24. A Place Called Home

Chapter twenty-four

A Place Called Home

*AURELIA*

A rden is still at the facility when we wrap up our work for today. I've briefly talked to both Liam and Marius to see if there is any news. Liam will meet with his contact in the police tomorrow, and Marius is still researching. They both promised to get back to me with information as soon as they have something.

While I freshen up in Arden's bathroom, taking in a lungful of his scent, my gaze falls on the photo on his shelf. It's of him and Vander. Vander seems like such a sweet young guy. I've only met him a couple of times, just briefly. He has so much going on, and I don't want to come off too strong.

Seeing the photo, I decide to give myself a push and go looking for him, to see how he is doing. Arden is buried in work but tries his best to have his brother's back, and I know if roles were reversed, I'd be happy if someone looked after my brothers.

It takes me a while to find him, but fortunately I bump into Eric. "Aurelia," he exclaims, as cheerful as always. "I see you are on your own. I knew you wouldn't stick to the deal and, instead, work all the time."

"I can't help it." I chuckle. "I promised Tori and the others that I would be fully with them for New Year's Eve, though."

"My princess told me about your plans," he says. "It will be a huge party here. I hope you came prepared."

"Of course, I packed a skimpy outfit."

Eric's grin broadens. "Don't say that out too loud. Uncle Elden will think I'm a bad influence."

I laugh. "I think Uncle Elden knows his daughter too well to believe that. Also, I went shopping with Mom for it, so he can't complain."

"I bet Aunt Flora bought a skimpy outfit too, just for the fun of it." He chuckles.

"You bet correctly." I snort. "Okay, I think we are crossing into creepy and awkward territory now. Please tell me where I can find Vander, before we start discussing Dad's skimpy outfits too."

"He is in the park," Eric answers promptly. "The one next to the training areas. And now I want to go shopping… for skimpy outfits. I wonder what Valerie would say."

I bet Valerie would either find it hilarious or cute, but I don't tell him. He doesn't need my encouragement, as he just nods at me, winks, and marches off, and I continue to look for Vander. True to Eric's words, I find him in the park. The Council has a huge indoor training hall but also quite a large outdoor area. To the human eye, the whole complex looks like a small building, but it's enchanted to keep everyone hidden from prying eyes.

Vander is currently sitting under one of the trees, reading a book.

"Hey, Vander," I say once I'm in hearing range.

Vander looks surprised when he sees me, but not unpleasantly so. He puts his book aside. "Hi, Aurelia." He almost looks shy eye to eye with me. "Arden isn't here," he tells me. "I think he headed out for work."

"He did," I say. "I was actually looking for you."

"Oh." He blinks. "What for?"

"Just to chat," I say.

He still looks anxious but now also somewhat relieved. "I was getting bored," he admits, making room for me to sit down next to him.

"Right, you have Christmas holidays."

"Yes, normally I'd do something in the pack," he says, before he pauses. "Sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?" I ask.

"It's just with everything that happened, and with there being an investigation on my pack now… I know my father did something terrible—"

"But you miss him," I say gently.

"Not really him," he admits. "I just don't want to lose him." He takes his phone out of his bag. "I tried reaching him," he says. "Just to talk, but he doesn't even pick up."

I'm at a loss for what to say. Vander hopes so much for his father to love him and Arden. Arden is a realist and sees things from a very logical perspective, and I know he signed out of his relationship with his father years ago, but for Vander, this is still so fresh.

"I don't want to complain," Vander continues. "Arden saved me, and I don't want to sound ungrateful."

"He would never think that," I reassure him. "Missing your father, for what could have been, doesn't make you ungrateful."

"How could he do that to us?" Vander wants to know. "All he had to do was to show us and the pack the minimum of respect, but he couldn't do it." He pauses, sighing deeply. "I need to find something to do here. I can't always rely on Léna."

"I am sure she is happy to be there for you, don't worry. Is she coming today?"

He smiles. "No, she is coming tomorrow. Today, we'll meet for our online game." He gazes at the training area. "If only I had someone to train or spar with," he mutters. "The Council is organized like a pack, but the children and teens are usually in a different area, and I'm a bit of an outsider."

"I can spar with you," I say. "Or train."

"What… no! I can't ask that from you!"

"You are not asking, I'm offering." I jump up. I'm not a big talker when it's about feelings, but I certainly can help with getting some steam off. "How do you normally train?"

"Today would be cardio and then sparring," he says.

"Then, how about we change into our training gear and meet back here in fifteen minutes?"

"Is this really okay?"

"If you ask once more, I might think I'm imposing, or you are chickening out," I say.

That's all the motivation he needs. "Meet you in fifteen minutes," he exclaims before dashing away.

I grin. Typical alpha kid. We are all the same. I run back to Arden's room to change and make it back in ten minutes. Vander arrives shortly after me with newfound motivation. We soon start our workout, and I'm actually glad to be able to do it. I'm used to working out regularly, but here I don't have a lot of time. Once we are done, we add an intense sparring session. Vander doesn't have his lycan spirit yet, so I go light on him and show him a few tricks. We work mostly on technique. It's obvious he has been training and that he is an alpha's kid. "You tested alpha, didn't you?"

"I did," he says. "Both Arden and I actually did."

"It shows," I say. "You both have good instincts."

"I don't think we are the strongest fighters, though," he admits.

"You don't necessarily need to be the strongest at everything," I say. "It's just important to find your personal strong point. Your gift will probably enhance it. You have good reflexes and good intuition. That's something to be proud of and work further on."

Vander beams at my words. We train for a bit longer because he truly seems motivated, and I've learned it's important in warrior training to get them to do more difficult tasks when they are motivated and feel they can do it.

Half an hour later, we wrap the training up because Vander has his online date with Léna. "Maybe we can repeat this?" he asks hopefully.

"Of course," I say. "If you want, I will also talk to Eric, then you can join the teenage training here, too. There is no reason you can't do both."

He smiles happily. "Thank you." A pause. "And Aurelia…"

"Hm?"

"I'm very happy that my brother found his mate. You're cool, you get him, and he can be himself with you. And you're cool. I said that already, but it's true."

Got yourself a fanboy, Maxima teases.

Oh, shut up. I chuckle. He is just happy that I don't suck and won't be shit to his brother.

Whoever is shit to our handsome mate will get a kick to his ass, she says in her usual aloof and composed manner, which makes her words weigh even more. She is right. Whoever hurts Arden or his little brother will have to take it up with me.

"Thank you," I say. "Actually, I have two younger brothers your age. I think you would get along so well."

"Is this an option?" he asks carefully. When I look at him, confused, he clears his throat. "I talked to Arden briefly, and he promised me he won't leave me in this mess, and I appreciate it, but I don't want him to put his own happiness aside. I know him, and I know he wants to move with you. He is not scared of uprooting his life and planting it in another continent. It's more me who is scared…"

My heart jumps for joy at his words. Arden told me he wants to come with me and join me in Silverlake, and I have no reason not to believe him, but deep inside, the thought of him having to uproot his whole life worried me. But hearing his brother, now, verifying what Arden said, makes me so happy. I love Silverlake, and while I don't yet know what type of role Arden wants to take at my side, I know that whatever he chooses, the pack will welcome him with open arms.

"Vander, we don't need to make any decisions now," I reassure him. "I'm here for an additional one or two weeks at least.

"Arden said that, too," he says.

"But my offer will always stand," I say. "You are more than welcome to come with us. Silverlake can be your home, if you want that."

"I'm not sure about what I should do," he admits.

"You have options," I tell him.

"I do?"

"Yes, of course. You can come with Arden and me," I say. "But you can also join the Council. I know Eric and Val would take legal custody over you if you want that. Alternatively, you can also return to your pack once everything is settled. Arden thinks you have it in you to become alpha."

"That's Arden's birthright," he says promptly.

"What does Arden think?" I ask him. "You know him better than anyone else. How does he truly feel about this?"

"Dad hurt him," he admits. "And no ranked member of the pack ever stood up for him. I know he doesn't want to become alpha. He wants to leave it all behind."

"And?" I prompt him.

Vander looks flustered. "He thinks I have it in me."

"Maybe you do," I say. "Why don't you think about it properly?"

He tilts his head, furrowing his brows, then he nods. "Will do," he says. "You're right. It's time to think about all my options, instead of waiting for my father to magically come back to loving me."

"There is nothing wrong with wishing for that," I say quietly.

"I know, but I don't want to expect it," he admits, smiling at me. "Thanks, Aurelia."

I glance at my watch. "You better hurry," I grin. "You won't want your lady waiting for you."

"Oh shoot." He grabs his bag and towel. "See you later!"

~~~

I take a shower and freshen up before checking on Nox and the others. "Look who's coming!" Marilou grins when she spots me.

Terry, Nox, Tori, and Marilou are sitting together, having coffee and crepes. "These are heavenly," Tori says. "Come and join us."

"Awesome," I say. "I just trained and now feel hungry."

"You know…" Nox chuckles. "When you said you'd join us for this vacation, I didn't think we'd barely see you."

"Aw, you miss me," I coo.

"Not really," he teases. "I see you all the time at home, anyway. It's like a break from my boss, now."

We all laugh. I'm glad they aren't mad at me for not spending a lot of time with them. I try to see them daily for dinner or lunch, or join them when they go out at night, but it's not the same as spending the whole vacation with them. "Where are the others?" I ask.

"Jazz and Val went shopping," Tori says. "Jazz is Val's bestie, so we wanted to give them some privacy."

"And Lion?" I ask her.

She looks annoyed. "I don't know."

"He went off somewhere," Marilou says. "He said he wanted to train."

I feel confused. Lion is very similar to me. We both like our me-time occasionally, but usually we are also very social. He has been very broody recently, and I don't know why. What's going on with him? I'm glad we are approaching the New Year's Eve party now. We'll all be more relaxed, and maybe I will finally find the right time to talk with him. Hopefully he will open up to me.