Lola and Russel spent the next several months hunting any other traitors to Oclan they could find. Ray was sent to a prison camp in the harsh and wintry Valdkulv Mountain Range to work off his penance with hard, manual labor. Russel didn’t want him dead but he did want him stowed away in a “safe” place to rethink his position and allegiances. The other traitors they found, including the human servants, Zeo and Enok, were also sent there. Lola found out later that it was Zeo and Enok who arranged for Nora’s rather convenient access to the castle. On top of that, it was Raylan’s knowledge of border patrols that gave the original three Harvenk wolves a way into Oclan in the first place.

“Things finally seem to be settling down,” Lola said. She was in bed with Russel, her head on his chest. She felt the comforting rise and fall of his breathing as she traced her fingers over his stomach. The rays of early morning sunlight shone on them from a window, providing a pleasant warmth that only enhanced her mood. She smiled, an overwhelming sense of contentment enveloping her. It made it difficult to find any motivation to even get out of bed.

“Fortunately, marrying the princess of an enemy nation can really help with that,” Russel said with a slight chuckle.

“Don’t get too cocky. We aren’t officially married yet,” she remarked, chuckling herself.

“Considering the wedding is tonight, I think I have just the right amount of cockiness,” he replied. He looked down at her, at his beautiful bride-to-be, and marveled at the amount of luck he’d had in finding her. She was truly unique. One-of-a-kind. And the two of them together would forge a new path for not only Oclan, but Harvenk as well.

Maybe even the whole world, he thought to himself.

Then his stomach started to gurgle. It rumbled so loudly that Lola immediately burst out laughing.

“Is this a little taste of what it’s going to be like married to you?” she asked after her laughter died down.

He pulled her on top of him and kissed her deeply. He let the kiss go on for a long time, both of them getting heated. He could feel her pressing closer to him, wanting to take things further. He did too but he couldn’t, at least not at the moment. There was too much to do.

He pulled away from the kiss and he was rewarded with a frown from Lola.

“Come on, love,” he said, giving her one final, quick peck on her mouth. “You know there’s too much to do today.”

“Fine, but we start with breakfast, mostly because your stomach has already weighed in on the matter.” She rolled off him and then got out of bed. She was completely naked and she purposely lingered there, letting him watch her. She looked back over her shoulder at him and smiled innocently. “I’m famished too. It’s been a very…intensive couple of nights.”

Russel eyed her hungrily, taking in the sexy curves of her body and the enticing way she moved about. He could feel desire burning sullenly in his head and…other parts of himself.

“You are a diabolical woman,” he said, grinning.

She didn’t say anything back. Instead, she walked seductively into the bathroom. She stood at the door for a few moments, as if giving him one final look, and then disappeared inside. After a few minutes, she came back out wearing a simple, cotton dress dyed in his family’s colors and her hair brushed into a bun.

“Ready,” he said. He’d take the opportunity to get dressed while she was in the bathroom. For him, he simply put on a plain shirt and a pair of pants.

The two then walked together to the castle’s kitchens and ate their breakfast. After they were finished, Russel and Lola went to separate parts of the castle and began getting ready for the royal wedding of the Oclan king and his wife-to-be, the princess of Harvenk.

***

The ceremony was a long, drawn-out affair that made both Russel and Lola exhausted by the end of the whole thing. There were speeches and rituals and this and that, all of which were extremely and strictly followed. It was a complete bore for most in attendance but once the real heart of the wedding started, the part where the two exchanged vows written by themselves, things started to become less boring.

In the crowd were a lot of dignitaries and important people. Lola’s father, King Finley, came with some retainers to watch his only daughter get married. He even walked her down the aisle. King Harrison wasn’t able to attend but he sent his own daughter, Princess Ilyana, instead. Lola and Ilyana ended up meeting and became fast friends. Hank was there too, although with a much more subdued and toned-down attitude. The crazy, 180 degree shifts in personality were still a thing but in a less flamboyant and over-the-top fashion than she was normally accustomed to when it came to him. Also in attendance were the three Oclan princes, Roland, Reid, and Rutger. They looked on without much interest but did applaud when the priest announced the pair husband and wife.

The reception was a party like none Oclan had ever seen before. It was a grand and elegant affair with all the best food, music, and fun. It lasted for almost six whole hours. To Lola, it was easily the best night of her life. After spending months running and fighting and trying to understand who she was, the magic of her wedding and the celebrations that came with it gave her a chance to really let go and actually relax. She felt safe with Russel. She felt safe in Oclan. Drake was gone and no longer a threat. The power inside her was still a mystery but she was learning to control it more and more each day. And of course, there was Russel. She knew she would have been dead, just another victim of Drake’s, if it hadn’t been for him. She would never be able to repay him for that.

But she would spend the rest of her life trying.

****

“You said you had news?” King Russel asked. Standing next to him was his new wife, Queen Lola Polver.

They were in a room of the castle that was only used for meetings of a secret nature. With them were two spies, Aysir (who had appointed himself as bodyguard to the king and queen), and Roland (who had, surprisingly, decided to let go of his grievances with Russel and proved to be an invaluable advisor).

Russel had addressed the spies.

“We haven’t been able to learn much but we do know the humans are planning something. They have solidified their alliance with Sarchi and there have been numerous reports concerning military maneuvers, training, and more.” One of the spies said, a woman named Tera Novyk. She was a werewolf, but spent most of her time in the human kingdom so Lola had never seen her shift.

“We have also heard rumors,” the other spy said, this one a man named Dillan Deka.

“What rumors?” Roland asked.

“There is a secret group of human soldiers, Your Majesty,” Dillan continued. “These humans, it is said, are not ordinary. There is something…special…about them but as of yet, we have not been able to get any information on exactly what that means.”

“What have you learned about these particular humans?” Russel asked.

“There was only one word. I think it’s what they’re calling themselves.” Dillan looked at Russel uncertainly. He didn’t want to give his king false information or misleading information. He’d hoped to gather something more tangible before coming back but the human kingdom was becoming increasingly more dangerous. Somehow, the humans kept figuring out they were wolves and would either run away in fear or worse, come after them with weapons. Either way, they would be forced to leave before things got even more dire.

“Go ahead. I trust your intel,” Russel told the pair.

“They call themselves Sensori.”

The End.

****

A Note From The Author:

Hello, Readers! I want to personally extend my thanks and gratitude for reading Her Wolf Protector. It was a fun story to write and I really ended up liking these characters quite a bit. I also enjoyed being able to see in real-time the comments for the story and see what was working and what wasn’t. It helped me adjust and change things up on the fly so I am very appreciative of all the valuable feedback you all provided. I am glad that you came on Lola’s and Russel’s journey with me and do hope that you recommend this story to your family and friends, or other readers you may know.

For now, the story of Lola Tarnvol and Russel Polver is done. Thank you!