Demoted Protector: The Lycan King’s Mate

Chapter Seven

ELLA'S POV

Why me?

The question bounced around in my head like a strong ball. Why would the Lycan King… King of Kings go out of his way to save someone like me? He wasn't talking and had no intention of answering me.

Like he said, he attacked the pack, sparing only the hospital and a single nurse to tend to me. Lucas and Dan were nowhere to be found, and I couldn't bring myself to care. After everything they had done to me, maybe they deserved whatever came their way.

Still, I couldn't make sense of any of this. The look on his face when he declared himself the Lycan King told me he wasn't lying. But what did he want from me?

I decided to stop asking questions—for now. If he was helping me, I wasn't going to fight it. Maybe I'll finally get the justice I need.

Walking out of the hospital, I noticed how quiet everything was. No one was around. Not a single person.

"Get in the car," his deep voice cut through my thoughts.

I lifted my head and looked around, only to gasp at what I saw. The only people here were his men—at least a hundred of them, all dressed in black suits. They stood silently, bowing their heads to him.

I stood frozen, looking at the shiny, black limousine parked nearby. It looked exactly like the ones you see in movies.

Was this man a king or some kind of gangster? The overwhelming sight made me cover my mouth in shock.

"Come on, Ella," he said gently, wrapping my arm around his shoulders to support me. His other hand rested firmly around my waist, steadying me as we walked toward the car.

I stood silent, letting him guide me. At this point, I'd already decided to go with him. After all, he was the Lycan King—someone powerful enough to change my fate.

While we were inside the car, I was feeling so unrelaxed, and I couldn't keep quiet anymore.

"Why won’t you tell me why you’re taking me with you?" I asked, my gazes fixed on him, searching for answers.

He stood frozen, his hand on the door about to shut it. He said firmly, “I don't think there is a need for you to know,".

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious now? You don't think there is a need for me to knock?" I repeated.

"Then tell me this—why were you hiding who you are?"

He sighed and leaned back, his sharp eyes meeting mine. "Does it matter now? You know who I am."

"Yes, it matters a lot," I said. "How do you expect me to trust you if you keep secrets?"

"I saved your life," he reminded me. "Isn't that enough reason to trust me?"

"No, I don't think it is enough," I replied. "If I'm going to stay with you, I need some truthful answers."

He laughed so loudly, but it wasn't a happy one. "You're brave for someone questioning the man who just attacked and destroyed an entire pack to save her."

I went quiet, unsure if he was warning me or just making a point. "Fine," I muttered. "What should I call you? Your Majesty? My King? Alexander?"

I asked him, and he burst into laughter, a sound that caught me off guard.

“This is the first time my title has sounded so strange coming from someone else,” he said, a small smile still lingering on his lips.

"Alexander is fine... for now. But don't push too hard," he continued.

"For now?" I repeated. "Why does it have to be temporary?”. “Can't you be plain with me for once?” I asked further.

He leaned very close, his face almost touching mine. "When the time comes, you'll understand better."

A cold chill ran through my spine, but I maintained my gaze and didn't look away.

"And what is my place?"

"You'll see very soon," he said, telling the driver to start the car.

"You're very secretive for someone who enjoys making dramatic entrances," I said, unable to hold back the sarcasm in my tone.

He chuckled, the sound deep and almost teasing. "And you're surprisingly talkative for someone I just rescued."

“I would talk less for sure if I understood what was happening," I shot back.

His eyes filled with amusement. "You're going to be a trouble, aren't you?"

"I don't know," I said, crossing my arms. "You still haven't told me what you want from me."

At that moment, the playful sparks in his eyes went off, totally replaced by something darker, more serious.

"What I want... is to keep you safe. And that's all you need to know right now."

I frowned, trying to make sense of his words.

As I was about to ask anything else, he shifted his gaze to the window, cutting off the conversation.

Left with no choice, I sat in silence, torn between relief and growing suspicion about the man seated across from me. One thing was certain—this was just the beginning of a much larger mystery.

As the car moved, I leaned my head back against the seat, my thoughts spiraling. How is my life going to be in the Lycan King's pack? Werewolves and Lycans were not on good terms—everyone knew that. The only way a werewolf could stay among them was as a slave… or as a mate. But mates were rare. Almost impossible. And for me, I don't know my fate because I can't remove this bangle that made me feel like a human, definitely smelling, human too.

I bit my lip, the thought leaving an uneasy feeling in my chest. What would they do to me there? Why did Alexander even save me? The questions lingered in my mind until tiredness took over, and I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up, I was in the most beautiful room I'd ever seen. A fancy chandelier hung from a high ceiling. My head hurt as I sat up slowly.

"Where am I?" I whispered.

"You're finally awake," a voice said, startling me. I jumped, not expecting anyone to be there.

"I didn't hear you come in," I said, trying to steady my breathing.

"That's because you were too lost in your thoughts,” the doctor said with a face I couldn't place if it was pity or kind, stepping closer to the bed. "How are you feeling now?"

"My head hurts," I admitted, pressing a hand to my forehead. "Where am I? How long have I been asleep?"

"You've been sleeping for three days, ever since the King brought you here," she said harshly, and I gasped in surprise.

Three days? My eyes widened as panic began to bubble up inside me. "Three days? What's going on?

“You’re fine now. Your bruises are starting to heal. You just need to eat well and get your strength back,” she informed me. I nodded, thankful for her help.

As she turned to leave, I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “What about Alexander?”

She stopped right away, her back still facing me. Slowly, she turned around, her face serious as if she wasn’t sure what to say.

“What?” she asked, glaring at me, her sharp tone making me freeze. I pressed my lips together, confused, replaying my words in my head until I realized my mistake.

“What about the King?” I corrected myself quietly.

“He has a pack to run. Do you think he’s going to sit here all day and look after you?” she snapped, her tone dripping with irritation. I bit the inside of my cheek, unsure if her anger was personal or just her usual attitude.

“Take it easy on her, Lisa,” a voice said from behind her. A voice I recognized instantly. My face lit up, and I turned quickly toward him.

“Are you looking for me, Ella?” Alexander asked as he walked toward me, his perfect smile making my heart skip a beat. That smile, paired with his calm yet commanding presence, had a way of silencing everything else around me.

But then it happened—a rush of tiny tingles spreading across my skin, the same sensation I’d felt before. The same feeling I had in the woods with the stranger.

My heart raced. Could he be the one?