The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 165: Chapter 165

“Can’t the idiot Lords just get arrested by the King?” Lylah asked Arianna as they had lunch together.
“And why should they be arrested?”
“I don’t know,” Lylah shrugged. “They’re… disobeying the King.”
Arianna dropped her fork and explained, “That’s not how politics works, Lylah. They’re the pillars of the realm. They see me as a threat and are doing what they think is right. All of this depends on the realm’s decision. If we get most of the realm on our side, then it’s game over for them.”
Lylah’s lips twitched. “But they’re not going to sit still and wait.”
“We know,” Arianna nodded. “But the King can’t just arrest them without proof. Lord Valoreth has had a clean record ever since he was appointed to his regal post. There’s no evidence—yet. Duncan is still digging… but right now…” her lips tightened, “it’s a thin line. Acting out might make the realm believe I really did manipulate the King and turned him against his people.”
“Ohhhh…” Lylah drawled. “That’s why the King is holding a royal address for you.”
“Yup. Welcome to royalty,” Arianna said with a half-smile—one that didn’t reach her eyes. “They still haven’t found that bastard Toran, though. If we win this, Lord Valoreth’s wings will break, and it’ll be easier to fish the bastard out,” she added.
“Are you scared?” Lylah asked, and Arianna stopped eating.
“Of course I am. I’ve been scared my whole life. Afraid of waking up one day and losing this fairy-tale ending. It’s a tough battle. My world is falling apart—but one thing I know is… I’ll get back on my feet no matter what,” Arianna muttered.
Lylah grinned. “You sound like Father,” she said, and Arianna leaned in, returning the smile.
“He’d be so fucking proud of us.”
Both sisters’ laughter filled the air as they continued to eat.
“Ah!” Lylah suddenly recalled something and asked,
“Would it be crazy if I fell in love with the Beta?”
Arianna spat her wine back into her cup, choked, and began coughing loudly. Lylah quickly handed her water to help her calm down.
Now relaxed, Arianna gave her little sister a look as if she’d grown a second head.
“What?!!!”
•••••••••
Finding a mate—the best feeling, or so they said. And for most, it truly was. But some weren’t so lucky.
Lucas was one of the unlucky ones. The moment his Lycan whispered that sweet, sacred word, Lucas felt over the moon.
Especially when he had secretly liked Mearina.
She lived in the South, where her clan originated, and visited the palace from time to time. They were so close that people assumed they were already together.
When they became mates, she looked fine—but Lucas knew when Mearina wasn’t. When he asked, she had replied,
“I don’t want to be stuck in the palace, Lucas. I’m a free soul. You belong here, and I belong there.”
Lucas didn’t know how to respond at first, but he promised they’d make it work. He thought about how to fulfill her wish, but leaving his position as Beta was almost impossible. The King had chosen him. Still, for the love he had for Mearina, he hoped Duncan would understand.
However—
“He’s better than you.”
Right at the masked ball ceremony, a day he had planned to propose marriage to her, she rejected him. The look on her face made it clear—there was no going back.
It was still a mystery how Lord Valoreth won her heart, but… as long as she was happy him, Lucas had let her go.
That was part of being in love, after all.
But over the years, he hadn’t truly healed...
Or perhaps Duncan was right. He wasn’t letting himself heal.
A knock pulled Lucas out of his thoughts. He was slumped in his chair, one hand draped over his face.
The headache had dulled, but still lingered. He’d be like this for a few more days before he could feel normal again.
“Come in,” he muttered weakly.
As the door creaked open, Lucas’ eyes snapped up at the scent that hit his nose.
Looking up, he saw Lylah peeking in with a smile.
“Evening, my Lord,” she grinned, walking in with a tray—his dinner.
"Lylah?" Why in the devils was she here?
“Ah… Amy was busy, so I helped her bring your meal instead.”
“You took it from her,” Lucas corrected, and Lylah gave him an awkward smile.
“Maybe.”
Lucas sighed, leaning his head back and shutting his eyes. “Get out,” he muttered.
“You look pale. Is it because you didn’t…” He shot her a look, and she quickly backpedaled. “I’m sorry, dear Lord. I’m just worried. You didn’t look well last night. Is there something I can do to help?”
“Why are you here?” Lucas asked, his voice heavy. He had expected her to stay away for a while.
“Because I like you,” she said, stepping in front of his desk and meeting his eyes. “I like you a lot, dear grand, handsome Lord. I thought about what you told me last night, and I understand your worries. Honestly, they scare me.”
Lucas’ brows furrowed, but she pressed on.
“But if my sister could handle the most dangerous male without her wolf and even change him, then why can’t I?”
Lucas’ lips parted in disbelief. “They’re mates, Lylah,” he said through gritted teeth.
“I know. And you’re worried about me.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk and pressing her palms to her cheeks. “And it’s really so fucking cute. But don’t worry, my Lord. I’ll have my wolf soon, and then I’ll be able to handle whatever the ‘bed stuff’ is. I swore I wouldn’t fall for anyone but… urgh… Handsome Lord, you’re just too perfect.”
Lucas’ jaw was practically on the floor. For the first time in his entire life, he was completely speechless.
“Don’t worry, we’ll figure things out. If your demons crave me, then that means there’s a part of you that’s slowly opening up to me,” she added more softly. “That’s a good thing.”
Lucas remained pale, stunned by every word coming out of her mouth—not just her words, but what she did next.
Lylah walked around the desk and pressed her lips gently to his cheek.
“Bye, my Lord. I’ll see you around,” she said with a playful tone, then turned and began hopping toward the door.
She paused, looked over her shoulder, and winked before finally shutting it behind her.
Lucas remained frozen in place for five whole minutes before finally muttering to himself,
“By the gods… she is fucking crazy.”