The Ruthless Lycan King Fell For His Slave Mate novel Chapter 38

The final task before graduation that Lyra was taking part in alongside Beryl and Zero was a treasure hunt event to retrieve hidden flags. There were a few flags around the royal forest, and each would be contested by three groups.

During the event, the students were forbidden from shifting into their wolf forms. The task was designed to test their resilience, teamwork, and stamina.

Lyra was determined to get the flag and win first place with her teammates. She wanted to prove Julian–and anyone else who shared his way of thinking–wrong.

She was not useless.

She had proven that she could go against the elites of the kingdom and hold her own. He could go for the female with the bluest of blood to be his queen, but she would not let his treatment put her down. She was capable and strong and did not deserve to be in the shadows. She could shine just fine. She would show him.

“What’s that look on your face?” Beryl asked, coming from the side. “Are you trying to scare our opponents before we even begin?”

Lyra looked at her friend and cracked a smile. She had not realised that her inner turmoil was showing on her face. “You mean they are not scared yet?”

“They are,” Zero said, joining them. He cocked his head towards one of the other teams. “I just heard them strategising on how to hold you back.”

“They are worried about me?” Lyra asked, disbelieving.

“Of course,” Zero said. “Everybody knows you are the ace of our team. Beryl and I will do our best to not slow you down. We’ll also keep an eye out on any enemies trying to get in your way. You are our best hope.”

“Flatterer,” Lyra mumbled. Initially, there had been an awkward air between them after she rejected him, but over the weeks, that air had dissipated. Zero no longer involved himself in her affairs, but they maintained a cordial relationship.

Suddenly, Zero dropped to one knee. Looking down, Lyra saw him tying her shoelace. A few other students noticed and started whispering mischievously. The attention–and knowing what her classmates were definitely saying–made Lyra’s cheeks pinken.

Done, Zero stood back up and gave her a disarming smile. “First, we need to make sure you don’t take yourself out.”

Beryl patted him on the back. “Ever the gentleman. How come Julian is the complete opposite of you when you two grew up together?”

“I’m not a gentleman,” Zero said, meeting Lyra’s eyes before looking away.

“Thank you,” Lyra said, wondering what the look in his eyes was about. And Beryl was right, he was a gentleman. But why didn’t it feel as if he was just being humble by denying it?

Beryl gave an enthusiastic nod. “Right. And I’m not female.”

Shortly after that, the maps were distributed. Their flag was in the western part of the forest, and Lyra recognised some of the features right away. “I know a shortcut,” she told Beryl and Zero.

Zero raised his brow. “What do you mean? You’ve never been there.”

“I have,” she told him. “I train in the forest after school sometimes.”