Claimed by the Mad Lycan King

Ace frowned when he heard that. He was sure Zade wouldn’t have mistaken whether Seara was alone or not. Alternatively, he might need to seek further confirmation, as Zade had only mentioned the matter briefly.

But before Ace could ask for more, Zade had entered the room. He could sense the tension in the atmosphere.

[What is it?] Zade asked through the mindlink as he headed toward the bed.

[Nothing. She is looking for you.]

Zade paused for a while as he sat down next to Seara’s bed. She looked visibly relaxed in his presence.

[You can leave.]

Ace didn’t need to be told twice, as he went out of the room and immediately called Zephyr, who still spent his time in the Blackthorne pack.

”What?” Zephyr picked up the call in the last ring.

”You are still sleeping?” It was late afternoon when Ace glanced at his watch.

”Just now I slept,” Zephyr grumbled. There was the sound of him stretching out his body. ”What is it? Zade doesn’t cause trouble, right?”

Ace ignored Zephyr’s question. ”There is another prisoner in the cell; her name is Sybill. Go back there and check.”

And before Zephyr could protest, Ace had hung up the call.

***

Two weeks had passed since Seara was first admitted to the hospital, and she had slowly regained some color in her complexion. She was no longer as pale, and she had steadily gained weight.

She could sleep better now, and Zade had made sure of that.

Rio had told the Lycan king that Seara was getting better; hence, he could take her back home, and she would have an outpatient appointment within another week if her condition remained steady.

However, she needed to come for check-ups occasionally because her healing ability was nonexistent, so it would take a long time for her to heal completely. They had to be very careful with her as well.

Rio had also confirmed that there was remaining poison in her blood; he was still working on it since a shifter’s body works differently from a human’s, which made it more complicated without the healing ability.

Poison.

There was a high chance that Seara’s wolf spirit died because of the poison...

”Do you want to go out?” Zade had brought a variety of food for Raine to try, since she could start to stomach solid food.

He kept notes that she disliked something too hard, which reminded Zade of a piece of hard bread at the corner of her cell when Zade found her.

Seara disliked mashed potatoes or any food with the same texture, but she loved porridge and warm bread.

”Out...?” Seara was still talking in a low voice, as if she were mumbling to herself.

”Yes. Let’s go out.” Zade took her hand in his, and when she didn’t resist, he helped her put on her shoes and draped her jacket.

Because she didn’t have any clothes, Zade started buying her some clothes. It was not a few items, though, since the things that he bought for her in just two weeks had filled an entire room. Someone had to rearrange them.

Seara pulled the hoodie of her jacket up to cover her head and held onto Zade tightly.

The open space and a lot of people still made her anxious. She always had the urge to find a wall to steady herself, to have a sense of stability and support.

But... Zade would do too. He was sturdy and solid. That was why Seara clutched to him for dear life whenever he took her out.

She didn’t want to be out in the open area or see a lot of people, but she didn’t want to upset Zade.

Thankfully, starting three days ago, she didn’t need to be on an IV drip anymore; now she could move rather freely.

Zade took her to a small garden at the side of the hospital, where, at this hour, there were not many people; that was why Zade took her here.

Both of them sat down on the same bench they had sat on before, and Seara peeked from under her hoodie to see her surroundings.

The open space gave her anxiety, but there were only five people here, and Zade was right beside her. She could feel his arm in her grip; she would be fine.

Zade was being exceptionally patient with Seara, as he explained that he would take her back home in a week.

”Is there a specific color that you want for your bedroom?”

If this were a different occasion, Zade wouldn’t ask about color. He wouldn’t even care to know what other people liked, especially not something as unimportant as color.

But this girl was his mate... He found himself interested in anything that related to her, even if it were only as insignificant as color.

Seara lowered her head when someone walked in front of them. She was a young woman with beautiful long hair, and she kept glancing back at Zade.

Seeing that, Seara tugged at her hair, making sure no strands were out of the hoodie.

”What color do I like...? What do I like?” Seara muttered under her breath, as if she were talking to herself.

Even though this habit was slightly unsettling, it was better, since she talked a little bit more than she did at the moment when Zade found her.

Sometimes, Zade could see fear in her beautiful hazel eyes when she looked at him, as if she were anticipating that he would snap and hurt her, but at the same time, Zade knew he was the only person with whom she was most comfortable.

”I think I like yellow...”

”Okay. It’s yellow then.” Zade caressed her cheek lightly. He tried to remember how many yellow dresses he had bought, including jewelry. It seemed he had to buy some more. What was a gemstone in the color yellow?

”He is nice; he asks about my favorite color,” Seara mumbled.

”Seara.” Zade squeezed her hand lightly. ”Can you tell me about your friend Sybill?”