The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 199: Chapter 199

Lily, the Dragon shut its eyes, letting the familiar touch soothe it. The beast let out a soft growl, recoiling its head slightly.
“It’s alright. I understand how you feel,” Lylah murmured. “People hurt your master so much that now, you want to protect her by keeping everyone away…”
She turned her gaze toward the crystal that held Arianna, then looked back at the dragon.
“But that won’t heal her. You can't keep pushing people away. Especially the people she needs.”
The dragon let out a soft growl, and Lylah chuckled.
“Is that guilt? Fine… I forgive you.”
It responded with a blink then stuck out a little of its tongue and licked her face. Lylah chuckled and caressed its scale.
Still can't believe she was touching a real dragon.
Finally she turned toward Arianna. Her sister looked like she hadn’t aged a day, her expression tired, yet at peace.
Lylah reached to touch crystal, it felt cold against her skin.
“Hey, Aria. I know you can hear me.”
Her voice cracked with emotion and her gaze traced Arianna’s peaceful form.
“I know it’s warm where you are… safer. Easier than this broken world. But I need you here. Your son needs you here. He’s waiting, Aria.”
Her gaze dropped briefly to Rheal, standing at the edge with his fingers nervously curled around the hem of Drakora’s cloak.
“He’s beautiful. So much like you,” Lylah smiled through her tears. “He’s got your softness… your fire… and King Duncan’s damn stubbornness.”
The dragon huffed softly beside her, lowering its head near the crystal as if listening too.
“And Duncan… gods, Aria. I think he is still alive. Waiting somewhere. Fighting," her voice became heavier. "The world turned on you, and he never stopped believing in you.”
Lylah pressed her forehead to the surface, the cold biting into her skin.
“I know the crystal is showing you something… something you want. Peace, maybe. A life where no one betrayed you. A world where your child wasn’t born into exile, where you were loved without fear, without war breathing down your neck.”
She took a deep breath.
“But that’s not real, Aria. That’s not where your son is.”
Her voice trembled as she continued.
“Rheal needs his mother. The realm needs its queen. And... I need my sister.” Her shoulders shook as she sobbed.
Lylah’s fingers curled against the crystal, tears streaming down her cheeks, dripping silently to the floor.
“So wake up. Please. Fight it. I know it hurts, but don’t let that place hold you anymore… Come back, Aria.”
“Please, come back.”
•
•
At the north wing, Zav dismounted from his horse and approached the small town.
This was where most of the weapons were crafted. The men had been working day and night in preparation.
He gathered them quickly.
Shock filled their eyes as they heard the news. The war hadn’t given them a chance. It was inevitable.
The women and children would be led far, far away—to the border near the endless waters, far from the battlefront. There's a great chance the moon realm won't find them there.
Zav assigned a few men to lead the evacuation, then paused when he noticed someone in particular missing.
When he inquired, he was led to the quiet part of town, where a male wolf was sharpening the blades he had forged.
His back was broad and strong, the frame of a warrior seasoned by countless battles.
“You didn’t hear the call for gathering?” Zav asked quietly.
The male wolf paused for a moment.
“I was tending to my master,” he replied, then resumed his work.
“We’re going to need your help. The Moon Realm is attacking our people tomorrow. We need every capable hand.”
He halted again. This time, his shoulders tensed for what felt like forever, his breath suddenly uneven. Still, he didn’t turn around.
“You’ve always refused to tell us who you and your master truly are… But what I do know is, we’re going to need your skill in this fight,” Zav said calmly.
“Fine… I’ll fight for you,” the male replied, continuing his work.
•
•
Minutes turned into hours, hope slowly draining away. Cries after cries. Pleas, whispers of memories, yet...
Arianna hadn’t woken up.
Her dragon had fallen asleep.
Lylah’s heart was shattered. Was this how it was all going to end?
She had failed.
Drakora and the Ouroboros were outside. Some had fallen asleep, including Cal, who rested his head on Sylra’s lap.
Rheal stayed awake, as if afraid to miss the moment. It only deepened his disappointment as time passed.
The sun was about to rise, and they still had a war strategy to finalize.
“Lylah,” Drakora called gently.
Lylah lifted her teary gaze.
“It’s time to go.”
Without protest, she rose to her feet, gave the crystal heartrobe one last look, and began to walk away.
The other Ouroboros woke and started to leave. Lylah paused to glance at Rheal, who hadn’t taken his eyes off Arianna for even a moment.
“I’m sorry, Rheal,” she whispered, then turned to prepare for the coming war.
“Come on,” Drakora said, holding Rheal’s hand—but the boy resisted, wanting to wait a little longer.
His eyes stayed fixed on the crystal, as though expecting something.
“Just a little more,” he pleaded.
“We need to get you somewhere safe. Please, let’s go.”
Rheal finally looked at her, sensing the seriousness in her voice.
As Drakora led him away, he cast one last glance at his mother, then slowly disappeared from view.
Moments later, the air turned cold. Lily, the dragon, opened her eyes—sensing something.
And for the first time in years—
The crystal that held Arianna cracked.