Stolen by the Beastly Lycan King-Chapter 93: Something That Belongs To Me

It wasn’t a remarkable item, nor did it carry any exceptional craftsmanship. Lorelai wasn’t skilled at embroidery and had needed help from her maids to complete it. She had pricked her fingers so often during the process that by the end, it was too painful even to hold the needle.

She had chosen green silk because green was the color of the royal lineage. The ribbon was adorned with elegant floral embroidery along its edges—delicate green leaves and red petals intertwined with fine strokes of golden thread, adding subtle contrast to its rich hue.

Kai’s eyes caught the ribbon’s color as Lorelai extended it toward him. His expression hardened, his frown lasting for only a few fleeting moments before he accepted the offering without protest. The color itself didn’t matter to him; what mattered was that his sister had gone to the trouble of giving it to him.

With the same frown lingering on his face, Kai tied the ribbon firmly around the handle of his sword. His voice, as cold and unyielding as steel, broke the silence. "No matter what happens, stay put. I won’t let anything happen to you. You know that."

Lorelai arched an eyebrow, startled by the weight of his words. "Is something going to happen?"

Kai shook his head, exhaling a long, frustrated sigh. He was already regretting his slip. "No," he muttered, brushing off her concern. Then, as if changing the subject, he asked, "Is there any animal you’d like me to catch?"

"Oh..." Lorelai hesitated, caught off guard by the sudden shift. "Anything is fine."

"Perhaps a black wolf, then," Kai remarked, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he turned and strode out of the tent.

***

As soon as she was certain Kai had left, Lorelai decided to take a look around. The beasts were already mounted on horseback, prepared for the hunt. She observed their effortless control over the animals—they carried no riding crops, relying instead on their skill and innate authority to manage their mounts.

Even the most unruly hunting dogs had been deliberately assigned to the beasts, yet they required neither food bribes nor harsh commands to gain their obedience. A mere whistle or gentle pat was enough to bring the dogs to heel, as though they had been impeccably trained from the start by the very same men.

The hunters stood in awe, murmuring amongst themselves at the sight. Lorelai’s gaze swept over the scene until her heart sank. Her favorite black dog, the one with striking amber eyes, was nowhere to be found.

Lorelai decided to continue her observation.

Her emerald gaze moved slowly over the gathering, taking in the commotion of hunters preparing to depart. When her eyes drifted to the other side, they unexpectedly met Rhaegar’s.

His piercing amber gaze seemed to hold her in place, but Lorelai quickly averted her eyes, her heart lurching uncomfortably. Without sparing him another glance, she turned and headed back to the barracks assigned to her. She had no desire to watch him leave.

Her ladies-in-waiting followed closely behind, however, Lorelai stopped them just outside her tent with a firm gesture. "Wait in the tent opposite," she instructed. "I need some time alone."

They hesitated, exchanging concerned glances, but eventually obeyed her command. Once inside, Lorelai let out a tired sigh, leaning briefly against the wooden frame of her tent. The confrontation earlier had left her utterly drained, both mentally and emotionally.

But peace, it seemed, was not hers to claim that day. Before she could even sit, a messenger arrived with a summons. The queen was requesting her presence in the royal tent.

It had been a long time since Lorelai had been alone with Althea. The mere thought of it made her stomach churn. Her body seemed to sag under an invisible weight, her energy utterly depleted by the prospect of enduring another tense interaction with that woman.

Left momentarily alone once more, Lorelai reached into the breast pocket of her vest and retrieved another ribbon.

This one was entirely different from the one she had given to her brother.

It was long and wide, crafted from delicate obsidian silk that gleamed softly in the muted light. Thin strands of golden thread wove intricate designs along its edges, forming patterns both delicate and commanding. Lorelai held those patterns warmly in her memories––they resembled the regal ornaments she had once seen adorning the robes of the beasts’ royalty during the banquet.

She wanted to give this ribbon to Rhaegar in secret, perhaps slip it into his clothes without him noticing. It was a small charm, a token of good luck, just like the ones the other hunters carried. And she wanted him to have one too.

But despite her intentions, the opportunity had slipped away. Too many watchful eyes had followed her every move. Lorelai clenched the ribbon tightly in her hands, her heart heavy with bitter regret.

I could have asked Marianna to give it to him, but then the nobles would question her, mock her, and look down on her even more than they already do.

She hated how every action, every decision, was weighed against the judgment of others. For once, she wished the people around her could act freely, but deep down, she knew why they couldn’t—why she couldn’t.

Her steps faltered, and she stopped. The smooth black ribbon rested in her palm, its intricate golden patterns glinting faintly in the light. Frustration bubbled to the surface, mingling with unhappiness. For a fleeting moment, she wanted to tear the ribbon apart, to cast it away as if destroying it would somehow ease the turmoil inside her.

With a heavy sigh of defeat, Lorelai slipped the ribbon back into her pocket, tucking it away from sight and from the weight of her own expectations.

"Ah!"

Lorelai gasped as someone suddenly embraced her from behind, startling her so much that she nearly lost her balance. Her eyes widened, and her breath quickened as the intruder spun her around with a large, firm hand. One strong arm circled her waist, pulling her close, while his face moved near hers, eager and impatient for a kiss.

She accepted the kiss unconsciously, almost reflexively, stumbling backward over something before falling onto a big couch. Her hands were pinned beneath the much stronger grip of her visitor, and she found herself staring into amber eyes filled with a strange, almost unsettling satisfaction.

Rhaegar smiled, leaning closer until their noses nearly touched. "You look surprised, princess," he murmured, his voice low and teasing. "Did you really think I wouldn’t find a chance to slip away and steal a moment with you?"

He pressed a kiss to her flushed cheek, and Lorelai gasped softly, her breath hitching. Her heart was pounding wildly, threatening to burst from her chest at any moment. Though shock coursed through her, another emotion stirred within her—a dangerous, yet familiar impulse. She bit her lip, forcing herself to stay silent, terrified of what she might say if she gave it voice.

"Do not worry," he grinned cunningly but his voice was reassuring. "I did not come here for that, although trust me, I would never refuse. I am here to take something that belongs to me. Are you ready to give it to me?"

For a brief moment, Lorelai found herself dumbfounded. How did he know that she had indeed brought a ribbon for him? And how could he expect to receive it after that conversation he shared with the crown prince?

Sometimes it really seemed like Rhaegar could read minds. The Gypsy blood running in his veins must have been stronger than she had given it credit for after all.

"Y-Yes," she confessed quietly, her voice still trembling. "I am... ready."

She tried to reach for the ribbon hidden in her breast pocket, but the lycan king’s hands wouldn’t let go of her, and she had to give up, imploring him to let her go with her big green eyes. He only smirked.

"Let me grab it."

He easily held both her wrists in one hand. Lorelai had always been aware of how big his hands were, but in this situation, the difference was even more shocking. His other hand moved to freely caress her skin, his leather glove sliding smoothly over her neck and down to her chest.

"You hid it well... where is it?"

"What..? B-breast pocket! Just take it and leave!"

Rhaegar slid his fingers inside the aforementioned pocket, taking this opportunity to brush his fingers over her left breast. As he pulled the fingers out, his hand was empty. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Lorelai gasped in surprise. She was certain the ribbon was there, there was no way she could lose it this easily.

Still grinning, Rhaegar moved his face down, closer to her chest, and before the princess could react, she felt his sharp teeth grazing over her skin until his hot, wet tongue trailed down between her breasts, sending a brief series of shivers all over her body.

"Found it," his face moved upward again and the princess noticed the black ribbon trapped between the king’s teeth.