Stolen by the Beastly Lycan King-Chapter 124: Dutiful Obedience

At first, Althea couldn’t believe her eyes. After so many years of believing that every last ghoul had been hunted to extinction, the undeniable presence of one now sent a jolt through her entire being. It was impossible to ignore—the sharp, distinct sensation of her own kind lingering in the air.

But what truly unsettled her wasn’t just the overwhelming scent of a fellow ghoul. It was something far heavier, a suffocating aura drenched in death and decay.

Her breaths grew shallow as she moved cautiously through the muddy forest floor, brushing aside the damp pine branches that snagged at her clothes. A strange, unrelenting tension churned in her gut, tangling her thoughts and shaking her usually calm demeanor.

She couldn’t understand why she was so anxious. She didn’t even like ghouls. To her, they were nothing more than the grotesque byproducts of cowardly vampires who had refused to face death. They were the outcome of her own suffering, a painful reminder of her darkest days of submission. freeweɓnovel.cøm

Ghouls were creatures driven by a singular purpose: survival. But Althea? She had always aspired to more, to something greater, something beyond the base instincts that defined their pitiful existence.

So why should it matter now if she stumbled upon one?

And yet, when her gaze fell upon the source of the unsettling presence, her breath hitched.

A toddler?

Althea froze, her heart thundering in her chest. There, lying curled up like a wounded serpent on the cold, damp forest floor, was a child—barely a year old. The infant was naked, its frail body trembling violently in the autumn chill, its bony limbs giving way to the unmistakable signs of starvation.

The sight left Althea utterly stunned. How was this even possible? Ghouls could not reproduce; they could only create more of their kind by turning others. Yet here she was, looking down at a child who was undeniably one of her own.

Her gaze darted around the forest, scanning the shadows and straining her senses. Was the one responsible for turning the child still nearby? Was this a trap—a sinister ploy, with the infant as bait for a greater predator? But the only presence she could feel was the pervasive, heavy aura of death that lingered like a thick fog.

She hesitated before scooping the child into her arms, her eyes narrowing as the pieces began to fall into place.

The boy’s small, pale face was smeared with blood, the rivulets frozen dry along his chin and neck. It didn’t take long for Althea to deduce what had happened. Someone had turned the child into a ghoul—likely just hours ago—and then abandoned him, seeking their own end in the unforgiving wilderness.

Althea’s mind raced.

On one hand, she felt no particular attachment to the tiny ghoul cradled in her arms. She had been content as the last of her kind, resigned to her isolation. When her time came, it wouldn’t matter anyway.

But on the other hand, this child presented an unexpected opportunity. He could be her key to achieving her revenge far more swiftly. Through him, she could finally get close to the one person she had yet to approach on her own—the King of Erelith.

A slow, wicked smile spread across Althea’s thin, blood-red lips. A toddler ghoul could remain in this form for quite some time, and just as she had done for herself, she could ensure he grew as humans did, carefully hiding his true nature.

"You were quite the unexpected blessing today, dear child," Althea murmured with a soft smile as she carefully wrapped her shawl around the boy’s frail, trembling body. "Kai... Yes, I like that name. Kai Erelith... It has a regal ring to it, doesn’t it?"

With that simple declaration, her intricate plan shifted and expanded, weaving the little boy into its threads. He was no longer just a chance encounter; he was a tool—perhaps even the most important one—to help her achieve her ultimate goal.

***

The air in Kai’s study was heavy with tension, the kind that pressed against the walls and seeped into every corner.

Baron Claude Miran stood rigidly before him, head slightly inclined in deference, hands clasped behind his back in the manner of a disciplined soldier awaiting orders. Whether he was Kai’s maternal grandfather or simply another servant of the crown was impossible to discern.

The flickering candlelight cast moving shadows over Claude’s worn features, deepening the grooves of age and the hollows beneath his eyes. His pallor, accentuated by the golden light, only served to make him appear more like a ghost than a man.

"You will leave the palace at dawn," Kai commanded, his voice calm yet carrying an unyielding authority. "Return to your estate and await my instructions. Do not initiate correspondence with anyone unless I explicitly allow it."

For a brief moment, Claude’s pale gray eyes lifted to meet Kai’s gaze. A flicker of something indiscernible—regret, defiance, or perhaps even understanding—passed through them before he bowed his head once more.

"As you wish, Your Highness," Claude responded, his tone devoid of emotion.

That was it—no argument, no hesitation, no inquiry. Just silent, dutiful obedience.

Kai leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze fixed on the man he had once revered as a child. Baron Claude Miran—once a respected noble of Erelith, a figure of strength and honor—now stood before him as nothing more than a hollow shell. A puppet whose strings were mercilessly pulled by Althea’s cunning, manipulative hands.

A pang of pity twisted in his chest. The baron’s loyalty wasn’t to him or the kingdom; it was to Althea alone. For decades, the baron had been her shadow, her enforcer, her silent conspirator. And yet, he seemed to gain no satisfaction from it, no pride. Just obedience.

"Go," Kai said, his tone clipped, almost dismissive.

Claude bowed low and left as if controlled by an invisible force.

Kai watched him leave, the heavy door closing with a soft thud. He let out a slow breath, leaning forward and steepling his fingers beneath his chin. His thoughts drifted, as they so often did now, to Lorelai.

The image of her filled his mind—those soft green eyes, the gentle curve of her lips, her delicate frame that seemed so easily breakable, and yet... so intoxicatingly resilient.

The knowledge that Rhaegar, the lycan king, was preparing to leave the capital fanned the flames of the prince’s obsession. Soon, his mother’s plan would be set in motion again, and Lorelai would be his.

But first, there was the wedding.

Kai’s jaw clenched as the thought tore through him.

The idea of Duke Vincent Kalder touching her, claiming her as his own, was enough to make his blood boil. Kalder was a decrepit old man with a reputation as vile as the stench he carried. The wedding preparations would begin today, a mockery of everything Kai wanted for Lorelai.

If only he could stop it now. But no. Everything had to go according to plan. Any deviation, any suspicion, would ruin years of careful manipulation. The other kingdoms were watching too closely, and Althea would not tolerate a single misstep. Especially now that he had already disappointed her by killing Lady Lucia.

Still, the crown prince felt the restless pull to see Lorelai.

The knowledge that she would be preparing for her cursed union filled him with a desperate need to distract her, to remind her of him. He wanted to offer her something simple—an innocent walk through the gardens before her day became consumed with fabrics, flowers, and the future he loathed.

His heart quickened at another thought. Marianna.

Despite Althea’s protests, he had convinced her to leave the princess’ most loyal maid alive.

Marianna was a quiet, kind woman who had been more of a mother to Lorelai than anyone else in the palace. When Lorelai became his wife, Marianna would be waiting for her, a gift he hoped she would cherish.

Perhaps Lorelai would see that he was thinking of her happiness, even now, and come to love him for it.

With renewed excitement, Kai stood and left his study, his long strides carrying him through the winding halls of the palace. He made his way to Lorelai’s chambers, eager to see her one last time before the chaos of the day began.

But when he arrived, her room was empty.

The disappointment hit him like a wave, but he forced himself to stay. He closed the door behind him and took a deep breath, letting the faint scent of vanilla and roses—her innate scent—wrap around him. The room was untouched, her belongings neatly arranged as if waiting for her return.

Kai moved slowly, his fingers trailing over her desk, the smooth surface of her hairbrush, the edges of a delicate lace shawl draped over the back of a chair. He brought the shawl to his face, inhaling deeply, his senses stirring inside him at the closeness of her essence.

And then, rage.

The thought of Duke Kalder invading this space, touching her belongings, her body, burned like fire in his veins. How dare that man even breathe the same air as Lorelai? How dare he claim what would never truly be his?

Kai’s mind wandered darkly, envisioning ways to end the duke’s life. It would have to be slow, excruciating. A fitting punishment for someone who dared lay hands on Lorelai.

A knock at the door snapped him out of his reverie. Before he could respond, the door burst open, and two royal guards stumbled in, their faces pale and eyes wide with fear.

"Your Highness!" one of them gasped, out of breath.

"What is it?" Kai demanded, straightening to his full height, his sharp gaze boring into them.

"It’s... Duke Kalder," the guard stammered, his voice trembling. "He’s dead, Your Highness. One of the maids found his body in his guest room. He was stabbed."

For a moment, the words didn’t register. Kai’s mind reeled, a strange, disjointed mix of confusion and evil satisfaction.