The Werewolf and Vampire's Princess

Crying out

Aleida was hyper-aware of her posture as she walked away from her mate. She kept herself as poised as she possibly could, and refused to wipe away the tears that were falling steadily.

Let everyone see that just because you are mates, doesn't mean you won't fight.

All she wanted to do was curl up in bed.

Instead, she followed the scent of the Marie sisters and found them inside the pack house, huddled together and whispering.

'Oh, sweetheart.' Anne-Marie opened her arms for Aleida to fall into. Aleida hovered with indecision.

'Maybe let us go somewhere more private for the Luna?' Carly-Marie suggested. Aleida nodded furiously and followed the sisters blindly. She wasn't sure whose hand she was holding, but she was grateful for it.

She was placed down on an incredibly soft bed, right against the headboard with fluffed-up pillows behind her, where Anne-Marie immediately enveloped her in a hug. Once Aleida heard the door close, she let the tears flow, sobbing into Anne-Marie's shoulder.

It took some time before she realized she wasn't just sobbing for herself and her own emotions - she could feel Conley's regret, his confusion, and his aching need to follow her and beg for her forgiveness. Aleida could only assume that Beta was keeping her mate away from her.

'Please ...' Conley's voice echoed softly in her head. 'Please, let me come to you ...'

Aleida continued to cry.

The Marie sisters took turns being a shoulder for Aleida to cry on, exchanging worried glances and silent suggestions.

***

It was early the next day before Aleida took a deep, shuddering breath, and finally fell asleep.

The second day Aleida awoke, and knew what she had to do. Silently, after thirty hours, she left the room. It took her all of ten minutes to find her mate in his - their - room. He was fast asleep, snoring quietly amongst the fluffy sheets.

'Conley.'

'Hm?'

'Con-ley.'

The Alpha's eyes flashed open a fraction of a second after he had leapt clear out of bed. His eyes met Aleidas, and he immediately fell to his knees with a loud crack. Aleida could see the images he was sending her - kneeling was the ultimate show of respect and apology for a wolf, and definitely an action the Alpha rarely, if ever, needed to do - but she could also see him. He had learned, and he wasn't bowing his head, but gazing into her eyes.

'My Luna, please-' but Aleida interrupted him by raising one hand. His eyes were so filled with emotion, Aleida wondered if they would burst.

'A moment.' Aleida needed to concentrate. Conley nodded twice, folding his hands in his lap and staying perfectly still. Or as still as a breathing wolf can.

Aleida closed her eyes and reached for him with her mind. She'd been blocking him out, saving it for this moment. She pictured their moments together, how he would pin her against walls and doors, his strong voice commanding her, him pounding into her ... and she reversed it. She showed him how much she needed those moments, how she needed him to take her, control her.

She could smell his arousal growing, but ignored it, keeping her eyes closed and her hand raised.

Next she showed him how she saw him. So huge, but so strong and powerful. The days they had been travelling, and she'd needed to walk in his shadow to avoid the sun, she had felt more protected than ever. Every time he had introduced her as his mate, as the packs new Luna, her heart had swelled with pride. She wanted to know every inch of their lands like the back of her hand, she wanted to earn the approval of her new pack, and she wanted to do it by his side - being everything he needed and more.

Conley sighed, and Aleida thought she heard him move to stand, but stilled him by moving her raised hand higher.

She showed him how empty she had felt when he had dressed and left her alone. She wasn't that kind of lover, and she probably never would be. She needed him to see that, to understand it. s*x wasn't enough.

'I'm sorry.' Conley whispered. Aleida finally opened her eyes, and, after allowing them to adjust to the light, she met his gaze.

'I know you are, but I don't need you to say it anymore. I need you to act like it.' Aleida lowered her hand and Conley immediately stood, towering over her with a gentle hand cupping her cheek.

'I will try. Every day, I will try.'

'That's all I ask. Communicate with me, ask me questions, learn who I am, not who you think I am.'

'I promise we wolves do think.' his voice turned husky, his thumb brushing her cheek.

'Prove it.' Aleida murmured, catching his thumb with her mouth. He growled softly and used his hand on her cheek to push her against the door. 'So original.' Aleida teased, but then proceeded to lose all coherent thought as Conley's free hand ripped away her pants.