Cursed Lycan's Scarred Mate
Chapter 46: Let me protect you

Chapter 46: Let me protect you

The black cat purred, rubbing its cheek against Ronan’s jawline. Its ears folded in delight while its fluffy tail brushed underneath his chin.

The Lycan Alpha stirred, his brows furrowing, but he remained semi-asleep, his body still requiring sufficient rest to heal from the Moonbind Draught.

Vivian raised her brow questioningly as she observed the cat’s familiarity with Ronan.

Did the Lycan Alpha visit Sabre Coven that often for the cat to be so fond of him? And of all people to purr up against, the cat chose the most terrifying Lycan beast?

Vivian reached for the cat, concerned that the animal would disturb Ronan’s slumber, but it hissed angrily and recoiled, fangs bared and red eyes gleaming odiously. Its tail stiffened up, wary of the she-wolf.

Vivian withdrew her hand, confused as to why the cat reacted with so much hostility to her approach.

Was she really all that intimidating?

"Hey you," Vivian spoke gently with a soft smile, bringing a finger to her lip to hush the cat. "Sshh, you can’t be making any noise, hmm? Ronan needs to rest and recover."

As if possessing a human mind of its own, the cat jutted its chin up arrogantly. It disregarded Vivian’s warning and proceeded to burrow itself against Ronan’s shoulder. It scrunched its nose challengingly at the she-wolf.

Although disgruntled, Vivian sighed in defeat and abandoned any attempts to remove the cat. Why was she fighting with the smaller, helpless animal anyway?

However, strangely enough, when Lady Morgana had returned, the cat bolted faster than the eye could see and disappeared from sight before the coven leader could notice its presence.

How odd. Vivian thought to herself, unable to shake the strange feeling the cat exuded. She shrugged a moment later, deciding she was overthinking the matter.

When Lady Morgana arrived, she stood right beside Vivian. The she-wolf had to crane her head up to meet the taller woman’s gaze, and the coven leader detected a shadow of unease cast over the she-wolf’s expression.

Does my height intimidate her? Lady Morgana pondered about Vivian’s reaction. Nevertheless, despite ranking as the highest Wickan of Sabre Coven, Lady Morgana suppressed her pride and crouched on her haunches.

Vivian’s unease seemed to settle.

"Hello again, pretty wolf," Lady Morgana greeted with a friendly smile, dedicated to ensuring Vivian was comfortable. "Do you want me to arrange a room to be prepared for you? It must be uncomfortable sleeping like this."

"No," Vivian responded politely this time, shaking her head. "I want to stay with Ronan."

Lady Morgan’s gaze trailed over to Ronan.

For as long as I’ve known this bastard, he’s going to chew my ear off if he wakes up and finds that his stubborn mate hasn’t eaten anything. Lady Morgana already sensed a brewing headache, having predicted Ronan’s future tantrum when he would awaken.

"Do you think you could tell me what happened before you arrived here?" Lady Morgana asked, testing the extent of what Vivian would be willing to reveal.

"No," came Vivian’s vain reply.

Lady Morgana patiently waited a few more minutes, and when it seemed that Vivian wouldn’t bother to share any information, she stood up again.

"Do you mind accompanying me to our coven’s archives? I’ve researched some details about your condition and want to explain it to you," Lady Morgana revealed, hoping that Vivian would readily agree to her request.

While Vivian wanted to lunge at the opportunity to learn about the dark magic inscribed onto her body, she wasn’t yet acquainted enough with the coven leader to trust her.

What if Lady Morgana would drag her to some desolate underground torture chambers and amplify the malicious spell’s effects?

"I will wait for Ronan to wake up," Vivian said firmly.

Lady Morgana nodded, deciding not to debate further on the matter.

She’s quite a stubborn one...and so attached to Ronan. The coven leader mused. She didn’t pester Vivian any further, promptly taking her leave after briefly checking Ronan’s condition.

It wasn’t long before the Lycan Alpha awakened. His eyes listlessly opened, his mind still registering its surroundings and the state of his body.

Vivian’s eyes beamed with relief, and she threw her arms around his neck, half-laying over his chest while her head rested against his neck.

Ronan’s mind rose fully to consciousness from her presence, his eyes expanding with surprise. He never imagined Vivian would embrace him so tightly of her own accord, excluding the times she required his comfort and protection.

This is new. Ronan thought, wrapping one strong arm around Vivian’s back to welcome her embrace.

"How are you feeling?" Vivian pulled back slightly to look at him as her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Was she really that worried about him? Enough that it brought tears to her eyes?

Naturally, as a Lycan with excelling healing properties and rejuvenation characteristics, Ronan’s body had recovered within an extremely short span of time. Just minutes ago, he was still in a detrimental state, but as soon as the antidote’s effects activated, his body saw the rest of the healing process to completion.

"As healthy as I’ve ever been," Ronan answered, soothingly running his hand up and down her back. Perhaps I should be in danger more often to see her cry for me.

It was his thoughts this time.

Not his Lycan’s influence.

"I’m so sorry, Ronan," Vivian said, the unshed tears finally releasing. "This happened because of me...if you weren’t with me, they would never have targeted you."

And there it was.

They meaning Estwood Coven was the perpetrator of her abduction and his poisoning.

The question was, why did she choose to withhold that information from him?

"Why are you blaming yourself for what happened to me?" Ronan questioned, his hand cupping the back of her head. "This isn’t your fault, sweetheart. If anything, I owe you my apology for not being able to protect you. As an Alpha... a Lycan one at that, it’s my duty to ensure your safety."

Alphas were expected to be unbreakable and apex predators that could never be defeated.

As pack leaders, failing to protect their wolves was considered a grave shame that they would shoulder with them until their last breath.

"Even Alphas need protection," Vivian said as she shook her head, disagreeing with Ronan’s statement. "I don’t like Alphas... I hate them, but if there are good ones like you, then even they need protection. They protect the pack, but do you know who protects them?"

"Who?" Ronan questioned, searching for an answer.

"Their Luna," Vivian answered with a smile as he wiped away her tears. "The pack has the Alpha, and the Alpha has their Luna. I may not be yours right now, or I may never be, but if there is ever a next time when danger comes your way, let me protect you."

In all his years of shouldering the expectations and responsibilities of his clan, not a single person had ever declared that they would be the one to protect him.

He was always the one granting protection.

Not the other way around.