The Lone Wolf's Lycan Princess

Questions

River POV

Max's joyful howling filled my mind, making it impossible to think straight. He had been worried that she wouldn't accept us, and honestly, I shared the same fear. But there it was, written on a piece of paper right in front of me, the very words I never thought I would hear or see in my life.

I looked into her eyes, and before I could utter a word, she boldly leaned in and kissed me. Her lips were soft against mine, and I could feel the warmth of her breath. Overwhelmed with happiness, I placed my hands on her sides and lifted her onto my lap. The taste of her lips consumed me, a mix of sweetness and desire.

Although I had expected it to take time for her to understand the bond, I was thrilled that she felt it too. Despite being a stranger to her, I was determined to never let her go. In that moment, all I wanted was to continue exploring this connection with her, but I stopped myself, breaking the kiss.

Her eyes met mine, and I held her close. "Your heat is calm for now, but if we rush into things, it may intensify quickly. So, how about we take it slow for now?" I said, making sure she understood that I wasn't pushing her away.

She nodded as I gently lifted her off my lap, the soft fabric of my jeans sliding against her bare legs. She walked over to the couch, and reached for the tablet.

I noticed she had a list of questions typed out on the tablet, accompanied by a little note at the bottom that read, "Can you answer these when not working?"

Closing my laptop, I saw her shake her head, her eyes darting towards it. "I'm done working for the day, little wolf," I reassured her. "I can't concentrate, but that's not a bad thing. I'd like to spend some time with you, so we can both get to know each other and I can answer your questions."

As she shivered slightly, I felt a pang of guilt. I had only dressed her in my oversized T-shirt, leaving her uncomfortable without any other clothing. "Let's get you into something warmer," I suggested. "Do you want your own clothes or mine?" She hesitated for a moment before pointing at me. A smile tugged at my lips, understanding why she preferred my clothes. My scent must have been soothing to her in her current state. Holding the tablet under one arm, I took her hand. "Come with me," I said, leading her back into my room.

In my room, I rummaged through the drawers, the soft rustling of fabric filling the air. I retrieved another hoodie and a pair of gym shorts, knowing they would be too big for her thin frame. But I was determined to make it work. I handed them to her.She glanced towards the bathroom, contemplating for a moment. "How about you take a shower?" I suggested, realizing that with her, suggestions worked best.

She nodded, turning towards her room. "You'll find my shower to be a lot nicer," I added, taking her hand and guiding her into the bathroom. As we entered, her gaze immediately dropped to the floor. It dawned on me that she was avoiding the mirrors. Did her own reflection truly terrify her? "Erin, when was the last time you actually looked at your reflection to see yourself?" I gently inquired. She held up four fingers, indicating it had been four years. "What if I stayed with you? Would you give it a try?" I asked, hoping to help her overcome her fear.

She hesitated again, her brows furrowing in uncertainty, but eventually nodded. I gently guided her towards a full-body mirror. The soft lighting in the room cast a warm glow, creating a comforting atmosphere.

As we stood in front of the mirror, I could feel her trembling beside me. "I want you to look, even if it's just for a moment," I reassured her. "And when you get scared, squeeze my hand, okay?" She nodded, her grip tightening around mine.

Her eyes lifted, meeting her reflection in the mirror. But after only a second, fear surged through her and her hand squeezed mine tightly. "Keep looking, Erin," I encouraged, my voice steady. "Take deep breaths. I'm going to tell you what I see."

I observed her tear-filled eyes, tracing a path down her cheek. I continued, my words gentle yet resolute. "I see a really beautiful woman in that mirror. One with long, curly hair that cascades perfectly against her delicate body. I see a natural beauty, but someone tried to break her. Yet, the girl in that mirror isn't shattered beyond repair. She is strong, and deep down, she is a fighter. The girl looking at you isn't your twin; it is you, Erin. Focus on yourself, and you will see what I do."

She turned to embrace me tightly. I whispered against her, my voice filled with tenderness. "Do you see what I see now?" She nodded, her head pressed against my chest.

"If it helps, I'll stay with you when you need to use the mirror until you are comfortable alone," I promised. "But I meant it when I said I will help you break free of your fears, little wolf."

"Now, take a shower. I'm sure it will make you feel better," I suggested, giving her the privacy she needed. I trusted that she wouldn't run or hurt herself right now. "I'll be right outside, waiting for you.”

The soft buzz of her phone filled the room, its gentle vibration creating a subtle hum in the air. . Ignoring it at first, curiosity got the better of me when it started up again. I grabbed the phone just to see why her phone was being blown up.

I clicked on the screen, and a slew of messages appeared before me. The phone was locked, preventing me from fully opening them, but I recognized the number displayed. It was the same one that had been sending her threatening messages. A sense of unease washed over me, and I had to calm myself. What did they want with her? Did they know she was a shifter? Could they be connected to the death of her family and the mystery surrounding her real parents? Were her adoptive parents also shifters, or were they human?

Erin was an enigma, a puzzle waiting to be solved. I had a feeling her family had been targeted for a reason, and I was determined to uncover the truth. Why did they want Erin?

After some time, she emerged from the bathroom, clad in my clothing. "Ready to relax and talk? I will answer all the questions you have," I said to her, and she nodded, walking over to me. I could tell she was taking in my scent, her delicate nose detecting the subtle notes that made up my unique aroma.

"It's normal to want to be close, especially when you first scent your mate. I, too, want to be close to you, so don't feel embarrassed by wanting to be with me or even smell me," I reassured her, noticing the slight blush that colored her cheeks.

"Are you hungry?" I asked, and she shook her head no. "Promise you will tell me when you are," I said, urging her to be honest with me. Leading her to the couch, I made sure to create a cozy atmosphere. I started the fire, its crackling flames casting a warm glow across the room. I joined her, bringing the tablet and phone with me.

Pulling her against me, I wrapped my arm around her, ensuring that every movement I made was gentle and considerate. With a simple tap on the tablet screen, we both could see the messages displayed before us. She leaned more into me, her body heat melding with mine, creating a comforting sensation that spread through my veins.

I examined her first question, her curious gaze fixed on me. "You want to know why I live alone when the book explained werewolves live in packs," I responded. "I'm sure you also read about rogues in the book, right?" She nodded in agreement. "I am a rogue without a pack. I wasn't born a rogue, but I was cast away at a young age. My father, the Alpha, the leader of the pack, had a fated mate who died giving birth to me. Some saw that as a sign of weakness. My father needed a Luna, so he took on a chosen mate who bore him another son, the one he intended to be the future Alpha. I was seen as a threat to him, a challenge to his role. So I was cast away, my pack link severed. Now, I am nothing but a lone wolf," I explained.

She reached for the tablet and briefly took it from me, her delicate fingers typing, "I'm sorry, that must have been difficult." She typed.

"At first, it was. Werewolves are different from humans, and I was abandoned before my first shift. When I finally got my wolf, I had to fight for my life at times. But as I settled among humans, I found a place where I could be undisturbed," I said, reflecting on the past.

I returned my attention to her as I read her next question, "I don't understand the mark. The book doesn't go into detail." It said. I gently brushed my fingers through her hair, revealing her vulnerable neck. "When you're ready, I will mark you. I know you said you accept me, but for me to mark you, it's a significant step. I will partially shift and bite you right here," I explained, brushing my fingers against her skin. "It will hurt, but not for long. And then, you'll feel the connection that we both sense growing stronger. We'll be able to feel each other's pain and know when the other needs support. We'll be linked for life," I reassured her.

She typed again, "Do you want to bite me?" I couldn't help but smile at her question.

"Very much so," I replied, my desire evident in my voice. I read her next question on the list, "Is helping me stay calm right now and holding off hurting you?" I paused for a moment, taking in the weight of her inquiry.

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing as I needed to be honest with her.

"It's not easy," I finally confessed, my voice filled with sincerity. "As a shifter, our wolf counterpart is more feral, driven by natural instincts. Your scent, even when it's not strong, triggers an intense desire within me to complete the bond with you. But right now, it's not hurting me. I've been through a rut before, and I know how to handle it better."

"Are you okay being close to me like this?" I asked, my voice filled with concern. Her nod confirmed that she was comfortable.

"Do you know anything about your birth parents? I know you were adopted," I continued, my curiosity getting the best of me. She shook her head, indicating that she had no knowledge of her biological parents.

"This may be too personal, and you don't have to answer if you don't want to. But it would help me, help you down the road, to learn more about yourself," I explained, trying to be gentle.

"Have you had a period before?" I asked, noticing her slight tensing. After a moment, she nodded, confirming that she had experienced it.

"I asked because she-wolves don't get periods. That means one of your parents was human," I clarified, hoping to shed some light on her past.

"I will keep digging, so we can really get to the bottom of everything," I promised, feeling her shift slightly against me. Her gaze met mine, and she opened her mouth, a frustrated expression crossing her face.

"It hurts you that you can't talk, doesn't it?" I asked, my voice filled with empathy. Again, she nodded, her eyes reflecting her longing to communicate.

"I don't know if I can help you speak again, but it's possible that once I mark you, we can communicate with our minds, just like I sometimes do with you already. It may make it easier for you," I suggested, hoping to offer her some solace.

I rose from the plush couch, stretching my limbs. "I'm a little hungry," I chuckled, my stomach growling in agreement. "I'll be right back," I said, making my way to the kitchen. The soft glow of the night embraced the room as I gathered a box of cereal, a jug of milk, a couple of bowls, and spoons. Cereal is a delightful treat at any hour of the day. Placing the items on the coffee table, her face immediately lit up with excitement.

"I take it you enjoy cereal as much as I do," I remarked, a playful smile forming on my lips. She nodded eagerly, her eyes gleaming with hunger. "Perfect, then dig in," I said, happiness filling my heart as I watched her. I poured two bowls, the cereal crackling as it met the milk, creating a symphony of sound. As she eagerly dug into her bowl, my attention shifted to the tablet screen, still illuminated with new words.

"Did you type another question?" I inquired, taking a bite of the crunchy cereal. She shook her head, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face. But then, she reached for the tablet and handed it to me. My eyes scanned the words she had written.

"River, when this heat returns, I'm okay with you sleeping with me. I want this with you, even if we just met. I think I want your mark, but if it's okay, give me a little more time," her words danced before my eyes. I swallowed my bite, a mix of emotions washing over me.

"I won't mark you until you ask me to, I promise," I assured her, the taste of cereal lingering in my mouth as a wide grin spread across her face. She leaned back, and I knew that she was finally beginning to feel at ease in this space we shared.