Chapter 141 Before the Storm
Author's POV
The evening was really quiet on campus. Most students were eating dinner. Hanging out in their dorms. It was a Thursday night. The suite was peaceful for a change. Rowan was in his room studying. Cian was at the library.
This meant Aiden and Malia were alone in his room. She was sitting on his bed wearing one of his hoodies and leggings. Her hair was pulled back into a bun. She had textbooks around her but she was not really studying. She was thinking about Vesper and the wolf attacks and the Council.
Aiden came out of the bathroom and his hair was wet from the shower. He was wearing sweatpants. That was it. There were still water drops on his shoulders. They were shining in the light. The scratches from the fight the night before were almost gone.
"You are not studying, " he said, getting on the bed beside her.
"No I am not, " she replied. "I just cannot focus."
"Is it because of Vesper?" he asked.
"It is because of everything, " she said, leaning back on the headboard. "Vesper, the Council, the wolves, our training tomorrow. My brain is all over the place."
Aiden picked up the textbooks. Put them on his nightstand. Then he pulled Malia into his arms. She was against his chest and their legs were tangled.
"Do not try to focus on schoolwork " he said softly into her hair. "Just focus on this. On being. On the fact that you're safe right now."
Malia put her face into the crook of his neck. She breathed in deeply, smelling the soap and something that was just Aiden. This made her feel better.
"I am scared about tomorrow, " she said quietly. "I am scared about the training. I am scared that I will not be able to make my wolf cooperate."
"Don't worry " Aiden said, his hand on her back. "We will go slow. We will not force anything. We will just try to figure out what works."
Malia looked up at him. She saw the intensity in his eyes. It was not the alpha power glow. It was just Aiden looking at her.
"How are you always so calm?" she asked. "How are you always so calm about everything?"
Aiden brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I am not calm, " he said. "I am scared. I am scared every time you're not with me. I am scared every time someone looks at you wrong.. Someone has to be steady.. Right now that someone is me."
Malia saw the honesty in his eyes. This made her feel tight in the chest.
"I love you " she whispered.
"I love you more, " Aiden replied, leaning down to kiss her softly.
Malia kissed him back deeper. She needed this. She needed him.
The kiss got more intense. Aiden pulled back slightly, breathing hard. "We should get some rest, " he said. "You have a day tomorrow."
Malia did not want to stop. "I need you, " she said, pulling him down. "Please just make me forget everything. Just for tonight."
Aiden's eyes got darker. "You sure?" he asked.
Malia nodded. "I am very sure."
Aiden kissed her again slower this time. He took his time worshipping her mouth with his. It was like they had all the time in the world.
His hands slipped under her hoodie, finding skin. Malia arched into his touch gasping softly.
"Still sure?" Aiden asked, his voice rough against her mouth.
Malia bit his lip gently. "Stop asking and just kiss me, " she said.
Aiden did. Thoroughly. Completely. Until Malia forgot about everything except the feeling of his mouth on hers, his hands on her skin, his body pressed against her.
They took their time, no rush, no desperation. Slow exploration and quiet reassurance. They reminded each other that they were together and they were okay.
For now that was enough.
Hours later they lay tangled under the sheets. The room was dark except for the moonlight coming through the window. It was peaceful and quite perfect.
"Tomorrow " Aiden said quietly "we will go to the estate. It is an hour outside the city. It is land, no neighbors, completely isolated."
Malia traced patterns on his stomach. "That sounds really remote, " she said.
"That is the point, " Aiden replied. "You can try to shift without worrying about people seeing you. You can practice control without risking exposure." He pressed a kiss to her hair. "Rowan and Cian are coming too. We will all be there to help you."
Malia was scared. "What if I cannot do it?" she asked. "What if my wolf just won't cooperate?"
Aiden's voice was patient and confident. "We will try things, " he said. "We will work on meditation and breathing techniques. We will build trust between you and your wolf by fighting each other."
Malia had not thought of it that way. Her wolf was like a person who needed healing. That made sense. The forced transformation had hurt both of them.
"Okay " she agreed. "We will try. We will be careful."
Aiden tightened his arms around her. "I am not letting anything hurt you, " he said. "Not the Council wolves, not the magic, not even your own abilities. You are safe with me. Always."
Malia believed him. She believed him completely.
"Will it just be us?" she asked. ". Will there be other people there?"
"July and Freddy are coming too, " Aiden said. "They will be there, for support. July has been reading about transformations and thinks she found some things that might help." He smiled against her hair. "You will be surrounded by people who love you and want you to succeed."
Malia was smiling too. "No pressure then " she said.
Aiden shifted slightly looking at her face. "No pressure, " he said. "Just try. That is all anyone expects. Just try to understand yourself. Whatever happens happens."
Malia looked at Aiden's face in the moonlight. She saw the lines, the gentle eyes, the expression of devotion that still surprised her sometimes. This boy, this alpha looked at her like she was his world.
"Thank you, " she said softly. "Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for fighting for me. Thank you for everything."
Aiden kissed her forehead, her nose, her lips. "Always, " he said. "Now sleep. Tomorrow is a day and you need rest."
"Will you stay with me?" Malia asked. "All night?"
Aiden pulled the blanket higher around them. "I am not going anywhere, " he said. "I will be here. All night. Every night. For as long as you want me."
" Then " Malia said.
Aiden smiled. "Forever works for me."
Malia closed her eyes, finally feeling tired. She was wrapped in Aiden's arms surrounded by his scent listening to his heartbeat.
She was safe.
For now, it is completely safe.
Tomorrow would bring challenges, training, uncertainty.. Tonight it was just them. Just this. Just. Warmth and the promise that they would face everything together.
Malia drifted off to sleep with that promise warming her chest. Tomorrow they will start training her wolf. Tomorrow the real work will begin.
Tonight was really their night.
That is the way things should be, right?...