Claimed by the Mad Lycan King

Water had never tasted so delicious. It didn’t taste like dirt, like the water from the faucet in her small bathroom in the cell.

”You can’t have more,” Zade said. He saw Seara eyeing another bottle on the table. Caroline had informed him that she could not drink much water for the time being; there was a limit to her intake.

Seara also had to be on a strict diet because she had been starved for a long time, and whatever she was eating to survive so far had caused harm to her digestion.

”Give me the empty bottle.” Zade opened his palm to let Seara give him the bottle that she held. She had tried to drink the water until the last drop.

For a moment, Seara stared at Zade’s stretched-out hand and then handed him the bottle.

”I have asked someone to bring food for you; you must be hungry.” He put away the empty bottle and stared at Seara’s eyes. She was still scared of him, but she started to warm up. Good girl.

Zade wasn’t very talkative, but he felt the need to explain himself to her so she wouldn’t be caught off guard and feel afraid.

Currently, he was still waiting for information that Zephyr could gather about what actually happened with Seara in that pack.

The thought that those people in that small pack had put her in harm’s way enraged Zade. He didn’t think there would be a good enough reason not to kill them all.

Seara raised her hand hesitantly, and Zade didn’t move. He didn’t think he was breathing when she touched his hand, and the ticklish sensation spread through his body. He knew Seara felt the same way because she retracted her hand and widened her eyes at him.

”Mate,” Zade said in a low voice. ”You are my mate...” He took her hand gently and intertwined their fingers. This feeling when their skin touched each other was enough proof of the existence of the mate bond between them.

For the Lycans, the feeling was way more intense; that was why it was so rare for a Lycan to find their destined mate, and most of them wouldn’t find one even in their long life.

”I will not hurt you,” Zade said softly when Seara flinched, trying to get away from him. ”You are my mate. I will hurt myself first before I let anyone or even myself hurt you...”

Zade leaned over; he wanted to kiss her. The urge was very strong since the Lycans would mark their mates right away the moment they found them.

Therefore, Seara did not bear his mark was a testament to Zade’s self-control, knowing marking her would cause her more harm.

However, Zade stopped himself when he saw the horror in Seara’s eyes when he moved closer; thus, he lifted their hands and kissed her knuckles instead.

”Don’t be afraid of me, Seara,” he said in a whisper, like a knight taking an oath. He made a promise that he would keep her safe.

Seara watched as Zade pressed his lips to her knuckles; her body was stiffened. Who was this man? Was it even possible that he was her mate?

Her mind was clouded. She seemed to remember something, but she couldn’t tell what it was. It was like a bad memory in the corner of her mind.

Right at that time, a nurse entered the room with a bowl of porridge. Seara couldn’t eat solid food just yet; everything had to be soft to help with her indigestion.

However, it was more than enough for Seara. Her eyes lit up when she smelled the aroma from the porridge that wafted to her senses.

It was warm. She didn’t remember when she ate something warm. She gulped down with difficulty as her eyes stared at the bowl with the wafting soft smoke in anticipation.

”Be careful; it is still hot,” the nurse said as she set up the table on Seara’s lap. Zade rearranged the pillow behind her and lifted the bed slightly so it would be easier for her to eat.

Seara was not paying attention to her surroundings, her eyes fixed on the porridge in front of her as she picked up the spoon and put a mouthful in.

”No, it’s still hot...” The nurse spoke in a panic, and Zade was too late to stop her.

A second later, Seara coughed hard as the heat from the porridge burned her tongue. She refused to spit it out because, despite the burning sensation, she felt the flavor bloom in her mouth. She forced it down and swallowed it.

But when Seara was about to get another spoon, Zade had taken away the bowl.

”You can leave,” Zade said sternly to the nurse, who looked hesitant for a moment, but then she left the room without question. ”Slowly.” His voice softened when he talked to Seara. ”It is hot. Let’s wait until it cools down a bit.”

Seara furrowed her brows when she heard that. She wanted it, hot or not, but she was still scared of Zade for asking for the food back.

Therefore, she could only watch in anticipation when Zade stirred the porridge so it would cool down faster.

Later on, in the next meal, everything was no longer too hot for her; she could eat her food right away, and every time Seara was sleeping, Zade would be there.

He was the only constant presence in the room. He was the only one who was always there from the moment Seara opened her eyes until she fell asleep.

The room was kept dim, and the curtain was closed, because Seara would be anxious when it was too bright.

But one time, when Seara woke up, she was alone.

She pushed herself into a sitting position and looked around the room, but Zade was not there. And suddenly, without him here, the room became too big and spacious for her...