Transmigrated: The Lycan King’s Pet

Damon's hand was warm despite the blood and dirt coating it. His grip was steady, firm, like he wasn't just helping me up… but anchoring me.

I staggered slightly as I got to my feet. My legs felt like jelly. Everything hurts. My ribs, my back, my head. Even breathing was hard.

I turned to look at him.

He didn't say anything, he just stared down at me, his eyes unreadable. There was blood on his lips, which was now dried. His shirt was torn, his skin blackened with burns and cuts. Still, he looked like he could take on an army and win.

"You okay?" he asked.

I nodded even though I wasn't sure. "Are you?"

He didn't answer.

Mr. Four Eyes came up behind us, holding his side as he leaned slightly to the right. "This place gives me the creeps. Where the hell are we?"

Rhydian stepped forward, brushing dirt from his shoulder. "This is no man's land. It is the other place that is connected to the fae realm apart from the werewolf realm."

"No man's land? Do you know how dangerous this place is?" Mr. Green Eyes asked, dropping onto a nearby rock.

The No Man's land… according to the books, is home to rogues, werewolves, vampires, and evil witches that have been rejected by their kind. It is labelled as the most notorious land in the realm.

'And I happened to be here out of all the places? What great luck?'

I scanned the area again. The wind howled against my skin, as if mocking my situation. The sky above was filled with stars, but they looked… different. Brighter. Hung lower, like you could pluck one if you reached high enough.

"This place is shielded even though it is dangerous," Rhydian explained, turning to me. "King Zeir won't be able to trace us here for now."

I slowly lowered myself onto a flat boulder. My knees were buckling. The ground was cold, but I didn't care.

Golden peeked out again from my cloak and climbed into my lap. It nudged its head against my stomach like it was trying to comfort me. I stroked its tiny head absentmindedly.

"Thank you," I whispered, not sure who I was thanking Rhydian, Damon, or the universe.

Damon sat beside me, his body tense. He didn't look at me.

I stared ahead at the empty terrain. My chest still ached. "White isn't here."

Nobody said anything.

It felt like a small crack had opened in my chest and nothing could fill it.

"I don't know if he's alive," I said quietly. "I didn't get to say goodbye."

Damon's hand twitched beside mine. Still, he said nothing.

Rhydian crouched in front of me. "We'll search again when it's safe. But right now, you need to rest. You've been through too much."

My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my dress. "He protected me. Over and over. And I just left him."

"You didn't leave him," Damon said suddenly. His voice was low, but sharp. "You had no choice."

I turned to him. "And if it were you?"

His jaw clenched.

Rhydian stood. "I'll find shelter," he said. "We can't sleep out here. The wind is dangerous at night."

Mr. Four Eyes sighed and forced himself up. "I'll help."

As the others walked away, silence fell again.

Damon still hadn't moved. His eyes were on the horizon, like he was somewhere else entirely.

I pulled my knees to my chest, letting the cold air numb me.

"Why did you come?" I asked.

He looked at me finally. "What kind of question is that?"

"You didn't have to. You could've let my uncle take me."

He exhaled. "I made a promise."

"And you don't break promises," I said with a bitter smile.

His face stayed still, but I saw something shift in his eyes.

"No," he said. "I don't."

I looked down at the dirt. "Damon…" I looked up to meet his eyes. My eyes traveled down his body. "Let me treat your wounds. It's the least I can do to repay your help."

"You can help me when we get to a safe spot." He muttered under his breath.

My eyes fluttered, tears streaming freely down my cheeks. "I never thought anyone would come help me… and when you took that hit for me…" My words stuck in my throat.

Damon cupped my face, his calloused hand wiping off my tears. "Shhh. Stop crying."

He raised his hand over my head, then he slowly patted my head. His eyes glistened with unspoken emotions. "Be a good girl."

A familiar warmth spread across my chest. My emotions burst out, and I began wailing, throwing myself into his arms.

He stiffened, his eyes widened slightly.

"I'm scared Damon… I wonder if this is the right path for me. My mother… I couldn't say goodbye to her… and now that I have left home… I miss home." I sobbed.

"I have to keep moving forward right? I shouldn't let those attachments hold me back… I wonder if I'll find good soil or not."

He paused, before patting my back in rhythm. "I believe you will find good soil."

His arms were stiff around me, like he didn't know what to do. But he didn't push me away.

Until I heard him groan in pain, like he'd been holding it in.

I froze.

Then realization dawned on me, and I quickly pulled back, my hands pressing against his chest.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice trembling.

He winced, his jaw tightened. "It's nothing."

I glanced down. His ripped shirt was soaked in blood again, the earlier burns now torn open from the movement.

"Damon…" I reached for his side, worry laced in my voice, but he caught my wrist.

"I said I'm fine."

"You're not," I whispered. "You're lying."

He didn't answer. His grip loosened but he didn't let go completely.

I looked at his hand wrapped around my wrist, then back up to his face. "Please… let me help you."

His eyes flickered, like he wanted to say something else, but instead, he let go.