Chapter 84

**Aelin POV**

I woke up from Arsen's ruffling as he tried to get me off of him as softly as possible to not wake me up. He failed, and in many ways, I wanted him to. I wanted to start waking up with him, having breakfast together, starting the day together. It had been a few days now going back to this routine and I liked it. I started training again here, which was so much better than in Falj, as well as, finally beginning my training as a wolf.

"You can go back to sleep," he whispered softly and kissed me on my forehead.

"No, no," I answered, "I'll go have breakfast with you," I told him.

"Are you sure?" He answered with a clarity after having just woken up that made mym groggy self look even more sleepy.

"I'm sure," I answered with a smile, getting quickly up from the bed.

We went downstairs to have breakfast just the two of us. In our own kitchen, only a few products were there but sufficient for a breakfast. He grabbed his stuff anfd I grabbed mine and we go to sit down. As I cross paths with him, he puts his arm out, stopping me, he smells me.

"Stay in the room today," he instructs me caringly as his hand begins to caress my arm, "I'll have Audrie check on you every so often. I won't be too far."

"It's today?" I wondered. Apparently, the smell of a she-wolf slightly changed when enterring her Heat, it intensified and became sweeter. It was very subtle, but Arsen had my scent down to a tea and could sense any change like his life depended on it.

"Almost guaranteed," he answered, "as soon as you start having symptoms, you mindlink."

"I know, I know."

He gives me an untrusting look.

"I'll call you immediately."

He nods his head, then let's me sit down before he does the same thing himself.

"Eat well now to prepare," he tells me as I start eating.

"You don't trust me one bit."

"I'm not big on risks," he answers the most Arsen answer he could give me.

I roll my eyes.

"Ugh, it's so hard having a mate that cares for you," he mocked me.

I brushed the seat off my forehead jokingly, "tell me about it."

"You know this is only bound to get worse, right?"

"What is?"

"Your mate's caring nature," he enlightens me.

I lean into him, "oh, really? How so?"

I don't think there was something I loved more about Arsen than just how caring and loving he was.

"The moment we start having a family?" You genuinely don't think I'll get worse?" He chuckled, already envisioning himself.

"You love to worry."

"I love to protect what's mine."

I smiled at him warmly.

"Imagine me with a big belly?" I said, putting my hands on my stomach.

"Heat is already making you all Pup-crazy," he pointed out.

"It's not a right now thing. Things have to be stable for a while, this is the first time for us. But, once things are stable?"

"Are you asking me if I want pups?"

"I mean, I'm almost certain you do, but like-?" I say, growing slightly shy.

"I do want pups, Aelin. Yours. Many and soon. But, there is no rush either," he answered. In typical Arsen fashion, hitting every spot in one go, "and yes, you'll look amazing with a big rounded belly."

"Not this Heat though," I remind myself.

"Not this one," he reiterated with a smile.

"The next one?"

"If everything stays the same," he nods his head.

I wink at him.

He smiles brightly, "you're a funny one," he says to himself.

He left not too late after that. I stayed in bed for a bi tlonger before I couldn't find my boredom for longer so I began with my own day. I didn't want to do much today if Heat was as close as Arsen had pointed yesterday then I'd better stay close. I knew this time around things were different but I didn't want to risk it. I wanted to keep the experience light, a way to get me and Arsen closer once again. A healing experience that we both were in dire need of.

Soon it was night and nothing had happened. I felt more than okay and hanging out around the house, yet still feeling helpful. I wanted to be a helpful Luna.

"Aelin!" Arsen called for me as he enterred our room.

"In the bathroom!" I replied, as I secure my towel on myself.

He opened the door, peaking his head in before quickly engulding me in a tight hug. His strong arms wrapped around me, his chest pressed against my much smalled back. His head lowered as he kissed me on my neck.

"How have you been?" I asked with a big smile on my face.

He tilted me side to side, "good, happy to have you back." He kissed me again. "How have you been?"

"Good too, more relaxed, happy to be back," I answered.

"Less stressed about your Heat?" He wondered.

"Yes, I think as long as I keep in the packhouse so that if I feel my Heat coming in, I can just go up and wait for you in bed," I answered.

"You're finally listening to me, or is it just me?" He suggested with a proud smile despite his cheeky tone.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Why?"

"Let me think, you are choosing to relax, be more cautious and put yourself first," he pointed out. I must admit he had a point.

"Fair, but I'm still helping around in the packhouse," I added.

He rolled his eyes, "of course you are."

I giggled.

"The big difference is that you are doing it in a controlled environment," he reminds me.

I push away from him and turn around to face him, he pulls me closer again. Our faces inches away, "I'm learning."

He kisses me tenderly.

"That's my mate."