His Lost Lycan Princess

White Lilies

Danisha

I could feel the colour draining from my face. I didn't know Liam was from such an influential family. The problem was that she would bail him out even if I didn't withdraw my complaint. She promised that she would. Money talks and they had plenty of it. She was here to coerce me into withdrawing my allegations for the sake of the media. She wanted me to lie and say that he didn't try to force himself on me, because it was making him and the entire family look bad.

The sound of her heels clicking echoed in the corridor as she took brisk steps towards the elevator. She had said that, despite being accustomed to a lavish lifestyle, she had gone to the inconvenience of visiting this 'dingy' apartment complex for the sake of her only son. Well, it wasn't bad for me. Perhaps it was for her.

I'm not going to lie, her threats scared me. She had the ability to simply destroy me. The Appletons were powerful, but I was a zero. I was simply another girl who struggled to make ends meet. I could vanish and people would most likely forget about me in a matter of weeks. Even those who loved me would be powerless to help and would eventually give up. Unlike the Appletons, I would be forgotten quickly. I didn't even have a family who would remember me. My pals were all I had, but I couldn't count on them for too long. They had their own issues as well. What right did I have to impose my troubles on them?

Maybe it was the reason she urged me to drop my complaint. Her son's reputation would be ruined, and the incident would be discussed for years. It would make the news, and it might even harm their businesses. It has the potential to cause them a great deal of harm.

Worried, I kept staring at her as she waited in front of the elevator. She cast a glance full of disgust at me before entering the lift and when she did, I breathed out a massive breath of air. My heart was erratic. I could feel it beating frantically in my chest.

I could withdraw the allegation, but then, would he leave me alone? Would the Appletons let me live in peace? And most importantly, would Liam stop pestering me?

"Hey."

I jerked, alarmed by Xander's deep voice, but soon released a sigh. My heart was still volatile as I couldn't stop thinking about what might happen to me. Despite my agita, I quickly masked it by a sweet smile. Pushing away Mrs. Appleton's thoughts, I decided to entertain him. He was my guest after all. I could worry about Liam and his mother's threats later.

"Hey, Xander," I said. "It's nice to see you. Please sit down."

I motioned at the couch, but instantly felt embarrassed by the lousy, worn out furniture in my apartment. He was a Royal. What would he be thinking?

"I'm sorry. I… my apartment isn't the best," I mumbled, hoping that he didn't notice my flushed cheeks.

"No. It's perfect. I like it," he said, surprising me a bit.

He did? I raised a brow. Well, for a Royal prince, Xander sure seemed to be modest. He strolled towards the couch and sat down. When he looked at me, I forced myself to look away. He must have thought I was a creep if he knew I was checking him out from behind. I mean… he did have a nice ass.

"Umm… what brings you here?" I said placing the flowers he brought for me in a vase.

"I wanted to see you," he said. "Hope you like the white lilies and the box of chocolates."

The corners of my lips tugged into a smile. He brought me white lilies! Those were my favourite. My gaze shifted towards the box of Ferrero Rocher which in turn widened my smile.

"I love them!"

I couldn't believe my voice sounded like a little squeak. Gawd, he must be thinking I was a complete dork.

Clearing my throat, "umm, I just returned from work. Let's order some takeaway? I really don't have anything to offer you right now," I told him.

Dang! Why did I have to be so lame? It isn't everyday that a hot guy walks into my apartment and when he does, I don't even have anything to offer to him. Not to mention that he showed up during an unannounced visit from someone I would rather never meet again. I most probably was giving him a bad impression about myself.

"Sorry… this is so lame…" my cheeks flushed.

"No… no. It isn't. We can order Chinese food. You like it, don't you?"

My forehead creased. Okay, this guy was mysterious. He brought me my favourite flowers, and chocolates and he also knew the kind of food I prefer? That wasn't normal.

"H…how did you know?" I asked him, giving him a meaningful stare.

His lips parted. "I… I noticed how you ate the dumplings yesterday. It was just a wild guess. So I am right, ain't I?"

I nodded, a little smile curling on my lips. Yeah, that could be the only explanation. How could he know anything about me?

"So, Chinese? My treat," he said.

"But…"

"Please? I came here uninvited. Besides, I would like to treat you," he insisted.

I let out a humour less laughter. "Okay. But I also would like to treat you one day," I said but started to regret it as soon as I did. How in the world would I be able to treat a grand Prince?

He most probably would be used to the grand life in the palace. I pursed my lips, studying his countenance as he called the Chinese restaurant to place our order. He didn't seem to mind having Chinese with me in my apartment. Perhaps he wouldn't mind something simple. Besides, what was the Crown Prince doing away from his palace anyway?

I waited for him to end the call. He flashed his signature lopsided grin and patted on the couch, gesturing for me to take a seat beside him. Though reluctant, I took a seat, maintaining a respectful distance between us.

"So, what is a Royal Prince doing so far away from his land?" I asked.

Though his countenance remained neutral, I noticed how his eyes briefly switched colours. "I am here on a little mission," he replied rather abruptly before promptly changing the topic. "I replied to your text last night."

His statement made me frown. "My text?"

Nodding his head, "yeah. You sent a text to me. You said that we had a great time… wasn't that you?" he said, his eyebrows knitting together in a frown as he spoke.

"Oh," I covered my mouth. I must have hit send. I didn't know how many times I typed and deleted that text, hesitant to send it to him. And when I woke up, my phone was dead so I left it at home after plugging in to be charged.

"I must have fallen asleep and this morning the battery was dead so I left it at home," I told him. "And I haven't really checked my phone yet. Mrs. Appleton followed me in and uh… she… I didn't expect her to pay me a visit today…"

"I don't like the way she spoke to you," he stated.

"Huh?"

"Her tone of voice. She sounded unpleasant," he remarked.

He heard her? Well, s**t…

I forced a smile. He wasn't human. So could it be that he had a better sense of hearing? It could be a possibility.

"You heard?" I timidly asked.

"Couldn't help it," he admitted. "Lycans and wolves have enhanced senses. I heard your conversation with Anika too. I am sorry, but the door was open."

I went rigid. He heard everything! Oh no…

"I… hope you can forgive me. But I really couldn't help it. You were being loud enough for us to hear."

I sighed. There was no need to put up a pretence anymore. He knew everything.

"It's okay I guess. I didn't realise…" I sighed, the corners of my mouth drooping as I looked at my feet.

My heart suddenly felt heavy. A lot was going on in my life. I was already hiding from a ruthless monster and to make things worse, Liam had to enter my life. I wished my life was simple. All I wanted to do was live in peace. I didn't want to deal with people. It was exhausting. All of it was draining me. I wished I had someone to rely on. I yearned for a shoulder to cry on and a friend to offer support. I wished I knew someone in my family. Perhaps then I would have a place to go.

"She wants me to withdraw my complaint,'' I blurted out, feeling the need to let it out.

"I can do that, but I am scared that he might still nag me. I don't want to have to face him again. I… I barely managed to call for help that day," my voice trembled as I hugged myself. I wrapped my icy cold fingers around myself, hoping that it would help me de-stress.

"I am scared that he might succeed the next time. He isn't the type of person who would give up. He… he might come to get revenge…" I hiccuped, yet I wanted to let it out of my chest.

"But if I don't withdraw, his mom will destroy my life. I… I don't have anyone besides my friends. I'm really scared. I don't know what to do."

I didn't know that tears were rolling down my cheeks until Xander wiped them away with his hands. I was trembling in fear. I couldn't care less that he had scooped over and offered his shoulder for me to cry on. Ever since I dealt with Cadmus, I found it hard to trust men. Yet, I found myself leaning against him and crying my heart out.

I was scared, worried and I needed comfort. He held me in his arms, allowing me to sob on his shoulder.

"Shhh. It's okay."

He continued to whisper into my ears. I wished I could believe him, but I knew it was far from reality. If only I could remember my past and find my family…

After crying for several minutes, I straightened myself and wiped my face.

"I wish I could believe you, Xander. But… I know it's not okay. Either way, I'll be trapped. My only wish is for Liam to stop pursuing me. I… I am not interested in him."

I heaved a shaky breath and let out a forced laughter. "Perhaps I should move to another city."

"Move with me."

His sudden statement took me by surprise. With my lips parted, I snapped my head at him, astounded. He seemed to have realised something, and he suddenly started to stammer.

"I… I mean… I can protect you," he quickly added. "I'll make sure that he will never be able to harm you."

That could work… but why would Xander do that for me? We were nothing but strangers. I offered a polite smile. Perhaps he was trying to be helpful because I was scared. I literally admitted that I was.

"That's sweet of you. But… I don't know…"

"You know, you don't have to do anything you don't want to. You don't have to accept my offer, or withdraw your complaint. Do what you want to do. Whatever your choice is, I'll be there for you," his words made my heart flutter. Was he being real?

But Cadmus too was the sweetest guy for two years until he finally showed me his real colours.

I reminded myself, yet at the same time, I nodded. He was right. I didn't have to do what I didn't want to.

"You're right. But I wish I knew how to fight. That way I will be able to protect myself. Having someone is good, but I think being able to defend myself would be better."

"I can teach you," he offered, surprising me again.

"Huh?"

"I can teach you how to defend yourself and believe me, I know you'll do great!"

He flashed a grin that made my heart skip a beat.

"Ok, but wait. I'll have to see if I can afford it."

"Bullshit, I don't want a fee," he muttered, waving his hands.

My eyes went wide and my mouth hung open."Wait… you'll do that for free?" It was too good to be true.

Raising an eyebrow, he snickered. "Well… if you would agree to go out on a date with me once a week, I'll take that as a p*****t good enough."

Amused by the deal he offered, I chuckled.

"That's the strangest kind of deal I've ever heard of," I said, a smile hanging at my lips.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I've told you before. I like you and I want to get to know you better. So any moment I get to spend with you is precious to me," he smiled at me. "So, agreed? I train you and you let me take you out."

He flashed a boyish grin as he held his hand out. As I gazed from his face to his hand, my lips stretched into a grin. This guy was just something else.

Take it.

A little voice in my head told me.

"Okay," I said, taking his hand. There was no harm in learning how to defend myself and a date couldn't hurt. It would be just a simple date, nothing else.

His grin stretched further as he gripped my hand firmly.

"Great! Since you are most busy during the weekends, we will train on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night and Tuesday night is date night," he started.

The bell rang and I knew that would be the food we ordered.

"Let me pay. You're training me and taking me out every week. This is the least I can do," I said standing up.

He raised his eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders. "Fine by me. But this means that you can't cancel the plan anymore."

Talking to him did alleviate some of the stress and the thought of being able to defend myself was exciting. I just wished he wouldn't use me like Cadmus did. Or eventually try to force me into being with him like Liam did.

We had our food in silence. I was feeling several times better nonetheless.

After some time, he cleared his throat, disrupting the stillness in the flat. "Anyway, let's forget the serious stuff. Let's do something fun."

Fun?

My eyes darted towards his well toned body. The kind of fun my body needed was a bit naughty. Perhaps a bit too mischievous for a respected Prince.

"Want to watch something?" I asked not knowing what else to say.

"Sounds good."

I turned the TV on. Once again neither of us spoke much until he broke the silence.

"You are rather calm even after realising that I am not a human. I thought humans would freak out."

I chuckled. "Well, I've lived with the dragons for…"

Shit.

I snapped my head at him, realising that I had told him something I shouldn't have. He cast a sidelong glance at me.

"The dragons?" he asked, cócking his brow.