The Lycan King’s Mate

Chapter 6

Rein’s POV

I blinked slowly, sunlight filtering through the grand window casting a warm glow across the massive room. For a second, I forgot where I was. The bed beneath me felt like a cloud, the soft sheets cocooning me like a hug. Then everything came flooding back—the forest, the cell, Hunter. My heart thudded as I sat up slowly, scanning the room again. This house was ridiculously huge. Like, who needs this much space?

I rubbed my eyes and noticed something beside me on the armchair—neatly folded clothes, and to my surprise, in my exact size. A small smile tugged at my lips. He thought of everything, didn’t he?

Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled into the bathroom and did my business quickly. I didn’t want to linger too long. I still felt like a guest in a castle I didn’t belong to. After brushing and freshening up, I returned to the room and slipped on the comfy-looking hoodie and jeans he left. They fit so perfectly it was almost eerie.

I stepped out of the room, walking a bit too fast without watching where I was going and—BAM!

I crashed into what felt like a wall of steel.

A small scream escaped my lips as I stumbled backward, but warm hands caught me before I could fall. Blinking up, I realized I hadn’t run into a wall… I’d run into Hunter.

Again.

He was staring at me, one brow raised in amusement. “Do you make it a habit to walk into walls?”

Heat flamed across my cheeks as I straightened myself. “You need to stop sneaking up on people like that.”

He chuckled lowly, and I quickly turned away, heading toward the kitchen. I was starving.

“Do you have Nutella?” I called out, hopeful.

He didn’t say anything, but I heard a cabinet open behind me. A moment later, a jar of Nutella landed in front of me on the counter.

“YES!” I squealed in delight.

I grabbed a slice of bread and slathered the chocolatey goodness onto it. The first bite felt like heaven. I moaned a little and licked some of the spread off my lips, totally unaware Hunter was still standing nearby.

“You should tell your mother not to let you do that in public,” he said suddenly, his voice husky.

I blinked, confused. “Do what?”

But he didn’t answer. His eyes were fixed on my lips, and I suddenly felt self-conscious. I quickly looked away, chewing on my bread.

After a moment, he cleared his throat. “My friend will be taking you to school today.”

I froze slightly, the piece of bread hovering near my mouth. School. Right. I had completely forgotten about that world.

My fingers gripped the crust of the bread tighter. “Is it safe?” I asked quietly.

His eyes softened for a second. “I trust him with my life. You’ll be safe.”

I nodded slowly. That reassurance was all I needed. I finished the last bite of my bread, glanced at the clock, and gasped. “I’m going to be late!”

I dashed toward the front door when I suddenly felt a tug on my arm. I turned around, and there he was again—Hunter. He was frowning.

“You can’t go out like that,” he muttered.

“What? Why not?” I looked down at my clothes, confused. They were fine, weren’t they?

Then he leaned in, and before I could react, he brushed his thumb against the corner of my mouth, scooping up a smudge of Nutella. Without breaking eye contact, he brought the thumb to his mouth and licked it clean.

My brain short-circuited.

“Thanks,” I squeaked before darting out the door, my face flaming.

Outside, a sleek black car waited with none other than Zach in the driver’s seat. He grinned as I approached, giving me a lazy wave.

“Morning, sunshine.”

“Hi,” I murmured, still recovering from the whole chocolate-lip situation.

The ride to school was surprisingly fun. Zach was easy to talk to, and despite being Hunter’s beta, he wasn’t all strict and serious. In fact, he joked most of the way.

“I graduated from this school, you know,” he said, nodding at the building as we pulled in. “Bet they still have my championship photos in the hallway.”

“Wow, so you’re old,” I teased.

“Rude,” he said with mock offense.

I giggled as I got out of the car, waving at him before rushing into the school building.

I was at my locker, stuffing my books in, when I felt two pairs of arms grab me from behind.

“AARGH!” I screamed, spinning around in panic.

“REIN!” Sophia and Rachel yelled in unison.

“Oh my god!” I gasped. “You guys scared the life out of me!”

They didn’t even apologize. They were too busy hugging me.

“Where have you been?” Rachel asked.

“We thought you were kidnapped,” Sophia said dramatically. “You weren’t at school, and your phone was dead.”

“I was sick,” I replied quickly. “Like, really sick. Couldn’t even get out of bed.”

They exchanged looks. “You don’t look sick now.”

“That’s because I’m better now,” I said with an exaggerated smile.

They weren’t convinced, but thankfully they dropped it. The rest of the school day went by in a blur. Everyone kept asking where I’d been, but I just smiled and said I’d been sick. No one needed to know the truth. I barely believed it myself.

After school, I walked home with Sophia and Rachel. When we got there, Keith was the first to spot me.

“Rein!” he shouted, tackling me in a bear hug.

“KEITH!” I squealed.

“Where the hell have you been?!” he ruffled my hair roughly.

“Stop that!” I smacked his hand. “You’re ruining my hair!”

He laughed, and the others joined in as we all went inside. The house felt warm and full of love. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until now.

Keith and Adam dragged me into the living room, and we played zombie tag like we were ten again. I hadn’t laughed that hard in days.

Eventually, Lisa dragged us all to the table and forced us to eat. The food was amazing as always. I might’ve cried a little inside.

It was nearly 10 p.m. when Keith offered to drive me back. We talked quietly in the car, mostly about school and how weird I’d been acting. I brushed him off gently, just promising I was fine.

When we pulled up to the giant house.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“Don’t disappear on us again, Rein.”

I nodded and waved before jogging to the front door.

I was lying on the couch, lazily flipping through the channels when a loud bang jolted me upright. My heart raced as I sat up, my eyes darting toward the front door. It was almost midnight—what could that sound have been?

Before I could even convince myself it was just my imagination, my phone rang. I fumbled to pick it up, my fingers clumsy from the adrenaline rush. The number was unfamiliar, and for a split second, I hesitated before answering.

“Hello?” I whispered cautiously.

“It’s me,” Hunter’s deep voice came through the line, calm but edged with urgency. “Come open the door. I’m outside.”

I blinked. “Wait—what?”

“Now, Rein.”

The call ended before I could respond. I quickly leapt to my feet, still confused, and made my way to the door. The second I unlocked it, the door flung open and Hunter stepped in, pulling me into a tight hug. His arms wrapped around me as though he was trying to assure himself I was real, warm, and safe.

My heart hammered in my chest, partly from the shock and partly from… well, him. “What’s wrong?” I mumbled against his chest, a little breathless from the sudden affection.

He pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes. “Zach waited for you after school. He didn’t see you. You didn’t show up.”

My stomach twisted. “Oh my God, I forgot,” I muttered guiltily, covering my face with my hand. “I came home with Keith and the others. I got distracted. I’m sorry.”

His jaw tensed, but he nodded. “Zach called me. I had to make sure you were okay.”

I gave a small smile. “Wait… how do you even know where I live?”

He lifted a brow, not bothering to hide the smugness in his tone. “Zach.”

Ah. Of course.

I stepped back, opening the door wider to let him in. “Come in,” I said softly.

Hunter closed the door behind him and followed me to my room. I didn’t even question it. There was something in his presence that calmed my nerves, like I could breathe a little easier with him around—even if I wouldn’t admit it out loud.

As soon as we got to my room, he walked over to me again and pulled me into another hug, much softer this time. His hand gently cradled the back of my head, and I melted into him without thinking twice.

“You scared me,” he muttered into my hair. I stayed quiet, guilt pressing on my chest.

“I didn’t mean to. I just forgot,” I whispered.

After a few moments of silence, he gently walked me toward my bed. I sat down, and before I could even swing my legs up to lay down, he knelt in front of me and reached for the blanket, pulling it over me like I was some precious treasure.

“Sleep,” he murmured.

I blinked up at him, confused. “You’re not leaving, are you?”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he just sat at the edge of the bed, his hand resting over the blanket, right above where my own hand lay.

The room fell quiet again, only the sound of my soft breathing and the distant ticking of the wall clock echoing in the stillness. My eyelids started to grow heavier, the comfort of the bed and his presence lulling me into something warm and peaceful.

Just before sleep took over, I felt his fingers lightly brushing against mine.

Then I heard it. Barely a whisper, like a secret not meant for the wind.

“You infuriate me, little mate.”