Chapter 6
I slowly peeled my eyes open, every part of my body aching. My back throbbed, reminding me of the wound I had sustained from Jack.
Jack.
He was really dead. Somehow, he had caused his own death. If he hadn't whipped me, it wouldn't have cost him his life. He did this to himself, though Tristan had been the one to end his life.
I groaned, hearing the slow sound of the car driving on the quiet road. I found myself lying against Tristan's hard chest, my body pressed against his. His warm arm wrapped around me, holding me from falling. The cold AC air brushed my face, sending shivers down my spine.
For a brief moment, I almost let myself believe this was real and that I was loved, that I was cared for by someone. But I knew this wasn't real.
I pulled up, attempting to move when he pulled me closer.
"Easy," Tristan murmured, his grip tightening on me. "The wound is still fresh, and we've got a long drive."
Blinking the sleep away, I looked out the window and saw the endless stretch of Dhùgak wilderness and the tall mountains.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"We're heading to the airport," he replied. "Then from there, we fly to Vlẽkrur, where I live."
"Vlẽkrur?" I asked, still trying to piece together the information.
"Yeah," he replied, his warm breath falling on my temples. "You passed out because of your wounds. I didn't think you'd wake up now."
I shifted slightly, noticing his suit jacket around my arms. "Where's this from?"
"Mine," he said. "I thought you were cold."
I pulled the suit jacket around me. The warmth it brought eased some of the chills in my body. My mind was still foggy from sleeping so deeply. "What about my pack?"
"They're alright," he replied. "The Beta will take on the role of Alpha. They'll be under my protection from now on."
I took a deep breath, calming the unease that settled inside me.
As I stared at the mountains outside the window, the questions I had in mind before I fell asleep resurfaced.
"How did you know what was happening?" I asked, feeling warmth spread across my cheeks. "That I was being whipped by my brother?"
I wanted to ask more but wasn't sure if I needed the answers right now.
He stayed silent for a moment before answering. "I knew you were hurt."
"How?" I asked, a slight frown appearing on my face.
"I just knew it because of how I felt when you were in the woods. I had this connection with you that didn't seem to fade away after I left. You belong to me, so I was worried when you were in pain."
"That's…"
"Strange?" he asked.
"No, creepy," I said, shooting him a glare.
"Then you'll probably get angrier when you know more about me."
"I don't even need to know you more before being angry at you."
He chuckled, and I returned my gaze to the window. I felt something tug inside me. Was it pain or panic from being inside a car with a Lycan?
I didn't like the idea that he was taking me to Vlẽkrur as his wife. But staying behind wasn't a good idea. The people were still angry, thinking I was the one who killed Olivia. And after what happened with Jack, it was best to leave the pack. Leaning back, I felt his hand slide to my waist, gently massaging it. I gulped softly, my breath caught in my throat.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"What do you think I'm doing?" he whispered. "I'm making you feel comfortable."
I clenched my hand, resisting the urge to turn around and punch him. His fingers kept tracing my waist in small circles. Even through the fabric, I could feel the warmth of his touch, causing my body to heat up.
"You feel so warm," I said. He felt hot, like someone with a high fever. But that was what those with their wolf felt like.
"What am I supposed to feel like?" he asked.
I turned, staring ahead. This wasn't the man I'd healed in the woods. He was something else—darker and more dangerous. He was a reminder of what he truly was—a ruthless Lycan King.
"You are surprisingly calm," he said, pulling me from my thoughts. "Should I feel worried?"
"What do you expect me to say?"
"Are you still mad at me?" he asked.
It would be a lie to tell him I wasn't mad at him. That everything was fine after Jack was killed.
"Why?" I asked. "Why didn't you tell me you were the Lycan King in the woods?"
"Was I supposed to just tell you I was the Lycan King after you healed me?"
I frowned slightly. "I thought you were an Alpha wolf."
He raised a brow. "And why did you think so?"
"The tattoo," I replied. "I saw the Alpha tattoo."
He chuckled. "If you'd known who I really was, what would have happened?"
I turned, my breath catching in my throat as I stared at his lips. We were so close that if I moved a little, our mouths would touch.
I continued to stare at his lips, and I felt my body warm up, something pooling between my thighs. His hand moved to my thighs, and I felt my heart race. That feeling—it was what I felt earlier in the woods. I'd almost gotten lost and kissed him if I hadn't held myself back.
I turned my head away, feeling my chest tighten. Realization slowly hit me as I understood that being his wife would mean many things.
Many things because I would have to strip in front of him and make love as married couples do. I shuddered at the thought, shaking my head.