The Lone Wolf's Lycan Princess

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River POV

I had a sinking feeling that this would be another restless night of sleep. After kissing her and feeling her reciprocation, I had hoped it would temporarily satisfy Max. But soon after she retreated to her room, I discovered something unsettling.

Not only could I sense her panic without any physical markers, but I could also feel her arousal before I even caught a whiff of it. Max wouldn't stop pestering me until I stood by her door, and sure enough, when I did, her overwhelming scent of desire enveloped me. "She wants us just as much as we want her," Max insisted, urging me to give in to our instincts. But I resisted, knowing that if we acted on it now, we might risk losing her.

"Yes, she may consent in the heat of the moment, but we can't afford to lose her," I warned Max.

"Can't you smell it? Can't you feel it? She's on the verge of going into heat. Do you really suggest we let her suffer through it?" Max growled in my mind, his impatience evident.

I sighed, realizing he was right. And I couldn't help but blame myself for possibly triggering her heat with my kiss. I desperately hoped it was just her natural scent, but deep down, I knew that if she went into heat, it would force me to reveal my true nature to her. I wished her wolf would take over, as it would be easier for her to accept.

Tonight, I had already caused her to run away when my curiosity led me to pry about her past relationships. Even though her panic was evident, my mind wandered to someone else who might have already claimed her. My reckless confession of being intimate with others slipped out, and instantly, regret washed over me. Her immediate retreat to her room only made it worse.

As I started to walk away from her door, it suddenly swung open, revealing her standing there with a cup of water. She didn't notice me at first, but as her eyes fell upon me, she jumped in surprise. "Sorry," I muttered, and she shook her head, seemingly flustered.

As she turned to go back into her room, I impulsively reached out and grabbed her arm. Her scent had calmed, but her flushed face betrayed her emotions. She froze for a moment, and that's when I noticed something different about her eyes—they had a tinge of gold. It wasn't the heat taking over; it was her wolf, trying to emerge. Maybe being with me was finally making her stronger.

By the looks of it, she had yet to speak with Erin, but it was clear, very clear, that she was there. And now that she was awake, Erin would go through some changes. It's only a matter of time before her first shift, and before that happens, she needs to know what she is.

"We can't leave her now. We don't know when her first shift will be. She will need us. Since she is older, it will be painful," Max warned me, his voice filled with concern. This time, I agreed.

I let go of her arm for a moment, and she turned to go back to her bed. But she wasn't steady on her feet, causing her to stumble. My reflexes were fast as I once again held onto her, steadying her. Yet, she accidentally splashed some water she was holding on herself.

As I held her closer to me, I could feel her body temperature slightly increased. It was not normal for one to shift late in my old pack. If one did not shift at eighteen, they were seen by the pack doctor to confirm they had a wolf. In most cases, they did not, and the very few that did were then forced to shift via the alpha's command. Although it was painful, it was nothing in comparison to what they would face if they did not. At least, that's what I was told.

For that reason, I was very worried about Erin. Although from my recollection, those who did not shift but had a wolf sensed their wolf. They simply were not strong enough, without help, to shift. Yet, Erin's wolf has been hidden and is only moving forward more now, almost as if she was suppressed. This led me to question if witchcraft may be at play. That would possibly also explain why she lost her voice, for it does not seem like she simply stopped talking. I truly believe she can't speak, and it pains her that she can't.

"You have a slight fever. I'm going to stay and watch over you," I said calmly to her. I wanted to give her one more night. I needed to allow her wolf a chance to tell her what she was. But if she got much worse, I would have no choice but to tell her first.

I gently lifted her without asking, feeling the softness of her body against my arms. Placing her in her bed, she remained still, her breathing barely audible. Carefully, I ensured that the water didn't spill any further. Waiting patiently, I watched as she took a sip, her delicate hands trembling. With a mix of fear and concern, I gently took the glass from her, setting it down on the nightstand.

Her eyes met mine, shining brightly in the dimly lit room. I couldn't help but wonder if Erin was truly awake or if her wolf was controlling her movements. It was hard to tell since she hadn't spoken a word to Max. Wanting to provide comfort, I reached for her small bag and began to open it, but she swiftly moved, stopping me in my tracks. "I'm just trying to get you a dry shirt," I explained, attempting to reassure her.

In a spontaneous decision, I removed my own shirt, hoping it would suffice for her. "Lift your arms," I instinctively instructed, causing a hint of panic to flicker in her eyes. Shaking my head, I realized my mistake. "I spoke without thinking. Here's my shirt. I'll turn around while you put it on," I said, turning away and hearing her slight movements as she followed my request. Feeling her hand on me, I understood her silent approval for me to look. "Better," I stated, relieved.

"Okay, let's get you some rest now," I suggested, preparing to move away. However, before I could, she wrapped her arms around me. It was clear that she wanted me to stay, even though she couldn't understand why. The strength of our bond was undeniable, and I needed to be cautious. In her current state, she might do something she would later regret.

"I'm not leaving, Erin. I'll turn off the light and get in bed with you, so I can hold you. I'll only get up if you push me away," I assured her, watching as she finally released my hand. With a gentle click, I turned off the light, enveloping us in darkness.

I stood still for a moment. "We hold her, that's it," I reminded Max in my mind. He grumbled in response. "I mean it, I need your word. If I sleep, you must not take control and do anything stupid," I demanded.

Erin's eyes met mine for a brief moment, their golden hue sparkling even in the darkness. I felt a slight movement on the bed as I got in, and realized she was shivering. Concern washed over me. It was unusual for werewolves to fall sick, and any fever was usually a sign of something serious. I knew I couldn't rely on a human doctor to help us.

I pulled Erin into my arms, perhaps too quickly, but my worry overpowered me. Now that I finally had my mate, I couldn't bear the thought of losing her. She was my strength, and I was weak without her. And I, in turn, was her strength.

"I feel it when we hold her," Max said, his voice filled with concern. "Her wolf is fighting for freedom. It was us who woke her. But she's trapped, unable to fully emerge." Her body felt warm against mine, the fever still mild. I hoped that the simple act of holding her would bring her some comfort.

As I held her, I felt Erin relax, instinctively nuzzling herself closer to me. She sought comfort and security in my embrace. After a few moments, she drifted into a peaceful sleep. I closed my eyes, the sparks from our connection coursing through me. Holding my mate gave me a feeling I had never experienced before. I never wanted to let her go.

"I'm going to keep you warm and safe from now on, Erin," I whispered against her as sleep began to claim me as well.

___

The first rays of the sun gently kissed my eyelids, rousing me from sleep as I awakened to the emptiness of the bed. Erin was no longer nestled in my arms. As I sat up, I could hear the soothing sound of water flowing, indicating that she was taking a shower. The room was bathed in a soft, warm glow.

I glanced around and noticed that her small duffel bag was now open. Curiosity got the better of me, and I got out of bed. I approached the bag, my fingers grazing inside the bag. Suddenly, a sharp, burning sensation made me retract my hand. "Silver," Max growled in my head, his voice filled with warning.

Carefully, I peered inside the bag, the faint scent of her blood lingering in the air. My eyes locked onto a gleaming silver blade, its edges glinting in the morning light. I was about to investigate further when the sound of running water abruptly ceased from the bathroom. Realizing that Erin was finished with her shower, I decided to pause my exploration for now.

Leaving the room, I made my way to my own room, feeling a sense of urgency to prepare for the day ahead. I quickly freshened up, the cool water splashing against my face, awakening my senses.

As I emerged from my room, I caught sight of Erin now in the kitchen, her figure swathed in the soft morning light. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the comforting scent of her scent. I approached her from behind, a smile tugging at my lips, grateful that I had caught her before she could slip away.

She poured a steaming cup of coffee and handed it to me, her eyes meeting mine for a moment, still shimmering with a golden hue. "Are you feeling better this morning?" I asked her. She nodded in response, her lips forming a small smile.

"You know, if we mark her, she can simply speak with us through our mental link," Max suggested, his words accompanied by the faint sound of buzzing. Erin pulled her phone out of her pocket, the soft click of the screen filling the air. Her expression instantly changed, but she tried to conceal it.

Turning to leave the kitchen, she was stopped by my outstretched hand. "What's wrong?" I asked, concern lacing my voice. She shook her head, her eyes filled with unease.

"The message you got, it upset you," I stated, my voice gentle. "I can tell you're afraid. Is someone harassing you?" I inquired, gripping her hand firmly, offering her comfort.

She shook her head, her fingers trembling slightly as she pulled her hand from me and reached for her phone. She typed something quickly and showed me the screen. "I don't know who they are. They keep messaging me," she wrote.

"Can I see?" I requested, taking her phone from her momentarily. As I scrolled through the messages, a surge of anger welled up within me. She received them almost every day, hundreds of threatening messages. Someone claimed ownership over her, insisting that they would soon take her. They even mentioned her family, revealing that they had the chance to capture her before but allowed her to hide for a while.

"Have you shown the authorities this?" I asked. She nodded in affirmation.

"Have they done anything?" I pressed, my worry deepening. But she shook her head, disappointment evident in her eyes.

I growled, a low, menacing sound that reverberated in the air, unable to contain my anger any longer. It echoed, causing her to stumble back in surprise, as humans were not accustomed to hearing such a sound out of anything but a wolf. Closing the distance between us, I spoke "You're safe now, Erin. Whoever this is, they won't harm you with me around. I won't allow it. I promise to find out who they are and put an end to this."

She shook her head, pushing against me. She picked up her phone, her fingers tapping frantically on the screen. "You've already done enough. I don't want to burden you," she wrote.

"I'll keep saying it until you believe it. You are no burden, Erin. I want to help you," I reassured her.

"Why do you want to help?" she typed, her eyes searching mine.

"Because no one can have you but me," the words slipped out before I could fully consider their weight. Shock registered on her face, but it was too late to take them back. Instead, I pulled her closer, capturing her lips with mine. Whoever was behind these messages, I vowed to never allow them to have her. The moment I discovered their identity and location, I would obliterate them..