26. Star Gazing

Chapter twenty-six

Star Gazing

*AURELIA*

N ox and I spend the whole afternoon preparing for our task tomorrow while Arden, Emilien, and Leila head out to the facility. They hope to verify that the tattooed wrists and the little holes in the body are indeed a pattern.

Marius called me and told me that he has a date with the hospital today and will be able to research our potential victims. Shortly afterwards Mom messages me, but not about the case on our hands, rather: Sweetie, just wanted to tell you that today Titan swallowed a chair. No worries, no one got hurt.

I show the message to Nox immediately. "Goddess," he mutters. "That cat of yours…"

"Yeah, it's a cat-demon like I told you."

"Is it dangerous?" he wants to know.

"I guess it is," I mutter. "But I trust Mom. She knows a lot about this kind of stuff, and I know she has it under control, but eventually, we need to find out where these demons are coming from."

"True, but it's one problem after another," Nox says.

"You're right," I agree.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Nox asks, tiredly.

"Now, we'll grab something to eat," I say. "And head to bed early. We can't mess up tomorrow."

Nox nods. "I was hoping you would mention food."

We lock our arms, grinning at each other, and march towards the section of the Council that hosts all those fancy restaurants. I love this place. It's so different from actual packs. It wouldn't be for me long-term, though. I love nature, and I love the more cozy and homely feeling a pack gives me, but for a vacation I could stay here a couple of weeks if not months.

Nox makes sure to call our friends to see what they are up to. Seems like they went separate ways today. Val took Jazz, Tori, and Marilou to Disneyland as a Christmas gift to them. I know Tori and Marilou can't easily afford such a trip, and I'm so thankful that Val is doing that for them.

Hm… Disneyland. Once this case is dealt with, I want to start dating Arden properly. Maybe we can go to Disneyland then. I'm not really a romantic, but somehow, I wouldn't mind doing this with him.

"Auri, look, Lion and Terry!"

I follow the direction Nox points at and wave at my friends. They are sitting at a steak restaurant, which is just the perfect choice for today. Nox and I join them, happy to spend some time with our friends.

"I missed you last time," I tell Lion.

"Really?" he grumbles.

Jeez, he is in a bad mood again.

"Yes, when Val and Jazz went shopping," I tell him. "The others were at the crepe place."

"Oh, I wanted to train," he says shortly.

Okay, I link Nox, starting to get fed up with this. Tell me I'm not imagining things.

You're not, he reassures me.

He has been off ever since the winter solstice.

Actually, it started earlier, Nox tells me. It just was more subtle.

More proof of why he will be an amazing beta one day. He is so perceptive. Did I do something? I ask.

I don't know, I don't think it's because of you, he admits.

I sigh inwardly, deciding to turn my attention to Terry for now. "What have you been doing today?"

"Well, Lion and I booked a tour of the catacombs," he says. "That was cool. And what are you up to?" he asks in return.

"Well," I grin. "You are talking to Dr. Alami ,here," I say. "And Dr. Laurent."

"Alami?" Terry laughs. "Isn't that an Arabian surname?"

"Moroccan, I think."

"You think your white-ass face can pull that off?" he teases. At that, even Lion has to grin.

"Hey, I might have married a hot Moroccan guy!" I say with a grin. "Also, the real Dr. Alami looks similar to me. That's why I chose her."

"So, you two are going on an adventure tomorrow?" he asks.

"Breaking into a hospital," Nox says.

"Oh Goddess," Terry groans. "Forget that I asked." He beams. "By the way, I wanted to show you something. Be honest, all of you."

"Sure," I reassure him. "Go ahead."

He pulls out a small blue box. "I bought this before Christmas. You know… for Marilou's birthday."

"Right, she is turning eighteen on New Year's Eve," Nox says, eyeing the box curiously.

Terry opens it, revealing a beautiful bracelet. It's very delicate, with little leaves attached to it. "Do you think she will like it?"

"Silver?" Nox asks.

"White gold," Terry says. "I… I took a few extra shifts before Christmas, and the Luna helped me earn some extra bucks while helping around the pack."

We are silent for a while. It's a beautiful item and probably pretty expensive too.

"Oh shoot, you are quiet. It's the wrong pick," Terry mutters.

"No, I'm just stunned," I say. "It's beautiful and will suit her skin tone and red hair."

"Terry, it's stunning," Lion says quietly. "She will love it."

Terry looks into my eyes. "It doesn't matter what anyone says about Marilou and me. Even if we aren't going to be mates, no one can tell me that what we have isn't real." He looks at the bracelet. "It is real. That's for certain."

"We are not judging you," I say. "I know you are in love with her."

"It is real," Lion says all of a sudden. "Listen, she loves you. Even if she isn't your mate, she loves you. Isn't that better than a mate who might not want you?"

That's not wrong, and at the same time it's a bit sad, no matter how I look at it. I just hope that Terry and Marilou won't be disappointed.

We spend the next hour chatting about more random stuff and eating our steaks. Then, I return to Arden's room, taking a shower and dressing in something more comfortable before going for a walk. I roam the Council building for a while, taking my time to look at everything, as I wonder when Arden is going to come back today.

I don't need to wonder for long, though, because my phone signals an incoming message.

I'm back. Are you free? If yes, let's meet at the main entrance in half an hour.

I smile, typing back swiftly. I'm free. What are you planning?

Surprise.

I tilt my head curiously, put my phone into my pocket, and walk towards the main entrance. I'm early, but fortunately, I don't need to wait for too long because Arden arrives early also. His skin looks slightly wet from the shower he probably just took. "Hi," I say.

"Hello." He smiles before he pulls me into a kiss.

"What a nice greeting," I whisper against his lips. "And will my handsome mate tell me what he is planning?"

"No." He smiles, taking my hand to lead me along.

"Were you successful today?" I ask him.

"Yes," he says. "The body shows similar signs to Claire's. So, we can definitely see it as a pattern now. And you?"

"Nox and I planned everything and got fake identities," I say.

"Good." Arden smiles. "And now, no talk about bodies, kidnappers, or work, anymore," he says. "I know you have to get up early tomorrow, but I want to have a proper date with you."

"I love that idea," I say.

Arden leads me through the huge Council building, and I realize I have only seen a tiny part of it. There are areas that are restricted because the private apartments of the Council members are there, like where Eric and Val live. That part of the huge building complex is for the permanent residents and almost works like a pack. The common places like the offices and the restaurant area, I already know. But Arden leads me further into the building and up a couple of broad marble staircases.

"I'm not kidding. This is like a castle out of dreams," I say.

"A place for a princess," Arden jokes.

"Not any princess." I laugh.

"Do you prefer pack life?" he asks.

"I prefer the privacy of a pack," I admit. "And the nature around me. I love having my own place to retreat to. It's less busy in a pack."

"I agree," Arden says. "I'm not so much a city boy, either."

I feel relieved at his words, squeezing his hand slightly.

"Are you ready?" he asks when he stops in front of a door. "Just to answer a couple of questions ahead: Yes, we are allowed to be here. No, no one will disturb us. It's ours for two hours." With that he opens the door, revealing a huge observatory. The whole ceiling is round and made out of glass, opening up in all directions. It's dark already, the moon high above us and stars illuminating the sky.

"This is amazing," I whisper as I step inside.

"I know we don't have the time to go on an actual lengthy date, yet," Arden says. "But I hoped this would make you happy."

"We could meet in your room for a date and chat, and I'd be happy," I say. "But this is so amazing."

Arden grabs a basket he must have brought here earlier, and pulls out a bottle of red wine.

"And this makes it even better." I grin.

I watch him spread a blanket for us while I continue looking around in awe. I've never been to an observatory, only to one of those tourist attractions, but this here is where the Council actually researches, where they watch the movements of the stars and try to spot activities from deities. At night, it's even more magical.

Arden has brought wine and some cheese with grapes, which he puts next to the blanket. He sits down there, waiting for me to finish gaping at everything before I join him. We empty a glass of wonderful red wine with each other, while snuggling.

I lean against Arden's chest eating some of the grapes.

"I can't wait to have you all to myself," Arden says, his warm breath tickling my neck.

"And I can't wait to have you all to myself," I say, turning around in his embrace. I don't know what it is, the wine, the atmosphere with the stars above us, but I find myself getting bold. "There are no surveillance cameras?"

"There are, but they are switched off while we are here," he says, eyeing me curiously and a tad hopefully.

His hopeful gaze is all I need for encouragement to straddle his hips. I take the glass of wine out of his hand, have a sip of it and put it aside before diving my fingers through his hair. He tilts his head back, opening his lips slightly, inviting me into a kiss.

I want to have more than two hours for our first time with each other, but there is no reason we can't have some fun. I draw back slightly, getting rid of the sweater and top I'm wearing.

"I'm not sure what you are planning," Arden asks, fascinated and confused. "But I'm not opposed to it."

"Do you want to open my bra?" I ask him.

With the concentration and focus only he can have, he fumbles with the clasp of my bra, feeling each and every part of it before opening it in one go. "You are a pro." I grin.

I can't deny my stomach is making a leap at the way Arden looks at me when he finally frees my breasts. I've never had a guy look at me like he does… or maybe I had, but it was never important because this is my mate. He reaches out his hand, touching both of them gently. I giggle.

"What's wrong?" he asks me curiously.

"You are tickling me." I chuckle. "Just add more pressure. It's okay."

He follows instantly, adding more pressure to his thumb and palm, and it feels heavenly. I can feel my nipples hardening under his touch. "Do you even know how beautiful you are?" Arden asks. "You are a goddess."

I don't know how he can say something like that without even sounding like a tease. I feel myself getting flustered. To distract myself, I decide to get rid of my pants and then start to open Arden's shirt, revealing his broad chest. "I've seen you topless," I tease. "Isn't it time to reveal more?"

Arden raises his eyebrows. "Whatever you want."

I unbuckle his belt and open the button of his jeans. "Really?"

"Go ahead," he encourages me, all too willingly.

A smirk curls my lips when I help him tug his jeans off, finally revealing his half-erected dick to me. It's the first time I've seen it, and it's perfect. I use my hands to brush over it, tightening my grip to stroke it to full hardness. It isn't the first time I've seen a guy's penis, but somehow the fact that it's Arden's makes this so much better. Now that his cock is hard, it's thick and long, and going to fill me up fully. There are veins appearing, but despite it being rigid, it also feels smooth.

A groan leaves Arden's lips, taking me back to reality. I've been so engulfed in my handjob that I forgot my handsome man attached to the cock. Without letting go, I move back onto his lap, feeling his hands on my back, one of them moving downwards and into my underwear, squeezing my ass.

He is going to like that one when he sees it naked, Maxima says with confidence.

I lean forward. "I like how you touch me," I whisper into his ear while my hand continues to stroke his thick dick, my thumb brushing over the tip of it.

"I like how you touch me," he breathes out. "What else can I do?"

"My nipples would love some attention," I encourage him.

He doesn't need much more motivation, leaning forward and taking one of my nipples between his lips. He uses his teeth to twist them slightly, making me gasp. "Good, that feels amazing," I moan.

My nipples are sensitive, probably one of the most sensitive parts of my body, and I love that he instantly realizes it. The tingles whenever he touches me and licks me send a shiver down my spine. While Arden keeps pleasuring my nipples and playing with my ass, I go back to stroking his dick. Slipping closer, I capture his hard dick between my legs, pressing it against my crotch. I rub my crotch against his length while using my hands to pull him off. A shudder goes through me when I feel his dick pressing down against my clit.

I want to make sure that Arden comes tonight, though, so I pay more attention to him, slipping back slightly to get a new angle. Arden is surprised when he sees me move back, his eyes widening when I bend down to lick at his shaft.

"Oh fuck, Aurelia," he curses. "That feels amazing."

With my salvia added to it, my hands move easier. I make sure to lick the tip of his cock, taking it into my mouth. I hollow my cheeks, allowing my tongue to curl around it, while I entwine the fingers of my hands around his length, stroking it with more pressure now.

"I am going to come," he pants.

Yes, come, I link him.

I don't like to swallow usually, but for Arden I decide to make an exception. I feel his hot seed being emptied into my mouth and make sure to stroke him until I've milked him dry.

When I sit up again, Arden's cheeks are flushed, and his eyes are glassy as he comes down from his orgasm. "How can I…" he starts.

"Not now," I say, grabbing my shirt and putting it on again, leaving my bra as it is. I smirk when I feel his eyes gazing over the outline of my breasts and the way my nipples press through the fabric. "Because next time, I want to feel you all inside me, and I want to know we have all night."

I drop down next to him, turning onto my back. Arden follows me, taking my hand and entwining our fingers while we look up at the night sky. "Anything for my princess," he says.

A shooting star crosses the night sky. "This was a fantastic idea." I smile, gazing at my mate and feeling my heart swelling with love. I'm starting to fall for him, hard, for his intelligence, for his kindness, for how diligent and responsible he is, and his stunning face.

Arden meets my gaze and smiles. "The best I had so far."