Stolen by the Beastly Lycan King-Chapter 102: Only One Reason

Lorelai didn’t even realize she was holding her breath. Only when her chest began to ache, her heart tightening painfully, did she finally exhale and inhale sharply.

Perhaps it was the shock, but her mind felt utterly blank, like a slate wiped clean of all thought.

Mate.

She had read about it before in her studies of the beasts, but only as a detached, academic concept—never something that might touch her own life.

Unlike pure-blooded beasts, who had no control over their instincts and were bound to accept the mate their nature chose for them, half-bloods lived with far greater freedom. They could suppress their primal urges and instead follow the pull of genuine affection, selecting a mate who truly drew their heart.

Yet, even with that freedom, fate sometimes played cruel games. It wasn’t unheard of for even the most noble, pure-blooded lycans to find themselves irresistibly drawn to someone wholly unsuitable in the eyes of their kind.

Humans.

But Rhaegar wasn’t a pure-blooded lycan. His feelings weren’t governed by fate or instinct.

’Then...’ Lorelai chewed nervously on her lower lip, biting it until it was red and tender. ’Does this mean his feelings are genuine? That he wants me as his mate because he chose me, not because of some inescapable instinct?’

The thought sent her reeling. She couldn’t comprehend it—none of it made sense. The concept of mates, of belonging so deeply to someone, was entirely new to her. But then again, she realized with a pang, the same could be said of the concept of love itself.

As soon as the word love flickered across her mind, a shift rippled through her very being, subtle but undeniable. It was as if a battle had ignited within her soul—a war between the yearning she didn’t yet understand and the relentless pull of her duty, clawing its way back into her heart like an old wound reopening.

Rhaegar remained patient, his strong arms encircling her like an unyielding fortress. He held the silent princess close, offering her all the time she needed to sort through her tangled emotions. Yet, with each passing second of her wordless stillness, the thudding of his heart grew louder, drumming in his chest like a harbinger of dread.

Something was wrong.

"Do you know what it means to be the mate of the lycan king?" he asked at last, his deep voice quiet but heavy.

Again, no response.

The silence was unbearable. Why wouldn’t she say anything?

"Have you ever left Erelith?" Rhaegar pressed on, refusing to let her retreat into herself. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

His voice grew more insistent, tinged with a desperation he could barely suppress. He needed her to speak, to give him something—anything—that would ease the suffocating weight in his chest.

"The world beyond this kingdom is vast and breathtaking, Lorelai," he continued, his tone hardening as the cold edges of his frustration surfaced. "You’ve heard the stories, haven’t you? Of the Beast Kingdom and its unrivaled beauty?"

His amber eyes bore into hers, searching for a flicker of understanding. "Haven’t you ever wondered what it would be like to see it for yourself?"

The man’s fierce amber eyes gazed at the princess with a dangerous tenderness, their intensity almost hypnotic. Lorelai found herself staring back at Rhaegar, caught as if under an unbreakable spell.

Yes, she had heard of the Beast Kingdom before. Merchants and travelers who had dared to journey there often spoke of it with awe, their words painting vivid pictures of a land unlike any other. Even Duke Kalder, despite only venturing to its borders, had shared tantalizing stories in the past.

The vast stretch of land separating their kingdoms was a bleak, desolate expanse of frozen snow. But as soon as one crossed the border, the Beast Kingdom revealed itself like a magical oasis. A realm of warmth and vitality that seemed almost otherworldly.

Rhaegar caught the faint glimmer of excitement flickering in Lorelai’s eyes, and his lips curved into an affectionate smile, as if he had won a small but meaningful victory.

"The capital is surrounded by endless meadows, where the air is laced with the sweet scent of flowers. Every breeze carries their fragrance, mingling with the cool, refreshing winds. Everywhere you look, there are vibrant colors, tall, graceful trees, and a sun that never fades. It’s endless summer there, Lorelai. Warm, serene, sweet, enchanting, magical..." He paused, his amber eyes locking onto hers. "Just like you."

She hadn’t noticed how close he had leaned in until now. His face hovered near hers, so near that the warmth of his breath ghosted over her lips, the space between them almost nonexistent.

His eyes glowed like molten gold, burning with a heat so intense it made her heart pound in fear and something else she could not name. If she didn’t pull away, she feared she might be burned to ashes.

"You’ll have everything there, Lorelai," Rhaegar murmured, his voice low and intoxicating, each word brushing her lips like a promise. "You will be free. I will make it so."

His words carried the weight of an unshakable conviction, more a declaration than an empty promise. Lorelai could tell he wasn’t bluffing—he never did. But that was precisely what made it so excruciating for her.

She wanted him to make it happen. To take her away, to give her the freedom he spoke of. Yet, at the same time, a part of her wished he were lying, wished he could be nothing more than a liar spinning empty dreams.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, blurring her vision. She shut them tightly, willing herself not to cry, though the effort only made the knot in her chest tighten further.

Desperation hit her like an unrelenting ocean wave, crashing over her and dragging her under. Her legs trembled beneath her, threatening to give out, but she forced herself to stand.

In this moment, it didn’t matter whether Rhaegar’s words were the truth or a sweet, intoxicating lie. Either would be fine. She would gladly believe a lie, even if it destroyed her in the end.

And there was only one reason for it.