Chapter 19 Never give up
River
I blink in disbelief, staring at the mark on Dust’s hip as if it might disappear if I look away. My heart races, excitement and wonder coursing through me. How could I have missed this before? I had been so consumed by our intimacy, by the way she fit against me, that I hadn’t noticed the mark that now seems to shimmer with a life of its own.
“Dust,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper, as I try to make sense of this discovery that… Well makes everything make sense, “this changes everything.”
She shakes her head, her expression a mixture of confusion and fear. “No, River. I’m just a wolfless omega. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I shake my head in disbelief, the truth dawning on me like the first rays of dawn breaking over the horizon. “No, listen to me. Lycans do not get their wolves at 18, but usually 1-2 years later. You… you are the lost Lycan princess. It’s why you never shifted.”
Her brow furrows, and I can see the wheels turning in her mind. “But… I’m not special. I’m just Dust. No one expects anything from me. I’ve always wanted to blend in, to be invisible.”
I reach out, cupping her cheek in my hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against my palm. “You are special, Dust. You’re more than what you’ve been told. You’re a part of something greater than yourself. I already have Kellan looking into the stories about the lost princess of the Lycans. I won’t let anyone doubt you again. Not when I see the truth before my own eyes.”
Her eyes widen, and I can see the fear flickering within them. “What if I’m not ready? What if I can’t live up to it?”
I can feel my heart clench at her vulnerability. “Then we’ll figure it out together. I promise to protect you, Dust. No one will take advantage of your past or your heritage. You’ll never have to face this alone. You’re not just some nameless omega anymore… you’re my mate, my Luna. And you have a real name, we just need to find out what it is.”
She swallows hard, and I can see the tears welling in her eyes. “But what if I fail? What if I still can’t be the Luna this pack needs?”
“Then we’ll redefine what it means to be Luna together. You don’t have to fit into anyone’s mold but your own. And know this… you have me by your side, and I will fight for you. I will fight for our pack, for our family. You’re not just a title, Dust; you’re a person, a heart, a mind.”
I lean closer, my forehead resting against hers, feeling the warmth radiating between us. “This mark is more than just a symbol; it’s a legacy. It’s a part of you that you’ve yet to uncover. We’ll unlock it together.”
Dust takes a deep breath, and I can see the flicker of determination sparking in her eyes, pushing aside her fear just a little. “Okay,” she says softly, “but I need you to promise me something.”
“Anything,” I reply, ready to give her the world if she asks for it.
“Promise me that no matter what happens, you won’t give up on me.”
“I swear it,” I vow, gripping her shoulders firmly. “You are everything to me, Dust. You are light to those around you, and I will be your shield. We will face whatever this brings our way together.”
As her gaze meets mine, I can see the trust growing between us, a bond forged in the fires of vulnerability and revelation. I lean in and press my lips against hers, a soft yet passionate kiss that ignites the air around us, sealing our promises with a warmth that transcends words.
“Now,” I whisper against her lips, “let’s see what this day has in store for us. We have a lot of things to uncover and a future to build.”
She nods, a small smile breaking across her face, and I can’t help but feel a rush of pride. Dust is more than just my mate; she is the embodiment of strength and resilience waiting to be unleashed.
We rise together from the bed, and as she moves to the window, pulling back the curtains to let in the sunlight, I can’t help but marvel at the she-wolf beside me. She stands tall, a new sense of purpose in her stance, and I know that this is just the beginning of our adventure.
“Ready?” I ask, smiling at her.
“Ready,” she replies, determination etched across her features.
I take her hand. “Let’s go then princess, your Kingdom awaits.”