Found by the Lycan King by Natalie Winter
Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Zenovia The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows that danced on the walls. The sterile smell of antiseptichung in the air, mingling with a faint scent of cologne. 1 stood there, my heart pounding in my chest, as his lips hovered just inches from mine. The tensionbetween us was palpable, and the anticipation electrified the atmosphere. 1 gulped nervously, and I felt my nipples strain against the flimsy fabric, painfully aware of how I wascaged between him. and the wall and how his lips were hovering above mine. I winced a little, and he immediately loosened his hold, but he did not let go of me completely. And justwhy did my body not like him stepping away a little?His breath fanned my face, making goosebumps p le on my arms as I focused on the line he hadspoken, disguised as a question. It was then that the reality of my identity hit me again. “I have not awakened my wolf yet.” 1 answered in a low voice and then added, “I am a late bloomer” I was not sure why I was justifying that to him, but the words slipped out of my mouth before I couldtake them back. Maybe after being called a warrior. I did not want to let him feel that I was a weakling. And nor did Iwant him to feel that I was already imagining how his hands would feel on my bare skin, without thegown separating us.I hated myself for thinking this way. No, I hated him for making me think this way. “Ahh, I see.” He said and ignored my clawing and hissing while looking into my eyes. I expected to see that cold, calculative gaze being directed at me. Whenever somebody learned I waswolfless, I would be looked at as if I was dirt. Being wolfless in a world ruled by werewolves that had a Lycan king was similar to having no hands orlegs in the human world.

Wolfless people were even considered lower than rogues, so I waited for him to pull back, as if beingclose to me would give him some infectious disease. But, surprisingly, he did not move an inch. He was still standing close, painfully close, our bodiestouching from head to toe, or rather his big, massive body frame, caging me like a deer trapped in alion’s mouth. The only difference was that the lion had not taken a bite…yet. I stopped thrashing mostly because I felt weak after having stayed unconscious, for Goddess knewhow long not because of what his touch was doing to me. At least, that is what I told myself. “You hit me with your car. You are the reason I am here, so stop acting as if you care,” I snapped athim, more to remind myself of the fact and stop my traitorous body from messing with my brain. I had to get a grip over myself and not stare at him with puppy eyes, looking at him as if he was mysavior who had come to rescue me. He was a handsome prince, and currently I was in distress, but my life was no fairytale. “You talk a lot, don’t you? Not sure why the doctor or nurse thought you were weak and timid.” I pounced at those words. “I am neither” though I could not help but feel just a little bit proud when hesaid that. The Lycan King thought I was a warrior…that I was not weak or timid. He grinned, and his little smile made my heart s p a beat. He looked even more gorgeous when hegrinned and I saw at dimple appear on his cheek. Up close, I could see the way his eyes flicked,searching my face and trying to determine what to do with me. Callahan’s face was truly a sight to behold. The golden eyes gave him a mesmerizing aura, but hissmile was radiant and his deep, throaty chuckle made my knees wobble. Not to forget his voice that was stirring something inside me. All of this was becoming too much for me to process.

I mustered up the courage to break the silence, my voice barely above a whisper. “Want to see?” Ichallenged, my voice quivering with a mix of fear and excitement. “Just loosen your hold over me, and Iwill show you.” He gazed into my eyes, his dark irises sparkling with curiosity. The air c d with a nervous energy, and Icould feel the heat radiating from his body. His breath mingled with mine, and my erratic breathingbetrayed my anticipation. 16.87 Chapter 8 What do you mean?” he asked, his voice slow and deliberate, each word causing my thoughts to s rlike leaves in the wind. I took a deep breath, my chest heaving with the weight of my emotions. “Show me what?” he persisted,his voice a tantalizing whisper that sent shivers down my spine. “How weak and timid I am.” I confessed, my voice trembling with vulnerability. The words hung in theair, the admission hanging between us like a delicate thread. He pondered my words for a moment, his gaze piercing into my soul. “So if I let you go,” he mused,“and you cannot manage to run towards the door without limping, do you promise to do as I ask?” The realization of the challenge hit me like a lightning bolt, and 1 blurted out a hasty response beforefully comprehending. the consequences. “Yes,” 1 exclaimed, the word slipping from my lips before Icould fully register the weight of the agreement I had just made. King Callahan slowly stepped away from me, releasing his grip on my arms. I glared at him, thedefiance in my eyes a stark contrast to the vulnerability I had just revealed. He nonchalantly pushed his hands into his pockets, sauntering over to the nearby hospital bed andleaning on its metal. frame. His left hand rested on the cold surface, a casual yet commanding posture. He motioned for me to walk, his eyes fixed on me, challenging me to prove my claim. I rubbed mywrists, the memory of his grasp still lingering, and turned my gaze towards the door. It stood there, amere ten feet away, beckoning me with the promise of freedom. As I stared at the door, determination welled up within me. I had made a promise, and now it was time

to prove my strength. With a deep breath, I took my first step, my legs feeling heavy beneath me. The pain shot through my limbs, radiating from every muscle, as I tried to maintain a steady gait. Mysteps faltered, and I winced, gritting my teeth to suppress the pain. Each movement sent a jolt of agonyup my legs, reminding me of my own. limitations. I glanced over at King Callahan, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that mirrored the fierydetermination burning within. me. He remained silent, watching me struggle with an inscrutableexpression. I fought against the pain, pushing myself forward. But with each step, my legs trembled, threatening togive way beneath me. I could feel my strength waning, the sharp ache pulsating through my body. Despite the agony. I refused to give up. I gritted my teeth and forced myself to continue, my eyeslocked on the door. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, mingling with the traces of fear anddetermination. But as I reached the halfway point, my legs betrayed me. A sharp pain surged through my left leg,causing it to buckle. beneath me. I stumbled, my hands reaching out instinctively to grab hold ofsomething for support. My fingers grasped at thin air, replaceing no solace in their search for stability. I fell to my knees; the impact sending another wave of pain through my body. My breath came inragged gasps, and tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I glanced up at King Callahan,humiliation burning in my cheeks. His expression remained stoic, his gaze unwavering. He nodded, as if confirming something to himself,and stepped away from the hospital bed. Walking over to me, he extended a hand, a mix of sympathy and dominance in his touch. I reluctantlyaccepted his support, allowing him to help me rise to my feet. The pain still throbbed through my body,but his presence offered a faint sense of comfort. “I suppose you’ve learnt a lesson for now,” he said softly, his voice devoid of any judgement. I lowered my gaze, feeling the weight of his words. I had underestimated the challenge, overestimatingmy own abilities. But

I wasn’t ready to give up just yet. With a determined glimmer in my eyes, I met his gaze. “I may have stumbled. I admitted, my voice filled with defiance, “but I’m not done fighting.” A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a mix of admiration and amusement. “Good,” he replied,his tone softening. “Because the real test is just beginning.”