When Lillian set the dishes on the table, Samuel stepped out of the bathroom after his shower.
The black shirt Lillian had ordered for him clung to his frame the moment he put it on. Even though she had picked the largest size available, it was still a bit small for him. The fabric stretched across his chest and arms, tracing the shape of his muscles.
Lillian's eyes paused on him for a brief second before she pulled her attention away. She motioned toward the table and spoke. "I made a steak salad. Do you want to try it, or would you rather have nutri-fluid?"
"Steak salad?" Curiosity showed on Samuel's face as he walked closer and looked at the meal in front of him. His gaze fixed on the delicious food. He swallowed before continuing, "I don't usually see anyone around me eating something like this."
Most people he knew relied on simple substitutes like nutri-fluid or tablets. Cooking felt unnecessary when food could be replaced so easily.
A faint smile appeared on Lillian's lips. "It's just something I'm used to. Go ahead and try it if you want."
Taking a seat, Samuel picked up the utensils with a bit of hesitation. He cut a small piece of steak and brought it to his mouth. The moment he tasted it, his expression shifted, and a low sound came from his stomach without warning.
He didn't stop after that. Within moments, the entire plate was gone, and he clearly wanted more.
"I've never had anything so delicious before," he remarked, turning toward Lillian with admiration in his eyes.
Under the soft light, his sapphire-blue eyes caught a faint glow. They no longer carried the wild, blood-stained intensity she had seen back in the underground arena.
No one had ever looked at her like that before. In his gaze, Lillian saw something she wasn't used to, like he truly saw her as someone worth noticing.
A quiet warmth colored her voice as she spoke. "If it suits your taste, I can prepare it for you again next time."
"You're being too good to me. Tell me what you need from me," Samuel said, his tone low and steady, as gratitude showed in his eyes while he reached for her hand and held it carefully. "Whatever it is, I'll do it."
Lillian understood her own intentions clearly, yet putting them into words would ruin the moment and break the fragile connection they had.
After taking a moment, she finally answered, "I feel lonely in this world. If you stay by my side, I'd be content. Still, if you ever decide to leave me, I won't stop you."
"That won't happen. I'm not going anywhere. I promise with my life that I will not leave you, my lady," Samuel replied without hesitation, his eyes fixed on hers as he stepped closer and put her hand on his chest.
"My name is Lillian Clark." A faint smile touched Lillian's lips as she spoke. "You can call me Lily. From now on, we'll rely on each other."
For someone in his position, being allowed to call a female her nickname was unthinkable. It was something only a bonded male would be granted. The weight of it left Samuel frozen, unsure how to respond for a moment. Part of him couldn't help but wonder if everything he had endured before led to this. Had fate finally pitied him, placing someone like Lillian in his path?
Yet that thought didn't fully ease his mind. Maybe Lillian was just putting on an act.
Something about this felt too perfect, and he couldn't decide whether to accept it or keep his guard up.
After the meal, Lillian applied the ointment she had prepared to the wounds on Samuel's body that hadn't been treated yet. When it came to his broken bones, he reassured her without hesitation, explaining that his werewolf recovery far exceeded that of others. After he took the medicine from her, the healing wouldn't take long, so there was no need for concern.
Hearing that allowed Lillian to relax a little. She gathered the herbs she had collected from the Aberrant Thicket and put them away. Her plan was simple. She would trade them at a nearby apothecary for more medical supplies.
When everything was in order, she headed out with Samuel toward the shop.
The moment they stepped out, she picked up on his discomfort.
Every movement around him seemed to set him on edge. His body stayed tense, and his expression remained hostile as people passed by. The way he carried himself gave off a sharp, unwelcoming presence, and it didn't go unnoticed. A child who happened to look his way broke into tears, frightened by the sight of him.
With no other option, Lillian crouched down and handed the child a piece of candy to comfort him. After that, she reached for Samuel's hand and held it firmly, trying to steady him as she spoke. "Have you ever been to a place like this before?"
Samuel shook his head. "Slaves weren't allowed to go anywhere. I've only known life underground."
Everything around him felt unfamiliar, and the conditions he had endured before made it difficult for him to loosen up.
Lillian unwrapped another piece of candy and brought it close to his lips. "Samuel, this area is safe. No one's going to hurt you here. If it starts to feel like too much, just let me know. I'll soothe you."
Back in the underground arena, Samuel had seen more than enough of arrogant females.
They would sit high above the fights in private boxes, holding glasses of wine, dressed in fine clothes with perfect makeup.
Whenever they looked at him, their eyes held the same cold indifference. To them, he was no different from an aberrant beast being torn apart for entertainment.
But none of that ever appeared in Lillian's gaze. When she looked at him, her eyes were gentle. It seemed like she didn't look down on him at all.
He couldn't tell if she was playing some kind of game or if she truly meant it when she treated him like this.
Lowering himself slightly, Samuel let his eyes meet hers, steady and searching. "How about soothing me right now?" he asked without warning.
Lillian's breath hitched as his presence drew closer. There was something about him that pulled at her, but she snapped back from her daze quickly. They were still in public.
"I'm sorry," Samuel said when he noticed her reaction. "I didn't mean to—"
Before he could finish speaking, Lillian reached up and looped her arms around his neck. A quick kiss landed on his cheek.
A faint flush spread across her face as she spoke in a low voice. "I don't want to lose my composure out here. Can you wait until we're home?"
She knew if she went any further, she might not be able to hold herself together.
Samuel's heartbeat sped up. His gaze stayed on Lillian's face, and his breathing grew uneven.
He caught her finger gently between his teeth and took the candy from her with his mouth. "Alright."
At that same moment, Waylon and Jaycob passed by and caught sight of them. The scene stopped them where they stood. Anger crept in, followed closely by jealousy.
Only then did they realize how striking Lillian was. And neither of them had ever seen her act like that before. She had never shown them that kind of closeness. So why did she give it so easily to this male? Was it because he was taller and stronger than them?
Inside the shop, Declan Carter, the owner, examined the herbs Lillian had brought. After checking their quality, he handed her the correct amount of medical supplies based on the current value of the herbs.
He and Lillian were already quite familiar with each other, so when he saw a new male standing beside her, he asked with curiosity, "So, is he your new fated mate?"
