The Lone Wolf's Lycan Princess

Train

Erin POV

I woke up to the gentle touch of River's hand on my shoulder, his fingers grazing my skin as he whispered for me to wake. Slowly, I turned to see the soft morning light streaming through the curtains, indicating it was a little past 8am. It felt as if I had gotten more sleep here with him than I had in years.

A yawn escaped from my lips, filling my mind with a sleepy sound. "Morning Erin," a soft voice echoed in my thoughts, and I knew it was my Lycan. Curiosity sparked within me as I asked, "What's your name?"

In response, she laughed within my mind. "Star," she said.

In the depths of my imagination, a majestic creature materialized before me. It resembled a wolf, but its stature was greater, standing taller and stretching longer. Its fur shimmered like liquid silver, captivating my gaze. "Is that really us?" I questioned, my voice tinged with awe.

Star, confirmed, "Yes, it is." A sense of awe washed over me as I marveled at our sheer size. I felt a surge of excitement, and a smile spread across my face. Star's laughter resonated in my mind, a melodic sound that added to the enchantment of the moment. "We are truly magnificent," she replied, her words echoing within me.

"Star," I repeated aloud, catching River's attention. He looked at me, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"Your Lycan's name?" he inquired, and I nodded in confirmation. "It's beautiful. Max really enjoyed running with her," he remarked, a hint of fondness in his voice.

I sat up in the soft, warm bed, rubbing my tired eyes as I took a moment to fully awaken. Several bags were neatly packed by the door, ready for our trip.

"Everything you ordered has been delivered and I already packed them," he said, his voice comforting and reassuring. "I set out clothing for you in my bathroom, and then breakfast is on the kitchen table for you as well. Oh, and there's one small thing I need you to review and sign."

I nodded. "Okay, thank you for doing all of this," I said gratefully.

"No worries, I got us a private room on the train as well, since it may be packed. Hopefully, that makes you a little more comfortable," he said.

"You really didn't have to go through so much trouble," I replied, touched by his thoughtfulness.

"Yes, I did. I want to make sure you're comfortable, as I know all of this can be very stressful since it's all still so new to you," he explained before leaving with some of the bags.

I got out of the cozy bed and began getting ready for the day. River, was very organized, the clothing for me was neatly folded in the bathroom. As I looked through them, I noticed a new bra and matching panties. I hadn't ordered them, so he must have taken the initiative. My face flushed.

After a quick, refreshing shower and brushing my teeth, I dressed in the clothes he had chosen for me. Then, I made my way to the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and a muffin waiting for me on the kitchen table. A note from River informed me that he had made me some juice, which I found in the fridge.

I savored every bite and sip, as his cooking and baking always seemed to agree with me. Fully satisfied, I turned my attention to the document he had placed on the table. It was a resignation letter.

River entered the kitchen. I hesitated, uncertain of what to do next.

"I can still break my contract with just a small penalty," he said. "I don't want you involved with that company. They haven't treated you well, and that one girl at the office seems suspicious to me."

Worry filled my mind as I replied, "But I can't let your work suffer because of me."

"It won't," he reassured me, his gaze unwavering. "I signed that contract only to bring you here, to make you comfortable with me. I have enough saved up to take care of us. I will continue self-publishing, and maybe in the future, we can explore other job opportunities for you. But for now, your priority is to get healthy and stronger. You're my mate, and it's my duty to take care of you. And I want to take care of you, not just out of duty, but because I genuinely care."

"ok," I whispered and signed the resignation letter. His hand covered mine, his touch comforting

"I know it's difficult for you to rely on others," he said softly. "But I promise, I'll make sure you have things to do, so you're involved in everything.

“Thank you," I replied, feeling a little better.

"The ride I called for will be here shortly," he said, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation. As he glanced at my empty juice glass, his eyes lingered on the glistening droplets that clung to the sides. "Good, you drank it all," he remarked. "I put a small potion in there; it masks your scent. I am hopeful it works for you like it does for me. I can't risk having shifters sense you during our journey."

"Don't worry, it is safe for you," he reassured me, his voice laced with sincerity. "I will never give you anything that causes harm."

"I don't understand why they would even come after someone like me," I whispered.

"It is because of who and what you are," he explained. "You frighten them, and your family used to stand for peace between lycan and werewolf. A peace those currently in control don't want. If you take the throne, the one that is rightfully yours, you could bring back that peace."

"I couldn't even if I wanted to. I'm just one," I said, my voice trembling with doubt.

"I think you hold some sort of special power, Erin," he said softly. "I just don't know what that is. Some are blessed by the moon goddess with abilities unlike others. And I do think you are one. And not just that, you are not just one. You have me. I'll stand by you." The warmth of his presence enveloped me, offering solace amidst the chaos.

I nodded, unable to find the words to express my gratitude. He respected my silence, understanding the depth of my internal struggle. And then, the sound of the doorbell shattered the stillness. "Ride is here," he announced.

"Stay inside until I have everything loaded," he instructed, his words fading as he disappeared from sight. The room felt empty without him, the silence amplifying the pounding of my own heart.

"Mate is on edge this morning," Star's voice echoed in my mind.

"I wish I could read him like you," I responded back to her. "He is hard for me to read."

"You can sense it through the bond," she explained. Some of the unease you feel is his right now, that is why you are more nervous."

I furrowed my brow, trying to understand. "Why is he so on edge?"

"He is traveling with you," she whispered. "Now that we have shifted our kind, no matter how far away, can sense you. For you are their princess, you stand above all else. They know you are alive and that I am awake."

"We are in danger for now, but soon we will be stronger. Our mate worries for our safety." She explained.

"He said I have some sort of power," I said to her.

"We do," she replied, her voice almost a whisper. "We are stronger than the others. That's why we survived. I was with you the night of the attack. You survived only because I came to you early. And silver does not harm us. I took control of you back then so you would not suffer."

"They want us, not just because we are royal. They want us because you have the power to make the werewolves stronger. Once you mark our mate, he will become different. Not a lycan, but a stronger wolf. One who can stand against our kind. The lycans fear you because you can make one who is not seen an enemy, an enemy."

Her words filled my mind, mingling with the sound of footsteps approaching. "We must mark our mate soon. It is only a matter of time before they find us. He needs to be stronger to stand beside us," she explained as the door creaked open again.

River's voice cut through the silence, strong and steady. "Time to go," he said, his hand outstretched towards me. I took it, feeling the warmth of his palm against mine, determined to push my fears away. After all, why should I be so afraid when he will be with me?

I stepped out into the bright daylight, squinting as I made my way towards the gleaming, spacious SUV. The driver was already inside, the engine purring softly. As I approached, the scent of leather and new car filled my nostrils. River extended his hand, guiding me into the vehicle, and I settled into the plush seat.

Once inside, River intertwined his fingers with mine. The silence enveloped us during the car ride, broken only by the faint hum of the engine and the occasional honk of a passing car. The tension in his grip conveyed his worry, causing a knot to form in the pit of my stomach.

Upon arriving at the train station, River refused to let go of my hand, ensuring I never strayed far from his side. He effortlessly handled the logistics, arranging for assistance with our luggage. The touch of his hand, sometimes a little too tight, made me acutely aware of his protective presence.

As we approached the security checkpoint, I reluctantly relinquished my grasp on River's hand. A sense of unease crept over me as a male security officer instructed me to hold my arms out. The unfamiliar touch made me tremble, feeling vulnerable and exposed. River's voice snapped with a mixture of concern and irritation, causing my heart to race.

Thankfully, a woman replaced the male officer, her touch gentler and more understanding. With the search complete, we continued towards the train platform. The sound of distant announcements echoed through the station, blending with the hurried footsteps of passengers. River remained silent.

As we settled into our small compartment on the train, the click of the door closing resonated in the confined space. River gripped a small table, his knuckles turning white for a fleeting moment. Before I could utter a word, he moved towards me, pressing his lips against mine with a possessiveness I had never felt before. My skin tingled under his touch, his hand grazing against the bare flesh beneath my shirt. I mustered the strength to push against him, halting his advance.

"Sorry," he growled, his breath uneven. I stopped him from retreating too far, needing to understand his turmoil.

"Are you upset? Is it because of me?" I asked, my voice trembling.

He took a deep breath, his eyes searching mine. "No, I'm not upset with you," he admitted. "It's the security officer. I can't stand the thought of anyone else touching you unnecessarily. He took advantage of your attractiveness, and I let my anger get the best of me."

"I'm not attractive," I whispered

"You're very attractive," he replied.

"I am sorry I let my anger get the best of me," he continued, his voice laced with remorse.

"I should not have kissed you like that," he confessed.

"I don't mind you kissing me," I responded.

"It's just you seemed upset, and that worried me," I added, my voice filled with concern.

"But if kissing me helps you calm down, you can," I whispered. "I won't stop you from now on," I concluded.

"It does," he admitted.

I sat on the creaky bed. As he stood in the dimly small room, his phone buzzed, interrupting our conversation. He answered the call, his voice growing louder and angrier with each word. I could sense his tension, his muscles tightening with each word exchanged over the phone.

In the midst of his frustration, a voice echoed in my mind. It was Star, my Lycan, urging me to comfort him. I listened to her advice and stood up. I approached him. I reached out and took his hand, feeling the warmth and strength in his grasp. Almost instantly, I noticed a change in his demeanor. His grip relaxed, and his anger seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm.

"The fact that you are even questioning me about Erin is concerning," River said over the phone.

"You are her place of work, and although I respect employers for having compassion for their employees, your concern is more of an obsession," River continued, his voice tinged with bitterness.

"Erin is not your company's property, nor is any of my work now that I have broken contract," River declared, his voice filled with defiance. He hung up his phone and placed it on the table, the sound of the click reverberating through the room.

"The firm is upset I resigned," I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes and no," River replied, his voice laced with uncertainty. "They want to know your whereabouts. I emailed a copy of the documents I sent over to them, and apparently, they sent someone to my place in the area. They were concerned when they found out I was not home with you."

"They never acted like I was anything important to them. In fact, it seemed like they had fun making fun of my fears," I said, my voice trembling slightly. River let out a low growl, his frustration evident.

"Well, they are interested in you now. They could have been putting you down so you simply never recovered, Erin," River explained.

"My Lycan spoke to me earlier today about why I was special," I revealed, my voice filled with hope. River's expression softened, a glimmer of anticipation shining in his eyes. He walked towards the small bed and sat down with me.

"She did? That is good," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of hope. I took a deep breath, the room filled with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. I began to share what I had learned, hoping that it would not only help me but also provide answers for River.

"So you have the power to make my kind stronger," he said, his voice heavy with a mix of resignation and curiosity. "It makes more sense now why you are hunted. Your kind will want you dead as you pose a threat to them, and my kind may try to use you." He let out a deep sigh, the sound mingling with the faint rumble of the train tracks beneath us.

"Well, don't worry. No one will ever use you again," he assured me, his voice filled with determination. As I mentioned that my lycan had also instructed me to mark him, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I was waiting for when she would want that," he admitted. "But let's wait until we reach the new place I have for us. I don't think this train is the best place for that."

I nodded in agreement, my gaze shifting to the small window beside me. Outside, the scenery whizzed by in a blur of colors and shapes. I could feel the vibrations of the train beneath me, the rhythmic chugging of the engine creating a soothing soundtrack to our conversation. Although I knew we were leaving to ensure my safety and hide from danger, there was a part of me that couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement.

"I know it sounds weird," I admitted, my voice barely audible above the train's clamor. "But leaving like this, right now, even if I am in danger, also feels like I am getting a new start. Like you are giving me a second chance." I turned to face him, my eyes reflecting a mix of hope and gratitude. "This journey is the start of my new life, one where I once again have control, and one where I have someone I trust and love by my side."

"Say the last part again," he requested.

"Love," I murmured, the word escaping my lips like a delicate sigh. "I may have only known you a short time, River, but I love you."