The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving novel Chapter 266

X

266: To be a king (final)

Lylah reached them, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. Combat arena. Ten minutes. We’ll be using a larger space today.”

“But I haven’t even eaten yet,” Cal pouted.

“Good. You’ll be lighter on your feet,” Lylah said dryly, already walking past.

Cal watched her go, then turned to Eshara. “Remind me why I didn’t run off to the dragon realm again?”

“Because you’d miss me,” Eshara said casually, already moving ahead.

Cal’s shoulders shook with laughter. “Miss? You treat me like a punching bag.”

“You should marry her,” Rheal tapped his shoulder and followed.

Cal rushed to his side. “Why do you hate me so much?”

“You like her?” Rheal asked.

“No.”

“Honest?”

Stop.” Cal looked away.

And Rheal got his answer, but said nothing.

Next, Rheal was taking a few special lessons from the Beta. Strict in every session, but Rheal saw the reason this male was his father’s best friend. They were inseparable, even after centuries.

“You’re sharp. Finishing these courses at the age of fifteen. Your father finished his at sixteen,” Beta Lucas said at the end of

their lecture.

“Really? That’s great. I can’t wait to see Father’s face when I tell him.‘

“>

Beta Lucas gently patted his shoulder. “You’re going to become a great king, Rheal. I’m proud of you.”

One of Rheal’s hobbies was riding his mother’s dragon with his friends. There were a few dragon keepers now, blessed and chosen by Drakora.

three Rheal got his Lycan inner beast at seventeen and found his dragon egg at eighteen. Dragons didn’t take too long to grow, years and they were full–sized, with wagging long tails and wide wings to soar the skies. Hard to kill and as long–lived as their

masters.

Being a hybrid who carried great blood, Rheal was trained to control his strength and power. His father took a big role in that. And being the type to catch on quickly, it didn’t take him long to master the art.

By the time he cloaked twenty–two, he had already handled realm matters himself while his father observed. That warm smile his father always gave him never failed to light his heart with joy.

Every Lord respected him. Every corner of the realm began to feel his influence.

And then one night, Rheal overheard his father’s conversation with his mother, his worries about placing too much on him.

A burden? Rheal never saw the crown as one.

His mother simply assured him.

“Your son is not a boy anymore,” Arianna’s voice was soft. “He’s stronger than you think, my love.”

“I know he is,” Duncan replied. “But sometimes, I still see that life boy who asked me why the moon follows him every night.”

Arianna smiled at the memory. “That little boy is still in there. But how he carries wisdom and the weight of the realm without blinking. You’ve done well. Let him carry it, love. Not as a burden but as his right. And we…” she clung onto his arm, “…will protect him like always.”

Duncan exhaled. “He reminds me so much of you.”

“He mirrors you,” she whispered.

They exchanged a knowing look before Duncan said in a louder tone,

“I can smell you, son.‘

Rheal pressed his lips together. Sometimes he forgot how far his father’s senses could reach.

He stepped in without hesitation, his gaze soft on them.

“Let’s have a little talk, shall we?” Duncan said.

The night breeze was cool, weaving with soft whispers. Stars shimmered like crystals in the dark sky.

Rheal stood beside his legendary father at the highest part of the palace, hands tucked into his pockets. He was almost as tall as Duncan, almost as broad.

Duncan had this aura that even Rheal felt in his bones. It’s no wonder many feared him, but that was part of why he loved him. Because beneath that façade was a male who truly cared for his people.

“When I became king, I wasn’t ready,” Duncan said, finally breaking the silence. “I was angry. Ruthless. I learned the hard way. And I made mistakes that nearly cost us everything.

Rheal didn’t interrupt.

“But you…” Duncan continued, voice softer, “you’ve already learned what I didn’t at your age. You ask questions. You listen. You think before acting. And that… is why you will be a greater king than I ever was.”

“I don’t want to be greater than you, Father,” Rheal said quietly. want to be worthy of what you built.”

Another silence. This time Rheal joined his father in staring at the packs far ahead.

“What does it mean to become a king?” Duncan asked.

“To be a king is to become a father.“.

Duncan broke his gaze and fixed it on his son.

A

Rheal continued. “A father carries more than his own pain. He carries wounds that aren’t his, burdens that will never be seen. I watched you, Father. In silent battle. At court. In your study, making decisions that stole your sleep. The ones no one praises you

for.”

Rheal let his words hang. He saw the subtle smile lingering on his father’s lips.

“Back when I was little, I admired the way my grandmother, Drakora, carried her people. I heard the Dragon realm’s painful stories, yet she still managed to fix a smile on their faces. You did the same for this realm, Father. And that’s something I deeply admire about you.”

“You know they fear me, right?” Duncan asked, testing him.

“They do, and it was necessary. Our kind needs fear to obey. But love made them stay. Those seven years without you caused the realm unimaginable pain. They knew instantly what they had lost, and that was a true king.” His voice dipped softer. “In their hearts, you’ll always remain king.”

Duncan smiled. Arianna was right. His son had truly grown.

2/5

Rheal stepped forward and looked Duncan in the eye. “Father. I am yours. Your blood. Your legacy. If you ask me to wait, I will wait. If you hand me the crown, I will carry it. And I swear to you. I will never let this realm fall. Not while I breathe.”

Duncan’s chest rose and fell heavily. Without a word, he pulled Rheal into his embrace.

Rheal froze, not expecting it, but he wrapped his arms around his father, engulfed in the warmth. Then he heard the words he badly wanted to hear:

“I’m proud of you, son.”

Rheal’s arms around his father tightened. Tears stung his eyes.

From a subtle corner, Arianna watched. A proud smile graced her lips.

….

In a few months.

The Citadel stood silent. The hall was filled with elites, only the High Lord, High Priest, and the Seer stood near, reciting the

coronation rites.

Rheal knelt on one knee at the royal podium, dressed in a ceremonial tunic, head bowed and eyes closed before his father.

Duncan reached for the crown in the hands of his Grand Queen. It was forged of celestial gold, gleaming under the soft glow of

the hall.

“I stand before the Moon Goddess and the ancient crown on this final day of my reign. I name you, Rheal of Thomevale, rightful King, the true guardian of the Moon Realm.”

He placed the crown on Rheal’s head and draped the royal robe over his shoulders.

Rheal stood and turned to face the hall. All present knelt in approval.

Cheers erupted outside the palace as Rheal stepped into balcony, before the people. His parents stood at his right. On his left were the twins, his siblings, and his cousin Lyra, dressed in female tunic.

While the twins waved to the crowd, Lyra waved to her parents nearby. Lylah waved back with both hands; Lucas used one, other cradling their second child, a baby boy.

Cal and Eshara stood among the warriors–in the crowd, cheering. They were together now, still bickering like cat and dog.

Silence fell as Grand King Rheal raised a hand and began his heartfelt speech to the people.

Arianna leaned close to her mate and whispered,

“I wonder if Rheal is courting anyone.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify