Claimed by the Mad Lycan King

Zade’s bedroom was huge, to say the least, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the entire house where she had lived was still not as big as this one.

Even his bathroom was bigger than her adoptive parent’s bedroom, and they were occupying the main bedroom in the house.

Seara needed some time to get familiar with this huge place. The ceiling was so high that it made her feel as if she were not in a bedroom but a hall instead.

"Why... do you have a huge bedroom?" Seara pressed her back against the pillar while staring at the spacious area in front of her.

His bedroom literally had a living room, a mini pantry, a mini library, and a leisure area near a fireplace. She wondered if the fireplace still worked.

Additionally, it did not include the walk-in closet and the bathroom; also, there was another door that led to the balcony and an adjacent room.

The central piece of it was the bed. The shape was not common, as it was round with the color of grey and had four bedposts with a curtain. It was beautiful, but it gave an ancient touch.

"I don’t know. I have never thought about it." Zade leaned against the wall beside Seara as well. He was very patient to wait until Seara was fine enough to explore. "The question doesn’t even cross my mind until you ask."

"What are you doing in this huge room?"

Zade chuckled. "I don’t know whether you will believe it or not, but I don’t really remember what I have done here, aside from sleeping or reading. There is nothing important enough for me to remember."

Somehow, when Zade looked back at the life before he found his mate, it felt like a boring movie that he was forced to watch. There was nothing important or significant in his recollection. Everything was dull and bleak.

And to think he had lived such a life for centuries was unthinkable.

"You bring meaning into my dull life, and I am very blessed for that." Zade brought their intertwined fingers to his lips and kissed Seara’s knuckles lightly. "It shouldn’t be you who asked me not to let go of your hand, because I should be the one who asks you not to let go of mine."

Seara lowered her head; she couldn’t help but blush.

It had only been half a year since she was able to leave the cell that imprisoned her for three years, but Zade had said the nicest words that she had ever heard. Even if she had to compare her eighteen years of life in the Blackthorne Pack, it wouldn’t be as close as how many times Zade said kind things to her.

"It’s not like I can go anywhere. I don’t even have money."

Zade then laughed heartily when he heard that. His face turned red when he finally stopped, but Seara didn’t mean to make a joke; she only stated the truth.

She was too unstable to be on her own, and she was too broke to run away from him.

"Money will be the last thing that you should be worried about." Zade ruffled her hair. She let it loose this time and only used a blue bandana to keep the strands away from her face. "I have wanted to give you this one, and since you brought it up, you should keep it now."

Zade fished his wallet from his pocket and pulled a black card. He handed it over to her.

"It is unlimited; you can use it as you please."

Seara widened her eyes. The only card that she had was her ID card. She didn’t have a chance to make a debit card for herself, and even if she had it, the card would be empty most of the time.

Her part-time job paid her with cash as well.

"I don’t think I will need that."

"You will need it at one point. One day, you will be able to go out there and have the life that was taken away from you. Go to college and make friends. Go to the movie theater with them or simply go shopping and sit in the café. Live the life that you want."

Seara bit her lip; she felt as if she wanted to cry. She had never thought about that. It didn’t even cross her mind to have such a life.

But now, when Zade mentioned it, she realized how many things they had taken away from her.

Zade caressed her cheek. His hand was so big and warm. "I wonder how you were before everything that happened. Be that girl and be happy, Seara. I would love to see that."

Tears streamed down her cheek, and she hugged him tightly. Her chest ached for the time she lost and for the pain they caused, the stain of this experience that she would carry for the rest of her life.

They didn’t talk about it, but Seara knew that Zade was well aware of what had happened to her, yet here he was; he didn’t feel disgusted with her at all. He had never raised his voice at her, no matter how crazy she became.

And his touch was as gentle as the first time he found her buried deep in that abandoned cell, halfway to her own death.

He was there every step of the way, and even when Jane limited his visit time at the hospital, Seara knew Zade was there too.

He was there in her every breakdown and when she went on a spiral.

He was still there even when she hurt him, screamed at him, and cursed at him.

Not even once did he push her away or show any sign that he was done with her.

"I love you, Seara." Zade kissed her head.

And his love was the quiet hand that held hers when the world felt too loud.