58. A New Home

Chapter fifty-eight

A New Home

*ARDEN*

D espite our best efforts, Aurelia had to go ahead and travel to Silverlake a week before me, due to visa reasons. We both agreed on it, knowing that Eric and Alpha Elden had bent the rules enough already, not only for us but also for Meg and Nox. Neither of us wanted them to face any additional problems.

It's hard to be separated from her for even a day, and Cato is in the worst mood possible, but we hang in there. I spend the last couple of days in Paris with Eric, Val, Emilien, and Leila. I also help Gustave and Zoé with taking over all my tasks. Gustave actually shows up with a mark on his neck and a glow around him, and I'm happy that he and Coralie accepted each other.

He is happy, and that's all that matters. Coralie doesn't mind his rank or lack thereof; instead, I have heard she tries to help out more too, and even contemplates going to university to study. Léna says she wants to make something out of her life instead of just being a pretty shell, as Coralie calls it.

Funny how people can change.

Léna is slowly doing better, too. I am relieved that she has so much support here and people who will watch out for her. She also has my phone number in case she needs something or just wants to chat or talk about Vander.

I had to hand in some additional documents for my transfer to another university. That one was easily accomplished, though, because it just took Eric making a few calls. Thanks to my IQ and financial resources, I can basically choose whatever program I want.

Eric and I decide not to make a big fuss out of me leaving. We both are bad with goodbyes, but he gives me a strong hug and reminds me of using my phone to text and call him. Meanwhile I try to reassure myself that this isn't goodbye forever. I'm still going to work with and for Eric, just not in Paris.

It helps that Cato is projecting picture after picture in my mind the closer our airplane gets to our destination. It's all pictures of Aurelia.

I got it, I chuckle. I am happy, too.

He projects an image of me pretending like I didn't cry over saying goodbye to Eric and Val.

Well, I'm sad because Eric has always been like a brother to me. He has always cared for and protected me. He gave me a chance and made sure that I could take the opportunities presented to me. Even when he was annoyed with me, he was still nice and caring. But it doesn't mean that I'm not looking forward to being united with our mate again and meeting her family.

He shows me an image of Silverlake. It's one of the pictures Tori showed us.

I'm curious, too. Funny, the thought of having to co-lead a pack with her one day doesn't scare me anymore.

I can see that Cato is happy about my words. I never believed I had in me to be a leader, and I still think being alpha is not my calling. It's Aurelia's. But I'm not scared of stepping up anymore and assisting in her leadership. I'm also not scared of working for the Council anymore, as opposed to a couple of months ago when I still thought I was beneath everyone there.

I think I'm finally finding my place.

Most of my stuff was already sent to Silverlake, so I only travel with small luggage, making it easy for me to get through both check-in and check-out. I'm one of the first to make it into the arrival lounge, the pull of my bond to Aurelia tugging me forward. I can feel her already.

"Arden!" she calls out, running towards me. I drop my luggage, and like we are staring in a cheesy movie, she jumps into my arms, wrapping her legs around me and kissing me.

"Nice to see you again, Arden," Nox greets me, stepping forward once Aurelia jumps down again.

I shake his hand. "Happy to be here, Nox. How is Meg doing?"

"She is much better than last time you saw her, but it's still a long way to go," he says with a gentle smile.

"And the others?" I ask curiously, while taking Aurelia's hand. It feels so weird to be here now, different, weird, but also exciting.

"Well, Marilou is the only marked girl in school," Aurelia says with a laugh. "Tori told me everyone is so envious of her. Tori and Lion are doing well, too, but they want to wait until Tori has graduated before they mark each other. However, they made it official now. Lion made sure everyone knows she is his mate."

"Kind of funny how we all traveled to Paris without a mate but came home with one." Nox chuckles.

"Felix said the same." Aurelia grins. "He is already pestering Dad to send him and Dario to Paris when they are eighteen, claiming the romance there is contagious."

"And what did your father say?" I ask, amused.

"Felix is still recovering from his injuries," she explains. "In other words, he pretty much gets a free pass at everything. The little brat is taking advantage of it," she adds, but her fond tone betrays her words.

"I hope you are prepared to meet everyone?" Nox asks with a chuckle.

"When you say everyone—"

"He means everyone!" Aurelia admits. "Finn, one of my brothers, even came from his pack in the north to meet you. They are all super excited." She grins. "Don't worry, I already threatened them that they better behave, or I will air all their dirty laundry."

Nox laughs. "They are a nice bunch, don't worry, Arden. They are genuinely looking forward to meeting you."

"He is right," Aurelia says. "Trust me, Arden."

"I do," I tell her. "I am curious about them too."

Time to leave my cozy bubble and step out of my comfort zone. Nox drives us, and I'm relieved to see that we are indeed close to a town, but not a huge city. Paris was too big for me, although I loved it. It's the noise. I don't think I'd have been happy in a massive city like New York.

The pack is located further away from town, as expected, surrounded by lush forests. Obviously, the packs here are broader than European packs because of the size of the country.

"It's beautiful," I say, stunned. "The pictures don't do Silverlake justice."

My words must make Aurelia happy because she beams at me. "I promise, you will love it."

"The Council is in the town we passed, right?"

"Yes," she says. "We'll make sure you have your own car so you can commute easily."

"Now I just need to adapt to driving on the other side." I chuckle.

"Knowing you, you will probably learn it in five minutes," Nox grins.

Nox maneuvers the car along the curvy road until we pass more and more houses the closer to the pack house we get. The pack house itself is surprisingly modern and looks stunning. On our way, we pass some pack members who wave at the car, but now, finally, in front of the pack house, I can spot Aurelia's family.

I made sure to study the pictures so I can tell them apart immediately. They all have distinctive looks, so it's not really difficult.

"Here they are," Felix, the blonde boy in a wheelchair, calls out and waves at us.

I swallow down the nervous lump in my throat while I let Aurelia tug me towards her family. "Allow me to introduce my mate to you," she says happily. "This is Arden!"

"First time meeting a prodigy," Marius says with a grin. He is said to be the sassy and sarcastic one of the bunch.

"Really?" Finn asks. "That's the first thing you are saying?" Finn, the edgelord , I repeat in my mind.

"I'm just voicing what you all were thinking," Marius argues.

"Yes, maybe his intelligence will rub off on the both of you," Liam mutters. He is by far the most serious of them, more stoic even than their father.

"Wait a moment, why do you lump us two together?" Finn asks.

"Can we maybe behave for five minutes?" Dario begs. "He hasn't even said hello, and we have already embarrassed ourselves."

"You think that's embarrassing," Marius asks sweetly. "Oh, little brother, you have no idea. I will show you embarrassing next time you have friends over."

"That's why I never invite anyone," Dario says.

"Well." Alpha Elden clears his throat. He looks exactly like I'd imagine an alpha of such a huge pack to look, but he also looks far more approachable than I thought he would. He steps forward now to shake my hand. "I am very happy to meet you. Welcome to Silverlake and to our family."

"It's an honor to meet you, sir," I say politely.

Felix bursts into giggles. "He just sir-ed you, Dad!"

"Yes, finally one person in this family who respects me," Alpha Elden says dryly.

Luna Flora's head perks up. She is a peculiar woman, small and delicate and almost ageless. "Oh! I didn't know that's what you are into," she chirps, taking his big hand into hers. "I will make sure to remember it."

Dario and Felix groan in unison.

"We really can't be seen with you," Finn mutters.

Luna Flora puts her hands on her hips. "Are you really embarrassed of your own mother!?"

Finn tries to argue, with most of the others chiming in. While they bicker, Nox turns to me. "And you were worried." He chuckles.

"There was nothing to be worried about," Liam says.

"He is right," Alpha Elden reassures me, putting a hand on my shoulder and his other arm around Aurelia. "I feel very pleased that all my children were so lucky with their fated mates. It's something to be truly happy about as a parent."

"Thank you, Alpha Elden."

"Please." He chuckles. "It's just Elden to you."

"So, Dad," Liam says, gesturing towards his brothers, who are still arguing with their mother. "When will you stop the drama?"

"She is just so adorable when she is annoyed." He grins.

Aurelia and Liam exchange an amused gaze before Liam and Elden finally intervene. "Let's go and have lunch," Liam says simply.

"I am hungry," Elden states.

"Are you hungry and ready for a messy family lunch?" Aurelia asks.

"As ready as one can be," I say with a smile.

While I follow her inside, she introduces more of their ranked members to me. I meet Beta Vincent, also Flora's guardians, Gamma Aurel and Beta Edward, both of them seem to be calm, composed men, which is kind of funny, considering how much of a whirlwind she is.

Aurelia's—and my—friends join us, too. When everyone gathers for lunch, I can't help the familiar twinge in my chest. Vander would have loved this. He would have gotten along so well with the twins, and he would have had so much fun with Aurelia's older brothers. Had he had a chance to live here, I think he would have lived life to its fullest, enjoying every moment.

I can feel Aurelia's hand reaching for mine under the table, squeezing it slightly.

Her touch reminds me that I'm here now. I can grieve my brother for as long as I need, maybe forever, but my grief can't overshadow everything else. Living life to its fullest and becoming the best version of myself. That's what I need to do.

For Vander.

For Eric.

For Aurelia.

But also, for myself.