The Orphan Werewolf and Her Two Kings

5: Good Morning

The late winter sun warms my naked body, promising an early spring. The soft linen is nice against my skin. I refuse to move, not wanting to wake up completely. It’s been ages since I’ve slept this deeply, and I did not wake up in panic for a change.

Unfortunately, my body is betraying me with its full bladder. I sigh and stretch, knowing I’m in a losing battle. The slight movement is enough to register there is a body next to me. A body I’ve been curled against the entire night.

I rarely sleep with clients, so I open my eyes to confirm I’m sensing right. It is King Samuel. Surprised, I almost scream. Then, the memory of last night hits me, and I sit up. My heart is beating wildly.

“You’re safe now,” he whispers as his arms snake around me from behind, and without a thought, I lean into his touch. There is something soothing about being next to my savior. My heart slows down to a normal rhythm, not minding the memories that happened last night. My head, on the other hand, is all over the place. I almost died last night! Or was it all just a nightmare?

I turn around and stare into the same deep blue eyes that saved me last night. King Samuel tucks a curl behind my ear, and I blush from the intimacy. He tries to pull me back into his embrace, but my bladder alerts me again of how full it is.

“Where is the bathroom?”

“That door,” he smiles, releasing me from his bed.

I gather the duvet around me to walk in the right direction, only to notice there is only one duvet, and His Royal Highness is just as naked as I am. My blush deepens, but he only laughs. Why am I reacting like this? It’s like I’m a 16-year-old virgin, something I definitely amn’t!

“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” I tell my wolf as much to myself, only to realize she isn’t there. My heart has an emptiness, but there is no time to react. I let the duvet go, and walk over the floor, knowing royal eyes follow me.

Alone, I sigh, taking the time to react to everything. I wish my wolf would resurface, but she disappeared with the wolfsbane incense. Without her, I’m missing part of myself. I’m left with only half a soul and two questions: for how long, and why didn’t I feel her loss before now?

Despite missing my wolf's soul, I woke up from the best night I’ve ever had. I’ve never felt as safe as in the bed of King Samuel. It’s true, he saved me, but still. He is a stranger. And why in this world would he have any interest in me? The shower s*x was mind-blowingly good, but the man can have any girl he wants. What does he want me for?

It’s not like I could be his mate. I’m the lowest of them all. Omega rouge, no lineage, no family, and a s*x worker. Sometimes, the Moon Goddess doesn’t care about any of that, but he hasn’t claimed me. So it can’t be that.

Maybe he likes the ease of paying for s*x? I won’t run off claiming he loves me or anything wild. Perhaps he can solve my need for a new client? I won’t say no if he asks; he has the money. Still, he saved my life, and I might expect free sessions. You never know with men. Especially men with power. I’ll let it play out, however he behaves.

I’m more worried about my wolf's soul. I try to call for her, not sensing anything. Then I try to shift, but my wolf is impossible to reach. What if I’ll never see my wolf again? I’ve heard it happen to some, and they end up crazy from the loss. There is emptiness inside me, but I’m nowhere in losing my mind. That has to be a good sign. I shake my head, refusing to worry about something I cannot control. I gather myself and step to the sink to wash my hands.

All resolve disappears when I lift my head, finding myself in the mirror. I scream in shock. My body is full of half-healed wounds and red lashes. Even across my face, the silver has made a touch. I follow the scar with my finger and feel the tenderness underneath. I’m still healing faster than a human, but the face looking back at me is worse than expected. Memories from the day before flash in my mind again. Panicked, I try to call for my wolf again but cannot reach her.

Empty desperation hits my heart, and I crumple to the floor, only to be lifted by King Samuell. He carries me back to the bed and soothes me as I cry. I feel strangely safe in his arms. Is this because he is a lycan wolf or because he saved me last night? There are too many questions about what happened and why!

“My wolf,” I sob, now that the realization hits me. I might never feel her presence again.

“Don’t worry, she will be back,” the King whispers.

How does he know? Can he sense my wolf is hiding? Is this something all Lycan werewolves can do? I know they are mentally and physically stronger than the run-of-the-mill werewolves, but not much more. So little is known about what makes Lycans separate from other werewolves.

As my mind races, I continue to cry. King Samuel comforts me while sniffing my hair and kissing my temple; it feels unexpectedly good. I don’t understand why we have this connection and how he can calm me so completely. Does everyone react this way near the Lycans? I look up at him, and he dries away my last tear.

“Better now?”

I only nod, and he smiles as my tummy rumbles.

“My butler is right outside with some breakfast. Just sit here under the duvet as he sets everything up. I will see about some clothes you can use.”

I do as told and hide under the duvet as the King leaves my side and lets the butler in. Only now do I notice he is wearing clothes. Grey suit pants, a white shirt, no tie, no jacket, and bare feet. Either he will return what he is missing, or this is his version of relaxed clothing. I hope it’s not the last one because as good-looking as his ass is in those pants, nothing beats a man in gray sweatpants. Not that it matters; I’ll probably not see him again after leaving.

With the King gone, I’m left with the butler. He glances at me sideways as if he tries not to stare. He fails. I’ve hidden my face, not ready to show my scars, so there is not much to see. He sets up fruit, cheese, bread, scrambled eggs, little sandwiches, tea, juice, and milk. Then he leaves me with one more glance and a bow.

Too hungry to wait for the King, I get up and start eating as soon as I’m alone. When I’m full, he returns with an emerald green dress that is the perfect color for my golden skin tone, like most colors are. I’m surprised by the soft wool it’s made of, but I love the choice. The morning sun might have promised early spring, but it’s still cold outside.

In the bathroom, I avoid the mirror as best I can, but I still see the marred skin I have. My gut coil. Who’s gonna want a scarred s*x worker? I’m lucky I didn’t die or get hit in the eye or something, but I might have lost my livelihood besides my wolf's soul. Maybe the scar will fade in time? I try not to cry by holding my breath and counting.

Despite my efforts, my thoughts don’t stop churning about the attack and how odd this morning is. One thing is that I’m alive, and at one point last night, I didn’t think that would happen. But the way King Samuel treats me is… unusual. Is he this way towards any damsel in distress that he finds? The connection towards him is stronger than I’m used to, but I can’t be his mate. Still, why didn’t he send me to the hospital? Does he want to hide we had s*x?

Oh, how I wish for my wolf's soul to be here! She would have told me for sure what is happening. I’ve never taken notice of these things, and that part of me has good instincts. I sigh to myself, knowing I can’t stand here all day! So, I take another deep breath to face the consequences.