Stolen by the Beastly Lycan King-Chapter 170: The Goal

Once Rhaegar discovered that Laesh wanted to escape the pit, something shifted within him.

As the days turned into weeks, he found himself silently observing every single boy in the pit. He soon realized that not many shared his new friend’s ambition. Most of the prisoners had resigned themselves to their grim fate, yet there was still a collective spark of excitement whenever someone attempted to climb the ropes.

This makes the thirteenth attempt, Rhaegar thought, watching a frail boy, no older than six, slide down the rope with tears streaming down his face.

The child’s hands and arms were scraped raw, blood trickling over his bruised skin. The rope must be deliberately rough, Rhaegar mused, designed to hurt anyone who dares to try.

There were six ropes in total, suspended above the center of the pit. Four were training ropes, hanging at varying lengths, while the other two extended from the opening high above.

According to Laesh, those two ropes had been hung by the guards themselves. However, they were intentionally short, forcing anyone attempting to escape to climb from one rope to another, increasing the difficulty—and the danger.

Clever scheme, Rhaegar concluded, his gaze drifting upward. They won’t give us an easy way out. Not in this place.

He sighed heavily and turned around, only to find Tayiid’s piercing gaze fixed on him, sharp and unyielding. The older boy’s eyes seemed to bore into him, as though dissecting every hidden thought in Rhaegar’s mind.

Rhaegar raised an eyebrow, silently questioning the intensity of the stare.

"Do you also want to leave?" Tayiid asked, his voice low and cold, each word carrying the weight of judgment. It was the first time Rhaegar had heard him speak so directly, and the tone felt almost accusatory, as though daring him to answer truthfully.

Rhaegar hesitated for a moment before responding, "I wonder... is there even anything waiting for me out there?"

Rhaegar’s reply held little meaning. It wasn’t meant for Tayiid or even himself, but the older boy seemed to catch something deeper buried within his words.

"Believe it or not, this place is your last hope. Once they take you out, there won’t be another chance. Think about it—if there was even a sliver of freedom out there, do you think this prison would still exist?"

Rhaegar turned fully to face him, meeting the intensity of Tayiid’s unyielding orange gaze. The weight of his presence was almost suffocating, his sheer power pressing down on Rhaegar like a physical force. For a moment, Rhaegar felt an instinctive urge to bow his head in submission.

He’s an alpha, Rhaegar realized.

Tayiid’s calm voice broke through his reverie as he nodded toward the ropes. "Look at him," he said, gesturing with his chin toward Laesh. "He’s climbing with the desperation of someone who understands the reality we live in. He knows this is his only hope."

Rhaegar’s gaze shifted to Laesh, who was swinging on the rope like a wild monkey. The younger boy’s movements were fluid, his muscles and joints working in perfect harmony. There was something admirable about his boundless optimism, yet it unsettled Rhaegar in a way he couldn’t explain.

Once, while they were lying on the cold ground preparing to sleep, Rhaegar had asked, "What will you do once you leave the pit?"

Laesh had sneered playfully, his golden eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Apart from kicking your ass? I’ll find my pack and convince them to return to the Beast Kingdom. Then I’ll kill the current king and take the crown myself. After that... I’ll make sure no beast is ever forced to leave the kingdom because of oppression or too afraid to return because they fear death. This... all of this," he gestured broadly, "happens because those in power refuse to embrace diversity. I’ll end it all."

Laesh sighed, his shoulders relaxing as he closed his eyes. Within moments, he was asleep, his soft snores breaking the silence. Rhaegar, however, sat wide awake, his mind racing with thoughts that refused him even a moment of peace.

I’m here because of that too... But instead of fighting, all I did was run...

***

Months slipped by in an unchanging, monotonous stretch, each day blending into the next. Rhaegar and Laesh trained side by side, driven by the same relentless goal: to escape the pit and kill the reigning Lycan King.

Though their sizes were vastly different, their bodies began to transform at a rapid pace. The grueling exercise routines they forced upon themselves paid off, their strength and endurance increasing with every passing day.

It felt as though they were inching closer to their dream.

"I’m doing it today," Laesh announced suddenly, his voice brimming with determination as he set aside his empty bowl after breakfast.

Rhaegar’s eyes widened. "So soon?" His pulse quickened at the declaration. "It’s only been six months!"

"I feel ready," Laesh said firmly, pounding his chest with a fist. His golden eyes burned with unshakable resolve. "Even if I’m not, at least I’ll find out how close—or how far—I am from the goal."

Rhaegar frowned, unsure whether to admire his friend’s courage or fear for his safety. But one look at Laesh’s face, glowing with fierce determination, told him it was pointless to argue.

"Fine," he relented with a sigh. "Let’s start then."

All the slave prisoners gathered in the middle of the pit, their faces alight with excitement. Another brave soul was about to attempt the impossible—reaching the top. They chanted a familiar tune in hushed tones, one they had created for moments like this, its rhythm meant to ignite determination in the hearts of the climbers.

Tayiid stood beside Laesh, carefully wrapping a long piece of rope around the boy’s waist. His protective nature shone through as he gave instructions in a calm, steady voice.

"Keep your legs still. The more you dangle, the faster your body will tire. I’ve wrapped some scraps of rags I managed to gather around your palms—they should help protect them. But remember... the moment you realize you can’t go any farther, you must stop. Don’t push yourself beyond your limit."

Laesh nodded, his usual smile of reassurance brightening his face. Tayiid gave him a lingering look but said nothing more before stepping away.

"Well," Laesh began, turning to Rhaegar and placing both hands firmly on his friend’s shoulders. "I hope this is the last time we talk... inside this pit, I mean."

He said it with his trademark cheerfulness, but Rhaegar detected a faint undercurrent of sadness in his tone. Despite the lump forming in his throat, Rhaegar forced a smile, mirroring the same feigned confidence.

"You’re right," he replied. "But don’t forget—you owe me an ass-kicking, remember? So you better wait for me."

Laesh let out a sincere laugh, his golden eyes shimmering with determination. He gave Rhaegar a quick nod before turning to address the rest of the prisoners, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

"Wish me luck, guys," he said loudly.

A roar of cheers erupted from the gathered slaves, their chants growing louder in support.

Only Rhaegar remained silent, his throat tight as he watched his friend prepare for the climb. He simply couldn’t find it in himself to make a sound.