Chapter 66

Arsen P.O.V

I woke up earlier than Aelin, but after a shower, I captured her slightly puffy eyes as she was rudely awaken by the sun. She met my eyes and my sinful mind was sent to yesterday night. She had swallowed every last drop of me, she had taken me into her mouth as she looked up at me with those gorgeous eyes of her, wishing only for me to enjoy it and I did. I loved every second of it.

Aelin smiled widely, and I remembered how she had smiled after she made me cum, so triumphant and filled with pride. I just wanted to eat her out and she let me. Only wanting to make her feel even better than she made me feel- as if that was even possible-, I pulled every trick I could possibly think of. Aelin's trembling legs, shivers and her moans made me believe I had partially achieved my goals. I loved that woman. Everything about her.

Aelin is so soft and sweet and happy. She's so easy to love and hold, and care for. I knew I would do anything for her. Khann was a lucky bastard for being killed before I could get to him. Those vampires had gone merciful with him. Ascian though. I hated him, probably even more than Khann, because he had the audacity of hurting her, throwing her away like she was garbage after telling her he loved her and then come back wanting her back, talking as if she's his. Demanding her back like someone stole her away, like I- her mate- stole her away, when in the contrary he was the one that shamed her for being raped, he made her feel as if she was broken, as if she was worthless and guilty. I would do anything but give that bastard, son of a bitch, *my* mate, *my* Aelin.

"Hey," I heard her sleepy, raspy voice say softly.

I smiled as I walked closer to her, wanting her in my arms, "good morning."

I wrapped an arm around her waist and I pressed her against me. I inhaled her sweet scent and I looked at my mark in her neck. I kissed it softly making her shiver lightly. I loved how her body reacted. I loved everything about her. Ascian's threat was making me even more protective as well as grateful for her. It was impossible for me not to think of what would happen if I lost her and it was clear that I would go mad. The easiest way to say it would be: Cullen or Ulises would become the new Alpha of the North. I very rarely suffered from anxiety however this situation gave me anxiety. It was good in some ways, I couldn't stop working, however it also brought me back to my time in Faljketijn- that wasn't good, I had gone years without having to think of that. There was a good reason why I had locked that part of my life deep in my head for no one, sometimes not even me, to see.

"I wanted to wake up early to make breakfast for you," her voice pierced through my thoughts, sending me back to reality.

"I'm sure you can think of something I can eat," I replied as my eyes darkened, my hands gripping onto her, feeling under my strong fingers the soft skin underneath.

A hint of a blush made it to her cheeks as she tried to hide a smile, "I'm serious."

"Who says I wasn't?

She chuckled, music to my ears, she rolled her eyes playfully.

She then looked at me with challenge in her eyes. She unwrapped her arms from my neck, separating herself slightly from me, yet my hands were still on her, gripping her, fearing she'll vanish. She crosses her arms over her chest, "are you sure? After yesterday, I believe there's something you'd like more than that," she played smartly.

Aelin was too selfless to let me eat her out without giving me oral, and I knew that if she did that, I would then take way too much time making her come again and again and I couldn't risk not working, not protecting her.

"How about I take you on that offer later today?" I proposed raising my brows.

She nodded cordially, "you've made yourself a deal," she agreed, holding her hand out and then shaking hands.

*

After having a lovely breakfast with Aelin, Ulises and I began to work. We had been working for hours, not even stopping to eat as Aelin and Darya were kind enough to make us lunch and then give their respective mate a kiss.

"Darya was telling me last night about her training, and we couldn't ignore just how prepared Fajl is," Ulises suddenly spoke after mind linking with people for hours.

"Just say it," I push Ulises.

He swallows, "it's dumb for us to stay here another day. We should return back to Frossenby tonight, we can start working there in the morning."

I understood where he was coming from. Fajl was extremely secure, no one would enter this place unless they have a death wish, however leaving Aelin was harder for me than I would like to admit. Everything was new to her, she had been brought up in Vampires' land. This was the exact opposite. I know she can handle herself, and she is a smart one, however I didn't want anything or anyone to mess with her.

"I know it's safe, if it was only that, we wouldn't have even stayed tonight. This is a big step for Aelin. Fajl is pure werewolf community. Respect has to be earned here, and how it's very different to how it was for her growing up. I want to leave this place knowing Aelin will be okay living and training here," I explained.

"She has Darya," he pointed out, trusting his mate. I trusted Darya a lot too, especially because Aelin and she had grown very close. "She's fine, she came back more than okay after training. The sooner we leave, the sooner she'll come back to Frossenby," he added.

"Darya isn't with her all the time. What if someone pressures her to shift?- You know they are more than capable. Or, what if someone decides to challenge the Luna while training?- They did it to me after I came from Faljketijn," I argued.

"You're the Alpha. They're very different positions, the Luna is meant to be what Aelin is. Someone that listens to you, someone who won't judge. The reasons why you love her are the reasons why she's the Luna. A pack like ours, needs someone like her. They won't touch her because she's your mate and everyone knows better than to play around with that," Ulises explained.

"My mother wasn't like Aelin. I agree with you, this pack needed a Luna like Aelin, but my mother was a warrior. They respected her as a warrior and that's why they liked her as a Luna," I countered.

"That's right, they *liked* her. They'll love Aelin," he argued, "if you don't force it. If you don't make them respect her, if you don't let her work her silent charm with them. They won't love her, they won't feel the need to protect her other than she's your mate," Ulises very cleverly defended.

I had to think about his points for a second.

"I'm going to watch Aelin's training," I concluded, getting up from the chair.

"Then you're forcing it," he muttered loud enough for me to hear, getting up as well.

"You should stay quiet if you want us to leave tonight," I recommend, taking a jacket and leaving, followed by Ulises.

*

"Alpha Arsen," Reggo greeted me, then Ulises, bowing his head lightly. "Came to see your mate training?" He questioned.

I shook my head unbothered, "came to see the rest," I corrected him, looking at everyone warming up.

"Then you don't want me to tell you where she is?" He asked with an upbeat tone, knowing how Alphas were with their mates. What he failed to realise was that I already knew where she was. Any Alpha would be able to spot their mate in a place like this in a second, so I continued to play my part. Acting unbothered by Aelin's presence.

I looked at him sideways with a scowl on my face. Making him know that I didn't approve of his behavior. He got the message, I didn't want to know where Aelin was and he should keep to his job.

I watched how everything unravelled. Aelin had sensed my presence, she had waved at me and smiled. It was easy to tell she was struggling, her wolf had never been trained and had been on a coma for the past eight years, and her human had only been on runs. She was mentally tough, never giving up, only to finish an exercise, bend over to catch her breath, then straighten up, swipe the sweat off her forehead and smile innocently at me with a shrug.

*How much time is left?* She mind linked, making me smile.

I had been too focused watching a group of more advanced warriors, who couldn't eyeing every so often Aelin. I would have to talk to them before leaving.

*You just about reached half way,* I lied.

She shot a defeated look my way, *no...* She lamented. *Tomorrow I'm joining Darya's niece's group,* she informed me. *I met her today, she's eight and she really likes me. I don't think she'll mind.*

*Focus,* I remind her, as her rest time is about to be over, *the session is about to end.*

I didn't doubt Darya's niece didn't like Aelin. I'm sure she would love to have Aelin training with her. Aelin had a way with kids, it was easy to her with Lotte, Sage, Nova and Cain, they loved her unconditionally and they were very well behaved kids. Ulises had broken it down very simply when we were arguing before. Aelin's experience with people treating her with extreme harshness, with people who were never there for her, made her want to be there for everyone.

Ulises had told me about how much Darya had been confiding with Aelin, just like he had talked to her when he missed Darya. Aelin listens without judging, because they judged her. She has nothing but smiles to everyone. She's been able to make with all the horrible things that had been sent her way a safe space for anyone to be. It was one of the reasons why I know the Moon Goddess paired us together. Because I needed somewhere safe to be able to relax, to be able to breathe fully again and she was able to grant me exactly that.

The session came to an end. Aelin didn't think twice as she came directly to me. I quickly asked Ulises to speak with the group of warriors, making sure they understood that Aelin was their Luna. He left with the condition of leaving today, I agreed. Leaving us alone as everyone left the training facility.

"So, how was it?" I asked as she approached me.

"Can I hug you?" She wondered. She was drenched in sweat, but I couldn't care less, especially knowing I would not be able to see her in a long time.

I grabbed her and forced her as close to me as possible. She took it as a yes, wrapping her arms around me, looking up at me with a smile as she pressed her cheek onto the top of my chest.

"Why did you come?" She asked curiously, knowing how I wasn't supposed to be here.

I sighed, "I'm leaving tonight."