The Lone Wolf's Lycan Princess

Accept

Erin POV

Everything he said should have driven me mad with fear. The fact that he effortlessly transformed into a fearsome, large wolf should have made me question my sanity even more. But strangely, witnessing this truth only made me feel more at ease in his presence. So much so, that if he were to claim me right now, I think I would be okay with it, without any regrets. I didn't even mind being cuffed to his bed.

My fear often compelled me to act against my desires, and he was right; my body felt different, as if something was yearning to break free. Strangely, being restrained actually made me feel safe, as if River was my protector. My heart raced uncontrollably, craving his closeness, as his lips melded perfectly with mine. His kisses were passionate, devouring, and unlike before, he boldly explored the depths of my mouth with his tongue. As his hands glided under my shirt, the sensation of his touch sent electric currents through my veins, drawing me further into his irresistible spell. Slowly, he pushed the fabric upward, causing a slight tremor to course through me, knowing I had nothing on underneath.

But then, the thought struck me that he had already seen all of me. A blush tinted my cheeks at this realization. "Promise me you won't run," he whispered against my ear, his voice a low, seductive rumble. I nodded in response, feeling the warmth of his breath against my skin.

He momentarily pulled away, his hand trailing down my leg until he reached my ankle, releasing me from my restraint. "I didn't lock you up to control you. I only did it to protect you," he explained, his words resonating with tenderness.

I gazed at him, a strange sensation washing over me like a tidal wave. It felt as if I were on the verge of pouncing on him, my body tingling with an insatiable itch that only he could scratch.

The intensity of my desire embarrassed me as his lips met my skin, causing me to arch my body towards him, yearning to feel his touch. His hand trailed down my body, his fingertips grazing my sensitive flesh, and I tensed momentarily, unaccustomed to such intimate contact.

"Relax for me, Erin. I won't hurt you," he whispered, his words like a soothing balm against my skin, before pressing his lips against mine. As his fingers pushed into me, he growled softly, a strangely comforting sound.

Waves of pleasure coursed through me, the inferno raging within subsiding. My lips felt swollen, but in a delicious way, as he broke the kiss and slowly withdrew his fingers after several minutes of pleasure.

"Your scent is calmer now, which means your heat should be temporarily satisfied. Are you feeling okay?" he asked, his voice gentle. I nodded, and he helped me sit up.

"I don't know how long your body will remain calm, or if I can calm it again without... well, claiming you," he admitted, his honesty endearing. I reached out for him, hesitating for a moment, but he guided my hand to his face. "I accept you, Erin, as my mate. I will forever protect you," he assured me.

"I understand that it may take time for you to fully accept me, and I'm willing to wait. Just know that you are the only one I want. I don't desire anyone else but you, so never doubt my feelings for you, okay?" he declared, his sincerity shining through.

He glanced around the room briefly. "I need to spend some time writing, if that's alright. I don't want to keep you trapped here. Will you come to my study with me?" he asked, a playful smile dancing on his lips as he helped me to my feet. My legs felt slightly wobbly, but I knew it was from the mind-blowing pleasure he had just brought me to. He surprised me by lifting me into his arms.

I had yet to enter his study, a spacious room with large windows that bathed the space in afternoon sunlight. From there, I could gaze upon his property, the cabin nestled amidst a vast expanse of land. It was both cozy and grand, offering a beautiful view. I hadn't mentioned it to him yet, but it truly was the perfect spot, and he seemed to care for it meticulously.

The room was adorned with shelves filled to the brim with books. A large desk occupied one corner, papers scattered across its surface, alongside a sleek laptop computer. A cozy sitting area with a plush couch and a few inviting chairs, all facing a fireplace. He gently placed me on the couch, draping a soft blanket over me. In a hurry, he ran out of the room and returned fast, clutching the tablet he had given me earlier from the room I was staying in. Handing it to me, he then went to his desk and retrieved a credit card.

"While I work, I want you to purchase some new clothing for yourself, get anything you need, Erin," he said, surprising me. I looked at him with disbelief, shaking my head. I couldn't accept. He knelt down, bringing himself to eye level with me.

"I know you're not comfortable just taking, so how about this? You're still working as my assistant according to your workplace, but I'm sure they're not paying you a fair wage. Consider the clothing you get as part of your p*****t for helping me," he explained earnestly. "It gets colder here, and I've seen what you have. I want you to have clothing that makes you feel comfortable, okay?" He tried to convince me, his concern evident.

I nodded and pulled up a word document on his tablet. "I'll accept, but promise you will keep giving me work," I typed.

"I promise," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. As he worked, I took my time on a few online stores, scrolling through the options and selecting warmer clothing. After some time, he came over to check on me. He glanced at the cart and raised an eyebrow, "That's all you want?" he asked. I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips as he went back to his desk. I had never been one to need much, even when I was younger. I remembered how my sister always yearned for new, trendy clothing, while I was content with what I had, wearing things until they were riddled with holes or too worn to be useful.

Once I cashed out the cart, I got up and handed him the card. He reached into his drawer, the sound of papers rustling, and pulled out a book. "This was a book given to me when I was younger in school," he explained, his voice filled with nostalgia. "It was required for us to learn everything in it, although most pups, as we call children, learn from their parents as well. It explains a lot about werewolves, including mate bonds, heat, and many more things. I've always enjoyed writing and reading, so I suppose that's why I kept it with me. I'm happy I did, as I think it may help you understand better." He handed me the book.

I tried to mouth "thank you" as I walked back to his couch and settled in. The soft clicking sound of him typing filled the background, blending with the cozy atmosphere of his study. I opened the book and began to read, the crisp pages rustling under my fingertips. I wanted to learn, to regain control of my life, and if I truly am what he says I am, then I needed to know the truth. Determination pulsed through me, replacing the urge to run and hide from life.

"Then trust him," the voice that had appeared in my mind earlier whispered. "He is our mate, the one person in the world we can always trust."

I continued reading, the book delved into the concept of a pack and their unwavering support for each other, despite their different statuses. I clicked on the tablet he had given me, typing questions as they arose, seeking his answers. The book also explained what he had mentioned before, about mates being destined for each other. It described how a wolf can smell their soul mate and detailed a process called marking, where the male wolf bites the female wolf. Accepting a mate bond meant accepting that one person for life.

I glanced over at River, who was diligently working. He still felt like a stranger, just as I did to him, yet he had already expressed his acceptance of me. Was it strange that I also wanted to accept him? Was it okay to desire a stranger as intensely as I desired him?

"He's ours, made for us just as we were made for him. It's normal," the voice reassured me once more, soothing my doubts.

My attention was drawn to a section in the book that explained what he had mentioned about my current state—going through "heat." It stated that this intense desire was triggered when we connected with our destined mate, even a simple kiss could set it off. Heat was our body's way of urging us to bond and create life together. If left unfulfilled, it could become unbearable.

The book delved into the intricacies of both male and female werewolves. According to the book, my scent had the power to trigger a phenomenon known as a rut in River, a male wolf. Ruts could drive male wolves to madness if they didn't mate causing both physical and emotional pain.

Additionally, male werewolves had the ability to "knot," while matting. Knotting increased the chances of conception and deepened the bond with their mate. Most wolves could control this knotting, but during a rut, it became an essential way for them to find calm.

Turning the page, I stumbled upon some explicit drawings that made me slam the book shut. Instantly, questions flooded my mind, and I hastily typed them on my tablet. Glancing at River, I noticed his intense focus on the computer screen, his body visibly tense.

"You understand now, Erin," the voice returned to my mind, its words echoing softly. I strained to respond, but my own voice seemed distant, unable to make a sound even within my own thoughts.

"It's okay," the voice reassured me, "I can read your thoughts. I am your other half, Erin. When the time is right, you will shift into me. But you are not ready yet. For now, you must trust the wolf in front of you. You must accept him, as he has accepted us. Just as the book said, our mate is holding off and that is forcing him into a rut. He won't hurt us; he never will. So, accept him. Accept the one meant for us."

As I took a deep breath, my muscles tensed, and I rose to my feet. River noticed my movement as I walked over to his desk, my steps tentative yet resolute.

"Everything okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

I nodded, meeting his gaze, and my eyes briefly flickered to a small pad of paper on his desk. "Do you want to write something?" he offered, and I nodded again, my fingers trembling as he cleared some space and handed me a pen.

Our hands brushed against each other, a fleeting touch that sent an electric current through my veins. The voice in my mind was right, no matter how unbelievable it seemed. I felt it, I knew it, and I wanted it. I needed to be brave, to take control, and to do what I truly desired, for once.

"I accept you, River. I want to be your mate," I wrote on the pad, my words flowing onto the paper. He watched me intently. And then, without hesitation, I turned to face him, my heart pounding in my chest. His eyes, a bright shade of amber, locked with mine. Before he could react, I boldly took the lead, wrapping my arms around him, and pressing my lips against his. In that electrifying moment, I knew that this man would forever drive me wild.