The Lone Wolf's Lycan Princess

Touch

River POV

I couldn't help but be captivated by her perfection. The softness of her body against mine was like a dream, a sensation I didn't want to let go of. With her in my arms, I felt complete, and the desire to protect her grew stronger.

Having been cast out from my pack, I fought tirelessly to survive on my own. I trained rigorously, determined to remain strong. The idea of having a mate wasn't always on my mind, but now that she's here, no one else can have her. I refuse to let her be taken away from me, to lose her like I've lost everything else.

We were chosen for each other, destined to be together. Whoever dared to harm her, destroy her family, and strip away her confidence, I will find them. They will pay for their actions. I will make things right for her, and together, we will build a life.

I doubted I would sleep, but that was fine with me. Her heat was satisfied, but my body remained restless. It was her first time, and part of me thought I should have stopped after the initial encounter. Yet, I couldn't control myself.

I could tell she was sore, and I didn't want to cause her any harm. I knew it was enough for now, and I would naturally calm down with time. However, my arousal still pulsed against her, aching for more.

"What happens when she learns you're not as gentle as you act?" Max's voice filled my head.

"We will always be gentle with her," I replied, my voice steady but tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

Max huffed, a skeptical sound that filled my mind with doubt.

"I'm part of you, I knew what was going through your mind the entire time," Max continued, his voice a low rumble.

"Just because I think something does not mean I'll act on it. If I were to be completely myself with her, she would run," I explained.

"Yes, but you made it clear you would find her," Max countered, his tone challenging.

I sighed. "I don't want her to feel trapped here," I confessed, my voice filled with genuine concern.

Max growled softly, his frustration palpable. "You just better not mess this up," he warned.

I didn't always agree with my wolf, nor did he with me. We were two separate entities, woven together by fate but still distinct in our desires and fears. I blamed some of my past experiences for the darkness that lingered within me, a shadow that threatened to taint the purity of our connection.

"Maybe you are changing. You let her touch you," Max's voice softened, a touch of understanding seeping through his previous anger. Memories flooded my mind, images of past encounters that had left their mark. I had engaged in s*x, as I had confessed to her. For the past four years, it had been a means to calm ruts. But those encounters had always been devoid of emotion, lacking the connection I now craved.

I didn't allow them to touch me without permission; I despised the sensation of others' hands on my body. So, I kept them restrained, asserting control. That's why I had the restraints in the first place. But with Erin, it was different. I craved her touch, even though Max, reminded me of my inclination to restrain her. I shut my eyes, trying to push his voice away. I couldn't subject her to that side of me. I needed to suppress it. And I knew I could, for she was the one I had been waiting for, the one I had been searching for.

After some time, I finally left the bed cautiously, so as not to wake her. I made my way to the bathroom and turned on the shower, allowing the cold water to cascade over my body, attempting to calm myself. I stood beneath the refreshing water for a good thirty minutes before finally stepping out. I wrapped a towel around myself and returned to my room. But as I glanced at the bed, Erin was no longer there. "She ran," Max's worried voice echoed in my mind.

Hurriedly, I left my room, the scent of her still lingering in the air. The door to her room was ajar, and as I peered inside, I saw her lying in bed. Unable to resist, I entered the room quietly. I noticed she was now dressed, already fast asleep again.

"Why did she leave? Max asked in my mind.

"She's still getting comfortable." I replied to him.

I settled into a chair, not wanting to invade her space but also reluctant to leave her alone. I still worried she might try to escape again. It was clear that her panic was partly responsible. With the constant texts from that person, I feared they might track her down and capture her if she runs. Since she couldn't shift yet, her ability to defend herself was limited.

My eyes then fell upon her small bag, with a journal sticking out from the side. I knew I shouldn't snoop, but I needed any clues to help her. Carefully, I retrieved it, opening it to reveal pages upon pages of notes. At the top of the first page, she had written, "Silver doesn't harm me." Could it be that she was immune to silver, which explained why she carried a silver blade?

As I continued to read, I came across a list of dates, each one marked with "cut made" followed by a new note, "cut healed." She was meticulously tracking her healing process. I thought back to the recent cut she had, and how it was no longer on her skin we had s*x. I had sensed the presence of silver, but there was no trace of it on her flawless skin now.

This discovery could be a clue as to why someone was after her. If they knew she was a shifter who possessed a rare ability. As she stirred in bed, I gently closed her journal.

______

The shrill sound of my doorbell piercing the silence jolted me awake. Disoriented, I struggled to remember when I had fallen asleep. As I hastily rose from the chair, my bleary eyes caught sight of Erin still peacefully slumbering. Relief washed over me, knowing she was still here. Clad only in a towel, I rushed to put shorts on and answer the persistent bell, unaware of who could be at the door.

Swinging the door open, I was met with the sight of the girl from Erin's workplace, the one who had been harassing her. Annoyance tinged my voice as I asked, "What are you doing here?"

With an air of authority, she replied, "I've come on Steve's orders. There seems to be a minor issue with your contract, and he would like to offer his sincerest apologies. You see, Erin is part of a special program in our city, where troubled individuals are given employment under strict monitoring, similar to criminals. As per the requirements, we notified her case worker of her new work assignment. However, we received late notice that Erin has mandatory appointments she cannot miss. Therefore, she is unable to be here with you. But don't worry, we have arranged for a car to take her back to the city, and I am fully prepared to take her place."

Sighing in disbelief at the timing of this revelation, I knew I couldn't let someone else take Erin back to the city. "Wait outside," I grumbled, closing the door and heading back to the room where Erin was now awake.

"I need to talk with you," I said to her, my voice filled with urgency, "and I need you to be honest. Your answers won't change anything between us." She nodded in understanding, her eyes filled with concern.

"Erin, do you have any appointments? Are you ordered to go anywhere?" I asked, my voice filled with a mix of worry and curiosity. She nodded her head, her hair swaying slightly with the movement. Then, she reached for her phone, her fingers tapping on the screen.

"I was told I could do virtual when I messaged them," she typed. I let out a sigh, my frustration building up inside me.

"Okay, but why are you ordered to go to them?" I inquired. She glanced at me briefly before returning her attention to her phone, typing her response.

"They say I'm a danger to myself and others. If I don't go, I'm ordered to be placed in a house for those who aren't mentally stable," she typed. Anger surged through me like a wildfire.

"They have no f*****g right to do that to you! They are messing with your freedom. Who the f**k would order something like that?" I snapped, unable to contain my anger any longer. Her body trembled slightly in response, fear evident in her eyes. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

"I'm sorry. I'm going to make this right. When is your next appointment?" I asked. She held up three fingers, indicating that it was at three.

"It would seem they want you in person now, or someone is messing with you. I'm going to drive you to the appointment and, with your permission, sit in on it. I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable; I just need to know what is going on. I'm worried someone is messing with you," I reassured her, my words filled with sincerity. She nodded, finding solace in my embrace as I pulled her close.

"I'm going to remind you daily, Erin, because I know you need to hear the words. But you are safe with me. I'm never letting anything happen to you, nor will I stand by and let anyone mess with you," I whispered, my voice filled with love and protectiveness. I gently instructed her to wait in her room as she sat on the bed.

I swung my door open again, the hinges creaking loudly, to find Samantha messing around on her phone. But her attention immediately shifted to me as her eyes locked onto mine. I could see the faint flicker of annoyance in her expression.

"Is Erin ready?" she asked, her voice tinged with impatience.

"She has no need for the ride," I replied. "I will take her, and if needed, I will personally do so whenever necessary. I have no issue with that, nor do I need you taking her place. Now, if that's all, please leave."

I watched as Samantha's eye twitched slightly, attempting to maintain a happy facade. "The changes have already been made for me to take her place," she said.

"I signed no new agreement," I retorted sharply. "I will contact Steve shortly. Now, please get off my property. You don't want me asking again."

"River," she started to speak, her voice filled with a hint of defiance.

"Leave now, or I cancel my contract," I interrupted, my tone firm. "If I'm not mistaken, I still have time to get out without penalty. I doubt that will reflect well on you."

Finally, Samantha turned and left. I slammed the door shut behind her. As I approached Erin's room, I could see her standing in the doorway, her body tense. She moved quickly, clearly worried that I would be angry that she had been eavesdropping.

I've never been good at controlling my anger, and the sight of that girl showing up set me off, especially since it was clear she wanted to mess with Erin. I should have taken a moment to cool off before entering Erin's room. But the moment my eyes met hers, I lost control.

I grabbed hold of her, pulling her against me. I could feel her trembling in my arms, but I couldn't stop myself. She was mine, and I refused to let anyone strip her away from me, just as everything else had been.