The Lycan King's Fate Calling

Rufus' POV:

The girl's presence immediately calmed my pouncing head. Even my soul felt warm just by having her close.

A faint voice inside my head told me that it was time to wake up.

And so, I opened my eyes, only to flinch and squint from the bright light that flooded the room. It took me a while to finally get adjusted and take in my surroundings.

The clock on the wall said that it was just a little after eight in the morning. I had no idea how it happened, but I was back in my former palace. Despite my slight confusion, I felt refreshed and at peace for the first time in as long as I could remember.

A soft, rustling sound broke through my thoughts, and I turned to see a petite woman sleeping soundly next to me. I must have disturbed her when I'd moved earlier. She had her back to me as she burrowed deeper into the blankets. It was an adorable sight, one that I wouldn't mind seeing every morning.

I basked in the knowledge that this she-wolf was my wife.

And then the confusion washed over me again. Did I ever have a wife?

Deep in my heart, I had this sincerity that I had a mate whom I loved deeply. We had been married for several years, and were utterly devoted to each other.

I leaned over and turned her toward me, desperate to see her face. But all her features blurred in my vision.

then did I realize that

It terrified me a little. The remaining sense

"Rufus."

slender arms snaking around my neck as she nuzzled her head against my chest. That sweet, familiar scent instantly came over me, taking over my senses. I felt myself sinking back into

it wasn't a dream at all. It couldn't

my hands and kissed her. The touch of her

for one brief moment, but she soon

but I knew that it wasn't nearly long enough. I

my chest. "You're doing it again," she said in a

words seemed to

me, and before I

I was putting a lot of force into my embrace, as if I wanted to crush her. And I did feel that impulse, to crush her against

again. "Why aren't

anything, Rufus? Are you

it around my waist. I acted on reflex, pulling

between our

I swallowed a lump in my throat and tried to say something, but no words came out of my