Stolen by the Beastly Lycan King-Chapter 176: Never Forget Her Name Again

"What do we do?" Rhaegar asked, his voice betraying his concern. To his surprise, Lorelai’s face remained calm, her expression brimming with confidence once again.

"We’re not far from the passage now," she said, grabbing his hand firmly. "I’ll help you get there, and then I’ll handle the rest."

"You will?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. "What are you planning to do?"

"Don’t worry," she said with an audacious grin. "There’s always something that can be done!"

Without hesitation, Lorelai reached for one of the few candelabras attached to the wall and yanked it free. With a swift motion, she hurled it onto the long, narrow rug stretched across the hallway. The rug ignited almost instantly, flames racing along its surface in a fiery orange dance.

"Let’s go!" she urged, her voice sharp yet steady. "This will keep them distracted for a while!"

Rhaegar was stunned by her bold actions once again, but there was no time to voice his admiration. Lorelai was already running ahead, gripping his wrist and pulling him along. How he wished their roles could be reversed!

The barking of the dogs grew louder, echoing through the halls and signaling that they had reached the fire. Lorelai cast a quick glance over her shoulder, her delicate features shadowed by a fresh frown of concern. Yet she didn’t falter. If anything, her pace became even more determined.

Finally, she skidded to a stop in front of a colorful tapestry hanging on the wall. Its intricate patterns seemed oddly out of place amidst the palace’s grandeur. Placing both hands on her knees, she bent over slightly, catching her breath.

"It’s here," she said, nodding toward the tapestry. "There’s a door behind it. Push the tapestry aside, and you’ll see it."

Rhaegar quickly stepped forward, tugging the heavy tapestry aside. Just as she’d said, a small square door was hidden behind it, though it looked more like a darkened window than an entrance to a secret passage. He frowned, tilting his head to get a better look.

"It’s too high..." he muttered, a flicker of doubt creeping into his voice. The door was well above his reach, the handle just barely visible in the dim light. How could she expect him to open it, let alone climb through it?

Before he could voice his concern, Lorelai tapped him on the shoulder, her emerald eyes locking onto his with an unwavering seriousness. "Get on my shoulders," she commanded, lowering herself into a crouch. "This way, you’ll be able to reach it."

"What?!" His voice rose in disbelief. Her suggestion was outrageous—how could he climb onto her shoulders? She was so small and delicate; there was no way she could support his weight.

"What are you waiting for?" Lorelai was nearly shouting now, her tone urgent and impatient. "Get on! We don’t have time!"

"You can’t hold me! You’re too weak!"

"Weak? Have you seen yourself? You’re nothing but skin and bones! I’ve got a lot more meat on me!"

She arched her eyebrows suddenly, as if struck by a thought. Without waiting for his response, she reached her hand into a small silk pouch attached to the back of her skirt, rummaged around for a moment before snapping the pouch free from her belt.

"Here, take this." Lorelai stretched her arm out toward him, offering the pouch. "It’s dried raisin bread. It’ll last you for a while, so ration it carefully. You’ll need something to eat while you’re on the run. Go on, take it—it’s very good."

Rhaegar’s mouth watered at the mere mention of food. He hadn’t eaten in days, fasting in preparation for his escape, and now the hunger gnawed at him mercilessly. He felt like he could devour an entire roasted pig.

Reluctantly—mostly because he felt embarrassed to keep accepting her help—he took the pouch and nodded. "Thank you."

Lorelai’s face softened, her expression lighting up with a small smile. "Alright, now come on—get on my shoulders!"

Rhaegar had no choice. Carefully, as if afraid he might break her, the boy placed his legs around Lorelai’s neck and grabbed onto her hair, nearly losing his balance as the princess straightened up and leaned slightly forward.

"Twist the handle three times to the left, and the door will open!" she instructed firmly.

Following her directions, Rhaegar twisted the handle. The door creaked open with a slow, almost hesitant screech. Lorelai glanced up and issued her next command. "Feel along the inside walls—there should be a hook you can grab onto!"

Rhaegar slid his hands into the dark space beyond the door, fumbling around blindly. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t find anything to hold onto.

The barking of the dogs grew louder, echoing through the corridors and pressing in on them. Frustration gnawed at them both as the looming threat of discovery became more real by the second. Lorelai groaned, adjusting her footing, and pushed against his hips to help him reach farther inside.

"What is it? Can’t you find it?" she hissed, her voice strained with urgency.

"I’m trying...! Ugh!"

Finally, Rhaegar’s trembling fingers brushed against something round and solid on the right wall. With a desperate push, he managed to wrap his hand around it, his grip shaky but firm. Relief surged through him as he felt himself begin to lift his body off Lorelai’s shoulders.

Relief surged through Lorelai as she summoned a final burst of strength, giving the boy one last push. Rhaegar scrambled into the small room, folding himself inside just as the dogs rounded the corner of the hallway. Their snarls echoed through the air, saliva dripping from their bared white fangs.

"Go!" she commanded sharply, not even glancing back at him. Her entire focus was now fixed on the approaching dogs.

"What about you?"

"I’m not the one trying to escape! Just move! I’ll distract them—you’ll be safe!"

He hesitated, his heart pounding. The sight of those large black dogs glaring at Lorelai with bloodthirsty intensity sent a shiver down his spine. Would she really be okay if he left her like this?

"What are you waiting for?" Lorelai snapped, her patience finally wearing thin. She turned to him, an irritated frown on her face. "Go! Now!"

"Thank you!" Rhaegar blurted, his voice thick with emotion as he struggled to hold back tears. "What is your name again?"

"Lorelai!" she shouted over her shoulder before turning back to face the dogs.

Rhaegar called out his name in return, but it was too late—she couldn’t hear him anymore.

With fearless determination, Lorelai sprinted toward the barking beasts, her movements quick and deliberate. She managed to slip past them, but they wheeled around immediately, their snarls growing louder. Suddenly, a sharp, pained yelp pierced the air, reverberating through the walls.

One of the dogs must have gotten her.

Lorelai, Rhaegar repeated her name over and over in his mind as he pushed through the cold darkness of the room.

Lorelai. He vowed to survive this ordeal, no matter what it took.

Lorelai. He promised himself he would grow stronger and return.

Lorelai. He swore he would never forget her name again.