Her Human His Lycan

Princess

Emma POV

I ran through the forest, the emerald leaves rustling beneath my paws. The fresh breeze caressed my fur, carrying the invigorating scent of pine and wildflowers. The dappled sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting playful shadows on my white fur with golden stripes. As the fastest and strongest Lycan in the realm, I relished in the exhilaration of each stride, my muscles rippling with power.

The symphony of nature's sounds filled the air as I sprinted alongside my twin brother, Noah. The chorus of chirping birds and the gentle rustling of leaves accompanied our synchronized footsteps. Noah's fur, black with golden streaks, glistened in the sunlight, mirroring the contrast between us. There was no trace of jealousy between us; we were not just siblings, but best friends united by a shared bond.

After running for what felt like hours, my Lycan, Inara, whispered in my ear, her voice a soft murmur amidst the natural symphony. "It's time we talk to Noah now, your stalling, Emma." Her words resonated within me, urging me to confront the difficult conversation I had been avoiding. Finally, we reached a tranquil clearing bathed in golden light.

With a swift transformation, I shifted into my human form, the cool air embracing my skin. Thanks to a magical potion from a family friend, we could shift without the burden of loosing our clothing. Noah followed suit, his expression tinged with slight concern. "So, wanna tell me what's on your mind now?" he inquired.

Taking a deep breath, I mustered the courage to speak my truth. "I'm leaving," I blurted out, my voice trembling slightly.

Noah's confusion was evident in his furrowed brow. "Leaving?" he asked.

"I've enrolled in college classes in the human realm, at a community college," I explained, bracing myself for his reaction.

"But why? We have schools here," he questioned, unable to comprehend my decision.

"Noah, our whole life so far has revolved around our duties as the Lycan prince and princess. I'm not complaining, as this kingdom means everything to us. Mom and dad have never once forced anything on us. Dad, in fact, was the one who suggested I go. I need some time to discover myself, to create my own identity. I need a chance to explore and see what lies beyond our realm," I tried to explain, the words tumbling out.

Noah looked at me, concern etched on his face. "Do you not wish to run this kingdom one day?" he asked.

"You are next in line, Noah, and not once have I been upset over that decision," I replied, the weight of responsibility heavy in my voice. "Yes, I will always be this kingdom's princess and never will I turn my back on who I am or this kingdom. But at the same time, I believe I will only become stronger if I take time on my own to truly discover myself and explore what passions I may have outside of simply training to be strong and leading a kingdom. I won't be gone long; I plan to go for only one semester, as I have already completed my schooling. Just enough time for me to learn about the human realm as well," I said.

Noah's concern deepened, his eyes searching mine. "Dad is allowing this?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Yes, mom was a little worried, but dad believes it will be good for me," I assured him.

"It's dangerous, Emma. The human hunters are getting smarter. They are growing in numbers, inventing new weapons and ways to kill us. We are on the verge of a possible war with them, for they have now found ways to use those of our kind in the human realm to enter our realm," Noah said.

"Is this really what you want, Emma? If so, I will go with you," he offered, his voice filled with unwavering loyalty.

A bittersweet smile tugged at my lips. "You belong here, Noah. I know you have no interest in going, and as of late, you have been taking on more responsibilities leading the warriors. You are needed here. You know well that I can protect myself, and I may even be able to gather some intelligence while I'm away. I promise I will return, Noah. I can never stay away from you for long," I said.

He pulled me into a tight embrace, his arms enveloping me. I could feel the steady beat of his heart against my chest, a comforting rhythm. "I'll miss you, Emma. I'm assuming, knowing you, that you leave real soon and waited until the very last possible moment to tell me," he said, his voice muffled against my hair.

"I leave tomorrow," I confirmed, my voice barely a whisper against his chest.

"You stay in touch with me every day," Noah demanded."And if you ever find yourself in any trouble, I will come for you."

"I can't go a day without speaking to you, Noah," I said to my brother, the words escaping my lips in a soft, desperate whisper.

The werewolf realm, our home, was a breathtaking sight. Towering trees swayed gently in the wind, their leaves rustling with a soothing melody but some darkness now loomed.

The recent attacks by human hunters had left a lingering fear in the air. The hunters, armed with their new weapons, had become a formidable threat to our kind.

My parents, King Atlas and Queen Mia, were tirelessly working to protect our realm. Their dedication to our safety was palpable, their love and respect for us evident in every decision they made. They had always yearned for peace between our kind and the humans, hoping to bridge the gap between our worlds. My father, a Lycan who had once lived as a human, understood the delicate balance between the two realms.

In an effort to foster understanding, my father had suggested that I attend a human school. It was a chance for me to experience the world he cherished, to see the humans in a different light. With the hunters becoming more relentless, precautions were taken. Potions were concocted to mask any signs of my true nature, ensuring my safety among the unsuspecting humans.

My lycan, restless for the past year, yearned for something more. She longed to explore, to find our destined mate. My brother had already found his.

My brother, wise beyond his years, chose to wait. His mate was only seventeen and had yet to sense him. He wanted his mate to come of age, to sense him and willingly accept him. It was a waiting game, a delicate dance of fate.

For me, finding my mate held even greater importance. I was special Lycan, finding my mate was not just a matter of love, but of survival. Failure to complete the bond could have dire consequences for me.

I know it may sound crazy, but I was born with special powers. These powers can be overwhelming, but when I find my mate, they help me control them. My mother, was a royal white wolf and held the same powers, but she lost her wolf to save our realm from a destructive witch. However, the moon goddess gifted her with a long life and some remaining power, making her strong. After her transformation, her wolf was reincarnated and waited to become my lycan. My parents shared this story with me when I was young because they didn't want to keep it a secret. At first, I thought it was strange since my Lycan was my father's mate at one time, but my Lycan is a new being, detached from my father's Lycan. It's hard to explain to strangers, and they often give me awkward stares when we tell them.

"Shall we race back home? This will be my last chance to beat you for a while," my brother smirked.

"Human or Lycan form?" I asked.

"Human," he replied.

"Just because I'm leaving doesn't mean I'll let you win," I teased him.

"I know," he laughed, and then took off running.

"Cheater!" I yelled, chasing after him and eventually catching up. I jumped on his back and tackled him to the ground. Noah laughed and started tickling me. After a while, we both got up and ran again.

As the sun began to set, we approached the palace. We were both covered in dirt. When we walked in, my mother, who was near the entrance, took one look at us and turned her head. She wasn't disappointed; she was actually laughing, although she tried hard to hide it.

The palace was enveloped in silence, a stark contrast to its usual vibrant atmosphere. The absence of some of staff on vacation and the laughter of my parents' close friends, who were like extended family to us, left a void in the air.

Bryn, an immortal witch, and her lycan mate, Flint, resided here with their daughter Luna. Another lycan named Leo, along with his hybrid wolf-vampire mate, Raven, and their sons, also called this place home. However, tonight, they were all away on missions, leaving only my parents, my brother, and me behind.

As my mother looked at us, her voice cut through the stillness, "Dinner will be ready shortly, Emma. Did you have the talk with Noah?"

"She did. I'll allow it."Noah said. I couldn't help but laugh at his confident tone.

"Who says you get to decide if I go or not?" I teased.

My mother shook her head at our banter, and suggested, "How about you finish packing, Emma? I know you wanted to do it instead of the staff. Your father will be back shortly."

Looking at our disheveled appearances, she added with a laugh, "And you two should clean up as well. You both look like you went mud wrestling." With that, she walked away, leaving the sound of her laughter behind.

Noah retreated to his room, and I made my way to mine. The feeling of warm water cascading over me in the shower brought a sense of renewal. I hastily finished washing up and resumed packing.

Realizing the limited space in the small apartment I would be staying in, I packed only the essentials. I carefully placed my belongings into a suitcase, including a stuffed cat animal that sat on my bed. My brother had given it to me as a joke when we were ten, but it had become a cherished comfort item. Its soft fur brushed against my fingertips as I picked it up, a tactile reminder of home.

Amused, Noah leaned against my doorway, dressed in a fresh shirt and jeans. His damp hair added a disheveled charm to his appearance, much like mine. Our light blonde locks, almost resembling white, mirrored our mother's, as did our purple eyes.

"I need something to remember your silly ass with," I teased him playfully as I tossed the item in my bag and left my room with him. As we made our way to the dining area, the tantalizing aroma of food wafted through the air, causing my stomach to grumble in anticipation. The delectable meals we had here were something I would surely miss, having to fend for myself. But this experience was what I wanted.

Entering the dining area, the sound of my parents' laughter mingled with the clinking of wine glasses. "I heard you two had a good run," my father remarked,

"Are you all packed for tomorrow? I'll personally drive you," my father offered.

"Yes, but I don't mind getting one of the warriors to help, considering you're busy."I responded. However, my father insisted, claiming that no one but him would take me. I thanked him with a genuine smile. Despite being the King, my parents always emphasized the importance of family time.

“I will drive you to the train station in the human realm. We'll leave at 4am to ensure you reach your train on time," my father informed me. I expressed my gratitude for his assistance as I began filling my plate with food from the table. Once in the human realm, I would endure a six-hour train ride, the longest distance I've ever traveled from home.

"Remember, Emma, you must remain alert while in the human realm. You mustn't reveal your true identity. Your father and I trust that you can handle yourself, but if you sense danger, please return home," my mother cautioned.

Assuring her of my safety, I promised, "I will be very careful."

My brother lightened the mood with a joke about my mood swings, and we all enjoyed a delightful dinner together before retiring for the night. I knew Noah was secretly upset about my departure, but he supported me nonetheless.

I was eager to explore my identity outside the confines of the palace, surrounded by people who had no idea I was a princess. For a few months, I could blend in as an average person, free from the weight of expectations. Excitement coursed through me as I anticipated making new friends and embarking on this journey of self-discovery.