Her Human His Lycan

Drive

Emma POV

“It’s time.”

My father’s gentle voice drifted through the darkness just before dawn. I blinked awake in my cozy bed, my room still swallowed in shadows. He stood silhouetted in the doorway, warm and steady—my constant.

“I already loaded your bags in the car,” he said quietly. “Wanted you to sleep as long as possible.”

I nodded, throat tight, and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. The sheets felt cool against my skin, grounding me as the reality of the day settled in: I was really leaving.

The bathroom tiles stung with cold as I padded inside. My reflection looked back at me—hair a tousled mess, sleep lines creasing my cheek. I dragged a brush through my pale strands and washed the lingering haze from my face. The mint burn of toothpaste snapped my senses fully awake.

Then I spotted the small fabric bag on the counter. Contacts. Right.

My disguise.

My eyes watered as I wrestled the lenses in, blinking through the sting as my natural purple faded into a human-like blue. When they finally settled, I breathed out and stepped back into my room.

Noah sat on my bed, pajama shirt wrinkled, hair a dark halo of sleep. In his hands, a small box.

He lifted his gaze instantly. “Were you crying?”

I shook my head with a crooked smile. “Just the stupid contacts.”

Relief softened his expression, but something sad lingered beneath it. “You know… no one would blame you if you changed your mind.”

“I’m going,” I said, firm but gentle.

He nodded once, stood, and held out the box. “Then take this.”

I blinked. “When did you even—?”

“I’ve had it for a while,” he admitted. “Just waited for the right moment.”

Inside lay a delicate gold chain holding a black and white rose—our royal Lycans. Two halves. Forever connected.

Tears hit me before I could stop them. Noah pulled me into his arms, holding me while his voice dropped to a whisper.

“I’ll miss you, Emma. But I’m proud of you. I can’t wait to hear what your life is like out there.”

My chest ached. “I’ll miss you too.”

He helped clasp the necklace around my neck, the cool metal settling against my skin like a promise.

After one last look around my room, I headed downstairs. The wooden steps creaked softly beneath me. My mother stood by the door, leaning into my father’s shoulder. Her tears had slowed, but her eyes were swollen and red.

When she finally looked at me, something inside me splintered.

“My precious pup,” she whispered, pulling me into her arms.

I laughed weakly. “Mom, I’m not a pup anymore.”

“You always will be.” She cupped my cheek, thumb brushing away a stray tear. “Be safe, Emma.”

Her kiss lingered warm on my skin as I stepped out into the crisp morning air. The scent of dew, grass, and blooming flowers filled my lungs—home, fading behind me.

He’s out there, Inara murmured with electric excitement. Our mate. I feel him.

I smiled to myself. Even if he isn’t, we’re still going to enjoy this.

Settling into the car, the engine hummed softly beneath me. My father climbed in and glanced my way with a nostalgic smile.

“Driving your daughter to school isn’t exactly a tradition here,” he said. “But humans take pride in it.”

“That’s one tradition I don’t mind,” I replied.

As the kingdom blurred behind us, curiosity tugged at me. “The school… It’s near where you and Mom lived as humans, right?”

He nodded, eyes distant with memory. “Just outside the city we once hid in.”

I imagined my mother walking through busy human streets, hiding her wolf behind potions and fear. “I’m excited to see the places you both went,” I said softly.

My father exhaled. “The human realm is dangerous now, but it’s also full of beauty. I think this will be good for you, Emma.”

The drive was long, winding through forests painted with early-morning gold. Birds filled the air with their melodies, the scent of pine drifting through the cracked window. I soaked it all in—one last inhale of home before everything changed.

We talked the whole way.

He explained human colleges, how parties worked, and—sternly—how much drinking was too much. I laughed when he asked if I had any friends going with me. He chuckled and promised I’d make plenty.

Then he taught me about money—how tipping worked, what things cost, how easily humans were tricked. “Keep your money close,” he warned. “Humans steal.”

Hours later, the forest faded into paved roads, exhaust fumes, and towering steel structures. Humans rushed everywhere, horns blaring, billboards screaming in neon color. It was chaotic, loud, overwhelming… and thrilling.

At the train station, my father parked and helped unload my bags. A witch named Jennifer would meet me on the other end, and I couldn’t wait. She’d helped my mother once, and I’d always adored her.

Before I boarded, my father squeezed my shoulder gently.

“Contact Jennifer at the first sign of danger. And remember—you’re human here.”

I nodded. Then a train attendant ushered me toward my private compartment. Through the window, I saw my father standing alone on the platform, shoulders strong but eyes soft. He lifted a hand in one final goodbye.

The whistle blew.

My heart clenched.

And the world shifted.

The train ride blurred into a mix of sleep, clattering wheels, and anticipation. When we finally stopped hours later, Jennifer swept me into a hug the moment she saw me.

“It’s been years! Look at you—you’re stunning!” she said, her laughter warm as sunlight.

The car ride from the station was short, filled with her warnings about hunters and schools recruiting students. “Never shift unless you’re at my home,” she insisted. “It’s safe there.”

“I will,” I promised. “My father gave me a phone with your number.”

“Good. This realm may be dangerous, but I’m glad you get to experience it. It’s part of your father’s history.”

That made butterflies swirl in my chest—excitement, curiosity, and something like destiny.

When we reached the apartment complex, groups of college students lounged around tables, laughter filling the warm night air. It felt alive here—different, but alive.

Jennifer guided me inside.

“Where are the stairs?” I asked as we paused before a set of metal doors.

She laughed. “This is an elevator.”

I stepped inside cautiously, jolting slightly as it rose. When the doors opened, a bright hallway welcomed us. The apartment she unlocked was small, warm, mine.

“I love it already,” I breathed.

“I’ll let you settle in,” Jennifer said, handing me the keys. “Call me if you need anything.”

When she left, silence wrapped around me—thick, comforting, strange. I wandered through the apartment, stomach growling. A note on the fridge caught my eye: I stocked the fridge and freezer.

Bless her.

After devouring a sandwich, I stepped onto the small patio. Cool night air brushed my skin. The city hummed in the distance, a low, foreign heartbeat.

Then—

I smell him. I smell him! Inara cried, exhilarated.

My breath caught.

Our mate? Here?

Close, she purred. Very close.

My own heart pounded with sudden, dizzying anticipation.

“We’ll look for him,” I whispered. “But carefully. No attention.”

She settled with a pleased rumble.

I sat back in the patio chair, the night sky stretching endlessly above me. For the first time, I wasn’t Emma the princess. I wasn’t a warrior. I wasn’t a symbol.

I was just… Emma.

A girl in her first home away from home.

A girl on the edge of something extraordinary.

“Thanks, Mom and Dad,” I murmured to the quiet night.

I mind-linked Noah, assuring him I was safe and happy. Then I closed my eyes and breathed in my new life.

My new beginning.