River POV
"Keep your eyes on me, Erin," I commanded. As I looked into her eyes, I could sense the fear that gripped her, like a vice tightening around her heart. The pain she was experiencing washed over me in relentless waves, crashing against my own emotions. This journey would not be easy for her, as her ability to shift had been suppressed for years.
The first shift was always the most difficult, the most agonizing. But if Erin held back, if she hesitated, she could be in grave danger. "It hurts," she cried, tears streaming down her face, her voice filled with anguish.
"I know, Erin," I replied, my voice filled with empathy. "I truly wish I could spare you this pain, but I won't lie to you. Your first shift will be excruciating. But remember, you will survive, and I won't leave your side. We will face this together."
As she yelped in pain, her eyes flashed a vibrant golden hue. "Max, can you speak to her Lycan?" I asked, hoping he could offer some guidance or comfort. But his response was a growl, a clear indication that she needed to shift first.
With utmost care, I lifted Erin into my arms, her body trembling with anticipation and fear. "Where are we going?" she asked.
"Outside," I replied, my voice steady. "You will feel better with the moon shining on you." With purposeful strides, I carried her into my yard, the darkness engulfing us.
"Erin, when you shift, wait for me to run. You must stay by my side at all times, understand?" I instructed, ensuring she understood the importance of staying together during her first transformation.
"Okay," she cried out, her voice laced with both pain and determination. I gently placed her on the ground, my hand resting on the hem of her shirt. Confusion etched across her face as she called out my name, "River."
"I'm undressing you, Erin," I explained calmly, trying to ease her confusion. "Your clothing won't shift with you, and it will be easier to shift without any restrictions." She trembled, her body shivering against the cool night air. But I pulled her close, holding her tightly for a moment. "Don't worry, Erin. I'll keep you warm until you're ready," I promised, my voice filled with reassurance.
Slowly, I moved my hands against her flawless body, providing comfort through touch. I knew that as her shift took hold, she would need space. But for now, my touch helped soothe some of the pain she was experiencing. She cried out, her pain echoing in the night, and I held onto her, determined to support her through this challenging ordeal.
"Don't fight it, Erin," I urged, my voice filled with concern. "If you resist the shift, the pain will only intensify." As she spoke, her voice halted abruptly, replaced by a piercing scream that echoed through the air. I could hear the sickening sound of a bone snapping, signaling that the transformation had begun.
"Accept the shift, Erin," I pleaded, desperation evident in my words. "Look at me, embrace the shift, please. It will be less painful if you surrender to it." She collapsed to the ground, and though I longed to rush to her side, I knew I couldn't. Right now, she needed to undergo the transformation.
"My body feels like it's shattering," she cried out, her voice filled with anguish. Another sharp snap followed by several more, causing her to let out another agonized scream.
"Erin, take deep breaths, please," I implored, my voice filled with empathy. "You must stop fighting. I know it's difficult, but I promise, once you surrender, it will pass quickly."
She listened, taking a deep breath, and I watched as her body convulsed. She did her best to stifle her screams, but I could see the pain etched on her face. In my mind, Max howled, sharing in our torment, but then, finally, she ceased moving. I knew the transformation was nearing completion. And when it finally happened, my goddess, she was breathtaking.
"Shift, Max," I commanded, disregarding my own clothing as it disintegrated into tattered shreds. I assumed my wolf form, allowing Max to take control. Our snout gently nudged against her transformed body, and she responded, her lycan communicating with my wolf. Together, we took off into the night, with her by our side, allowing Max to lead while we guided and protected her.
I knew her transformation would make her kind aware of her presence, so we remained close to my property. I would ensure that no one would harm her.
Max's howl reverberated through the night, vibrating with pure joy and liberation. As he let out his howl, our powerful chest expanded, our muscles flexing with the intensity our emotions.
My mate ran gracefully, her sleek fur glistening under the moonlit sky. The transformation had brought out her true beauty, her every movement exuding strength and grace. With every stride, her muscles rippled beneath her fur, a testament to her newfound power.
The wind rushed past, caressing our fur and carrying our combined howls into the night. The sound of our synchronized voices echoed through the dense forest, blending with the chorus of crickets and creating a symphony of wild freedom.
Our run continued, our paws effortlessly gliding over the ground, leaving behind a blur of motion. Max, always protective, ensured we stayed within the boundaries of our territory. But even as we circled the periphery, our spirits soared, feeling the exhilaration of my mates newfound freedom.
Time seemed to lose all meaning as we explored. The moon watched over us, casting a silvery glow upon the landscape, illuminating the path before us. The surrounding trees stood tall and majestic, their branches reaching out like welcoming arms.
After an hour of running, Max finally alerted me that our mate needed to shift back. It was a normal occurrence, as she would only be able to sustain her transformed state for a short while before needing rest at first.
As she reverted to her human form in my backyard, the moonlight cascaded perfectly upon her body. I shifted as well and approached her. "You did amazing, Erin. How did it feel?" I asked, observing tears once again streaming from her eyes.
"I feel wonderful," she replied, her eyes sparkling brightly. Standing on her tiptoes, she leaned in, her lips gently brushing against mine. The scent of her arousal filled the air, a natural desire after running with our mates. I didn't want to deny Erin this intimate connection, especially after her first shift.
I gently moved my hand against her, teasingly brushing my fingers against her entrance before sliding them in. A beautiful moan escaped her lips as I pleasured her with my fingers, knowing that this time, I would get to hear her voice as we made love.
Excitement coursed through me. Finally, I guided her to the ground, unable to contain my impatience. I needed to feel her completely. Positioning myself above her, I thrust into her, pinning her hands above her head. She cried out, not in pain but in pleasure, her voice a sweet melody to my ears.
My feral wolf instincts took over, driving me to go harder, knowing there was no danger and that I could fully embrace my primal side with her. "Do you trust me, Erin?" I whispered against her skin, wanting to ensure her consent.
"Yes," she moaned in response.
"I'm going to do one last thing to make you mine," I declared, moving within her as her fluids washed over me, her body trembling from the force of her orgasm. I shifted us so she was in my lap, wanting her to be as comfortable as possible. As I felt my climax building, I relinquished any restraint, allowing my wolf side to take hold. "River," she gasped, lost in the pleasure of our connection.
"Y-your bigger," she yelped, her voice trembling. She released a soft moan, her breath hitching in pleasure. "River, mmm," she tried to speak, but her body was already adjusting, tightening and releasing against me. f**k, she felt incredible.
"Are you okay?" I whispered, knowing that what I was doing to her might be overwhelming.
"Yes, good," she yelped, her voice filled with desire.
"Good, because I'm not coming down anytime soon," I whispered against her, guiding her against me in small movements, keeping her stimulated.
"Y-you knotted," she breathed out, her realization evident. She clearly read the whole book I gave her.
"I did," I responded, holding her tightly as I remained deeply buried within her.
"It feels so, mmm, good," she gasped, her pleasure palpable.
"I won't be holding back anymore, Erin. You're too hard to resist," I growled, my voice a mixture of desire and possessiveness. The moonlight bathed our entwined bodies, adding an ethereal glow to our passionate encounter.
I had worried at first that knotting may cause her fear, but I was wrong. She accepted it and liked it. It had become clear to me that although Erin still feared much, one thing she did not fear was our connection. She embraced it, and in moments like these, she let loose. She let go of her fears and became her true self. The sounds she made as I continued to stimulate her body, ensuring she felt good, made me go crazy for her. It was evident that she was just as addicted as I was to this feeling, and that was good. Because she was like a drug to me, one I never wanted to come down from.
When I finally came down, her head stayed against me as I picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. "I should help you finish packing," she said as I placed her down and pulled the covers over her.
"Sleep, Erin. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow," I said to her as I made a move to get dressed and finish. Yet, her delicate hand grabbed hold of me.
"River," she said as I stopped. She hesitated for a moment and then said thank you. I think she wanted to say more, and I am pretty certain of the words that wanted to spill from her beautiful lips. But she was not ready yet, and I understood that. Nor would I rush her, for I could already feel it through our bond. Her heart, right now in this moment, was telling her that it loved me.
I began my last-minute preparations. Max's presence within me brought a serene calmness, a contentment that he had finally connected with his long-awaited mate. But with her newfound freedom, the storm of troubles was bound to follow.
I had vowed to never involve myself in the hidden world among humans, the world I came from. Yet, with Erin, it seemed I had no choice. I had to accept my true identity, for deep within me, a knowing whispered that my mate would never be truly safe until she claimed what was rightfully hers.
Erin, a lycan princess, destined to be a queen. But she possessed a power I had yet to fully comprehend. Today, as I witnessed her graceful shift, an unfamiliar energy pulsed through the air, prickling my skin. It was unlike anything I had ever encountered before. There was an undeniable uniqueness about her, something that her kind may either fear or desire to exploit. But I was determined to aid her in unraveling the depths of her abilities, to ensure her safety above all else.