Stolen by the Beastly Lycan King-Chapter 134: The Morning Sky

Blinking away her uneasiness, Lorelai glanced around, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise as she took in her surroundings. The oppressive darkness of the cave had vanished, replaced by an almost ethereal glow that bathed the space in a pleasantly warm light.

We’ve moved! Her body straightened instinctively, despite the lingering grogginess of sleep. Strangely exhilarated, the princess gasped in awe, her wide green eyes scanning the scene above her head.

Where there had once been a suffocating cave ceiling, there was now a spacious tent crafted from thick, light-blue fabric. The material gradually blended with a sheer curtain at the tent’s apex, mimicking a fading roof.

Through that curtain, the serene blue expanse of the morning sky seemed to merge seamlessly with the tent’s design, only the occasional white cloud betraying its true nature.

Lorelai sighed, a wave of relief washing over her. Ever since they had left the palace, she had felt perpetually cloaked in darkness. This was the first time she found herself fully awake during the day, bathed in light rather than shadow.

"Does it make you feel better?" Rhaegar’s low, quiet voice reached her ears, breaking through her reverie.

Startled, Lorelai realized she had unconsciously pushed the king aside while marveling at the morning sky.

Her gaze shifted back to him, and her heart gave a sudden, involuntary lurch.

Reclining casually on a large silk shawl adorned with vibrant patterns, Rhaegar was bare from the waist up. His bronzed skin glistened under the soft light, as though dusted with the finest pearl powder.

His amber eyes gleamed, their intensity heightened by the dark frames of his thick lashes and brows, while his full, perfectly sculpted lips carried a rich, almost sinful allure.

Once again, Lorelai found herself mesmerized by Rhaegar’s ethereal beauty. Compared to him, she felt almost transparent, her pale complexion and frail appearance a stark contrast to his vibrance. The thought made her feel a flicker of embarrassment.

"Lorelai?" The king’s deep voice jolted her back to reality as he called her name, this time a little louder. "How are you feeling? It seemed like you had a nightmare."

"No... I’m completely fine," she lied, forcing a smile that seemed to successfully fool him.

In truth, she wished she could believe her own words. She didn’t want to dwell on her unsettling dream or its implications—not now. All she wanted was to focus on the precious time she had left to spend with Rhaegar.

Her dream about her father still lingered in her mind, tugging at her thoughts, but she knew she couldn’t unravel its meaning right now. Perhaps it was best to let it go, at least for the moment.

Rhaegar moved closer, wrapping her in his strong embrace and pressing her head gently against his bare chest. The warmth of his skin seeped into her, easing her frayed nerves completely.

"The preparations are complete," he said softly. "Everything is ready for our wedding ceremony."

Lorelai swallowed hard, a tremor running through her body as his words sank in. She was about to get married.

She was about to become the wife of the lycan king who loved her so deeply.

She was about to officially become someone’s true mate.

"Don’t be so nervous, princess," Rhaegar chuckled, as though he could read Lorelai’s mind. "We’re not getting married right away. There are still some things we need to take care of first."

"Things?" Lorelai pulled her face away from his chest and gave him a puzzled look. "What do we need to do?"

"Well, for starters, we really need to have a bath! Together, of course."

He said this with such evident excitement that Lorelai couldn’t help but feel a mix of concern and embarrassment.

She hadn’t had much time to think about hygiene while they were on the run, but now that Rhaegar brought it up, the idea of a long, relaxing bath did seem appealing.

However, a thought quickly crossed her mind, and she couldn’t help but voice it. "But how can we do that? Aren’t we still in the meadow?"

The king nodded with a reassuring smile. "We are, but don’t worry––there are plenty of hot springs in the area. My men have already found the perfect one. It’s beneath tall trees and surrounded by blooming rose bushes. I think you’ll find it quite romantic."

Although the description sounded beautiful and idyllic, Lorelai couldn’t shake her nerves. If anything, the idea made her feel even more uneasy.

Her gaze wandered to the surrounding camp, and she couldn’t help but notice again how few women were in Rhaegar’s entourage. The female servants who had accompanied him at the palace were conspicuously absent now that they were on the run.

The thought made her chest tighten slightly. She was alone in this, surrounded entirely by men—and now the idea of bathing, even in such a romantic setting, felt more daunting than inviting.

It was strictly forbidden for male servants to assist women in bathing or changing their attire. In fact, Rhaegar was the only man who had ever seen Lorelai’s naked body, and the mere thought of his servants being present during their bath made her feel increasingly uneasy.

"Will there be any servants to assist us?" Lorelai asked hesitantly, her gaze dropping to her bare form hidden beneath Rhaegar’s oversized robe.

Rhaegar’s amber eyes widened slightly at her question before he burst into laughter, the sound warm and reassuring. Leaning closer, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his actions making Lorelai feel as though he could see straight into her thoughts.

"Don’t worry, princess," he said, his tone light but laced with conviction. "Any man foolish enough to even peek at your naked body would lose his eyes by my hand."

Lorelai offered a small, nervous smile in response, her cheeks warming despite herself. Sensing her lingering discomfort, Rhaegar kissed her forehead again, his touch tender and protective.

"It’s not just a bath," he continued, his voice softening. "It’s a sacred ritual. No one is permitted to join us—it will be just the two of us."