The Lone Wolf's Lycan Princess

Run

River POV

"We can't leave her," Max growled in my head. I leaned against the railing just outside her room, feeling the rough wood against my back.

My thoughts were consumed by her, and I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to kiss her. The temptation was almost overpowering, fueled by my primal instincts as a wolf. The desire to claim her, to leave my mark on her, burned within me, matching Max's own fervor. But now was not the time.

"She would have welcomed it," Max reassured me through our bond. "She didn't push us away. She feels the connection between us, River."

I acknowledge the truth in Max's words. She felt it too, even if she didn't understand it. But revealing our true nature to her at this moment would be unwise.

Sitting down finally, I poured myself another glass of wine, the rich aroma filling the room. The crimson liquid swirled in the glass as I contemplated our complex situation. The wine quickly disappeared, and I reached for the bottle to refill my glass.

Suddenly, her door creaked open, breaking the silence. I turned towards the sound, surprised to see her standing there, holding what appeared to be the contract in her hands. Slowly, she walked towards me, placing the documents on the table nearby. Another sheet of paper caught my attention, and I picked it up, studying her words.

"Thank you once again for your help. In such a short time, you have shown me kindness that no one else has. I deeply apologize for causing you extra work tonight with my actions. Moving forward, I promise not to be a burden. I am truly grateful for this opportunity. I might be overstepping by saying this, but I want to let you know that I struggle with being around others and often experience panic attacks. However, being in your presence has somehow brought me a sense of calmness in just one day. Perhaps it's because you are genuinely kind. Thank you.” The note read.

She moved towards a window, gazing out into the night. The moonlight cast a soft glow on her delicate features, highlighting the gentle curve of her cheek. I approached her, drawn to her vulnerability.

"You are not a burden," I assured her, my voice filled with sincerity. "I was only concerned for your well-being. Your actions tonight worried me."

Her gaze remained fixed on the stars above, her eyes shimmering with a sense of wonder. I couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty.

"Do you enjoy stargazing?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper. She nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Then allow me to show you something you might enjoy," I said, leading her to my backyard. A telescope stood tall, its sleek metal frame glinting under the moonlight. As she brushed her hand against it, I could tell how excited she was.

"Have you ever used one?" I asked, my voice filled with anticipation. She shook her head, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"It's easy," I reassured her, my voice gentle. "Let me show you.”

I guided her so she was looking into it, gently placing my hands on top of hers, guiding her movements with precision. She remained calm throughout, mirroring my actions. Standing behind her, our bodies pressed together, I continued to assist her intermittently.

The sensation of our connected bodies coursed through me, awakening every nerve in a delightful manner. When she finished, she began to move away, reluctantly, I let her go.

Looking up at me, she mouthed a grateful "thank you" followed by "goodnight."

Rest eluded me once I went to my room. Max was restless and insistent, urging me to go to her.

After some time, I was finally able to close my eyes and feel the weight of exhaustion.

_______

The morning sun filtered into the room, casting a gentle glow. The enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and breakfast permeated my room.

I dragged myself out of bed, feeling the cool sheets slip away from my body. In a hurry, I hastily dressed.

Stepping into the kitchen, I noticed a note placed neatly on the table. Erin had prepared everything, even taking the time to put away the dishes from the dishwasher. A sense of gratitude washed over me as I read her note.

She had thoughtfully updated the grocery list and offered to fulfill any requests I might have. She even volunteered to clean up after breakfast and make my lunch. It was clear that she had taken care of everything, yet she had already left back to her room. I had hoped that after last night, she would feel more at ease around me, but it seemed that building trust would take time.

Not wanting to pressure her, I decided to bring the food she had prepared to my study. I could get some work done while enjoying the meal. As I settled in, I began to understand why she was referred to as "mouse," although I didn't necessarily agree with the nickname. She was quiet, and as the hours passed, the only evidence of her presence was the completion of the small tasks I had asked of her.

I tried to come up with additional work for her to do, so she wouldn't question her purpose here. In the late afternoon, my phone buzzed with a message from Erin. She asked if it was alright for her to go for a run, assuring me that she would stay within the boundaries of the property. Max insisted that I go with her for safety reasons, and I agreed.

In my response, I mentioned that I could use a break and some fresh air. I reassured her that I didn't mind accompanying her on the run. She seemed hesitant, not wanting to take away my break, but I assured her that I enjoyed runs and walks. Finally, she agreed, and I closed my computer, ready to join her.

As I stood up and glanced out the window, I noticed Erin standing outside. She was dressed in shorts and a tank top, her figure accentuated by the sunlight. I couldn't help but be drawn to her, but as she caught me watching, I quickly averted my gaze. Max chimed in, jokingly commenting that she probably thought we were a creep. I couldn't help but agree, partly blaming Max for his mischievous thoughts.

I hurriedly changed my clothes and met Erin outside. Looking up, I noticed a few gray clouds in the sky, although the forecast hadn't mentioned any storms. It appeared that we would be safe for our run. Wanting to lead the way, I suggested that Erin follow me. She nodded in agreement, and we set off on the trail together.

I looked back every so often, scanning the trail behind us. I didn't want to make Erin uncomfortable, but I needed to ensure she could handle my pace. Surprisingly, she seemed fine. We continued running, the sound of our footsteps echoing through the forest.

Suddenly, thunder rumbled in the sky, startling us. A few raindrops began to fall, quickly turning into a downpour. "So much for an accurate weather forecast," I muttered, my words barely audible over the sound of rain hitting the leaves. Concerned for Erin's well-being, I suggested we head back.

Just as she nodded in agreement, the rain intensified, drenching us within seconds. The sky grew darker as the storm unleashed its fury. These sudden storms had become unsettlingly frequent lately. Without hesitation, I grabbed Erin's hand. "Hurry, follow me!" I shouted, guiding her towards a small cave I knew of.

It took us about five minutes, our clothes sticking to our bodies from the rain. As we entered the cave, I hastily removed my shirt and tossed it aside, trying to make out our surroundings in the dim light. Erin hugged herself, visibly shivering from the cold. A loud bang of thunder made her jump.

Approaching her cautiously, I noticed her taking a step back. I slowed my pace, trying to reassure her. "You're cold," I whispered.

She shook her head, refusing to admit any discomfort. "I don't want you to get sick. These storms have been unpredictable lately, catching us off guard. We don't know when the rain will let up."

Thunder crashed again, the booming sound reverberating through the cave. Startled, she pressed herself against the cold, damp wall. "You need to hold her, it's the only way to calm her," Max insisted, pushing forward.

Unable to restrain myself any longer, I closed the distance between us and pulled her away from the wall, wrapping my arms around her shivering form. The chill in her body was palpable, and I feared she would freeze. To my surprise, as another deafening roar of thunder echoed above, she reciprocated, wrapping her arms around me and burying her face against my chest.

We stood like that for what felt like an eternity, seeking solace in each other's embrace. Eventually, I softly spoke, "I'm going to release you momentarily so we can sit, and then I want you back in my arms, to keep each other warm." With a gentle release, she dropped her arms, and we settled against the cave wall.

Motioning for her to sit against me, she hesitated, but the booming thunder urged her to comply. She settled in my lap, allowing me to envelop her in my protective embrace. I couldn't help but notice that she would be warmer if she removed her wet tank top, but I knew she would never be comfortable with that suggestion. Nonetheless, I was grateful that she allowed me to provide some warmth.

As time passed, the rain gradually subsided, and the once vibrant day transformed into a pitch-black night. Erin shifted in my lap, turning to face me. She mouthed a silent "thank you," and I couldn't resist brushing away a few stray curls that obscured her beautiful eyes. She didn't pull away; instead, she locked her gaze with mine, momentarily lost in the connection.

Bending forward she started inhaling my scent, her actions betraying her curiosity. After a brief moment, she pulled back, shaking her head in embarrassment. She didn't understand why she did that, but it was evident that she was becoming aware of my scent, the one that would forever draw her to me. Her wolf was awakening, perhaps still weak or unprepared to reveal itself fully.

In that moment, I could feel her presence, and so could Max. The cave was filled with an electric tension as she glanced at me once again. My control slipped away as I gently wrapped my hand around her back, drawing us closer together. Our lips met in a passionate collision, soft and tender. I delicately nipped at her lip with my teeth, savoring the taste of my mate's breath and the silkiness of her lips against mine. But then, I regained control. This wasn't right. I had to be careful with her, to not break her further. As I pulled away, she surprised me by pulling her arms around my neck, silently giving me permission to continue.

I had to remind myself, and Max, that this was the limit. I couldn't let this go beyond a kiss for now. We had to think beyond our instincts, ensuring that every move we made was what she wanted and understood. I couldn't claim her until she fully comprehended what she was and who she was to me.