Staring at her calm body on the bed, Zeidan couldn't help but ponder over what had just happened at the stream. How she had transformed into a big beautiful wolf was still strange to him. Hadn't she lived her twenty years without a wolf? How did it just pop out of nowhere with nothing to explain it? All these filled his mind more than Wikh's disappearance.

The morning sun seeped in through the window of the room and it beamed on Lyne's resting face. He ran his index finger over her face and she stirred. Her face was bright as if the sun shone through it, rather than a streak in through the windows on the adjacent wall.

"You're awake?" He sounded worried as she sat up gently from the bed.

Lyne smiled wryly as if she was still trying to remember what had happened. "Of course, I'm awake. What happened?"

When he had first set his eyes on her, she appeared to be fierce: not as a wolf or a warrior, but as a woman who is ready to stand up against any wrong done to her. However, those Werecats had done him wrong and not her, yet she stood for him. He hadn't been wrong to have decided to make her the Queen of Vampire City. An ideal lover and Queen. He took her right hand in both of his hands and placed a soft kiss on it. 

"I have something for you." He said and stepped towards the racks where he brought out a long box with golden shapes inscribed on it. Opening it, he removed a bracelet with a crescent-shaped design on it. On the crescent, her name was written in a tiny dot, her lips broke into a smile as she saw the object.

"This is beautiful." She commented as she smiled up at him.

"Just like you." He dug his hands into his pockets and wondered if it was the best time to talk about her wolf.

"For how long have I been asleep?" She inquired and his heart jumped with joy as he thought this was the best time to ask.

"For as many hours as I can't say. Let's say fifteen hours or so. You passed out and I can't say why." 

Lyne shot him a look and it seemed as though realization just crossed her face. 

"Oh. The Werecats." She mumbled. "What did they do to you? Where are they now?"

"They did nothing, thanks to you." 

"Me? I thought all that was a dream."

"It wasn't." He sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand again. "You found your Wolf." He smiled joyfully at her but she still frowned and he wondered why.

"I found my Wolf? Why?" She drew in a deep breath.

"One moment I was saving you, then they surrounded me and I was overpowered. I don't know why but I think I'm usually vulnerable around you so I couldn't use my powers. Then, you came in your Wolf form. To be sincere, you looked gorgeous even in your wolf form." He tried to explain but she shook her head and walked to the window. 

"This isn't fair. I looked for my Wolf for years and I was written off because I didn't have it. Why did it come now? And even when it came, it took away your powers..."

"I don't think it has anything to do..."

"It does!" She yelled as she glared back at Zeidan. 

"Fate is cruel. It gave me my Wolf and took away your powers. Why?"

"I don't think I lost my powers." Zeidan hesitated. Maybe she was right after all but he hoped that wasn't true. Of course, he had tried to use his powers on the Werecats while she was nearby and he couldn't do anything but that doesn't mean it was her fault. He never thought it was ever her fault.

Lyne wrapped her arms around herself. "My family turned my enemies, all because I had no Wolf. I lived my life thinking I was a minor and I didn't matter and you think this is easy? Zeidan, your powers are gone!"  She pulled her brows together. "Does that make any sense at all?"

"Maybe. I think so." Zeidan nodded thoughtfully. "You got your powers and I lost mine."

Lyne's thoughts traveled back to her dream after they made love. "She said I freed her. I think that was after we mated. Does that mean my Wolf got out because we mated? And she thanked me for freeing her." She stared at Zeidan who stood in front of her and took a few cautious steps backward like she was scared of him.

"I still don't get why you're reacting in this manner. Isn't this what you've always wanted?" Zeidan exhaled, trying to make sense of her actions. "You have been made to live life as a nonentity and you weren't able to live like a real Princess. You felt like a freak. Think of all those bullying, all the interesting stuff you haven't been able to do..."

"Well, I don't freakin' care. I didn't care. I never did. And to hell with fate." Her voice was shaky and she looked away as she didn't want Zeidan to see her cry. "Not like I'd love to have someone else peek at my nakedness when shifting on the training ground."

"You wouldn't have discovered that hidden talent too." Zeidan mocked and she burst out laughing. 

"Look," he walked closer and pulled her face so she could look at him. "Whether you have your Wolf or not, it won't change my feelings for you." 

She studied him silently.

Zeidan placed a light kiss on her lips. "You still look mad, dear."

"Not at all." A slight smile lifted the corner of Lyne's lips. "Not when you are here acting all sweet."

Zeidan raised an amused brow. "Now I'm acting sweet? I don't think so."

"You're practically trying hard to make me unmad...if that's even a word." Lyne shrugged. "Words don't matter too unless they're said by the ones who matter to us. Maybe I was just afraid that you'll hate me." Tears filled her eyes.

"You may not like me any more now that I have a wolf and I was so scared."

Zeidan rested his forehead on hers. "You're right. I don't like you anymore."

He could feel her muscles contract and he chuckled.

"Instead, I love you more."

She relaxed and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I love you too. Please, don't hate me."

"I will never." For a while, they stood there in each other's arms until Wikh's name popped up in his head.

"But there's one thing we have to take care of." He disentangled himself from Lyne and moved to the door. "I have to look for Wikh."

"I'll go with you," Lyne said while she proceeded to take her coat.

"You're just recovering, Lyne."

"Doesn't matter. Our strength matters when we fight for who we love and who we use it on doesn't matter. Wikh might be in trouble right now." She passed by Zeidan and stepped out of the room already dressed in an overall coat and boots.

"More like he will be in trouble," Zeidan muttered before following behind her.