---Lane's POV---

My body felt extremely heavy as I laid here in silence. Eyes flickering open for just a second, I caught a hazy glimpse of someone standing beside the bed I was on, leaning over me before exhaustion forced my eyes shut again.

Cool fingers pressed against my forehead and cheeks, a growled curse rumbled through the room before something cold and wet was draped over my forehead. A whine slipped past my lips as the blanket was yanked down, my whole body shivering instantly.

I knew it was the fever which made me feel as if I was cold while I was actually burning up. My eyes were nearly glowing with the heat of the fever, hair slicked back with sweat. Even though the bed felt comfortable, I felt as if I was swimming in my own sweat.

A hand slipped under my neck and tilted my face back a bit before I felt a cup placed against my lips. Slowly, liquid poured down my mouth, soothing my parched throat though I was so weak that most of it spilled past my lips.

"For fuck's sake. Drink, darn it!"

I tried, I honestly did. Even though the man was urging me on to drink more of what I slowly recognized as a cooled broth, I couldn't. I just wanted to sleep.

He laid me back down after a few more sips, replacing the warming fabric on my forehead with a new, cooler one. Moments later a moist wash cloth was drawn over my chest, staying clear of the wound in my stomach. Even so, I flinched when I felt a few drops of water roll down my abs and pause near the gashes.

The man worked quietly, undoing the bandages and checking the wounds as I faded in and out of consciousness. The strange thing was that even with my eyes closed, I could somehow still...see.

Behind my closed eyes, I saw nothing but darkness, yet the scents of the room painted a clear picture for me. I could swear I almost saw the man standing beside the bed, each motion of his body pushing off a stronger scent and strengthening the image.

Even with this new discovery, my mind was too exhausted as it flickered under the fever before I sighed and fainted once more.

---

A cool breeze flooded the room, ruffling through my hair as I slowly blinked. This time around I felt more sane and slowly pressed myself up on my arms, only to hiss at the pain that webbed through my stomach.

Gingerly lifting the covers, I caught sight of the wounds and frowned at the orderly, almost professional stitches.

I didn't do this...

Even so, I was grateful that my savior had taken the time to care for me, even went as far as stitching me up properly and putting me in new clothes from the look of it. The room was dimly lit, curtains drawn close as to not disturb me as I rested.

I tried to sit up but failed, feeling my limbs shaking like crazy when I tried. Rolling on my side, I spotted a glass of water on the night table and stretched out, sighing in relief as I drank it down completely.

The glass made a sharp clicking sound on the table, just as the bedroom door slowly opened. Turning around in the bed so I could look at who entered, I froze and gulped at the massive form of the man.

Each one of his steps was a solid thump on the floor, his legs and muscular thighs threatening to rip apart his trousers. His shirt was seemingly painted against his abs and arms and I gulped once more at the dark glare that was thrown my way.

I expected him to open his mouth, say something...anything. Instead the man moved with a deadly elegance as he prowled around the room, seemingly ignoring my presence.

He deposited a small bundle of clothes near the foot end of the bed and collected the empty glass. He paused as he noticed my gawking and I swallowed, licking my dry lips before attempting to speak.

"Thank you...for saving me." I said weakly, though the gratitude was clear in my tone of voice. Instead of replying, the man raised one eyebrow in question before his gaze swept over my whole body, as if noticing me for the first time.

Something in his dark gaze made me twitch and avert my face, unwilling to lock eye with him any longer. Even with the pride's council I never felt this amount of force vibrate the air. What the hell is this man?

He's no human, that's for certain. A chair scraped over the floor and suddenly I felt hands on my body, making me jump in surprise, only to hiss and grab at my wounds. I heard a little scoff coming from him before I was gently pulled forwards, a pillow placed behind my back.

Before I could properly orientate myself as to what was happening, I had the tray in my lap and nearly groaned at the smells that smacked in my face. Looking over the plate as best as I could, I saw a bowl of steaming chicken soup filled with vegetables and meat, a few fresh buns and a cup of butter near to it.

I glanced at the stranger for confirmation that I could actually eat all this but frowned as he had already disappeared.

What a strange man...

A growl from my stomach urged me to feed, so I did. I dipped my spoon in the clear broth, stirring it around for a moment and pulling my covers up so I didn't add any burns to my list of injuries.

The spoon trembled terribly in my hands and spilled most of the liquid back in the bowl but I was determined to eat. Plus, it would hardly be considered polite to reject a free meal offered by my host.

Even if he's clearly frustrated with my presence.

While I ate, I allowed my other senses to focus on my surroundings. I picked up the slight fluttery sound of the curtains moving against the windows whenever the breeze passed through the room. A slight chirping outside made me aware of birds nearby and judging from the amount of it, it was the break of dawn.

But further in the house things were quiet. I did hear the distant and steady creaking of the floor, thumping of boots and a low growl. Holding my breath for a moment, I could hear my heartbeat in my ears, fearing that for whatever reason, the stranger was fed up with me.

If he attacks me now, I'll be killed on the spot. Hellfire, if he attacks me anytime, I'm dead.

The spoon slipped out of my hold and clanged heavily on the cup, making me jolt and spill everything from the tray. I hissed as the remaining liquid stung on my skin but nothing made my heart race more than the sound of heavy footsteps rapidly approaching.

With a vibrating smack, the door bounced off the wall where it chipped a piece of the woodwork and I swallowed, tensing all over. The man didn't look too pleased as he caught an eyeful of the mess I created.

"I-I'm sorry, once I'm healed I'll repay you, I swear. I didn't do this on purpose."

He didn't respond, though something glinted in his eyes before he strode towards me. I could feel my heart race in my chest, skin growing damp as I closed my eyes and waited for the inevitable.

Because this was it. I could hear him reaching for me, could feel his warmth approaching my throat. This is the moment where he would rip out my throat violently, leave me to suffer and bleed out, suffocating in my own blood before I'd die-

My breathing choked as I felt his fingers clasp the back of my neck and tighten, my mind filling with images of another, evenly gruesome dead of having my head snapped clean off but I let out a small cry of pain when I suddenly felt his other hand beneath my knees and I was hoisted up.

Instantly my eyes opened in shock and were pinned by his. From up close they were such a dark brown they were nearly black and they were filled with barely suppressed anger. My eyes flitted to the side as I bit on the inside of my cheek to prevent from yelping in pain when I was lowered on a couch.

Frowning, I observed and watched as the man made quick work of the mess, tossing pieces of broken china and the silverware on the tray. The bedding was quickly rolled up in a ball and after checking the mattress for any moisture, he left the room.

By the time I had processed that the man hadn't punished me, he had already cleaned everything up and changed the covers before placing me back on the bed. He stayed still for a moment, looking at me with a quiet yet pensive look.

"Rest. You need it."

I blinked up at him before realizing he was moving to leave the room again. I wanted to call out, ask him for his name so I at least had something to call him by but he was gone before I could.

So instead I decided to listen to his advice, slowly sinking further into the bed and nuzzling the pillow as I frowned a bit.

Why was this man acting so harsh yet gentle? The way he barely spoke to me nor recognized my existence for most of the time stung, but then again he cared enough to feed, bathe and nurse me back to health.

He was an enigma to me; I could make nothing of his scent, his expression nor his behavior. All I knew was that this stranger had obviously found me, or someone else did and had dumped me on his doorstep.

But judging from the amount of power he exuded; he was not to be trifled with. He was in fact the lord of this territory and I was very lucky that he had the courtesy of bringing me further in and healing me instead of tossing me over his borders as fodder for the beasts.

What have I done wrong to deserve all this? Great Creators, have mercy on me.