Mated to the Demon Lycan

Chapter 4

The last I remembered was ages ago and now since forever, I slept and it was dreamless. Warmth enveloped my whole body and I feel protected.. safe.

My fingers moved on their own on the curtain, parting them to let the sunlight through. Somehow, this time the lights I was touching felt solid. Sparks erupted from my fingers every time I touched and ran through the lights.

"Angelica..."

A husky and manly voice called out my name, making my heart calm and... I snapped my eyes open to the most gorgeous lad I had ever laid my eyes on in my entire life.

His hand was wrapped around me - solid. I gasped and stumbled backward only to be caught by him again. "Careful..." He murmured, placing me down and he took retreating steps.

"There's a small area back there you can use to wash up, I will get breakfast ready for us both." The scary man, named Reon Lahen said as he gestured to an area behind broken pillars, where sounds of water tickled my ears.

Did I fall asleep? Dawn is here and that must be it. Such miracle that I had fallen into a deep sleep. I took a quick glance beneath me, laid in between me and cold ground was mantel. The mantel 'my husband' wore.

Shrugging my thoughts away, I strode away from the aisle.I halted when the mentioned area came into view. It was breathtaking. Pillars served as benches lay on the river, and big rocks provided the privacy needed and most importantly, the crystal clear water and fresh air.

Tempted, I slid of the little clothes I had and immersed myself in the water - scrubbing and rubbing. I got out of the water for air and noticed the water had become mulky around me but soon it became clearer again after the water flow took the dirt away.

Wow, how long had those dirt's been on me?

Roughly, I immersed my head again, combing through my tangled hair using my fingers but it was useless, my hair was too messy and tangled to be able to comb them easily.

I took my tattered clothes and rub them on my skin till they turned red. My body was filled with scars from whips and endless tortures, it was too painful to remember. Even the scars didn't do justice to what ripped my heart and soul.

Cursed you Nobility! I cursed you, people, for all eternity!

My cheeks were hot and damped, not from the river water alone. My body had lost its weight where my bones potruded againts my skin like a second skin, I ran my boneless fingers onto my face, caressing them to only felt more bones and for sure I took a glimpse of myself in the calm water.

Dark circles around my eyes, swallowing dark the ever existing eyes and my cheeks were left with skins showing with parched and torn lips. My chest heaved and gasped for air and I sobbed. Crushed and broken inside.

God, what had I done to deserve this?

Sounds of deep growling made me jolted my head up. The scary man was staring at me, sparks of reds flickered in his emerald eyes with a tauntless face - staring at a bare me. Seeing me scars and whatnot alike which sent him into disgust.

And probably regrets, for marrying a tattered woman.

The scary man turned his heels away sharply, leaving me alone, and I slumped down into the river. My gaze was still locked on where he disappeared and noticed, a nicely folded clothes was placed on a rock - neatly.

What was that?

"Eat up." Was the first word that broke the silence after we both seated around the fireplace. He held out a steaming grilled fish to me and I greedily take it, blowing the heat and in one bite, my stomach growled more.

I took a peek and noticed that the scary man had place more fish around the fire, ignoring my hungry and dusgraceful act. He then dig in, passing me of the fish and leaving few more by the fire.

"Sir, how..."

"Lahen, call me that." Behind the flame, I could sense his eyes never left me.

"Lahen."

His lips parted and his pupils grew, mesmerizing.

"You may call me anything you prefer," I said in one breath. My hand reached out for another fish and blew on it. It had been a while since I had proper food, this was better than what I had in the prison. Fresh grilled fish. Not some rotten food and dirty water and if I am lucky, there will be no food.

I put down the fourth fish I finished to the ground, staring into Lahen's emerald eyes only to say "Sir Lahen, why me?"

"Why do you think?"

I pondered back the question I asked him, staring deep into the dancing fire. Why me? Why?

This is our second encounter despite the 'memorable' first encounter we had years ago. Why me? Back then, I was a mercenary, and now... what am I?

Capable?

"You can think of it like that."

"You read my mind or I slipped them out?" I eyed him in between my hair, as I let them down, covering my face which soon rested on my knees.

Lahen let out an amused chuckle and laid his back on a pillar, standing alone in the midst of the fallen and abandoned church.

"Both." Lahen amusingly, eyes staring into the endless sea.

"Well, that is unfair. So, when are you going to tell me the details of what being your wife is all about?" His eyes looked at me and then he turned away as if pondering his words.

"Rest and heal first, work comes after." Lahen's voice sounded distant and I didn't pester any further.

I stared into the dancing flame, pondering and watching the fire spirits playing around which soon drifted into a night of sleep. A hopeless dreamless sleep... not far from that...It was a nightmare.

Blood gushed everywhere. The marble floor was painted with red and sharp sjining sword was wield and swung towards my neck.

"No!"

"Ange!" Lahen had me wrapped around his arms, eyes looking at me in concern as I felt my body burnt down in heat and sweats.

"You were dreaming." Lahen's word went through deaf ears. My head was throbbing painfully and my body was trembling.

Dream? Did I fall asleep again? I did fell asleep at the altar before... so what was the difference?

"We need to get going."Lahen had gathered his things and walked ahead, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I let my eyes lock on Lahen's back which made me pinched myself awake.

Come on Ange! You are safe now. Free but to be shackled again. I cursed inwardly, ran my hand on my wet head.

I let out a sigh, feeling uncertain but here I am. Out of the d**ned prison. Slowly, the edge of the sea started to light up with colors. Lighting and heating the land. My hand reached out for the sunlight and the instant it come into contact, tears streamed down my cheeks.

"Ange."

Hm? Is that what he decided to call me? My name sounded beautiful coming out of those lips of his. "I am sorry, but we will need to return soon. I will give you all the details once arrive and... when you are well enough."

I nodded at his words. Strange, why do I trust him? Is it because we are married?

Our journey continued with the sun on our back. The cool sea breeze was icy cool as the wolf had to speed up faster than yesterday.

By the time the sun had nestled on top of our heads, the land was seen ahead. Sending excitement and anxiety throughout my every being.

It's the mainland, I muttered inside my mind.

Once on land, two figures approached us with a straight physique as if awaiting our arrival. A man and a lady, both in a dark suit, and their demeanor alone made me hold back my tongue.

The man had red curly hair and his frame was that of a knight. Even without seeing him, one could tell that he is one just from the demeanor alone.

The lady instead looked timid and petite. Dark brown shoulder-length hair with a pair of glasses neatly placed on the bridge of her nose. She eyed me with curiosity which later made her bow even lower.

What was that about?

"Your Grace." The figures bowed as Lahen caught me down the wolf. Placed me down softly on the sand.

"Auch." I jumped up into Lahen's arm which held me up, closed to his chest as I shook away the burning sands of my feet.

"Well..." Lahen scoffed at me but held me firmer in his hands, carrying me up towards the grassy ground.

Ahead of us was a luxurious carriage with no emblem whatsoever on the door. A nobility would openly show their emblem on their property here and there.

"Hayden," Lahen called out and his voice alone sent shivers down my spine. His voice, this demeanor... they were different from when we are alone.

The knight dashed towards us and soon he was just a step behind Lahen. The lady did the same too but she stand a step behind the lad.

Could Lahen be a commoner? But his demeanor was ... no-no. He couldn't possibly be. But seeing the knight and lady at his back pushed back the thoughts.

"Your Grace, if I may speak with you for a moment." The knight, Hayden said as he looked between me and Lahen.

A low growl escaped Lahen's chest as he placed me inside the carriage. "Stay here and..." Lahen eyed me with hesitation and let out a disappointed sigh.

"I will be back."

I watched as Lahen's back got further away and was soon replaced by the timid lady. She didn't meet my eyes and fidgeted with her fingers.

"Hi there."

"Y-Your G-Grace." She called me 'Your Grace'? I wonder what's this all about.

"I am not and you shouldn't call me that." I softly said so as not to startle her but it got the reverse effect that I hoped for.

"N-No Y-Your G-Grace. I -I must address you w-with my utmost respect." She stuttered but her eyes locked with mine. My heart swelled at her effort of trying to do so.

I let out an amused chuckle. "Well, it's not like Lahen's a nob..."

I bit down my tongue and looked behind the lady, catching a glimpse of Lahen's blonde hair. Blonde hair? Emerald eyes? Traits for those of the noble blood.

I am missing something, he was the lad from years ago but his demeanor changed. No, I didn't know him well enough from before so what could I possibly say on his demeanor alone?

Lahen? What was it again at the altar? Reon Lahen Valko...

"Y-Your Grace?"

"Lahen... Reon Lahen Valko, de Valko?"

Lahen turned to face me when all the words left my mouth and it hit me... Duke Valko, The Lycan Lord of the Southern Continent from the Dukedom of Raihen.

"Sh*t!"