The lost mate
Chapter 71: Everything is fine ?

Chapter 71: Everything is fine ?

A big black wolf appeared from behind the tree; he looked powerful. His fur was as dark as the night, shimmering under the fading sunlight with an otherworldly glow. Anne’s breath caught in her throat. She was stunned by the sheer beauty and strength his wolf exuded. The alpha prince in all his primal glory.

Ryan gasped, his eyes wide with excitement rather than fear. "Wow!" he squealed, taking hesitant steps towards the towering creature.

Damien lowered himself to the ground, lying on his belly in front of Ryan. His massive head rested on his paws, amber eyes watching the boy with an expression that seemed almost soft. Ryan, with the innocent curiosity of a four-year-old, stretched out his hand and touched Damien’s fur. The moment his fingers sank into the thick black coat, he squealed with delight.

"He’s soft, Mommy!" Ryan beamed, giggling as he ran his hands through Damien’s fur.

Anne smiled, her heart swelling at the sight of the two of them. Damien’s wolf could be terrifying, yet here he was, lying docile as a puppy in front of her son. She had been worried about how Ryan might react to Damien in his wolf form, but seeing the joy on his face, all her fears melted away.

Shift.

The voice echoed in her mind, startling her. Anne blinked, momentarily disoriented, before realising it was Damien speaking to her through their mental bond. It had been so long since she had used it that she had almost forgotten it was even there. He had never communicated with her this way before.

Anne nodded at Damien, biting her lip as she glanced around the clearing. She slipped behind a tree, quickly stripping out of her clothes. The shift came naturally, her body stretching and morphing into her wolf form—a pure white wolf with fur as soft as snow. She padded out from behind the tree, her steps light, and her eyes immediately found Ryan.

Ryan’s face lit up even more, if that were possible. "Mommy, you too!"

Anne lowered her head, letting Ryan come to her. He hugged her, his small arms barely wrapping around her form. She nuzzled him gently, feeling a deep sense of pride that he wasn’t afraid at all. If anything, he seemed overjoyed by the fact that both his parents were wolves.

What followed was pure bliss. Ryan ran around, giggling as Damien and Anne’s wolves playfully tumbled with him. Damien’s wolf rolled onto his side, nudging Ryan with his nose, sending the boy into fits of laughter. Anne circled around them, her white fur contrasting sharply with Damien’s black as they moved together perfectly.

Ryan hopped onto Damien’s back and gripped his fur with tiny fists. Damien stood still for a moment, letting Ryan adjust before trotting carefully around the clearing, Ryan riding on his back like he was a mighty horse. Anne watched, a soft smile playing on her wolfish face.

"Giddy up, daddy !" Ryan squaled.

But as the minutes passed, Ryan’s energy began to wane. When he yawned, Anne realised how tired he must be after the excitement of the day. She nudged him gently, encouraging him to climb down from Damien’s back.

Once they shifted back into their human forms, Anne quickly pulled on her clothes, scooping Ryan into her arms. "Alright, little man. Time for bed."

She changed him into his PJs and tucked him in his bed.

"Good night, sweety." Anne kissed his little forehead.

"Mum, why don’t you kiss Daddy as well?" Ryan mumbled.

Anne chuckled nervously, trying to come up with a response that wouldn’t confuse Ryan further.

Damien chuckled.

"Mommy and I show our love in different ways, buddy," Damien quipped.

Anne looked at Damien scandalised.

" Let’s focus on getting you to sleep now, okay?" Anne replied, redirecting the conversation away from any potential awkwardness.

"No ! You must kiss Daddy too. I saw it on TV with Emily Aunty." Damien burst into laughter.

"Okay, okay, I’ll kiss Daddy too," Anne relented, giving Damien a quick peck on the cheek before tucking him in. And mentally reminding herself that she would have to talk to Emily about her choiceof TV shows aaboutkids.

"Now let’s go to sleep, sweetheart," she said.

Ryan yawned again, his eyes drooping. "Mommy, can I sleep on my own in my room tonight? I’m a big boy now," he murmured.

Anne paused for a moment, her heart doing a little flip. His room. That meant... she wouldn’t be sleeping with him. She had always shared the bed with Ryan, giving her an excuse to keep her distance from Damien. But now?

"Wont you feel scared ?"

"I am a wolf mum; I’m not scared of anything," Ryan said confidently. Anne smiled, realising that her little boy was growing up faster than she had anticipated.

"Of course you’re a big boy," she said softly.

She kissed his forehead again, smoothing his hair as his breathing evened out, signalling that he had fallen asleep almost instantly.

She lingered for a moment, watching him sleep. They both moved out of the bedroom. Damien’s eyes met hers, and she could see the unspoken question in them. He didn’t say anything as they walked back to the living room.

"So... where do I sleep now?" Anne asked awkwardly, crossing her arms.

Damien’s lips twitched, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You could sleep in my room."

Anne blinked, caught off guard by his bold suggestion.

"I’ll get the decorators to convert the study into another bedroom soon," he added, watching her reaction carefully.

Anne shook her head quickly. "There’s no need," she muttered, not quite trusting herself to say more. The idea of sharing a space with him, even with their complicated history, was overwhelming.

But Damien just smiled gently, nodding as though he understood. "Alright. But the offer still stands," he said, his eyes gleaming naughitily.

"I don’t want separate bedrooms, Damien," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Damien’s smile widened.

"I don’t want the pack to think that we are not getting along. It would be bad for your reputation." She added quickly.

He raised an eyebrow.

"You are so concerned about my reputation. I so touched."

She rolled her eyes, feeling a hint of annoyance at his teasing tone.

"We’ve shared a bed before; it’s no big deal," Annie said, hoping she didn’t sound too nervous.

Damien chuckled, the mischievous glint still present in his eyes. "Don’t worry, I promise to behave myself," he replied with a smirk. Annie couldn’t help but blush at his response, unsure of what to expect next.

"Let me just get some blankets, and then we can get settled."

She glanced at Damien as he left the room, feeling her heart race. Should she make the first move? They were mates; they had done things before; it was nothing to feel embarrassed about. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being too forward.

She decided to take a shower, hoping it would help calm her nerves. As she stepped into the hot water, she closed her eyes and leant against the wall. She let out a sigh, feeling the tension leave her body. She heard the door open, and she opened her eyes, seeing Damien step into the bathroom.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked, his voice low and husky.