My Reverse Aging Shocked The Entire Lycan Court

I’m an aging Lycan Princess, and on my sixtieth birthday, I took a sixteen-year-old mate.

I’m not sure if this still counts as a May-December romance—more like a May-December catastrophe.

I want sweetness and passion, but all he offers is filial piety.

No matter.

I’m aging in reverse.

Give me thirty more years, and I’ll be the most radiant woman by his side.

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I’m an aging Lycan Princess. On the day of my sixtieth birthday, I took a sixteen-year-old mate.

His name is Azariah Morgan, this year’s most celebrated young Beta, brilliant and prodigious, a rising star in the Lycan Kingdom. The Lycan King, Alistair James, was so impressed by him that he decided to arrange a mate bond with one of the royal princesses.

For a young Beta to be granted a mate bond with a Lycan Princess is an opportunity most would kill for. It’s a chance at power, wealth, and status that could last for generations.

But Azariah doesn’t seem thrilled.

On the night of our marking ceremony, he lifted my veil, and the moment he saw my face, he took a half-step back. I could see the effort it took for him to mask his despair.

My face, though carefully powdered, couldn’t hide the deep wrinkles etched into my skin. My eyes, once bright, now held a dull, yellowish hue, and no amount of longing in my gaze could compare to the allure of a young woman’s sparkling eyes.

He sat down beside me on the ceremonial bed, stiff and awkward, avoiding my gaze.

His head was bowed, resignation written all over his face. The Lycan King’s command was absolute. Even if he’d been ordered to bond with a rogue, he’d have no choice but to obey.

And I’m not a rogue. I’m Princess Amaris Riley, the Lycan King’s most beloved daughter.

We sat in silence for what felt like an eternity, my old bones aching from the strain. Finally, I broke the silence. “Azariah, what should we do next?”

He frowned, his voice hesitant. “I… I don’t know. I’ve spent my life focused on pack affairs. I’ve never… been close to a woman before.”

I smiled softly. “I’ve spent my life focused on the kingdom’s matters too. I’ve never been close to a man.”

He looked at me, startled. “Your Highness… you’ve never bonded before?”

“No. I’m… untouched.” The words made my cheeks burn. Goddess, I hadn’t blushed in decades.

His expression was unreadable. I could almost hear his thoughts: *Why didn’t she bond when she was young? Why now, when she’s… like this?*

I tried to reassure him. “Azariah, perhaps this is fate. Trust me, things will get better. You’ll see.”

He gave me a bitter smile. “Is that so? The Lycan King said the same. But I’m still young. I don’t understand.”

I chuckled. “I’m young too. We’ll grow together.”

He turned to stare at my heavily made-up face, the wrinkles I couldn’t hide, and after a long pause, he simply said, “Ah.”

The silence returned, heavy and suffocating. Eventually, exhaustion got the better of me. At my age, I couldn’t keep up with this kind of emotional strain. “Since neither of us knows what to do, why don’t you go sleep in another room? You don’t have to stay here with me.”

He looked relieved, rising to his feet, but then he hesitated.

“Leaving my mate alone on the first night would bring shame upon you, Your Highness. I’ll stay here.”

His tone was resolute, almost heroic, as if he were sacrificing himself for some noble cause.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Turning to the mirror, I saw my reflection—a face full of wrinkles, like a withered flower. And there he was, young and beautiful, a vibrant sapling in full bloom.