31. An Ex is an Ex

Chapter thirty-one

An Ex is an Ex

*ARDEN*

A couple of hours later, the boys and I have decided it's time to freshen up and change for the party. Vander joins me because he wants to show me his outfit. "Please tell me I look dashing," he says, when he steps out of the bathroom. His pants and blazer are simple, but he has combined a shirt with them that has glitter elements. It's a bolder choice than what he usually wears.

"You look fine," I reassure him. "It's a great fit."

"Not too much?"

"Not at all," I say. "A lot of people will have very extra choices today. Believe me, we will still look tame in comparison to them."

I've dressed in black jeans and a metallic shirt with a simple grey vest over it. However, I still remember last year's party and how crazy some outfits were.

"How is Léna arriving today?" I ask. "Is someone bringing her?"

"Yes, one of Emilien's friends will attend and he will pick her up on his way," Vander says. "Okay, I need to ask you something. I know this is weird, but I have no one else to talk to."

"Sure, just ask me."

Vander stares at me. "...No, forget it, I can't." He looks completely flustered. "It's too weird."

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," I say.

"Goddess," he groans. "Why can't you push me?"

"Why would I?" I blink. "You either want to talk or you don't."

"I'm thinking about sleeping with Léna," he blurts out.

"Okay," I say. "And? What's the problem? Does she want it too?"

"We almost went all the way last time," he admits. "And she later said she wants to try to go further next time."

"Good," I say, still not sure where the problem lies. "Think about protection," I continue. "And remember, even if she thinks she is ready, she might not be. So don't push her and don't push yourself."

Vander looks at me expectantly before groaning. "Arden! You should tell me not to do it."

"Then don't do it!"

My brother looks seriously frustrated, making me more and more confused. Do you know what he is getting so upset about? I ask my lycan.

I don't need to have Cato project an image, because one glance at him tells me he has already mentally checked out of that conversation. I'm on my own.

I take a deep breath. "I can't read your mind, Vander."

"You are supposed to judge me or talk me out of it," Vander says. "I'm only sixteen, and I should wait for my mate, like you did."

"You make me sound more noble than I am. Waiting for my mate wasn't a conscious decision," I say. "You know more than anyone else that I was an outcast ever since the accident. I didn't have a choice, because girls I liked wouldn't even look at me. And the one that did was actually out for my nonexistent rank. I don't know what I would have done if I had a cute girlfriend I loved at your age. Once I turned eighteen, I decided to wait because I hoped I would find my mate soon. It was just a convenient decision. So, I'm not judging you. If you want to have sex with Léna, and she wants, too, I see nothing wrong with it. Just use protection."

Vander looks at me for a while, and I almost think he is still upset. "Okay," he mutters. "That helped, thank you. I hope I won't look like an idiot, though, because I have no idea what I am doing."

"Is that truly something you are worrying about?"

He blinks. "You don't?"

"Not really," I say. Actually, it never really crossed my mind. Besides, Aurelia has experience, so even if I happen to be completely clueless, she will for sure tell me if I'm going wrong somewhere. Worst-case scenario, I will have learned something from a scientific perspective. I don't tell that to Vander, though; something tells me he would get annoyed again.

"You know," Vander mutters. "You are a bit weird sometimes, but in a good way."

"Says the basketball champion," I retort.

"It's not like you were any better!" he exclaims.

I grin. "Let's settle the score next time."

With that, we make it downstairs to the entrance hall, where we are supposed to meet with the others. The girls wanted us to meet them there. It seems like they want to have a big entrance. They even ensured Léna joined them in time so that she could come with them. Val is the only one who will need to make a separate appearance, with Eric.

At the hall, Lion, Nox, and Terry are already waiting, and I notice they all made an effort to look good. Terry already told us he would come with a green blazer because he wants to match with Marilou. Nox is wearing a turtleneck and black jeans but has added some accessories to look fancier, while Lion is wearing a dark red suit, which looks surprisingly good on him.

"Guys," Terry grins. "We look good. I can't wait for the girls. I bet Marilou looks the best."

"Oh?" Vander raises his brows. "Léna will clearly look the best."

"You meant to say Aurelia," I say.

"Yeah, yeah," Nox snorts. "You guys just show off with your women."

Lion hasn't said anything so far, but now his eyes widen. "Beautiful," he mutters.

We all turn our heads to see our girlfriends coming down the stairs. For a split second I wonder who Lion was talking about, but then I forget about it. I barely notice the others, as my eyes are on Aurelia. She is wearing a form fitting short dress, something between gold and brown, but glittery. She has curled her hair, and wears heals, and she looks so fucking amazing.

I wrap her in my arms the moment she approaches me. "Wow," I mutter.

"Same back to you," she says with a beaming smile.

The other girls look great as well, are happy about our attention and tell us they went shopping for the event, together with Val.

"This looks more fun than the winter solstice," Vander points out. "Not that that wasn't fun, but…"

"I know what you mean," Léna points out, smiling when Vander takes her hand.

"Yeah, the New Year's Eve party is more glamor and party than glamor and dining," I say.

"Food, drinks and dancing sounds about right," Terry says, hugging Marilou closer. "We'll celebrate into Marilou's birthday."

A hint of anxiety is on his face briefly and also on Marilou's, but soon she smiles and nods. "Turning eighteen," she says. "Finally."

"She is our baby," Tori says with a smile.

"Just by two months," Marilou argues.

"You all look amazing," Nox says, before anyone can comment on the fact that Marilou will soon find out if she is mates with her boyfriend or not. "If I may say so."

"You may." Tori beams.

"Yeah, but why did you have to go for such a bold choice, Tori?" Terry groans.

"Don't play the chauvinist, protective brother now," Tori points out.

"She is right," Jazz says. "She looks hot and should own it. I wasn't even aware she had such a nice ass."

"I wish I had your boobs, Tori." Marilou sighs.

"Yeah, your cleavage looks amazing," Aurelia agrees.

"Could we please not talk about my sister's boobs?" Terry mutters.

Tori pretends to be annoyed, her cheeks flush slightly by all the attention. She is usually known to be the cute one, Aurelia links me. She went for an unusually bold choice today. It's good to see her confident.

Nox is right, you all look fantastic. You in particular, I say.

"Alright," Lion interrupts our chatter. "Can we finally go and have some food, or do you need to simp for your girlfriends for longer?"

Aurelia glares at him, but before she can say anything, Nox saves the moment by smiling at Lion. "Do you feel left out," he says. "I can simp for you, if you want that. You look dashing in red, Lionel."

"Why would I want you to simp for me?" Lion groans. "You are like the last on my list. You and Terry."

"Let's grab something to eat," Jazz says. "Some people get hangry without food."

"I'm such a person too," Aurelia says, linking our arms and leading the way to the huge buffet. There's a lot of finger food tonight. There are some tables for VIP guests in a separate room, where the special guests will be served, but it's truly just for royalty.

"Were you invited to the special party?" I ask Aurelia. "You are royalty, after all, and I know Leila is attending."

"I was invited," Aurelia says. "But, I wanted to spend time with you and my friends instead."

As if on cue, some of the Council's royal members appear. As usual, Eric is the star, easily dominating the room with his and Valerie's attractiveness.

"She truly is a princess here." Jazz beams. "Look at her."

"She is," I say. "And Eric always treats her as one."

"I noticed." She smiles at me. "I'm glad she is so happy here and is treated well."

"Why don't you visit more often?" I ask. "You are Val's best friend, right? You can come anytime."

"I think I will," Jazz says. "Next time, I might bring my mate with me. Aryanna is amazing, and I'm sure she would love it here. She and Eric are friends too."

"That's a good idea," Marilou says. "You should do that!"

"Yes, isn't your anniversary in April?" Nox says. "Surprise her with a trip."

Jazz beams. "That's why you are becoming beta," she says with a grin. "They always have the best ideas. And I know for certain because I'm sleeping with one."

"I've heard alpha's sons aren't that bad either," I point out.

"So are warriors," Terry says.

"And as usual, everything turns into a pissing contest with them," Jazz grins.

She teases us a bit more while I feel Léna tugging at my sleeve. "Arden, I completely forgot to tell you something."

"What is it, Léna?"

She lowers her voice. "Well, I just heard about it today, but Coralie is attending the party. I don't know how… seems like she got an invitation through some contacts," she whispers.

Before I can even grasp what she is saying, I can see Coralie moving through the crowd, waltzing directly towards me. She grabs my arm, beaming at me, while trying to tug me away from Aurelia. "Arden!" She smiles dashingly. "You're here!"

"Of course I'm here," I say, trying to tug my arm away without tossing her across the room. For a moment I can't even comprehend what she is doing here and why she is talking to me. Did she go insane!? I decide to ask her. "Are you going crazy?"

For a moment she looks flustered, while Vander grins slightly.

"You are so funny, Arden," she says.

"I wasn't joking," I point out.

For a split second, she looks annoyed before squeezing my arm again and rubbing her body against it while glancing at Aurelia. "Oh, you! Have you already forgotten our amazing dates before? You said you would take me as your chosen mate."

She is nuts, clearly losing it, and on top of that she makes me look like a psycho in front of Aurelia and her friends. They must believe I'm leading my mate on.