Transmigrated: The Lycan King’s Pet

(Aeris POV)

I woke up to the wet, warm, and abrasive feeling of something running over my face.

I opened my eyes, and to my horror, the face of a wolf was only inches away from me, its tongue licking my face like there was honey on it.

"White." I scrambled up the bed. "What are you doing?" I wiped its saliva with the sleeve of my nightgown.

'What the hell? I thought I was being eaten alive.' I held my chest as if it would stop the pounding of my heart.

The wolf huffed and climbed down the bed like it had done nothing wrong. He sat on the rug, staring at me.

"You almost gave me a heart attack," I muttered, eyeing him as he blinked at me innocently. "You can't just lick people's faces in the morning. That's not how we say good morning in this kingdom."

It let out a soft grunt and wagged its tail once, clearly unbothered.

I rubbed my temples. "You're lucky you're cute."

'And I'm grateful for that, what would have become of me if you were a big bad wolf?'

Dragging myself out of bed, I glanced at the window. Morning sunlight had already filled the room, it was soft and golden, brushing against the rug where White now stretched out like a spoiled prince.

I reached for the jug of water on the side table, poured some into the copper basin, and splashed my face. "Now I need to get your saliva off my face."

White padded toward me, brushing against my leg like a giant cat, which made me nearly slip.

"Stop it," I warned. "You're acting like a puppy."

It snorted like it was proud of itself.

I sighed, grabbing a towel to dry my face. "You really don't understand boundaries, do you?"

It flopped onto the rug again, this time rolling onto its back, paws up.

I tried not to laugh.

"I should be worried you're secretly a big bad wolf or something," I said, folding the towel. "But no. You're just… White… Quite cute." I mumbled.

The sudden knock on the door made my heart drop. I rushed toward the door, then realization dawned on me, and I quickly turned to White, who was now stretching lazily like he had no idea we were about to get caught.

"Hide," I whispered sharply. "Go!"

He stared at me, head tilted, like I was being dramatic.

"Do you want to get caught and taken to the King? Move!"

Thankfully, he finally got up, padded across the room, and slipped behind the curtains near my reading nook. His white fur almost blended into the pale drapes, but not enough to go unnoticed.

I rushed over and made sure his body was fully hidden.

I gave the space one last glance to make sure no tail was sticking out, then turned to the door and opened it.

My mother stood there with a tray of food in her hands.

I blinked, a little stunned. Of all people… she was the one who brought me breakfast?

She stepped forward with a small smile. "I heard you had a nightmare last night. I thought I'd check on you."

I moved aside silently, letting her in, my fingers curled into a fist.

The scent of warm bread and soup filled the room as she set the tray on my desk. I said nothing, but I knew my expression wasn't exactly welcoming.

As always she looked stunning in her peach golden dress. Her hair was styled up with two strands falling over the sides of her face.

Her enormous translucent wings spread beautifully behind her.

My throat tightened, and I blinked trying to look away. My mother… she had always retracted her wings, tucking them inside so she would appear just like me… so I wouldn't feel different.

Tears welled in my eyes. It was like I felt sad because she finally got to be herself, I have always wanted to see her wings.

But she thought it would make me sad and feel left out. But here she was, in her glory… and I couldn't shut the feeling of not being enough… the feeling of being different.

She turned to face me again, brushing her hands together. "What did you dream about?"

I opened my mouth to answer but paused when my gaze fell on the cup of medicine on the table. "I don't remember what it was about."

"Is that so?" she looked at me with those soft blue eyes, the same ones that made me feel I was loved.

She walked farther into the room, and my heart immediately shot to my throat. "You don't have to stay. I'm fine now," I blurted out, trying not to sound panicked.

She stopped in the middle of the room and turned to me. "I just want to make sure you're alright."

I swallowed. "Since when do you care?"

That came out harsher than I meant it to, but I didn't take it back.

She remained unbothered, and I missed how her hands clenched the side of her dress. She looked around the room, her gaze hovering for a second too long near the curtains, before returning to me.

"I always cared," she said quietly. "Even if I don't show it the way you want."

I crossed my arms. "Then why did you let him decide who to marry? What happened to finding a mate?" My voice rose higher than I intended.

Her sigh was long, tired. "Because it's what's best for you."

"So what am I supposed to tell him when he sees the half mate mark on my neck? Won't he think I have been with another man?" My fist dug into my flesh. "And being betrothed to a stranger is what's best for me?"

"You're the King's niece, Aeris. That comes with duty, and for the mark, we will explain it to him, he wouldn't misunderstand… You were born with it, it's not like you were marked before." Her expression changed into a scowl.