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I don’t even need Cato to spur me on. I just grab her by her hips, turning her over and pushing her against the tree. She supports herself with her hands while I take in the image in front of me, seeing her leaning against the tree, allowing me to fuck her from behind. Alpha wolves are dominant, so for her to let me see her so vulnerable is truly humbling.

Cato pushes me forward into action instead of just ogling her. One of my hands moves to her breasts, massaging them, while the other traces over her stomach down between her legs. We are both still reeling from the intense experience of our long run. She is responding to my touches easily, moving her hips against my fingers. The sounds around me are still numbed down, forcing me to see her other body signs, her damp skin, the way her lips are parted, the juicy fluid dripping out of her core.

I’m getting lost in the moment, for the first time in my life, not overthinking anything. I stroke my cock to full hardness before entering her from behind. Aurelia gapes, tossing her head back, and I take that as my cue to fuck her the way she asked me to.

Maybe it’s my feral side still on display, but I find myself grabbing her by her hips and snapping my hips forward, thrusting into her without giving her a break. Aurelia’s arms shiver, her body trembling. I keep my hand between her legs, my thumb circling her clit.

I lean my body against hers to feel her warmth, the tremble of her muscles, to smell her. Everything is so intense. Her body tenses before a shiver goes through it. I steady her with an arm around her waist, fucking her until I can feel myself come.

We retreat to the small hut, where we light a fire in the fireplace to stay warm while lying next to each other on the floor, still naked. The huts are the property of everyone, so it’s on us not to leave behind a mess. However, Eric sends the cleaning staff up here once a week.

Aurelia holds my hand, our fingers entwined. It feels intimate to lay next to each other like this. We didn’t bother putting on clothes. I only put my hearing aid back in to be able to understand her.

Aurelia chuckles. “You know,” she breaks the silence. “I forgot to tell you… my mom called me and wanted to know everything about how we marked each other. She also said she told everyone she met that I found my mate and will come home with an awesome heartthrob.”

I groan. “She didn’t.”

“She showed them our photo from when we went sightseeing,” she says. “Poor pack members. Everyone had to look at us and coo at how beautiful we are.”

“I’m not even there yet and already get on their nerves.”

“Don’t worry,” she says with a smile. “They are genuinely happy. My father didn’t make it a condition that I have to find a mate, to take over, but it’s always easier to lead a pack with a fated mate at your side.”

“I’m convinced you will be an awesome alpha,” I say. “Everything I’ve seen and learned about you until now has been truly astounding.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” she admits. “It’s a bit scary to take over such a huge pack, especially because the pack loves my parents. They are very devoted and loyal towards them. But I love Silverlake with my whole body and soul, and I can’t wait to show the pack how much it means to me. However,” she pauses, “I’m not mad Dad won’t retire immediately. I can finish my studies, and we can have our honeymoon phase. And I’m also glad to have you at my side once I take over.”

“I promise I will help you wherever I can,” I say. “I admit, I’m kind of excited about this too. I never knew where my path was leading me. I just knew it wasn’t my home pack. You know, it’s a feeling I always had, that I don’t belong, that it isn’t my place. Eric and Vander think otherwise, but I don’t think I’m made to be a ruling alpha. I will be pretty dope as an advisor and co-leader, though.”

“We’ll find out how we handle things together,” Aurelia promises.

“You know,” I say. “The pack usually goes to the firstborn. But isn’t it unfair sometimes? I get it with royal lycans, as the reigning royal lycan alpha passes his power onto the firstborn child—”

“Like with Liam,” Aurelia agrees. “He was made to be alpha. You haven’t seen him yet, but I’m not kidding when I say that in whichever universe, at whatever time, he would have always become a leader.”

“But that’s for the royals who are blessed by the Goddess,” I say. “Us regular werewolves and lycans? What if the second-born child has awesome gifts and talents and is just the overall better person or leader?”

“I get what you mean,” she says. “Not to mention that many alphas completely ignore the firstborn rule if it’s a daughter.”

“Yes, it’s so silly,” I agree. “Vander is still young and doesn’t have his lycan yet, but I think he would make a fine alpha.”

“Maybe he will change his mind,” Aurelia says. “He is still in shock about what happened, but once the Council comes to a decision concerning your father, who knows… maybe Vander will come to the realization that he likes his pack and wants to take the challenge. He is just insecure at the moment.”

“I kind of hope he will,” I admit. “I will happily take him to Silverlake with me, but I think he hasn’t realized he truly has a choice. Vander doesn’t give himself enough credit.”

“No way. I wonder where he got that from?” Aurelia says, smirking at me.

I feel flustered because initially she is right. Neither Vander nor I are particularly confident in our abilities. I feel like we have both been changing and progressing ever since we stood up against our father, so there’s that. Before I can answer, though, my phone rings.

“Now?” Aurelia asks, the both of us sitting up abruptly and looking at each other in worry.

It’s late at night already, my stomach churning while I grab my phone. “It’s a message from Eric.”

“Fuck,” Aurelia curses.

I open it swiftly.Something happened! We have an emergency. Call me asap when you see this!

Chapter thirty-eight