The Lycan King's Princes

Because, I Love You

--- POV Tobias ---

I bolted around the counter in shock when I saw her skin burn. She can really be reckless sometimes. “Tobias!” My Lycan growled. I could hear him in my head, struggling to maintain composure and really hating the whole no-touching rule.

If he wants me to be cold to her…treat her like we treat everyone else, then he has to do the same. I finished cleaning up her wound, told her we would be in our office until seven, and left. It was better that way…right? "Right." Adir growled.

“You are showing your true side…and so soon. I guess you took my suggestion to heart.” Seth said, chuckling. I dropped my phone on the desk and glanced at the clock. Six-thirty. We should be able to get our homework done before we head down for dinner. That meeting was more painful than the realization that I – and Adir – were taking our little brother’s advice.

“Her food smelled delicious and so did she.” Adir growled.

I buried myself in my homework and went through three pens trying to finish up one of my assignments. I kept snapping them in two purely from agitation. “ It was your idea to listen to Seth!” I grumbled.

“Since when do you listen to me?” He asked with a chuckle.

I froze, realizing he was right. I never obeyed him that quickly, if at all. And I surely would never listen to my brother. What is wrong with me? I looked at the clock then back down at my economics homework. I just finished the last problem, and it was seven-o-five. We were late and I needed to crawl back to my icy state…again. “That’s what I thought. You listened to me because it was easy.”

I growled and made it to the dining room with Seth in toe. “Wow…maybe I should have kept my mouth shut.” He whispered. I'm sure he knows why I'm ticked today.

“Maybe you should have.” I answered angrily.

The both of us appeared in the dining room expecting to see Emmi there, but she was nowhere to be seen. I glanced up at Sam and he nodded. “She went to her room to change.” He said before ushering my hand towards the table. “Please, sit. She will be down in a moment.”

I nodded and we both took our place. I at the head of the table while Seth sat on my left. When she frantically made it back to the room, I was shocked at how well those fitted clothes made her curves pop. I immediately tensed. “Sit.” I didn’t know what else to say. If I talked more, I would take her to my room now. F*ck what my Lycan and my brother think. What they think is wrong.

I saw her glance my way. “Yes?” D*mn. Another one-word response. Then the conversation continued...without me. Seth cut in like he normally does and she stole glances my way while her and Seth conversed. I desperately glared at her bowl until the last morsel was finished, then I cleared my throat. She turned to me and her doe eyes had me weak. “Are you finished?” I asked shortly.

She nodded quickly and started trying to clean up the dishes. “I can pack the rest for lunch. It's really good cold. You two are more than welcome to take some to school with you tomorrow and –”

“Come.” I said shortly before walking out of the room. My restraint...now at zero.

The food was delicious, and her smell was intoxicating. I…I can’t take it anymore. “Wait!” She called. I froze at the top of the stairs and glanced back at her.

She was a bit out of breath and her small body finally made it up to mine. I took her hand and led her to my room. Once the door closed, I finally reached my limit. I picked her up in my arms and enjoyed her scent while she wrapped her limbs around me and frantically tried to fix her skirt. “I thought I could do this, but I can’t. Not with you.” I mumbled.

"Tobias...what are you talking about?" She whimpered.

I pulled her closer, and she froze while I slipped my hand under her chin and tilted her head up. Our eyes locking with one another. “Not with you.” I whispered before smashing my lips on hers.

She whimpered and pushed herself closer to me, if that was even possible. I pressed my hands on her bum and shoulder, forcing her lips to part so my tongue can explore. She gasped and tightened her grip around my neck. “T-Tobias.” She gasped.

I growled, enjoying my name from her lips. Her succulent lips. I turned us around and headed straight for the bed and froze. Sh*t. I lost control. D*mn! I turned around and slowly walked to the couch. She pulled away from my lips completely out of breath and I realized she had no make-up on. Not a smear in sight, and from that quick make-out session, there should have been. Emmi has always been a natural beauty. I’m glad she hasn’t strayed from it.

I sighed, angry at myself and sat on the couch, careful to keep her in my lap. “I’m sorry, Emmi.” I said softly.

“No!” She shouted, and I shot my eyes back at hers.

“Excuse me?” I asked, appalled. This is the first time she has been so forward since we reunited.

“No…I…why did you stop?” She asked, pressing her body into mine.

“I’m not going to have it be uncomfortable.”

She froze and her eyes grew. “H-have what be uncomfortable?”

“Your first time.” I said shortly.

She gasped and ripped herself off of me, shifting her skirt back in its place. “I…you…I never said it was my first time.”

Her skin was bright red and I smiled softly. I didn’t want to scare her, and my assumptions apparently hit a nerve. This was going to be fun. “So, it isn’t?” I asked mockingly.

She gasped again and her cheeks got redder. “That’s not what I said!” She shouted.

Her cheeks puffed out like a little chipmunk and I pushed myself off the couch, walking to her slowly. She stepped back as I moved forward and I could actually hear Adir whimper. I sighed and wrapped my arms around her, kissing the top of her head. “You are lying.”

She pushed away from me and I held my grip tighter. “Stop mocking me!” She shouted.

I kissed her cheek, and she pulled away, making Adir agitated again. “Shhhh…Em. It’s okay. I know you are lying because you told Saph that you would never sleep with someone who isn’t your mate. Therefore…”

She froze in my arms as her eyes grew to saucers. “You heard that?” She whimpered.

I chuckled and kissed her forehead. “That was the day I realized I loved you.” I repeated slowly. I wanted to make sure she heard every word.

She gasped and the room fell silent. “Wh-what did you say?” She whispered.

I kissed her neck and she whimpered. I lifted my lips to the tip of her ear, and I could feel the heat radiating off of her. “That was the day I realized I love you.”

She looked up slowly and I saw a tear in her eye. “You…you love me?”

I smirked and tapped her nose. “Yes, I do, Emmi. That’s why I keep telling you I’m so relieved it was you. I didn’t need a Moon Goddess to tell me otherwise. All I need is you.” Her eyes grew and she turned away.

She bit her lip and nodded. “…ou too…”

I tilted my head. I didn’t think anyone could talk this quietly. “What was that Em?”

“I-I love you too.” She squeaked. “Please…please don’t push me away anymore.” She whimpered and I was shocked. "I...I know you might be more experienced than me, but I can try. Please let me try."

She looked up to me with her big green eyes melting my heart. I sighed and pulled away, holding tightly to her hand. I walked us out of my room and I could feel her body shaking. “I’m-I’m sorry if I said something I shouldn't have.” She said. Emmi continued to whimper and all I could do was feel bad for her. I shouldn’t have iced her out the first day she was here.

Screw my personality. I’ll change for her and only her. I pushed open her door and let go of her hand. I grabbed her clothes and tossed them back in the suitcase, thankful she hadn’t unpacked everything yet. I zipped the bags and carried two in each hand. “Follow me.” I said softly and even the tenderness in my voice shocked me.

She looked down at the floor and twiddled her thumbs before nodding and following behind me like a small chick. How can something be this tiny and turn into a fully grown dragon is beyond me. I smirked at myself and pushed my door open with my shoulders, placing her bags on my couch. “Wh-what are you doing?” She asked.

I turned back to her and let my hands glide over her arms. She looked down at the movement and slowly back up to me. “I love you, Emilia. All of you and everything you bring. I love your soft green eyes, your brilliant mind, your shy demeanor, your blissful ignorance of your beauty and most of all, your respect for yourself for waiting for your mate.” I slid our hands together and she smiled. “Thank you for waiting for me. I know I have waited for you.” I kissed her neck and she giggled. Upon contrary belief, aside from a kiss here and there, I wasn't interested in sleeping with anyone but Emmi. I kept it that way.

“Y-you're welcome.” She said and pulled herself closer to me.

“Stay here in my room. You can come with me to class tomorrow. We are just doing reviews in all my classes, so they shouldn’t mind a shadow sitting in. You can keep the other room as well...but I would prefer you stay in here.” I said, walking over to my closet, pulling my shirt over my head.

“Well, is that alright with you? I don’t want to be in the way.” She asked, genuinely concerned about my opinion.

I chuckled and grabbed a pair of sweats. I kicked off my shoes and jeans before pulling myself into my sweats and walking back out to see my precious gem looking at the door with bright red ears. Ha! She was giving me privacy. Cute. “Of course, it’s alright with me. I want you to be around me.”

She spun around, realized I still didn’t have on a shirt and spun right back to face the door. “Sorry!” She shouted.

That is when it happened. For once in a long time, a real belly-rumbling laugh rang through my room, and it came from me.