The Werewolf King's Bride

(From Demetrius's Perspective)

"You're so bad, Dem," she pouted. "How can you say those words with a straight face? How can you even ask me something like that? You've given me everything. Trust me, I never wanted this warmth. I just wanted to survive and one day, throw some trash on my family's face.

Yes, that was the only thing I wanted. I did not have any dreams. Dreams were always out of reach for someone like me. I never thought of loving someone or being loved. Yes, a part of me wanted to be cared for. But that part was under so many layers that I sometimes forgot that I had that kind of wish.

But then one night, you appeared."

She smiled up at me. "I thought I was walking into another hell after leaving from one. I yelled at you too, remember? But I was wrong. I mean, it's not my fault for not trusting you. You were a stranger and, also a handsome one.

So, I thought you were going to use my body. Now that I think about it, you kinda forced me to come here with you."

"Sorry about that. I didn't have any choice though. You would never come on your own," he said. "You were even planning on running away."

"You lied to me that time. When I asked you if you could read minds, you said no."

"It would freak you out even more," I pointed out. "Just imagine what if a stranger forces you to come with them and then also says that they can read your mind, how would you feel then? Isn't it creepy?"

"Well, that's true."

"Now enough talking. Shall we go for another round?"

It had been one month since our wedding night. And only this night, we became one again. Even though we did it multiple times tonight, I still could not get enough. I craved more and more. It seemed like I was addicted to her.

"No, my limbs are numb. What? Don't give me that look! You were the one in beast form here," she grumbled.

It was true that I had gotten too excited and was kind of rough. But still, it was not enough to satisfy my desire for her. Perhaps it was something that would never be enough.

"Just one more round. Come on!" I pleaded.

"Nope. Not tonight. You don't want me to limp in the morning, do you?"

"It's not a problem. I can always carry you."

"It is a problem!"

"But you're too light. I can carry you with one hand," I said.

"Not your problem, but it's my problem. What would others say if you keep carrying me around?"

"Who cares about others?" I grumbled.

"Whatever. Just not anymore tonight," she said dismissively.

It could not go on like this. I needed to find more ways to trick her. She would eventually give in and fall for my tricks. Huh, then it would be an even longer night.

I lay down beside her and she rested her head on my shoulder. Her hair was long and beautiful. I liked the color- it was not dark, but it was not light either. She looked even prettier with her hair in a braid.

"I heard the full moon is near," she muttered.

I almost made a strange noise in shock. I did not expect her to know about this. If she asked her personal maid, she would tell her, but I did not think she would think about full moons in the first place.

"Yeah, it's after seven days," I said.

"Why didn't you tell me about it then? I always have to hear these things from Ruby. It would make me feel better if you would explain them to me," she said.

"Sorry about that. You know, I've been keeping my distance. So, I didn't think of burdening you with that. I mean, if you knew that it would hurt me like death if we didn't mate on the full moon night, you would do it without thinking about anything else."

"What's there to think about? We're married, aren't we? It's usual for a husband and a wife to make love," she shrugged.

"It is. But you don't understand... We, werewolves, are too strong and on a full moon night, it's like we become crazy. You don't even know how dangerous we become. It's dangerous for you. You're a human, my wife.

You will get hurt. Your body won't be able to take it," he said.

"Are you stupid or something? You said it will hurt like death and now you're talking as if you were planning not to mate with me on the full moon night."

"..."

"What? You were really thinking that? What's the problem, Dem? Sometimes I don't understand you at all. It's you who wanted me to be your mate. You chose me, a human, as your mate on purpose and you even waited seven years for me to come of age.

Then didn't you think about it that time? Or were you planning on not doing it with me on full moon nights at all? Were you planning on suffering instead?"

"I was just going to focus on another thing."

"What the... Tell me clearly, Dem."

I had never seen her angry. It was the first time and it was kind of scary too. How funny that the mighty king Demetrius was afraid of his wife getting angry!

I sighed. "Well, if you focus on another pain..."

"What will I do with you, Dem?"

"That's basically my line."

"Shut up! How can you still talk like that after thinking about something so ridiculous? How can you be so careless about yourself? I understand that it's going to be a bit hard and you might not be yourself. But it's not like I'll die. And why would you suffer alone like that especially when you have a mate who you can go to?

It's no fair, Dem. If you don't come to me on the full moon night, I will drag you in the bedroom if I have to."

I chuckled. "You look adorable when you're angry."

"Dem!" she punched me on the chest. It felt like a feather falling on a brick. Needless to say, she got hurt. "You're naked fully. But why does it feel like I punched on armor?"

"Don't do that again if you don't want to get hurt. Werewolves' muscles are pretty hard," I said while rubbing her fist.

"Anyway, promise me you will do it with me on the full moon and won't think of doing anything stupid," she said.

"Alright, you win," I sighed. "I promise."

She yawned. I must have gone crazy. Even her yawning face was too adorable. I kissed her on the forehead and hugged her.

"Sleep, my wife," I whispered into her ear.

She did not need to be told twice. She fell asleep in a moment. She looked so fragile in my arms that I was afraid if I was not careful enough, she might break. She always looked so tiny next to me. Even for a human, she was quite short. And in the world of werewolves, even female werewolves were much taller than her.

Because of that, she looked even more delicate.

I was so selfish that I brought someone as delicate as her into my world, a world full of beasty creatures like werewolves. And I did not want to let go of her. Even though there was danger lurking around, I still wanted to keep her with me. I had convinced myself that I was strong enough to protect her. But in the end, I was just selfish.

I had basically forced her to come with me. If I had not brought her with me that night, things would never be like this. She would not be sleeping naked in my bed in my arms. I would not be able to call her my wife. Because she would find someone else in her life. Perhaps I was in her heart by now, but to think clearly, I forced my way inside her heart.

But no sense of guilt hit me. Rather I was proud and happy because I did not let anyone else take her from me. I made her mine first. I became the first man in her life and I would be the last man as well.

Just how selfish I was to think like that? But still, I wanted to keep on being selfish like this. If being selfish would keep her with me forever, I would do so. Yes, it was true that if she wanted to leave me, I would let her. Her happiness was the most important thing after all. But I had to make sure she would never want to leave me.

I would try even harder so even the thought of leaving me would never cross her mind.

"Just keep on being mine, my wife. Just stay with me."