The Lycan King’s Healer – Chapter 37

“Get down,” Aldrich immediately ordered in a hushed voice, standing up before positioning himself in a defensive stance.

I shot a glare at him. “You don’t have to protect me,” I whispered, listening intently. There was someone out there for sure; my scent did not recognize them through the vegetation, and I couldn’t hear any breathing or voices amongst the chorus of the forest.

“I’m the war general here,” he reminded me, and barred his arm against my chest. “Stay here. I’m going out there.”

p and listen for once?” I hissed, grabbing his wrist to pull him do

t flutter tidal waves in my stomach acid. The moon was dimmer now, casting a ghostly puddle on the floor. I inched away from it.

wning. He was on the alert, his whole body straight as a rod.

ng a weird form of satisfaction. Suddenly, I was not the one being obliviously watched. It felt nice to not be the prey.

back into the forest.

contemplating. “Aldrich,” I whispered in the dark, just in case we were still in ear shot. “That must be the figure I saw in the woods one day. He or she m

looked down at me, his nostrils flaring. “I’ll

ails in his arm, “They can also be the archer.”

visibly fuming.

u back.”

glass of cold water down his shirt. He was jittery, as if he was stifling some sort of ancient, deeply ingrained instinct. But he calmed, clenching his jaw before noddin

estate tonight,” he only said, his voice softened, “we should sleep here.”

eft behind. The one, narrow single bed. My cheeks flushed.

id, seeming to understand the reason for my sudden hesitation

keep an eye on your wound through the night.”

cency not to smirk or flash

he floor, slowly while we loo

s, but I shied away from the premise of us being huddled together as if we were cuddling. We had never done that before; something so simple and mundane, but also s

at scared me.

andoned living space. The windows were bare, and the mattress was the naked remainder of what used to be a comforter and sheets and pillows.

en more exhausted than usual.

Are you sure?”

ve. “We’ve done much more, Aldrich,” I reminded

t remember,” he said, laying down.

on. My arm was on top of his, our legs tangled unintentionally. It was glaringly obvious how to make this more comfortable, but I was still feeling too insecure to go through with any first moves.

real.

t there was an amused smile on his face. I tried to control my breathing, because if it came out heavy, he’d know how fast my heart was beating.

e already probably knew.

was nervous, I liked to stare at the sky and remind myself that this moment was so infinitely insignificant compared to the rest of the universe. But I knew it was important—important in our little world together—and because of that, I’d never be able to fall asleep.

was not unable to sleep because of our proximity, but because of racing thoughts and concerns.

t anyone hurt you,” he said back, and I could hear the tiredness in his voice mak

Damn it.

to. “I want to protect you, too.”

ing, that’s healing,” I insisted, peering at him

eep.

told me you’d never get in a rin

being, yes, but I want you to be able to protect yourself.” He yawned.

gure out how to keep him aw

on’t know you.”

“What do you

s a question but a statement, “I can sleep on the floor.”

ide to face him. The bed was already more comfortable.

to his chest, anxiously awaiting his reaction.