A Werewolf's Human Mate

32

Crafting Trust

Aurora nods, fascinated. “Like what?”

Edwin’s gaze shifts to the ground for a moment before he looks back up, his expression serious but softened by trust.

“There’s… a risk,” he says quietly, “of losing control, especially during the change. I have to be careful around others. My emotions get intense. It’s like fire—hard to put out once it starts.” He pauses, then adds, “But there’s also an incredible sense of family. We look out for each other. It’s a different kind of family.”

Aurora nods, absorbing his words, her eyes warm with understanding.

“That sounds both beautiful and frightening,” she says softly. She reaches for his hand, her voice steady but gentle.

“But I want to understand, Edwin, so I can be there for you. You’re not just a werewolf to me, you’re… you’re you.”

Edwin’s face lights up with a smile that’s rare and entirely unguarded. Her words touch something deep within him, bringing a warmth he didn’t know he needed.

“That means everything to me, Aurora,” he says, his voice almost a whisper. “Thank you… for wanting to know. I want to share all of me with you—even the parts that seem scary.”

Aurora’s hand tightens around his. “Then show me. All of it. I’m not afraid,” she says, her voice filled with quiet conviction.

Edwin’s eyes lock onto hers, the faintest shimmer of relief and hope shining through. “You don’t know how much that means to me!”

As Edwin spoke, his voice laced with a raw honesty.

“Being a werewolf means living with a dual nature. On one hand, there’s the human side—my everyday life, my relationships, my work. On the other, there’s the wolf side, which comes with heightened senses, strength, and instincts. It’s... a constant balancing act.”

Aurora’s brow furrowed, and she reached out to touch his arm.

“And… will it affect us? I mean, if we're together, how will your werewolf side impact our relationship?” She hesitated, then added softly, “Last night… in my dream, you came to me, not as your human self, but as a werewolf.”

Edwin’s expression tightened, and he sighed. “My werewolf side can be intense."

" Like last night, I wanted to give you enough space so you could think about us again. But... you saw how my wolf instincts invaded your dream, practically forcing my presence on you, forcing on myself to you, forcing on your body... .

He paused, the hint of a frown crossing his face. “Even though we’re together, still I didn’t exactly ask for permission to be that close to you... ”

" Don't be so sad. " Aurora flushed, stammering, “Uh, well… ‘forcing’ might be a bit of a harsh word.”

“Oh?"  Edwin tilted his head, suddenly a smirk tugging at his lips.  " Really?"

" Then give it another word.” His tone was teasing, but his eyes held a steady, serious gaze.

Aurora’s mouth opened, then closed as she struggled for a response. “I… I don’t know,” she finally whispered.

Edwin leaned closer, his voice dropping to a soft murmur. “So… you liked it, didn’t you?”

Aurora didn’t answer, her cheeks warm as she looked away.

Edwin took her hand gently, lifting it to his lips and pressing a soft kiss against her fingers. “ Well, at least I feel reassured that you’re now comfortable with skinship.”

They shared a smile, a quiet, knowing exchange that filled the space between them with unspoken promises.

As the evening wore on, they remained by the park, finding comfort in each other’s presence. The challenges ahead were daunting, but their shared resolve gave them strength.

In that quiet moment, amidst the backdrop of nature’s tranquility, Aurora and Edwin found a renewed sense of connection and purpose, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

As the days went by, Aurora gained newfound confidence in her relationship with Edwin. She dedicated time to understanding the complexities of love, engaging in discussions with friends and researching ways to navigate common relationship challenges.

The key takeaway was clear: cherish every moment together and not let the fear of loss overshadow their time.

During this period, Edwin invited Aurora to his office several times, introducing her to his employees as his girlfriend. Each visit filled her with excitement and nervousness, but Edwin’s pride in their relationship shone through. His affectionate introductions made her feel welcomed and embraced in his world.

With each shared smile and laugh, Aurora's certainty about their relationship deepened, reinforcing her belief that love was about celebrating their journey together.

On a sunny day, Aurora's excitement bubbled as she prepared to meet some of Edwin's friends. She was eager to connect with the people in his life, and although Edwin had hoped for a larger gathering, the circumstances meant that today she would meet only a few members of the Moonbridge werewolf pack.

In the bright daylight, Edwin takes Aurora's hand and leads her to the meeting spot through the woods. The path opened up to a stunning circular clearing, meticulously cleared of trees, allowing sunlight to flood the space. The air was fresh and filled with the earthy scent of nature, punctuated by the occasional rustle of leaves.

Scattered throughout the clearing were wooden training weapons, hinting at the rigorous practice that took place here.

As they stepped into the clearing, Aurora noticed a group of individuals training. Some were muscular women, their strength evident in every movement, while others were men honing their skills. Their camaraderie and focused energy made the atmosphere feel alive, but as soon as they spotted Edwin and Aurora, their attention shifted.

Edwin grinned, clearly proud to show off his girlfriend.

He called out to the group, “Hey, everyone! I told you I’d introduce you to my girlfriend/mate someday, so today here she is, Aurora!”

A wave of greetings washed over her as they welcomed her with friendly smiles. Laughter filled the air as some of the guys began teasing, playfully commenting on their relationship.

“Ah~ girlfriend~” one of them called out with a cheeky grin.

“Oh, you really got such a beautiful mate!” another chimed in, causing a warm flush to creep across Aurora’s cheeks.

“Waiting for you has paid off,” one more teased, drawing a shy smile from both Aurora and Edwin.

The playful banter continued, creating a lighthearted atmosphere that made Aurora feel both nervous and delighted. It was evident that this was a close-knit group, and they were happy to see Edwin so smitten.

“Enough of that!” a strong female voice cut through the laughter, a hint of authority in her tone. “Congratulations to both of you for finding each other, especially you, Edwin.”

Edwin’s face lit up with a genuine smile, his pride evident. “Thank you,” he replied, clearly pleased with the reception.