Lauren stepped out of bed and slowly walked around Xavier's room, still struggling to believe she was mated to the Alpha Prince.
Does that make me the future Luna?
She pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Ugh... my head hurts."
Her gaze dropped to the oversized shirt she was wearing. It hung far below her hips and was obviously Xavier's.
She froze.
"Wait... how am I wearing this?"
A horrifying thought crossed her mind.
Did he change my clothes?
Her cheeks instantly burned.
"If he did... then he saw me naked. Oh, no. Please don't let that be true."
She quickly looked around the room.
"I should change... Where are my clothes?"
Her dress was lying in a corner, stained with dried blood.
Just then, the bedroom door opened.
Lauren instinctively stepped back, clutching the hem of the oversized shirt and pulling it lower over her thighs. Thankfully, she was still wearing her shorts underneath.
"You should've knocked!" she exclaimed, her face bright red.
Xavier paused at the doorway.
His eyes landed on her, and for a brief moment, he forgot how to breathe.
The oversized shirt did little to hide her slender figure, and his wolf growled possessively inside him.
"Take her."
He clenched his jaw.
Not now.
He knew she was still struggling to accept the mate bond. The last thing he wanted was to force anything on her.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
Lauren avoided his gaze.
"Where's my dress?"
"You won't be needing it."
He shut the door behind him and walked toward her.
Her heart raced.
"W-What are you doing?"
She backed away until her back hit the wardrobe door.
Xavier stopped right in front of her.
"What do you think I'm doing?"
"If you think I'm going to let you touch me, you're mistaken. You're practically a stranger."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"I'd love to touch you..."
Lauren's eyes widened.
"...but that's not why I'm here."
She blinked.
"What?"
"I'm getting you something to wear."
He gestured toward the wardrobe behind her.
"So... move."
Realizing what he meant, Lauren gasped in embarrassment and hurried out of the way.
Xavier hid a smile as he opened the wardrobe and pulled out a pair of black leggings and an oversized T-shirt.
"Here."
She snatched them from his hands.
"Thank you... Now turn around."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I'm changing."
"I know."
Without another word, Xavier turned his back to her.
Even so, the tips of his ears turned red.
Behind him came the soft rustle of clothes.
His imagination immediately betrayed him.
I wonder what she looks like...
His wolf growled again.
"Turn around."
He shut his eyes tightly.
No.
He would wait.
She deserved that much.
"I'm done."
He turned around immediately.
The oversized shirt had been replaced by a fitted T-shirt and leggings that hugged her figure.
His gaze lingered far longer than it should have.
She looked beautiful.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small elastic band.
"Turn around."
Lauren frowned.
"Why?"
"Trust me."
"I don't."
He sighed.
"Really? If I wanted to take advantage of you, I would've done it the moment I saw you wearing my shirt."
He stepped closer until barely a breath separated them.
"You're my mate."
Before she could react, he wrapped an arm around her waist and gently pulled her against him.
Lauren gasped.
His voice dropped to a husky whisper.
"I could've used that as an excuse to pin you against the bed..."
Her face turned scarlet.
"...kiss you until you couldn't breathe..."
She swallowed hard.
"...and keep going until you're moaning my name beneath me."
"You perverted idiot!" she squeaked, shoving him away.
Xavier chuckled.
He gently turned her around and gathered the loose fabric of her shirt at the back, securing it neatly with the elastic band.
"There."
He stepped back to admire his work.
"Much better."
Lauren looked down.
The shirt now fit her perfectly.
"The pack doctor will stop by later to change your bandage. Until then..."
He opened the door.
"...stay here."
Before she could respond, he was already gone.
Lauren buried her face in her hands.
"That shameless wolf..."
Evening arrived faster than expected.
Lauren sat by the window, staring at the endless forest stretching beyond the castle grounds.
She sighed.
The doctor had already visited earlier and replaced the bandage on her injured arm.
There was nothing left to do.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a young woman entered carrying a small bottle.
"Good evening," the girl said politely.
"How are you feeling?"
Lauren frowned.
"I'm sorry... who are you?"
"I work under Doctor Edward. He asked me to check your wound and apply this medicine. It'll speed up the healing process."
"But he already treated me."
"Yes."
The girl smiled.
"This is just the final treatment."
Lauren nodded.
"Alright."
The girl carefully removed the bandage before putting on a pair of thick gloves.
"This may sting a little."
She sprinkled the strange powder over Lauren's wound.
"Ah!"
Lauren clenched her teeth.
It burned like fire.
The girl quickly rewrapped the bandage.
"It'll pass soon."
After offering a polite bow, she left the room.
But the pain didn't stop.
Instead, it spread through Lauren's arm.
Her eyelids gradually grew heavy.
Before she knew it, she had drifted into an uneasy sleep.
The Throne Room
Jane and Romeo stood respectfully before Alpha Damien and Luna Isabelle.
Xavier stood nearby with folded arms.
Alpha Damien cleared his throat.
"Lauren will remain in your room from now on."
"What?"
Xavier stared at him.
"She's going to live with me?"
His parents exchanged a glance.
"She's your mate," Alpha Damien said calmly.
"It may help awaken her wolf sooner."
Xavier let out a frustrated laugh.
"Do you honestly think that's a good idea?"
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"She may not feel the mate bond yet..."
His expression darkened.
"...but I do."
Jane shifted awkwardly.
"I'm still a man."
He looked directly at his father.
"What if I lose control?"
Silence filled the room.
"What if I bite her?"
Jane's face turned pale.
"What if I mark her and make her mine before she's ready?"
"Xavier!"
Alpha Damien's voice echoed through the hall.
Jane quickly pointed a finger at him.
"For Lauren's sake, you'll keep yourself under control."
"She's only eighteen!"
"She's an adult," Xavier muttered.
Luna Camille sighed.
"Lauren belongs with her mate."
"It will strengthen the bond and help her transformation."
Xavier closed his eyes.
This is going to be torture.
His father smiled.
"She's probably asleep already."
"We'll explain everything tomorrow."
"Fine."
Without another word, Xavier turned and stormed out.
"You two are unbelievable!"
When Xavier returned to his room, he found Lauren sleeping peacefully.
His irritation disappeared instantly.
He walked quietly to the bedside and looked down at her sleeping face.
A gentle smile appeared on his lips.
"You're going to be the death of me, Lauren."
He turned to leave.
Suddenly—
A warm hand wrapped around his wrist.
He looked back.
Lauren was still asleep.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"Don't leave..."
His heart tightened.
"Mom..."
Another tear escaped.
"Dad..."
Xavier's expression softened.
Carefully, he sat beside her and gently wiped away her tears.
Without waking, Lauren instinctively moved closer.
She buried her face against his chest and wrapped both arms around him.
Xavier let out a helpless sigh.
"Seriously..."
Despite his words, he slipped an arm around her protectively.
For the first time since finding his mate...
He allowed himself to simply hold her.