The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Lylah stared at the different weapons set before her—swords, axes, spears, daggers of all kinds—all polished.
Slowly, the weight of her decision sank into her chest, choking her.
She glanced at the Grand Lord, who was giving orders to a warrior that stood listening with full attention.
Lylah swallowed at the sight of Lucas’s built form, muscles rippling beneath his skin underneath his loose tunic. He was utterly terrifying—the second strongest Lycan in the realm.
She recalled how he had struck the maid earlier, how the impact had thrown her across the space. The sickening bone cracking, The blood, the bruises, the swollen face…
Was she going to survive this? Hell! She didn’t even have a wolf to heal her. And the male doesn't seem to care.
How could he? She was the one who bought this up anyway.
A sigh left her lips as she returned her gaze to the weapons. The warrior presenting them said nothing, only stared with a slight of pity.
Clearing her throat, she reached for a dagger—sharp, light, and easy to carry. It was her favorite weapom.
She stared at it, her heart drumming hard in her ears.
It’s okay, Lylah. You can do this.
You have no choice anyway. You dared the second ruler of the realm in order to set yourself free. Right in front of everyone. There's not turning back.
She had a plan.
There had to be a chance for her to get at least one strike in, right?
Right?
Her mind went silent.
“Nice choice,” Lucas’s thick voice pierced through the air. He wasn’t holding any weapons. Was he going to fight her with his bare hands?
The warriors stepped back, creating space for them. Maids and a few soldiers had gathered, curious about how the fight would unfold.
Many stared at her with pity. No—all of them did. They knew she stood no chance against him. She knew it too. But… she needed to do this.
The fire in her eyes, nearly extinguished, returned, burning with determination.
She stood alert, gripping the dagger midair as she faced the Grand Lord, who simply had his hands tucked into his pockets.
His gaze was unreadable, devoid of emotion. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
Her grip on the dagger tightened, her pounding heart louder than the murmurs around her.
Before she could even breathe, He moved. Too fast for her eyes to catch.
Lylah’s eyes widened. One moment, he was standing several feet away, and the next, he was right behind her.
Shit.
“Little wolf.”
His hand landed on her shoulder, his thick voice behind her like a death bell, freezing her in place.
A light squeeze. His face drawing closer and whisper. “You’re already dead.”
Lylah shuddered.
Her breath seized completely. It was humiliating how powerless she was in his presence.
With a sharp inhale, she spun, swinging her dagger as fast as she could—
But he had already moved. Like a blur.
She swung again… and again. He was right in front of her, close, yet he dodged her attacks effortlessly.
Suddenly, he caught her wrist mid-strike, and like a rag doll, he swung her over his shoulder.
Lylah’s back collided with the floor. A loud groan tore from her lips, and she felt her rib crack.
Shit.
Was she really going to execute her plan like this? His hand pressed her face down, forcing her cheek against the dirt.
“Let me guess.” His voice was calm, almost amused. "You were going to let me beat you to a pulp, then pretend to be so hurt. And just when I’d check on you, you’d swing your little dagger to get your strike in.”
Lylah’s eyes widened. How the hell did he know?!
“I don’t know how you tricked the guards, but I was a warrior for over a hundred years before the King himself chose me as his Beta.” His grip on her head remained firm. “What made you think you could simply trick me?”
Lylah’s fists clenched.
“Yield?” he asked. His voice more like a command.
“Never,” she gritted out through her teeth, trying to move, but her entire body was trapped beneath his hold. She couldn’t move a finger.
“You do realize I could easily crush your skull if I applied just a little more pressure, right?” His voice was dripping with venom. Under the moonlight, his shadow cast over her like a death omen.
Suddenly, his claws snapped out, digging into the dirt right beside her eyes.
Lylah’s breath hitched. She could die so many ways like this.
“I’ve won, little wolf. Can’t you see that?” His voice was cold. "Yield and wait for your punishment at the court… or I’ll kill you right here. Right now.”
Lucas watched the little girl struggle beneath him. Anyone else would have been terrified and surrendered immediately.
She was just like her sister.
The one who had stood before Lords, nobles, and the terrifying Grand King himself, demanding proof of her crimes. The first slave to challenge them, even though she knew her defiance could bring her an unimaginable death.
Arianna had stood—not like a slave, but like a true Alpha’s daughter.
It had been so long since he’d seen that kind of spirit in anyone. Especially in a woman.
And this little wolf was no different. He waited for her to speak.
Her eyes shut. Was she going to give in? Lucas was curious.
“I. Will. Not. Yield!” She said it firmly, tears slipping down her face, touching and disappearing into the soul.
Then—Lucas’s lips twitched. For the first time, admiration flickered in his eyes. Lylah braced herself for death.
But it didn’t come. Instead, the Grand Lord slowly released her, and before she could react, he took her hand—the one holding the dagger—and lifted it to his face.
With his gaze locked onto hers, he slowly dragged the blade across his chin. A thin line of blood appeared—only to heal before her very eyes.
W-what…?
“You win.” For a moment, a rare smile tugged at his lips, but it disappeared as fast as it had come. As if she’d never seen it at all.
Lucas straightened and spoke to the crowd. “Being a warrior is not about winning. It’s about not giving up. Tonight… we have a new warrior. Lylah Greystone.”
His voice broke the silence.
The crowd was too stunned to react. No movement. One could hear if a pin drop.
Lucas glanced back to Lylah.
“You better not die during training,” Lucas muttered to her. “It’s going to get tough, little wolf.” Then, he turned to leave.
At that moment, Arianna finally arrived, shoving her way through the crowd, breathing hard. Her eyes landed on the Grand Lord before moving past him—to the girl in the distance.
Lylah.
“A… Aria?” Lylah’s body went rigid. Tears welled in her eyes instantly at the sight of her.
“Lylah!!!” Arianna’s scream pierced the air as she ran toward her little sister, tears pooling her face as well.
Lylah forced herself up, her trembling body barely holding together.
Their bodies slammed into each other. Hands wrapped tightly around one another as they both burst into tears.
Relief like never before washed through them. Through their fibers. Through their cells.
Lylah cried like a baby, the once-brave little girl was gone. Just a baby sister, who wanted nothing but the embrace of her older sister.
“I thought you were dead, Aria,” Lylah choked out, her voice thick with emotion. “I thought I lost you.” She clung to her tighter.
“I’m so sorry,” Arianna whispered, crying. “I’m truly sorry. Oh, dear Lylah… I’ve missed you so much.”