Crowned And Cursed.

What Have I Done ?

Nathan’s POV

I paced around my office, concern eating me up. It had been 2 days since I found her, and yet, I still didn't know her name and she wasn’t healing as quickly as normal wolves. Something was wrong, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something crucial.

“ Hunter, what do you think the problem may be?“ I asked, reaching out to my wolf. “Why does she keep wanting to run away, she is soooo secretive and isn’t healing like she’s supposed to? Maybe I should tell her I'm her mate.”

It really bugged me , she attempted to run away at least three times a day and I couldn't understand. Didn't she feels the mate bond? Mates are destined to be together, do or die , the missing piece that makes each individual whole. Even mere omegas have mates that never want to leave them.

“You’re going to mess this up if you keep worrying like that,”Hunter responded, his voice laced with frustration. “You’re going to scare our mate if you don’t calm down. I'm sure there's some kind of explanation.”

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “ Her wolf, can you feel her wolf?” I asked, hoping for some reassurance.

Hunter went quiet for a moment, which sent a chill down my spine. His hesitation was answer enough. “No,” he finally admitted. “ I can’t feel her wolf.”

“ Damn it,”I muttered under my breath, trying to keep my worry from spiraling out of control. Maybe it's because of my disability, yes that's why she can't feel it I guess.

“ Go check on her, ” Hunter urged, but there was an undercurrent of something else in his tone—nasty mischief.

“ I’m not going to bother her right now,” I replied, shaking my head. “She needs rest.”

“She’s our mate dumb a*s,”Hunter insisted, his tone playful. “Don’t you want to see her?”

I sighed. “ it’s not about what I want.”

“ Then do it for her,” Hunter suggested, not backing down. “ You need her , she needs you and maybe a little bit of Vitamin D to help her... you know... recover.”

And yet he called me the dumb a*s

I hesitated, knowing Hunter wouldn’t let this go. “Fine,” I finally conceded. “ But I’m just checking to make sure she’s okay.”

Hunter flipped and chuckled in the back of my mind as I made my way to her room. I opened the door as quietly as possible, and what I found nearly broke me.

She was crying in her sleep, her face twisted in anguish.

“Nightmares,” Hunter murmured, his concern matching mine.

I walked over to her bed, trying to hush her, but it seemed like my presence only made things worse. Her cries grew louder, more desperate.

“Do something,” Hunter urged, his voice edged with desperation.

“ Like what?” I asked, feeling utterly helpless.

“ Umm , sleep with her!”

“ What ? Are you crazy, how can you think of that at such a moment?”

“ I said sleep with her , not f*ck her.It’s the only way to calm her down.”

Hunter suggested, the words coming out in a rush.

“You’re insane,” I shot back, though part of me was already considering it. “She’s your mate,” Hunter reminded me. “You’re not doing anything wrong.”

I hesitated for a moment longer, then relented. Carefully, I slipped into the bed beside her, wrapping her in my arms. The moment our bodies touched, her cries stopped, her breathing evening out.

The sensation was immediate, a jolt of electricity that raced through me, making every nerve in my body come alive.

I looked down at her, my eyes tracing the curve of her neck where my mark was supposed to be. The need to claim her, to make her mine in every sense of the word, was overwhelming.

She smelled divine, like a mix of wildflowers and rain. I couldn’t help but fantasize about what it would be like to take her, to bury myself deep inside her and make her forget all her worries. But I held back, knowing she wasn’t ready for vitamin D—yet.

“ I wish I could hold her,” Hunter said, his voice filled with longing.

“ You’re not making this any easier,” I replied, trying to keep my thoughts in check.

Slowly, sleep began to claim me. The warmth of her body against mine, the steady rhythm of her breathing, it was all too comforting. Before I knew it, I was drifting off.

*****************************************************

I woke up late at night, the moonlight casting a soft glow across the room. She was still in my arms, looking so peaceful it almost hurt to leave. But I had to—before she woke up and found me here.

I carefully slid out of bed, making sure not to wake her. As I was about to slip out of the room, I ran into Lucy, my hotel manager. She was smiling from ear to ear, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"Who’s the girl?" she asked, her tone teasing.

"Just an acquaintance," I lied, hoping she’d drop it.

Lucy laughed, shaking her head. "I’ve known you since you were a child, Nathan. You’ve never behaved this way towards any other girl. The only thing that could make you act like this is if you found your mate."

I froze, caught off guard by her perceptiveness.

She was right though. Lucy was like a second mother to me and I really appreciated her service.

I quickly recovered, narrowing my eyes at her. "Get back to work, ma'am."

"Yes of course," she replied, still grinning as she walked away.

The next day, I decided to go shopping, needing a distraction. I picked out clothes for her, something that would suit her , than what I got her the last time.

As I passed by the swimwear section, a bikini caught my eye. I knew it was a long shot—she’d probably never agree to the idea , let alone wear something like that. But I bought it anyway.

“ You’re going to scare her away with that,” Hunter teased, laughing in the back of my mind.

“Maybe,” I admitted, but I couldn’t resist. I wanted to see her in it, even if it was just a fantasy.

When I got home, I handed the bags to Lucy, who couldn’t resist teasing me again. "Gifts for your mate?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Just take them to her," I replied, ignoring her smirk.

When we went to the lake later that day, I pushed her into the water, half-expecting her to laugh it off. But neither her nor Hunter were amused.

“ That was a stupid move,” he growled.

“ I know,” I muttered, watching her struggle in the water. I should’ve guessed she couldn’t swim.

After I pulled her out, yelled at me. That was the first time I had ever seen her angry. I don't know why but she looked really hot, with her hair all soaked and messy, her attitude feisty and the soaked clothing clinging to her, showing off her curves and edges.

I apologized, there was a bit of tension until she saw my tattoo. She traced it with the tip of her fingers, god her touch drove me crazy, I could literally hear hunter purrr.

Who knew my tattoo story would let her tell me her name. “Bella,” I felt like saying it repeatedly, but my wolf was already ahead of me.

The mood lightened up and I taught her how to swim.

She was so majestic like a pro, we met in between and we locked eyes. I was hypnotized by her beautiful gray eyes.

“Kiss her ,” hunter urged me. “Come onnnn do it, do it, do it , do it... don't be a pu**Sy.” I was stupid enough to listen to him and lean in to kiss her.

“ No please don't,”

F*ck, I messed up big time.

“Way to go Nathan, you scared her and she is literally swimming away.”

“ What?! You were the one who told me to kiss her.”

“ And you listened to me .”

Moon goddess why , why would you kill me slowly with a wolf named Hunter. I swam to shore apologizing for my forward-ish act.

I noticed she was shivering, her body trembling from the cold. I cursed myself for not thinking this through. She hadn’t brought any extra clothes, and now she was freezing.

“Fix it,” Hunter snapped, his irritation clear, unbelievable.

I handed her the clothes I had brought, feeling the awkwardness settle between us. "I’m sorry," I said, for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

She just nodded, her expression a mix of confusion and something else—something I couldn’t quite place.

As we started the drive back, she seemed puzzled by the route I was taking.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

"My house," I replied, keeping my eyes on the road.

She didn’t say anything after that, but I could feel her tension. I knew she didn’t trust me—not yet. But that would change. I’d make sure of it.