~Aurora~

　　Hugging me back tighter than ever, almost crushing my bones! Odin had patted my shoulder.

　　"I'd never, ever lose friendship with someone so dear and graceful. I'd be a fool. And I'm no fool to begin with."

　　"We will have our run in the woods again. As promised." Added Odin, making me smile from ear to ear. Suddenly, all those days and memories of our hang out where I was oblivious of the wolf he was, who he was to begin with. Our friendship, no matter how much I stress on it, is special. I would cherish these memories with all my heart.

　　After parting from our hug, Emeric came up from behind me. The two men hugged as well, patting each other on their backs. I felt at peace, knowing both would never fight over me ever again.

　　"You have all my support, Prince Emeric. And when I'd become Alpha of Stormchaser pack, you will see me every bi-anually as a member of Council."

　　"It can be more than twice a year as well, my friend. I'll keep seeing you around. Friends make time for each other, don't they, sweetheart?"

　　"Don't make me cry even harder!" Yelling at them, I ran into both of them.

　　…and I watched my good friend leave with his father. He is about to become an alpha as well.

　　Oh, how far have we come in life already? It's the most exciting part, isn't it? Witnessing our friends' growth while achieving our own goals and aims. This is the best feeling ever, hands down…

　　"It's time to go, Aurora. If we keep hugging like this, I'll be tempted to stay for longer. I can't afford that. My pack needs us."

　　"Go then…get lost and never return." I pouted. Emeric pat my head like I was a child while Odin pinched both my cheeks, hard!

　　Emeric took me under his arm, hugging me sideways as we watched Odin reunite with his father. They were leaving, their special carriages provided by Emeric which was a present, a gift for their support they've given for the kingdom, the alliance…

　　It was a very beautiful parting between us. There was hope…that we would reunite again.

　　That night…I dreamed of Odin, Emeric and I indulged in the bliss of a horse ride through the thin parts of the inner ring, the most beautiful dream I've ever had so far. I was dressed in royal clothing, not to miss the detail - I had a ring on my left hand…

　　A gorgeous, big shining diamond sat around my finger.

　　Never could have I ever guessed in my wildest dreams that the day wouldn't be so far away~

　　"Emeric…" right as when he was about to leave me in my own space, I called his name out. Odin had just left the palace, heading for his own pack. This was the perfect opportunity for me to speak up about something between Emeric and I…

　　Well…

　　As he turned around, his gentle look returning on his features upon seeing me, he approached me closer. He held my chin with his fingers, craving my face up. Why was I hesitating to articulate my words right now!?

　　"What is it, my love?"

　　"You know…that I recognise you as my mate, right? We have done everything, except for one. You haven't marked me yet. Claim me, Emeric." Showing my willingness to be marked by the prince, I was then told, almost humbled.

　　"You have no idea how much your words mean to me, Aurora. I'd be more than glad to mark you as mine, and let you mark me as well." My eyes widened.

　　A man of any species has his own male ego that forbids him from getting a mark from their counterparts. But he is the standard. He is Emeric Wildhart!

　　"Oh…"

　　"Besides, I don't want you to have my mark in such circumstances. I want to make love to you, passionately. I want to express how infatuated I am with you while marking your whole body." His tone went an octave deeper, making my pupils dilate with attraction towards him. He chuckled at the changes in my body, sniffing the air around me.

　　"You smell delicious, Aurora. I could devour you as a whole right now. Right here." I was flustered!

　　"N-No. Not here."

　　"Alright.

　　But just know that I have a small surprise for you tomorrow."

　　"Tomorrow?" I was puzzled.

　　The anticipated tomorrow had arrived. I woke up feeling refreshed, turning to my lover who made love to me all night. He's given me gifts and treasures that will last upto a week or two, all over my body. I went to the bathroom, checking out the spots on the mirror.

　　Slowly, I felt his presence creep up behind me. He's taken my breath away, burrowing his face into the crook of my neck.

　　"First thing in the morning, and you're making me crave you all over again…" I whispered into his ear,

　　"Hmm…you shouldn't hear what's going on inside my head then. Your ears are going to bleed~"

　　Oh lord…

　　I chuckled, and carried on with my morning routine with him in the same space as me. It didn't bother me anymore, never did. We did our own things and were ready for the day. Few things were broken around his chamber, post the war. But we made it work anyway.

　　As we walked out, Beta Roman was fresh and out as he greeted us both at the chamber doors.

　　"Good morning, Roman! Looking fresh!"

　　"Oh, I could say the same about you two! So, when are you announcing to the world of your fated union?" I blinked, turning to look up at Emeric. His confident answer was, "Soon, Roman. Very…soon."