25. ARIA

As the days passed, I found myself immersed in different emotions that I couldn"t begin to put words to. Each moment with Ethan left me breathless and exhilarated. Despite the somber cloud that hung over his family with the loss of his father, Ethan"s presence brought a ray of light into my life.

His unwavering attention and affection never failed to make my heart flutter, and I blushed at the thought of him. From the moment I woke up to the sound of his voice on the phone, to the sweet nothings he whispered to me before bed, Ethan"s presence filled every corner of my world.

Just this morning, I opened my eyes to the soft vibrations of my phone. Of course, I knew who it was, but I dilly-dallied a little, trying to guess what he had sent this time. I wasn"t disappointed. I read it, beaming with smiles, and giggling like a schoolgirl.

I lost count of the number of times he complimented me, each word igniting a warm glow within me I couldn"t suppress. Even Elinor noticed the change in me, teasing me about my radiance and urging me to share my skincare secrets.

I hardly had time for skincare routines despite the new set of products Ethan had gifted me. If somebody else had given me beauty products, I would have been indifferent, but it was Ethan. My love for him could make him do no wrong, and everything he had been doing for me was thoughtful. My days were consumed by thoughts of him, and my nights were filled with dreams of our future.

I knew the feelings between us ran deeper than infatuation. I was head over heels in love with Ethan, and I could sense that he felt the same way about me. As I reveled in his affection, I knew our love was a force to be reckoned with and capable of overcoming any obstacle.

As I compared Ethan"s demeanor, I noticed a remarkable change in him. Gone were the days of brooding and gloom that seemed to weigh him down. Instead, he appeared lighter and freer as if a burden had been lifted. With each passing day, his laughter grew more genuine, his smiles more frequent, and his eyes sparkled with a newfound joy.

One particular morning, as I went about my usual routine, Ethan"s mother paid me an unexpected visit. The sight of her at my doorstep sent a pang of anxiety coursing through me. Has something happened to Ethan or Elinor? The thought of another tragedy struck fear into my heart, and I braced myself for the worst.

She greeted me with a warm smile, but the concern in her eyes was unmistakable. I couldn"t bear the suspense any longer, and without hesitation, I blurted out my question, my voice trembling with apprehension.

"Is everything okay, Mum?"

Her smile widened at my question, and she reached out to reassure me with a gentle touch. "Yes, my daughter, everything is okay," she replied, her voice soothing and calm.

Relief washed over me like a wave, and I exhaled a sigh of relief. Despite her reassuring words, I couldn"t shake the lingering sense of unease that gnawed at me.

"I'm so happy to see you," she continued, her eyes radiating warmth and sincerity.

I ushered her inside, offering her a seat, and she settled gracefully into the chair across from me. As she began to speak, I felt a comfort wash over me in her presence, knowing that whatever she had to say would be filled with wisdom and love.

Ethan"s mother regarded me with a fondness that warmed my heart as she began to express her gratitude.

"Aria, I can"t thank you enough for the change I"ve seen in Ethan," she began, her voice filled with appreciation. "He"s like a different person, and it"s all because of you."

I smiled at her words, feeling a swell of pride and happiness at the acknowledgment. "I"m just glad to see him happy," I replied, my voice soft with sincerity.

She nodded, her eyes reflecting gratitude and concern. "That"s why I came to see you today," she said, her tone serious. "I need your help to convince Ethan to step away from the preparations for war."

I felt a pang of worry at her words, knowing the gravity of the situation. "I understand, but it won"t be easy," I admitted. "For Ethan, this war isn"t just about protecting our pack—it"s about upholding the Grayson honor."

Ethan"s mother sighed, her expression fraught with worry. "I know, but I fear for his safety," she confessed. "I can"t bear the thought of losing him."

"I promise I"ll do everything in my power to keep him safe," I assured her. "I"ll be by his side every step of the way, making sure he doesn"t do anything reckless."

She regarded me with a grateful smile, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Thank you, Aria," she said softly. "You are a blessing to our family."

I was sprawled out on the chair watching a movie absentmindedly when my phone chimed with a message from Ethan. At first, I sat still, trying to do some mental math. Ethan rarely sent me messages in the afternoon.

I tapped my screen to see a message telling me to get dressed: He had sent his driver to pick me up because he was swamped at work. It was all I could do from jumping from my seat.

As I hastily got ready, excitement bubbled within me at the prospect of spending quality time with Ethan. Despite his busy schedule, he always tried to prioritize our relationship, and I was grateful for his thoughtfulness.

I quickly selected a flattering outfit, opting for a simple yet elegant dress that Ethan had once complimented me on. As I applied a touch of makeup and brushed my hair, I smiled at the anticipation of our date night.

When Ethan"s driver arrived, I greeted him with a warm smile and climbed into the car, my heart fluttering with excitement. As we drove to our destination, I wondered what Ethan had planned.

The drive was filled with pleasant conversation, as the driver and I exchanged stories and laughter. Despite my initial nervousness, I soon found myself at ease in his company and thankful for the opportunity to chat with him.

As we arrived at our destination, I was greeted by the sight of a charming restaurant nestled among twinkling lights and lush greenery. Ethan was waiting outside, a smile lighting up his face as he caught sight of me.

"Hey, beautiful," he said, his voice filled with warmth as he enveloped me in a hug. "I"m so glad you could make it."

I returned his hug eagerly, feeling a rush of happiness at being in his arms. "I wouldn"t miss it for the world," I replied, my heart swelling with love for the man who always went out of his way to make me feel special.

Together, we entered the restaurant hand in hand, ready to enjoy a night filled with laughter, good food, and cherished moments.

The restaurant was a serene oasis, with soft lighting casting a warm glow over the elegant décor. Soft music filled the air, creating a soothing atmosphere that covered us as we settled into our seats.

As Ethan and I sat across from each other, I admired the way the candlelight danced in his eyes, casting a soft glow on his handsome features. His gaze was filled with adoration as he reached across the table to take my hand in his, his touch electric.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice filled with an intensity that took my breath away. "I love you more than words can express, Aria."

I felt my cheeks flush with warmth as I gazed into his eyes. I was over the moon. The depth of emotion that radiated from him took my breath away. Despite everything we had been through, his love for me remained unwavering, and I knew I was blessed to have him in my life.

"I love you too, Ethan," I replied, my voice filled with emotion as I squeezed his hand tightly. "More than anything in this world."

In that quiet, intimate moment, surrounded by the delicate glow of candlelight and the gentle murmur of conversation, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. With Ethan by my side, I felt like I could conquer the world, and I was filled with a sense of gratitude for the love that bound us.

The food was a delight. It was a five-course meal that started with a glass of sweet wine as an appetizer and a soft creamy cake as dessert. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

As we left the restaurant and headed to my house, a sense of anticipation hung in the air, mingling with the warmth of the evening. I could feel the electricity between us.

Ethan took the wheel this time, his strong hands guiding the car through the quiet streets as I sat beside him, my heart pounding. The air was charged, and the promise of what was to come was palpable as we shared stolen glances and playful smiles.

His eyes locked with mine several times, each gaze sending a thrill coursing through my veins. And when his hand found its way to my thigh, the heat of his touch seared through me, igniting a fire that burned brighter with each moment.

I leaned into his touch, a soft sigh escaping my lips as I allowed myself to be consumed by the passion that simmered between us. At that moment, with the world falling away around us, there was only Ethan and me, lost in the heady rush of desire and longing.

As we continued the ride home, I felt a sense of excitement build. Tonight would be a night to remember, a night filled with passion and ecstasy as we surrendered to the undeniable connection that bound us.

In no time, we were at my house. Within seconds, we were in the living room, where the warm glow of the lamp bathed the space in an inviting light. The air was filled with anticipation, each breath heavy with the promise of what was to come. Ethan"s eyes bore into mine, filled with a hunger that mirrored my own.

He closed the distance between us, his hands finding mine as he drew me close. The warmth of his touch ignited a fire that burned with an intensity never to be extinguished.

Before the clock had finished its chime, his lips were on mine. I could taste the wine we had drank earlier in his mouth. It was so delicious that I let my tongue wander into every crevice. The kiss was deep and slow.

I pressed into his body, and he slid me up, not wanting any separation to occur. I melted in his arms, puddy for him to play with. The night had just begun, and I was already on the edge with desire.

With grace and precision, he carried me to the bedroom, moving silently with the soft carpet beneath his feet. As we continued our consumption of each other, the world fell away around us as he slowly undressed me, admiring all I had to offer before presenting himself to me. We rolled around in the sheets for hours, discovering the sensitive parts of each other's bodies. Our bodies created a little bubble of passion and desire as the night wore on.

The air crackled with electricity as the tension between us reached a fever pitch. Again, Ethan"s lips found mine in a searing kiss, but his fingers stimulating my nipples left me breathless.

In one smooth move, his lips were sucking my pert nipples, and my body was crying for more of his touch. With his mouth on my right breast, he trailed his finger from my chest to my belly, and farther down, to my core.

He slid one finger dangerously close to my opening, teasing the nerve endings. I bucked under the gentle touch, wanting more. Before he moved any further, he leaned in and kissed me.

"I love you." His eyes sparkled in the dim light. "I think I always have, and I'm sorry for not realizing until now."

I leaned forward with a sly grin. "I know."

I covered his mouth with my own before he had a chance to say anything else. He used his finger to guide his erect shaft inside of me, slowly filling me to the brim. The care and patience reminded me of when we were teens. He moved in so slowly to give me time to adjust to his size, and I smiled as he locked in place.

My legs curled in ecstasy. My mind yearned for him, and I wanted him to fill me with his seed immediately, but I knew Ethan too well. He wanted me to beg for it, and he would tease me until I cried out for more.

I could be pretty stubborn, too, but what he did next was quite surprising. He drew back from me, leaving me cold without his warmth.

Then, seeing my bewilderment, he closed the gap between us to commence a pleasurable onslaught and speed up his movements. Time stood still as we lost ourselves in each other, our bodies moving in harmony as we danced the age-old dance of lovers.

The night was filled with moments of magic, a culmination of days of longing and desire finally coming to fruition. A pull connecting to its source, a fulfillment that was only found in his arms.

As we became one under the covers, I felt a sense of fulfillment wash over me, a feeling of completeness that I had never experienced. It was as if all the pieces of my heart had finally fallen into place, fitting together perfectly with Ethan"s to create a timeless, eternal love. We were born to be fated mates, and our bond grew by the second.

As we lay together, wrapped in the warmth of each other"s embrace, Ethan and I discussed the battle that awaited us. Despite the gravity of the situation, there was a sense of calm between us, a silent understanding that we would face whatever came our way, side by side.

"Tomorrow is going to be tough," Ethan began, his voice gentle as his fingers traced patterns on my skin. "But with you here with me, I know we can handle it."

I nodded, my heart swelling. "We"ve been through so much together already. I believe in us."

We talked late into the night, planning for the battle ahead. But beneath the practical discussions, there was an unspoken connection, a bond that ran deeper than words could express.

In Ethan"s presence, I felt safe and loved, ready to face anything. And as we drifted off to sleep, entwined in each other"s arms, I knew that no matter what tomorrow brought, we would handle it.