Hybrid Lena

Chapter 11

-Lilian-

As I surfaced from what felt like an endless stretch of darkness, my vision came back in slow fragments. Everything was blurred at first, swimming together, until I blinked a few times and the room began to sharpen.

Straight away, I realised I was back in the same room as before. I let out a quiet breath, already knowing this wasn’t going to be a quick escape. Whatever this place was, it wasn’t finished with me. A familiar voice broke the silence.

“Hey…”

I turned my head sharply toward the sound and froze. He was there, sitting in a chair beside the bed, watching me carefully, not touching me, not moving. Still, panic hit me all the same.

Before he could say anything else, instinct took over. I scrambled backward, pushing myself up the bed as fast as I could, heart hammering.

“Wait…”

I didn’t.

I moved too quickly, pain flaring through my stomach, and suddenly he was there, not on top of me, but close enough that I could feel the heat of him. One knee on the mattress, his weight braced away from me, his hands coming up not to restrain but to steady.

He hesitated.

Then gently, carefully, his hands cupped my cheeks, firm but not forcing, he was trying to ground me.

“Hey, Hey,” he said quietly. “Stop. Don’t panic. I’m not going to hurt you. You are safe here.” His voice was calm, steady, soothing in a way that didn’t make sense. His hands were soft against my skin sending comfort through me.

“What is your name?” he asked.

The roughness in his voice made my pulse stutter despite myself.

I stared at him, really looked at him this time. His eyes were bright blue, too bright, like open water under a storm lit sky. The kind of eyes you could lose yourself in if you weren’t careful. His dark hair fell loosely across his forehead, framing features that were undeniably handsome.

“Lilian,” I said finally, my voice quieter than it was meant to be. He seemed to exhale, relief flickering across his face.

“I’m Kane.”

For a moment, neither of us moved. Then I shifted my leg slightly to adjust and whatever daze he’d been in shattered instantly. He pulled back at once.

“I’m sorry,” he said, stepping fully away from the bed, turning his back to give me space. “I didn’t mean to do that. It won’t happen again.” Why is he being gentle?

I didn’t like it. I couldn’t afford it. I forced myself to focus, I had one priority and that was getting out of here, then somehow get myself home. While his back was turned, I slipped out of bed, ignoring the protest in my body, and moved for the door.

I’d almost made it.

His arm came up fast, but not against me. His hand slammed into the door above my head, blocking it before I could open. He didn’t touch me; he didn’t need to. I turned to face him, breath tight, his presence overwhelming despite the restraint he was clearly forcing on himself.

“Let me go,” I snapped. “I will hurt you if you don’t.” my voice shook a little trying to be threatening but I was blustering.

He studied me for a long moment, something unreadable passing through his eyes.

Then he sighed.

“So, this is the thanks I get for pulling you away from a wolf attack,” he said evenly. “I’ve told you already, I’m not going to hurt you. But every time you try to escape, you reopen your wound. Your body hasn’t had time to heal.”

I clenched my fists.

“If you don’t listen,” he continued, voice low but controlled, “I will have to make sure you stay here until you’re healed. Not as punishment. As protection.”

My chest tightened.

“I will not be a prisoner,” I said stepping closer, refusing to back down. “I’ll fight you. I’ll fight anyone who gets in my way.”

Reluctant admiration flickered across his face.

“Feisty,” he murmured. “I was warned you’d be difficult.”

His gaze dropped briefly, not lingering, then snapped back to my eyes.

“And clothed,” he added firmly. “You should be clothed.” Heat rushed to my face as I realised what I was wearing, back down to my underwear. The slap came before I could think. His head turned with the force of it. When he looked back at me, his expression hadn’t changed, not angry, not shocked, just…controlled.

“I deserved that,” he said quietly. That threw me more than anything else. Before I could react, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a key. Panic surged.

“No, please,” I said. “Don’t lock me in here. Just let me go. Noah will be worried…”

His eyes flashed gold, the air had shifted. Suddenly his hand was at my throat, but not squeezing, not crushing, just there. Enough pressure to stop me moving, not enough to stop me breathing.

“Who’s Noah?” he asked, voice deeper now, edged with something dangerous. “Your boyfriend?” Fear sparked, but underneath it, something else stirred. Something warm and unfamiliar.

Desire.

The sound of a soft whine cut through the moment.

“Lena,” I whispered.

Kane stiffened as his hand dropped instantly. The gold vanished, his eyes returning to blue as he staggered back a step, dragging a hand through his hair like he was grounding himself.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Kane?” a man’s voice called. “Is everything alright?”

Kane didn’t look at me as he opened the door. “Yes,” he said shortly. “General Stone, you’ll stay here and be on Guard duty.”

As General stone stepped in, the door shut behind us, and Kane had used the key. I didn’t say anything to General Stone; I just climbed back into bed and turned my back to him, as exhaustion dragged me under again.

When I woke, the General was standing by the door, rigid and silent.

“There’s no point guarding it,” I muttered. “It’s already locked.”

He gave no response. When I spoke again, softer this time, he finally moved, sitting in the chair when I told him I wouldn’t run.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“My name is Lilian Tyler,” I said, “I’m no one special. I’m a nurse from Moss-view.” He studied me carefully.

“You carry a scent,” he said. “But not fully awakened.” Fear crept in when he added quietly.

“Prince Snyder believes you are very important.”

A Prince?! Oh god. I swallowed hard.

"That man earlier, was Prince Snyder?..." I managed to ask when I recap the slap I gave him earlier in my head.

He nodded.

I slapped a fricking Prince. why didn't he say before, not that he didn't deserve it either way. I bet that just cost me my freedom. But also if a Prince managed to help Lena leak through the barrier, maybe I should stay around. Only until I get you back Lena, then we find a way to escape.