going to be an easy punishment? Wrong, little wolf. You'll keep cleaning until I ask you to stop.”
She huffed, pouting like a little kid.
Sorry, little wolf. You shouldn't have stalked me. Did she think she wouldn't get caught? And to think this wasn't her first time doing it.
It was amusing.
After a while, she was halfway done now, head down, and she hadn't spoken a word to him—a clear sign she was upset with him.
Had she noticed she had been hissing under her breath the whole time?
“You should clean that shelf as well,” he pointed at the one in front of him. “I do have them cleaned twice.”
She seethed under her breath, almost cursing, but Lucas let it slide. Seeing her upset was quite a good show.
He wasn't even doing his work anymore, despite having quite a lot to do since the king wasn't around. He'd face them by evening.
After she finished cleaning the shelf, she headed for the next one, but he stopped her.
“That's enough, little wolf,” he said, and her eyes flashed with a little relief.
She bowed. “Thank you, My Lord,” her voice not as bright as before. “I shall take my leave.”
“Are you hungry?” he asked, and her eyes snapped toward him.
“No, My Lord,” she replied. Her heart skipped a beat, and her stomach growled, revealing her lies.
She sighed, placing her gaze on the floor with her eyes shut. Her expression read… ‘Please don't punish me again. I beg of you.’
“Let’s go eat then,” he said, rising to his feet. She looked shocked, but he walked past her. “Come on, little wolf.”
The table was served with mouth-watering meals. All so enticing it sparked excitement and hunger in Lylah's eyes.
“Thank you, My Lord,” the brightness had returned to her voice.
He watched her dig into her meal while he had his too. She thanked him again with her mouth full, a smile plastered on her face. She looked cute.
Wait… he called her cute?
“Not sure if I'll be able to eat much at the celebration tonight,” Lylah muttered with her mouth full.
“Celebration?” he asked.
“Hm. The warriors decided to welcome me with a small celebration. They are really happy to have me,” excitement edged her voice.
Lucas hummed. “Be careful. Not everyone is happy about you being a warrior. Not everyone is a friend.”
She paused, seeming to think of something before nodding. “Noted, My Lord,” she smiled. “You should come too.”
Her request sometimes made him sigh.
“I have a lot on my plate. Go have fun.”
She nodded and then focused on her meal.
••••••••
“Cheers to the great one who defeated the impossible!”
“Cheers to the first student of the Beta!”
“Cheers to Lylah Greystone!”
Lylah chuckled at the sight of the warriors gathered to welcome her. The table was filled with dishes, wine, ales, and lovely juice.
Brigid was among them; she had promised not to miss it, but Lylah had it in mind that she had to be careful.
“The first ever to become a warrior without a wolf,!” Brigid chimed, her voice a bit slurred from drinking.
The group cheered again.
“Sorry about what we did, Lylah,” a young guy who had bullied her once, said.
“I hope you can forgive us,” the second one added.
Lylah nodded. “Yeah, I do. I forgive you.”
“Come, Lylah, drink something. You're eighteen after all,” Brigid suggested.
“Uhm… no thanks, Brigid. I'm cool, I ate not too long ago and I also don't want to have any ale,” she kept her voice steady so Brigid wouldn't suspect.
Honestly, Lylah wouldn't have come here, but the small celebration had been set. It's a normal thing they do to welcome new warriors.
Not coming might make them dislike her and call her proud. It's a new chapter of her life. All she needed was to be careful.
“What? Don't tell me you've never drunk before,” another said. It was a lady; she was among the strongest warriors.
“I have,” Lylah smirked. “When I was sixteen, I drank with my friend Ryder. Got drunk, did some nasty things and my sister flared up.”
They all laughed lightly.
“Come on, you need to make a toast with us,” Brigid said. “I’ll drink whatever you drink.”
Lylah bit down on her bottom lip. She didn't want to take anything.
“No… we'll all drink whatever you drink, Lylah. It's a sign of respect to make a toast,” the female warrior insisted.
Since they were all going to take whatever she took, it was still cool, right? Most of the people at the table were her friends, genuine ones. And their intentions were good.
“Alright,” she grabbed her cup. “I'll take the juice.”
Immediately, the juice was poured into everyone's respective cup on the table.
“Cheers to our new warrior! One who broke so many rules we shitheads couldn't!”
Lylah chuckled. This female warrior was hilarious. They all clinked their goblets together, including Brigid, and drank their cups to the last drop.
“The juice is pretty good,” one of the males commented.
“I made it!” It was Amy, one of the nice, timid servants, who spoke from a distance.
“Make some more!” he yelled back.
Lylah laughed lightly. “Uhm… I better head back. I'm pretty tired,” she said, not wanting to take anything else.
They wanted her to stay a little longer, but Lylah couldn't. She was feeling sleepy and needed rest. It was probably because of the work she had done today.
Besides, training started tomorrow.
Finally escaping from them, Lylah walked through the hall that led to her room. However, her legs wobbled, and her eyes felt dizzy. She held the wall for support before she could fall.
Drawing in a deep breath, she forced her feet to move. Her room was close; she'd reach it very soon.
Why… was she this... tired?
In the next moment, her eyes rolled to the back to its sockets, and she fell into darkness.