The Wolf Prince And His Treasured Pixie

Freedom

Ember POV

Was I dreaming or genuinely liberated? Everything felt surreal as I held tight to the wolf’s soft fur.

For ten long years, I tried to free myself, always feeling helpless in the end, yet Alex did so with little effort.

Who was he? Over the years, I've heard rumors about the powerful elemental hybrids, but seeing him effortlessly break the enchanted collar left me astounded.

In captivity, I made a promise to never trust another species, yet my heart urged me to stay close to him.

What is the reason for my soul being bound to him? As he pointed out, I'm tiny. Alex is a giant in my eyes. Most pixies stood a few feet tall in their true form when I was only a few inches.

The Dark Fae King valued me as a treasure because of my height and powers. In my alternate form, I was still smaller than the average human and couldn't stay in it for long.

The strange pull I felt towards Alex left me completely confused. My body yearned for his closeness. I imagined how his lips would feel and taste, how his hands would feel against my skin, but what I was imagining was not possible.

In the blink of an eye, several hours flew by while my mind continuously pondered everything that had happened.

Alex finally came to a halt. I flew off him and hovered above his wolf as he transformed back into a human and reached out his hand to me.

Part of me considered flying away and freeing him from an impossible bond, but I could not get myself to do that. I ended up flying to him and landing in his rough yet soothing hand.

Aaron, the one he called brother, moved some brush away from a hidden door and opened it, leading us into a hidden shelter.

“We will rest here for the rest of the day to avoid being spotted and then continue tomorrow.” Alex informed me as I flew out of his hand.

The hideout seemed to comprise multiple rooms and was well-prepared as a secret place.

Alex walked towards one room. “Follow me, Ember, we can talk in here,” he instructed.

After entering the room, he closed the door and turned on the light, instantly brightening the small bedroom.

Alex sat on the bed and held his hand out for me again. Sitting in his hand felt strange, yet comforting. He felt safe.

Looking at me, he talked. “Can you only communicate through touch, or are you able to speak?” he asked.

Opening my mouth to speak for the first time in a ten year, my voice quivered as I responded. “I can speak, but chances are you can’t hear me.”

I was ready to communicate the same response by touch, but he caught me off guard. “Your voice is so soothing; I can hear you, Ember. I’m a werewolf. My senses are heightened, allowing me to hear things most can’t,” he explained.

“You said you are a hybrid. Are you Fae as well?” I asked him.

“No, I’m part vampire,” he responded, shocking me, but I did my best to hide it.

“I know little about your kind, but can you shift into a larger form?” Alex asked me.

Flying out of his hand, I allowed my power to transform me. I was around five feet tall now, yet he was clearly a foot or more taller.

Alex approached me and reached for my hand, but I instinctively flinched away.

“I’m sorry, I won’t come so close if you’re not comfortable,” he calmly informed me.

Swallowing a lump in my throat, I looked up at him. “I can never thank you enough for freeing me. I will be forever grateful to you. You are the first person to show me kindness, and because of that, I can’t lead you on. Although our souls are intertwined, we must confront reality. I'm tiny. Although I'm currently in a larger form, I can only sustain it for an hour and it will take several hours to shift again. I’m well aware being bound draws us to be linked, but with how tiny I am and how tall you are compared to me, that may never be possible.” I admitted.

Alex chuckled lightly. “Ember, are you physically drawn to me? Do you want to remain with me?” he asked.

My cheeks blushed at his question, but I answered him truthfully. “I am, and I do, but it is not fair to you.” I answered.

“The only thing that would not be fair to me would be you denying something you want just as much as I do, Ember. I understand how tiny and delicate you are compared to me, but that will not lead me to reject this bond. I'm physically drawn to you, but even if we can't have a physical connection, I'm willing to accept and make this work. I’ll only touch you if that’s what you want, Ember. Please only deny this bond if that’s truly what you wish for,” Alex explained as I moved closer to him.

“I don’t want to leave you. For the first time, I want to make a choice of my own and stay.” I whispered.

“Then stay with me Ember.” Alex responded as he reached his hand for me again, and I took it.

Alex embraced me tightly, providing a sense of safety and warmth that I eagerly embraced.

With gentle caution, his hand brushed against my wings.

“You are beautiful, Ember.” he whispered before bending and placing his warm lips against mine.

Pushing my body tighter against his, I welcomed the kiss, allowing myself to let go of my worries, if only for a moment, and melt against him.

Once Alex broke the kiss, he looked at me with a soft smile. “There is a small bathroom attached to this room if you need to use the shower or anything. If you tell me what you like to eat, we may have it here or I can go out fast and find it for you,” he informed me.

“Shower?” I asked, confused.

“It is used to clean off like a bath, but you stand,” Alex explained.

“The Troll King only ever gave me a small bucket with cold water and soap with rags to clean off. I have never heard of a shower before and don’t remember ever using a bath.” I admitted to him.

Alex’s fist clenched at his side as I sensed him fighting off anger. “I can help you with the shower if you want to use it, but I don’t want to overstep and make you uncomfortable,” Alex responded.

“Can you help show me?” I asked.

“Yes,” he responded as he walked with me into the bathroom.

Alex pointed out the shower and turned on a nozzle, allowing warm water to flow down like rain.

Next, he showed me a few bottles, giving me an explanation of their contents, and then gave me some towels before departing.

Although I understood better, I felt nervous being alone right now. “Can you stay with me?” I asked.

“You want me to remain in the bathroom while you shower,” he confirmed.

“Yes,” I responded as I pulled my dress off.

Alex turned his back to me. “I’ll wait in here with you.” his voice cracked as he responded.

Why was he turning from me? Did I do something wrong? Alex seemed nervous all the sudden.

“Am I doing something wrong? You seem uncomfortable?” I questioned him.

A small laugh escaped Alex. “You are doing nothing wrong, little pixie mate; I’m just trying to give you privacy.”

Privacy that was something I’ve never really had. Was it not normal to undress in front of him? I wasn't familiar with what was normal for his species, or any species. Being taken as a child, I honestly knew little.

“Is it not normal to undress in front of you?” I whispered suddenly, feeling self-conscious.

Alex turned back around, making eye contact with me. “For my kind, we shift often, so being naked around each other is normal, but living amongst the Fae in this realm for five years, they consider being naked around another intimate.” He explained.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I have a lot to learn, I guess.” I responded.

“You have nothing to apologize for, Ember. I was just surprised, that is all. If you are comfortable being around me like this, I am comfortable as well.” He admitted.

“I’m fine with you being around me like this. I’m honestly a little nervous about being alone right now. Can you shower with me?” I asked.

“Yes, if that will make you more comfortable, I can. Just tell me at any point if you are feeling uncomfortable,” he responded as he pulled off his shirt, exposing his chiseled tattooed chest.

Once he removed the rest of his clothing, I couldn’t help but look him over. I had never seen a male naked before and felt my cheeks blushing again.

Guided by Alex, I found myself in the shower, the warm water instantly relaxing my body.

I was at ease in his presence. Alex granted me newfound freedom to choose what I wanted. Despite my nervousness, I was relieved he wanted me to stay with him.