The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 179: Chapter 179

By the time Lylah got to the tree, she was breathing heavily. The headache she’d been battling had doubled, twisting her stomach in such a sick way that she vomited onto a nearby trunk. She was a breath away from passing out.
Every bone in her body ached. She had no idea what was wrong with her, but that was the least of her problems right now.
She forced herself to the lever and pulled it. The tree shifted, stretching open to reveal the hidden cage. Before Lylah could check, Eryndor burst out of the hole, screeching. Its fiery eyes were blazing with fury—angry and terrifying.
It flapped its wings urgently, the force rippling through the trees and knocking Lylah to the ground. She landed hard on her elbow.
Rising into the air, it paused at a certain height before shooting toward the Citadel like a blazing comet.
Lylah scrambled to her feet, pulled out her twin daggers and sprinted through the woods.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, her boots slamming against the earth with loud, desperate thuds.
She needed to save her. This was the moment—Arianna needed her most. She’d kill anyone who tried to touch her. And if her life ended right there, then so be it.
She couldn’t help but wonder if things had gone differently that day at the welcome celebration, if she hadn’t spilled the truth...
Could all of this have been different?
Of course, the enemies would’ve plotted in silence, using the realm’s chaos as a distraction.
Arianna could’ve easily gained support. And when she revealed her bloodline, she might’ve already been crowned Grand Queen.
None of this would’ve happened if Lylah had just gotten her wolf on her damn birthday.
It’s your fault, Lylah!
It’s your fucking fault!
You better get there before your sister gets hurt!
But—
A violent snap of energy slammed through her core, knocking her off balance. She tumbled over a small cliff, through thorns, bark, and roots.
When she finally stopped, her body was scratched and bleeding from the fall. But that wasn’t what scared her most—her body was changing.
Ragged breaths tore from her lungs as fire roared through her insides.
What’s happening? What the fuck is happening to me?
Crack.
Her bones shifted. Her vision blurred. Veins pulsed along her forehead and arms. A guttural scream ripped from her throat.
The pain was unbearable. Overwhelming. Absolute.
She saw claws snap out, fur tearing through her skin, bones breaking and reforming.
She felt like her soul was being ripped from her body.
Her wolf… it was finally coming.
But—
“Fuuuuuuccccckkkk!!!!!!!”
••••••••••••••••
The tension in the air was thick. Arianna tried so hard to endure the pain but it only kept getting worse, and she was afraid she might pass out here.
Not just from the pain—but from the thought of Duncan. She badly wanted to see him… He couldn't be dead.
But she needed to help Selene. The head maid couldn’t handle this many soldiers on her own—they all had weapons.
“Surrender and show us your face. You’re one of the dragons, aren’t you?” Valoreth squinted.
Brigid stood without a word, but her palms were sweaty behind her. The cloaked figure looked familiar, and she didn’t want to think about it.
The mage, still in Selene’s form, stood on the other side of Valoreth. His hand reached for his face, seeming to pull off a mask, and when he did, his male face was revealed.
His dark-circled eyes focused particularly on Arianna. Curiosity etched his face.
Selene stayed alert. Her main priority was to protect Arianna at all costs.
“Channel your energy to your tummy. It'll help with the pain,” Selene whispered, and Arianna did as she was told. It did work, but barely.
“Remove your mask or—” Valoreth raised a hand, and the soldiers positioned their arrows. “You’ll die along with the traitor.”
Traitor.
Arianna never thought she’d be labeled that again.
Selene didn’t reply, as if waiting for something.
“Fine then,” Valoreth smirked. But before he could give the order, a screeching sound echoed from above. Loud and terrifying.
All eyes widened. Shock registered on their faces as a beast-bird descended through the mist, the ground shook at the impact. It screeched furiously at them.
Those fiery eyeballs blazed hard at the soldiers that flinched in fear.
Is that a dragon?
What the fuck is that?!
“Fire!” Valoreth roared, and the men released their arrows.
Eryndor used its wings to shield Selene and Arianna, protecting them from the rain of arrows.
Brigid staggered into the room behind her, rushing inside in fear. Her gaze landed on a figure seated on the bed, his cold gaze fixed on the floor.
“Toran?” she breathed.
The arrows did little harm to Eryndor due to its strong scales shimmering under the sun.
It screeched and leapt, using its wings to shove the soldiers aside, destroying the wooden structure.
Valoreth quickly realized this strange creature wasn’t like a dragon that breathe fire. He signaled three Lycans to shift. They did so swiftly and launched at the bird, claws and fangs sinking into Eryndor.
Selene hissed. Shit! This wouldn’t end well. Eryndor wasn’t built for battle. And if Valoreth shifted into his ancient Lycan form, she’d lose her beast.
The mage was still observing Eryndor, and she didn’t like that fucking look.
“You have to get on Eryndor, it’ll take you out of here,” Selene said but her face twisted with worry as she looked at Arianna’s pale face.
What in the world did the mage do to her?
“What… about you?” Arianna rasped.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll stay alive until Eryndor gets you far from here even beyond the realm. I’ll make sure I hang on.”
Eryndor’s pained screech pierced the air.
“Now! We don’t have much time. What you’re about to do is not selfish, okay? Think about your baby. If you survive this, there should be a way to save Duncan. Your sister will be fine too. I promise.”
The last two words didn’t sound convincing, she could see the look on the head maid's eyes. A give up look.
“You know about the Cor Triantha?” Arianna asked.
“I’ve heard of it. I overheard the mage talk about it before knocking me out.”
She was right. She had to live through this.
For Duncan.
For her unborn child.
For Lylah.
There would be a way to return.