The Lycan King’s Mate

Chapter 5

Rein’s POV

I blinked awake, the scent of clean linens and something faintly minty flooding my nose. I was no longer in that cold, dark cell. My aching body felt lighter, like someone had patched me back together.

And then I saw him.

Hunter.

He stood by the window, arms folded, watching me with unreadable eyes. His tall figure was bathed in the soft light slipping through the curtain, and for a moment I thought I was dreaming. No one looked that unreal in real life. I blinked again just to be sure I wasn’t hallucinating.

Our eyes locked.

Neither of us said anything, the silence stretching between us like a fragile string. Then I shifted, trying to sit up—big mistake. A sharp sting tore through my body, and I let out a small, involuntary cry.

In a flash, he was at my side.

“Don’t move,” he said, voice low and laced with concern. His hands were warm as they steadied me gently back against the pillows. “You’re still healing.”

I blinked up at him, heart racing for reasons that had absolutely nothing to do with the pain.

“How long… have I been here?” I whispered, my throat dry and scratchy.

He grabbed a glass of water from the bedside table, slid his arm behind my back, and helped me sit just enough to drink.

“Just one day,” he said softly. “You were unconscious when I brought you in. Your body needed rest.”

I drank like I hadn’t seen water in a decade—because, well, it sure felt like it. The water soothed my burning throat and brought life back to my soul.

“Thank you,” I murmured, handing the glass back with trembling hands.

He hesitated before setting it down, and I caught the stiffness in his shoulders. “What were you doing there?” I asked, frowning. “Those guards… they said I was trespassing. They called me a rogue.”

His entire body stiffened.

I noticed it immediately—how his shoulders locked and his gaze turned sharp like a wolf catching scent.

“They were talking nonsense,” he said quickly, a little too quickly.

I narrowed my eyes, watching him like he was a living puzzle.

The warmth from his palm spread through me, calming something inside me I didn’t even know was on edge.

“Please,” I whispered before I could stop myself. “Don’t leave me.”

His eyes searched mine for a long moment, and then he took my hand fully, his grip firm yet gentle.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said quietly. “Not now. Not ever.”

That did something weird to my heart.

I let out a shaky breath, the pain in my body still lingering, but somehow dulling under his touch. His voice was like a balm—something strong, something steady. Something that felt like home.

His thumb brushed over the back of my hand and I let my eyes close, too tired to fight the pull of sleep any longer.

And for the first time in days, I didn’t feel scared.

I felt safe.

With him.

After a few days of lying in the infirmary, the soreness in my body had faded enough for me to move without flinching. My ribs no longer burned with every breath, and the bruises that once colored my skin had faded into dull, yellow patches. The nurses gave me the green light to leave, and the moment I stood, I realized just how much I’d missed walking on my own two feet.

Hunter was waiting at the door when I stepped out. Silent, as always, but he offered me a steady arm. I hesitated for a second before accepting it. I didn’t need help—well, maybe I did, just a little—but it felt easier to take the support than to fall flat on my face in front of him.

We stepped outside, and I stopped in my tracks, blinking rapidly at the sight in front of me. I’d seen some pretty nice cities in movies, but nothing prepared me for the reality of it. Towering buildings rose high into the sky, their silver surfaces reflecting the sunlight in a way that made everything seem like it glowed.

“What the…” I whispered under my breath, spinning slowly in place. “These buildings are insanely tall.”

Hunter nodded beside me, watching me silently as I craned my neck to take it all in.

“How many people live in each building?” I asked, genuinely curious.

He replied, “About a hundred or so.”

I gawked at him. “A hundred? Per building?”

He gave a small nod, calm and collected as ever.

“This is a small town?” I asked, still wrapping my head around it.

He confirmed with a simple, “Yes.” Then added, “A small town for those who chose to live apart from the world.”

That made sense in a weird way. It felt peaceful here, secluded. Like the rest of the world had been put on pause, and only this place existed.

We walked a little further until we entered one of the tallest buildings yet. A sleek, glass elevator carried us upward with a soft whoosh, and when the doors opened, I thought maybe we’d stepped into a movie set.

The suite was enormous. High ceilings, soft lights, plush couches, and walls of glass that offered a perfect view of the sky. The kind of place billionaires casually live in while sipping wine that costs more than a car.

I turned slowly, trying to take everything in. “This is where you live?”

He gave a small nod.

I didn’t even try to hide my amazement. “It’s… beautiful.”

Hunter didn’t say anything, but I noticed how the tightness in his shoulders eased at my words. He looked almost relieved.

There was a silence between us. Not awkward, but not exactly comfortable either. I shifted on my feet, hesitating, before asking, “Is it okay if I call home? Just… to check in?”

His expression changed instantly. His body tensed, just slightly, but enough for me to notice. It was subtle—his jaw clenched, his hand flexed.

“You still need to rest,” he said after a pause.

“I know,” I said gently. “It’ll just be a short call.”

He didn’t argue further. Just handed me a sleek black phone, and I quickly dialed Keith’s number.

It rang twice before he picked up. “Hello?”

I smirked. “No.”

There was a pause. Then a gasp. “Rein? What the hell?! Where have you been?!”

I winced, holding the phone a bit away from my ear. “I’ve been really sick. Haven’t been feeling well, so I stayed home to rest.”

“You could’ve at least texted! Your phone’s been off!”

“I lost it,” I lied quickly.

Keith groaned. “I swear, you scared me. I was this close to calling the police!”

“I’m fine now,” I said. “Getting better.”

“I’m coming over.”

“No! Don’t!” I panicked. “I’m still kind of gross-looking. Let me fully recover first, okay?”

He sighed but agreed eventually. We talked for a little while longer, and when I hung up, I turned to see Hunter staring at me.

“What?” I asked.

He didn’t respond. Just kept staring. Something unreadable in his expression.

I cleared my throat. “I should probably go back soon. I’ve missed a lot of school.”

Hunter ran a hand through his hair, exhaling softly. The way his fingers moved through his dark strands made him look… well, way too good. I quickly looked away, pretending to examine the carpet like it was the most fascinating thing ever.

Before I could process it, he gently grabbed my wrist and led me to a dining table, where food had already been laid out. A warm plate sat waiting for me—rice, grilled chicken, vegetables, and fruit slices arranged with way too much care.

I looked up at him. “You had this prepared before we got here?”

He nodded, pulling out a chair for me.

I sat down and dug in. After days of eating nothing or being forced to nibble on hospital food, this felt like a feast. Every bite melted on my tongue. Hunter didn’t eat—he just watched me quietly, occasionally sipping from a glass of water.

After dinner, he led me down a hallway into what I assumed was a guest room. But like everything else in this place, it wasn’t basic. It was soft and elegant, with a huge bed, pale gold sheets, and soft lights glowing from the walls.

“I can stay here?” I asked, genuinely stunned.

He nodded.

I sat on the bed, sinking into the comfort, and let out a small sigh. Then, without warning, he came over and sat beside me. His hand reached for my hair, and he began brushing his fingers through it slowly.

I blinked. “What are you doing?”

He didn’t answer. Just continued. Over and over, his fingers brushed through my hair, making it hard to keep my eyes open.

It felt nice. Strangely comforting.

I leaned back just a little, enjoying the rhythm. The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable anymore. It felt like something else—something warm.

“You should sleep,” he said softly after a while. “I’ll wake you tomorrow.”

I didn’t reply. My body had already started relaxing. My head tilted slightly toward him, my breathing slowed, and before I could even think about it—I was asleep.