The following morning, Ronan was disturbed by an unfamiliar scent lingering in the cave. It wasn’t the aroma of arousal from Vivian, but rather something more flowery and woody.
The Lycan Alpha’s brows drew together tautly. He was determined to investigate the foreign scent, but with Vivian comfortable in his arms and clinging to him for warmth, he could hardly find the heart to disturb her peace.
She lay there curled up with her shawl wrapped securely around her body, burrowed into his strong arms and tucked tightly against his chest.
Cute.
Ronan thought, a smile forming on his lips as he observed her harmonious expression and the steady rise and fall of her chest.
The Lycan Alpha had yet to fathom the intimate moment that happened between them the previous night. He never imagined his Lycan half would be so daring enough to touch Vivian and pleasure her in the way she desired.
Yet, he would be deceiving himself if he insisted that he didn’t...seize satisfaction in the way Vivian came undone under his tongue and fingers.
Ronan stroked her hair softly, unwilling to release her from his arms. Perhaps, he wasn’t courageous enough to acknowledge the growing admission of his affections for Vivian.
There was still much they had yet to understand and learn about each other, but he was no doubt guided by his protective instincts to ensure his fated mate was safe.
However, he also couldn’t resist admitting how beautiful Vivian truly was.
Pull yourself together, Ronan. You don’t know anything about her and she’s from the pack of your enemies.
The Lycan Alpha cautioned himself, relaying a mental reminder that he needed to maintain his distance for now.
His Lycan half growled disapprovingly in his mind.
Why are you kind to her? Alphas do not strike me as the kind of shifters to be gentle and caring, even if I am one myself.
Ronan questioned his beastly side.
You eat other shifters without remorse; why should an omega wolf be any different?
Ah, you see, that is the difference.
The Lycan half answered, showing a row of his canines, akin to a smirk.
Alphas are meant to care for their omegas. The little wolf is ours and she will find her strength and bearings in me.
Ronan still couldn’t quite understand his Lycan half. The bloody beast was always vague and spoke in riddles. While they were one and the same, it was as if his Lycan was a completely different being.
It was strange that the beast didn’t allow its wild instincts to rip to the fore and claim Vivian by force.
Ronan set aside his thoughts when Vivian stirred in his arms, mumbling incoherently in her sleep. Shifting in his arms, she groggily threw her arms around his neck with her eyes still closed, causing the Lycan Alpha’s mass to fall back to the ground.
He quickly wrapped his arm around her back to hold her, steadying himself with his other arm supporting the weight of his upper body off the ground.
Vivian didn’t appear to be aware of her surroundings and actions and her sudden movement caught Ronan off guard. The Lycan Alpha didn’t know how to react to the way she craved physical touch from him.
Was she no longer afraid of him? Or was her sense of danger clouded by the residues of her heat?
"Ronan..." Vivian muttered, wrapping her arms tighter around his neck.
What should I do?
Ronan sought advice from his Lycan half.
Are you seriously asking me that, boy? You’re the human side of us; you should know better!
You lived longer than me, you mangy mutt. You’re a cursed spirit born long before I.
Ronan countered, initiating an internal battle with his beastly half.
Figure it out.
Ronan almost released a frustrated growl, but instead sighed to himself. Uncharacteristically, he cradled the back of Vivian’s head in his hand and swept his cold lips over the shell of her ear.
"Vivian..." The Lycan Alpha whispered her name, his voice husky from just waking up. "I need you to wake up; can you do that for me?"
Vivian groaned an unintelligible response, burrowing herself further into him.
"Please, little wolf," Ronan readdressed her, deciding to pamper her with a kiss atop her forehead. "There’s a nearby town I want to take you to before we reach Sabre Coven and get you some clothes but I don’t want to reach there too late."
Vivian’s eyes fluttered open and she slowly sat up, straddling Ronan’s waist. Automatically, his hands perched on her bare thighs, gently gripping the underside as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
The she-wolf nodded lazily before sliding off his waist to plop down on the cave floor.
Ronan straightened up, draping her shawl tighter around her shoulders.
"I’m going to warm up some water for you to wipe down yourself," the Lycan Alpha said, waiting until she responded with another nod.
"Stay here. I will hunt for breakfast and return soon." With that being said, Ronan collected more wood to ignite a fire and get a pot of water on the boil.
When the water was warm enough, he carried the pot inside the cave and scented it with herbal leaves from his supplies. He instructed Vivian on how to gently wipe her body with the washcloth and dress into a fresh shirt from his bag before he returned.
The Lycan Alpha departed from the cave, shifting into his monstrous form to scour the area.
The distinct scent he caught a whiff of earlier in the cave grew stronger as he sprinted through the valley, chasing the scent.
He realised that whatever it was, it discovered his chase and decided to flee. Along the way, he noticed paw prints in the sand, yet they were smaller than that of an adult wolf.
Did one of the Moonborn wolves dare to cross into his territory now that he wasn’t standing as sentinel atop the hill of his land?
Ronan rallied his strength, sprinting without restraint as his movements left tremors in his wake.
At some point, his target came into view just a few paces ahead of him.
A wolf only a little larger than a pup? And by scent, a female?
Ronan howled in pursuit. He had to give the little shifter credit for her youthful vigour but it wasn’t long before he caught up to her and pinned her body to the ground.
The young wolf’s ears flattened against her head as she whimpered, terrified of the Lycan Alpha’s beastly form.
Ronan growled in her ear, a clear demand for her to shift back into her human form.