Stolen by the Beastly Lycan King-Chapter 129: New Home

In the dim lights of the underground passage, Rhaegar watched as Lorelai’s lashes fluttered once before her breathing evened out, her chest rising and falling gently. Naveen’s latest potion had taken effect quickly, lulling her into a deep, dreamless sleep.

"She needs to drink this," Naveen said, her sharp gaze scanning Lorelai’s pale face.

Rhaegar hesitated briefly, then gently tilted the vial to her lips. The princess murmured faintly in her sleep but swallowed the liquid without resistance. Moments later, her breathing deepened, and she slipped back into the comforting embrace of unconsciousness.

"She is asleep again," the witch confirmed, tucking her herbs and vials back into her leather satchel. She glanced up at the king, her blue eyes reflecting quiet concern. "Now, it’s your part. We can begin."

Without another word, Naveen handed Rhaegar a small silver dagger. It gleamed sharply under the faint light of the torches flickering along the walls of the underground passage. Rhaegar didn’t hesitate.

He rolled up his sleeve and held out his arm, then, he made a quick, precise incision, and crimson blood pooled into the goblet held by Naveen. Rhaegar’s jaw tightened, but he remained still as the goblet filled. When it was done, Naveen placed a glowing hand over the wound, closing it instantly.

"This will help her," she murmured, her voice steady but tinged with lingering anxiety. "But remember, my king, the queen’s spell grows stronger with each passing hour. The amount of blood required to counteract it will increase each time."

"She will not like it," the man scoffed bitterly, glancing back at the princess. "She will be on the verge of death but still worry about me more."

Rhaegar gritted his teeth as the wound healed almost instantly. "How much longer will this last?"

The witch’s gaze dropped to the goblet in her hands as she swirled its contents slowly. "Well, we cannot bleed you dry... We can only hope that the bond created during your mating ceremony will be strong enough to keep the two of you connected until the very end."

Her words hung heavily in the air. Rhaegar’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He moved to Lorelai’s side, cradling her limp form gently as Naveen tilted the goblet over her lips. She stirred the blood with her finger, murmuring incantations under her breath. The mixture shimmered briefly before returning to its natural hue.

A single droplet of his blood slipped past, followed by another.

The effect was immediate. A faint flush returned to the princess’s cheeks, and her breathing grew steadier.

Moments later, Lorelai let out a soft sigh, her body visibly relaxing. The tension in her delicate features eased, and even the faint trembling that had plagued her earlier subsided.

"This will soothe her for now," Naveen observed. "But do not let your guard down, my king. Be ready to bite your lips and fingers all the time; I really have no way of telling how this will go."

Rhaegar nodded, brushing a stray strand of blonde hair away from Lorelai’s face. "Don’t worry, I am prepared."

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed down the narrow stone corridor. Alim, his trusted aide, appeared, his silhouette sharp against the dim glow of the torches. He approached swiftly, bowing low before speaking.

"King Rhaegar," Alim began in a calm and slightly relieved tone. "The scouting hawk has returned. The royal knights appear to have lost our trail and returned to Erelith. We are no longer being pursued." freewēbnoveℓ.com

Rhaegar’s amber eyes flashed with satisfaction. "Good. It seems my blood has bought us the time we needed. But we cannot afford to relax just yet. The queen’s reach is long, and her schemes are cunning. We must remain vigilant until the mating ceremony is complete."

Alim nodded. "Understood, My King."

Just then, Gian appeared from within the shadows too, his chest heaving as an indication that he was rushing there with more news. "We have arrived at the designated area, My King. We can now emerge from the underground passage."

Rhaegar’s gaze shifted back to Lorelai, still sleeping soundly in his arms. He looked almost reluctant to move her, but he knew the importance of what lay ahead. Tonight was the full moon––the only night the official mating ceremony could be performed. There was no time to waste.

"Start preparing everything," he ordered in a firm, commanding voice. "The sooner we complete the ceremony, the better. Set the camp and order the royal shifters to rush here with everything needed. We start at midnight."

Alim and Gian bowed deeply in unison. "As you command, my king."

As his men filed out of the passage, Naveen lingered nearby, her sharp eyes catching the tender look on Rhaegar’s face. "A word of caution, my king," she said softly.

The man raised an eyebrow, his patience clearly wearing thin. He was tired of warnings but it seemed like there was no escaping them.

"Be gentle with her," the witch warned. "You have never transformed during the full moon like the others, but that does not mean your wolf won’t be difficult to control. She is human, Rhaegar. A fragile creature. Especially in her current state."

His frown deepened, his jaw clenching at the reminder. He hated these constant reminders of the beast lurking within him, the part of himself he had spent years suppressing. Unlike his father, who was incredibly proud of his animalistic side, Rhaegar prided himself on his humanity. He valued his human side above everything else.

But tonight, he would have to tread a fine line, balancing restraint with instinct. His resolve would be tested like never before.

"I know," he replied curtly, his voice tinged with frustration. "I will be careful."

Satisfied, Naveen gave him a small nod and a light smile before retreating into the shadows.

"Naveen," suddenly, the man’s voice made her halt and she turned back around. "Yes?"

"This is not the first time, thought," Rhaegar added.

The witch let out a soft chuckle, the black mask dangling over her moving lips. "Indeed... But back then you did not really have lust mixed in with your blood; only hatred. Both emotions are strong but with this... The human in you might be able to control the beast with love."

With that, Naveen left, exiting the underground passage too.

Left alone, Rhaegar let out a heavy sigh, his amber gaze returning to Lorelai.

She looked so peaceful in her sleep––a stark contrast to her usual anxious demeanor. He could not help but admire her delicate features, the way her golden hair framed her face like a halo.

In that moment, a thought crossed his mind, one that made his chest ache. He wanted this––this serenity, this fleeting sense of normalcy––to last forever. To see her smile freely, to know she felt safe and happy in his presence.

Rhaegar had no idea how much time he spent watching the princess sleep. The serenity she had created was hypnotizing. He knew he could spend hours just sitting by her side, doing absolutely nothing. Somehow, even that made him incredibly happy.

Brushing his fingers through her soft, blonde hair, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Wake up, princess," he murmured, his voice softer than it had been in years. "It’s time for you to see your new home."

Lorelai stirred slightly, her lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Slowly, her eyes opened, their green depths meeting his amber ones. She blinked in confusion, her gaze darting around the already familiar surroundings.

"Rhaegar?" she whispered, her voice hoarse.

"We have arrived," he said simply, cradling her closer as he stood.

Carrying her out of the underground passage, Rhaegar stepped into the bright sunlight.

The designated area was nestled within a secluded valley, surrounded by towering cliffs that acted as natural barriers. The air was crisp and carried the faint scent of wildflowers.

Lorelai’s eyes widened as she took in the sight. "Where are we?"

"Call it a safe haven," the king explained. "At least for now."

The camp was already bustling with activity. Alim and the other warriors were preparing the ceremonial grounds along with the comfortable shelters. A large flower altar stood at the center, bathed in the golden glow of the morning sun.

The princess’ grip on Rhaegar’s robe tightened. "What is happening? Are we not headed for the capital?"

He set her down gently, keeping his hands on her shoulders to steady her. "Unfortunately, there is no time. Tonight, we complete the mating ceremony," he explained. "The full moon will make our bond stronger and that alone will connect us forever. No matter what."

Her expression wavered between fear and slight excitement. The words "mating ceremony" made her heart race with the memories of their previous nights. "What will we have to do..?"

Rhaegar hesitated, though his wolf was definitely smiling. "We will start with the regular wedding ceremony as it is done in the Beasts Kingdom, and then... I will do everything in my power to make it bearable," he promised. "But you must trust me, Lorelai."

She nodded slowly, though her hands still betrayed a slight shake.

"I trust you," she finally said softly, and Rhaegar could not help but smile. "That’s all I need."