The Lone Wolf's Lycan Princess

Real

River POV

I never thought hearing those words would have such a profound feeling, but then again, I never thought anyone would say them to me. The room we were in felt cramped. I could sense Erin's nervousness, her fidgeting fingers and the tension in her body.

In the background, there was a constant buzzing sound as Erin's old phone occasionally vibrated on the table. She resisted the urge to check the screen, her hesitation palpable. "Those are more messages from the one harassing you," I asked, my curiosity piqued. She nodded, her eyes avoiding mine. "I think some are also from my old job," she admitted.

I reached out and took her phone, ensuring that her location couldn't be traced. The messages on her phone continued to buzz, creating an underlying tension in the room. "Is it still okay for me to see your messages?" I asked, wanting to understand the situation better. She nodded again, her trust evident in her actions.

"Yes, I didn't look earlier because they seem to upset you," she explained softly.

"They upset me because they upset you," I explained, my voice laced with concern. "Someone is harassing you from far away, and I don't like that." I scrolled through the messages, my heart sinking with each word.

There were several urgent messages from her old job, pleading for her return. They seemed desperate, worried for her safety. It was clear that they knew the truth about her. And then, there were a slew of messages from her stalker. I couldn't help but growl in anger as I opened the final one. "The outfit you had on today really complemented your hair. Looks like the wolf is taking good care of you for me. Enjoy the train ride, for we will be meeting soon, my princess. And when we do, you will belong to me," it read.

Erin's voice trembled as she asked, "What is it?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my own emotions. "They know you're on the train. Meaning, whoever it is, has been following you," I said. I reached out and gently squeezed her trembling hand. "I'm not letting anything happen to you," I reassured her, hoping my touch would provide her some comfort.

"I told you, Erin," I said firmly, my voice carrying through the air, "I'm strong. I may not be part of a pack, but no one will get through me."

"I know you say that, River," Erin admitted, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and concern. "But I also don't want you getting hurt."

"I won't," I assured her.

"Erin," I spoke softly, my voice tinged with a hint of urgency, "you can change your answer, but I need to know now that you know more of the truth. Do you want to go back to your kind? Would you want to reclaim your name?"

Confusion filled Erin's voice as she asked, "How can I say my kind? I mean, you're right, I'm a lycan, but this is all so new to me. How would I fit in? And if they don't want me, why would I go to them?"

"To take what is rightfully yours, to bring back peace," I explained,

"What do you want?" Erin questioned, her voice filled with curiosity and vulnerability.

"It's not up to me," I replied, the weight of responsibility evident in my voice.

"But what is it you want, River? Tell me, do you want me to go to my kind?" Erin's voice was filled with anticipation.

"No, I don't," I admitted, my voice carrying a mixture of longing and honesty. "The truth is, Erin, I want to go far away with you and live just you and me. That's what I want. I meant it when I said I don't want to return to my kind, to be a part of a pack. But I also know keeping you away from everything is not fair to you. And if you are gifted the way you are, to help bring back peace or for some purpose, who am I to stop you?"

"I don't understand," Erin's voice trembled, a mix of confusion and fear evident in her words.

"Are you telling me to leave you and go to my kind, then?" she asked, her voice cracking with emotion.

"Never, Erin," I declared, my voice filled with determination and love. "I told you I can never let you go. I am not going to hold you back, if returning to our kind is what is needed, I will do it for you. But that being said, you need to know it will be hard. Our relationship, Erin, it's forbidden. A lycan is not to be bound to a werewolf."

"Why?" Erin's voice trembled.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts. "Your kind has always seen themselves as superior," I began, my voice steady "Although not all your parents, they thought of us as equals, just possessing different strengths."

As I spoke, I noticed her eyes darting around the room, searching for answers. "As a werewolf, I live longer than a human, but not by much," I continued, my thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. "Yet, you, Erin, you won't age like me. You age slowly, and you will look as you do now for hundreds of years, as long as you stay alive."

She looked at me, her eyes filled with worry. The weight of her uncertainty hung in the air, almost palpable.

"But then, you can't be with me forever," she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of longing and sadness.

I tightened my grip on her hand, trying to reassure her. "I don't believe that, Erin," I said, my voice filled with conviction. "The moon Goddess chose me to be your mate, and although there's not much proof, it is said that when a lycan marks a werewolf, the werewolf gains a longer life. But your mark, Erin, it's also said to be different than mine. Again, it's only what I've read, but if you mark me, we become linked in a way. If one dies, so does the other."

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching mine for answers. "I am wanted, I have already been in a situation where I could have lost my life," she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "And although you say I can become stronger, and so does my lycan, I am weak right now, River. I don't want you to lose your life because I am not strong enough."

I cupped her face with my free hand, feeling the softness of her skin against my palm. "Erin, I don't want to live without you," I confessed. "I don't mind linking my life to yours. And you will live a long, happy life. I will make sure of that. I am blessed to have now seen your smile. I have watched, in just a few days, the fear I felt through our bond, far before I found you, starting to go away. We are going to mend each other, and one day, we will stand under the moon, full of complete happiness and peace. That is my goal."

"How are you real?" Erin muttered.

Her words caused me to chuckle, the sound escaping from my lips like a gentle breeze through the leaves. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

"I mean, how are you real? You're like the perfect man, or better said, wolf," she said, her voice filled with wonder. The sight of her sparkling eyes and the way her lips formed the words painted a vivid picture of her amazement.

"I am far from perfect," I replied. "And I am sure over time, you will notice more of my flaws. But hopefully, they are never enough to scare you away from me." I spoke with a touch of vulnerability, my voice carrying the weight of my insecurities.

"I'm afraid of many things, but you, River, although I have panicked a few times with you, I can't say you have ever instilled fear in me," she admitted.

"You look tired," I observed, my voice gentle like a lullaby. The exhaustion etched on her face was as clear.

"I am a little. This is all taking a lot out of me," she confessed.

"I am sure it has. Get some rest," I encouraged her. "I am going to write for a little, but I will be right next to you, watching over you."

"I hope you are going to get rest as well," she said with a hint of worry.

"I will when we get to our new location. But for now, I am more comfortable staying awake," I reassured her. "Don't worry, I won't exhaust myself."

As I kissed her head, a tender gesture filled with love, I whispered, "Wanna say those magic words once more?" My voice danced with playfulness, like a soft melody floating in the air.

"I love you, River," she said, her words carrying a melody of their own.

"I love you too, Erin," I replied, my voice a gentle harmony.

"How much?" she whispered.

"Too much," I responded

"How much is too much?" she asked, a small smile gracing her lips.

"However much is enough, plus one," I replied, my words wrapping around her like a warm embrace. With a final kiss on her forehead, I let her rest, her breathing becoming a gentle rhythm in the room.

I walked over to my bag, the worn leather creaking under my touch, and settled down to work on my new book. Erin lay peacefully in slumber, her rhythmic breathing blending with the hum of the train, creating a lullaby of sound.

"We need to delve deeper into the people she associated with," Max's voice echoed in my mind. "Perhaps some of them were hunters."

"It's possible," I replied to Max. "With her extraordinary gift, she's bound to attract Lycans, werewolves, witches, and even vampires. But we must also consider the toll it takes on her. Those blessed with such powers often pay a personal price."

Max's frustration pulsed through our connection. "I've been trying to reach her Lycan, but there's some kind of barrier. Even though her Lycan has shifted, it's almost impossible for me to connect with her in human form. She needs to grow stronger."

"Once we settle, I'll begin her training. Being a Lycan, strength is already coursing through her veins. Despite her slender frame, she possesses an innate fitness."

Max's voice held a hint of uncertainty as he asked, "Do you think she'll return to her kind once she's strong?"

I paused, my fingers running through the strands of my hair, as if searching for an answer. "I don't know. I've expressed my desires, but given her identity, she may need to embrace her role as a Lycan princess. The Moon Goddess chose her for a reason, and it wasn't to remain in hiding. No matter what path she chooses, we'll stand by her side, facing any obstacles that come our way."

"Our mate is royalty, and we are not," Max admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

A surge of determination coursed through me, overpowering the fear. "We may not have royal blood, but we are the strongest wolf. We are the only ones who can protect her. We are her true match."

"No, don't," Erin mumbled in her sleep, her voice barely audible. Her body tossed and turned on the bed, her brow furrowed in distress. Suddenly, her voice grew louder, filled with desperation, "Please, don't hurt her. Take me instead, not her." As I hurriedly approached her, she let out a piercing yell, the sound echoing in the small room we occupied on the train.

Just as I reached her side, there was a knock on the door, interrupting the tense atmosphere. "Security," a voice announced from the other side. Reluctantly, I left Erin's side, knowing that ignoring the knock would only invite trouble. I made my way to the door, my footsteps echoing softly in the confined space. Meanwhile, Erin continued to stir on the small bed, her movements restless.

Opening the door, I was greeted by a security officer. "Good evening, sir. We received some complaints about crying," he informed me. His gaze landed on Erin. Suppressing my instinctual growl, I reminded myself that he was merely doing his job, just a human.

"I apologize, as you can see, my girlfriend is sleeping. She's just having a bad dream. I assure you, everything is okay in here," I explained, my voice calm but strained. The security officer surveyed the room once more before accepting my explanation.

"I see. Try to wake her and keep it down," he instructed, his tone slightly more understanding.

"I will. Thank you for checking on us," I replied, grateful for his understanding as he departed, leaving me to return to Erin's side.

As I returned to her, Erin continued to mutter in her sleep, her voice filled with anguish. "Don't leave me alone. Why me?" she sobbed, her words muffled against my chest as I gathered her sleeping form in my arms. I could feel her tears soaking through my shirt, a tangible reminder of her pain.

Max, ever perceptive, understood the depth of her suffering. "She's remembering, River. Her nightmares are her memories," he whispered in my mind, his voice laced with empathy.

Max urged me to face the difficult truth. Erin needed to confront her past, no matter how agonizing it was for us to witness. "We can't wake her, but we can hold her. We can speak to her," he advised, his words resonating with my own thoughts. Reluctantly, I agreed, knowing that it was the only way for Erin to heal.

"You are not alone, Erin. I am here with you," I murmured, my voice a gentle reassurance against her ear. I refused to let go, determined to support her through this harrowing journey. "I will help you get through this and ensure you get the justice you deserve for the torment you've endured. I promise you that," I vowed, my words filled with unwavering conviction.

"Let me in, Erin. Hear my voice and focus on me as you dream. Together, we will relive your memories through our bond," I whispered, the warmth of my breath brushing against her ear. She may not have known it yet, or believed it, but I was certain that Erin would find the strength to reclaim her life. Every fiber of my being told me that she would rise above the pain, unbreakable and resilient.