-:Cecelia's POV:-

I woke up with a groan, snuggling into Ashton's chest. The banging on my door was insistent and determined.

"Lia, get up!" I heard Julian shout. My eyes snapped open. My grogginess evaporated into thin air, replaced my awareness. I pushed Ashton away to get up.

Correction: I tried to. That boy had a firm grip.

"Wake up, Ash!" I hissed at him, shaking him. He groaned.

"Go back to sleep, Ce," he pulled me closer.

"Lia!!!!!" Julian screamed.

I knew I shouldn't have put him on 'wake me up' duty. I was pissed that I was missing my training every day so I asked Julian to make sure I didn't. 

I was so regretting it then.

"Ashton, wake up!" I told him frantically. "Julian is here!!"

"Shoo him away," he mumbled sleepily.

"Ash!" I deadpanned.

"Cecelia!" Julian yelled. "Wake up!"

I couldn't even tell him I was awake and that I'd be down in ten. Damn the soundproof doors.

That's a first.

"Ashton please wake up. We'll get caught," I begged him. No one knew he snuck in and I wanted to keep it that way. Dad would be ballistic if he found out.

He peeped an eye open.

"What do I get in return?" He asked.

"Seriously?" I asked him flatly. 

"Lia!" The banging increased. Ash opened his other eye too, raising his eyebrows questioningly.

"Fine!" I grumbled. "What do you want?"

"Round two?" His eyes twinkled mischievously. 

"No." I narrowed my eyes. "You know what? Let's just wait till he breaks down my door and someone catches us here like this. That'll be fun."

"At least give me a kiss," he pouted. I quickly pecked his lips.

"Oh, c'mon! Tha-"

"I'll hurt you," I glared at him with effort. He looked absolutely adorable, but we had Julian on our case.

"Okay," he released me with a grimace. I kissed him again quickly again, scrambling out of the bed before he could trap me.

"Wipe that look off and put your clothes on. Also, it'll be super convenient if you could just disappear for a few minutes." I forced out. Sera whined in my head.

"That's so not what I expected to hear from my mate the night after we mated."

I don't want you to go. I wanna cuddle.

"Lia!" Julian was very determined.

"What? I'm sorry. You know I have no choice. They'll probably have your head." I quickly started putting my clothes on. I threw him his shirt from where it was lying near my leg. He caught it and threw me my shorts in return.

"I know," he mused, looking at my neck with what looked like satisfaction. "What will you do to hide your scent?"

My eyes widened.

"Fuck." I cursed, pulling my top over my head. I had completely forgotten about that. After mating completely, your scent changes. It gets mixed with that of your mate.

"Perfume?" He suggested. I held back a wince while yanking my shorts on.

"Like I have a choice." I sighed. I hated perfumes with a passion. They irritated my nose too much.

"I'll see you soon," he said, kissing my forehead. I smiled. He walked to the balcony doors, pulling the blinds open before closing quickly and retreating back.

"What?" I asked him.

"They're training below!" He said. "Your brother looks positively murderous right now. Leaving that way is a definite no-no."

I smiled internally as Serafine yipped. He couldn't go. It took me a second to get back to my senses. 

"Fucking hell!" I panicked, blocking Sera out. I loved her, but she was distracting. Shit. "Bathroom!" I blurted out, just in case Julian would want to come in. He nodded before shutting himself in.

I hurried to the door.

"Cecelia, I swear to Go-"

I unlocked and pulled the door halfway open, interrupting his rant. His fist stopped midair. His face was twisted into a scowl. I put on an overly sweet smile.

"Good morning!" I squeaked, internally wincing at how guilty my voice sounded. His hand dropped back to his side.

"Morning," Julian huffed. "Since when have you been such a heavy sleeper? The entire Packhouse must be awake by now."

"I'm sorry," I apologized sheepishly.

"You look like you've been awake for a while," he eyed me suspiciously.

"What? Noooo," I laughed nervously. "You know I always wake up like this. Fresh as a daisy."

"Hmm," he deliberated. "That you do. But, enough of this. Let's go."

"Yeah, um, give me a few minutes, please?"

"Why?" He asked incredulously.

I may or may not have had a reputation for being on time for training. And right then I was running a few minutes late. Asking for a few more. 

Even I'd be suspicious.

I racked my brain for an excuse. What do I say to make him go away??

" . . . girl problems?" I offered meekly.

Kill me now.

"Okay. I did not need to know that. Take your time," he scurried away with a moue.

I shut the door behind him with a relieved sigh.

"You can come out now," I told Ashton.

"So, you're going to go down for training now?" He asked, coming out and plopping down on my bed. Not a word about my excuse. I knew I liked him for a reason.

"Nope," I responded, popping the 'p'. I lay down beside him. He turned on his side to face me, propping his head with his elbow. I did the same to face him.

"You're going to miss training?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Eh," I said weakly. "I'll make it up tomorrow."

He stared at me for a while, making my cheeks heat up.

"What?" I asked, uncharacteristically self-conscious.

"I love you," he mumbled leaning in. 

I was still afraid of the word. I did love him. Sera had a way of making you own up to your own self.

'Your welcome,' she snorted in my head. I merely smiled at her. She knew I was grateful. 

I hadn't said it back last night. It was on the tip of my tongue, but I chickened out at the last moment.

Oh, well.

I touched our lips together with a smile instead. 

Thank Goddess we werewolves don't have to worry about morning breath.

I could feel that he was a little deflated but I still couldn't say it. I tried to convey my love wordlessly through the kiss, wanting him to know that he was important to me. 

It was an uncomfortable position to kiss in. We were both too involved to pull away, though. So what happened instead was him adjusting both of us such that I was practically under him, his arms on either side of my head to keep his weight off me.

We didn't break the kiss. Nope.

I wound my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He groaned, one of his hands finding their way under my shirt. I sighed at the feeling of his flesh against mine.

The thing I noticed was, whenever Ashton was nearby, I could let loose. I was freer, happier, more myself than I had been in years. I worried less, I felt safe, I loved myself. I felt more confidant like I could face anything as long as he was nearby. With me. 

I felt loved. I felt comfortable.

I had a sudden boost of confidence at this realization. I remembered how special I felt when he told me he loved me. The feeling of euphoria. Why was I denying him that feeling? I wanted to tell him that I loved him. I was debating pulling away and telling him I do love him when it happened.

It could have been a beautiful moment. One I would've liked to remember for ages to come. Liked to revisit. The moment I first told Ash that I loved him using those three words.

But Julian Gavin Curtis had to ruin it.

Of. 

Fucking.

Course.

No knocks. No 'may I's. 

I was going to murder him.

"I fucking knew it!" The door slammed open and Julian shouted. Ash and I were so used to his interruptions at this point, we didn't even jump. Ash pulled away with a growl before muttering, "I know he's your best friend, but I really want to kill him right now."

"Go ahead. I won't even stop you," I whispered back as he rolled off of me. We sat up. Ashton pulled me on his lap and I didn't protest.

After the mating, I didn't want to let him go away at all.

"You know that I can hear you, right?" Julian questioned. "Because news flash: I can."

"News flash: We don't care," I retorted. "Now, what are you doing here? Don't you have some troublesome, hormonal pre-teens to antagonize?"

"I have a better question," he smirked. "What is Ashy boy doing here?"

"Ashy boy?!" Both Ashton and I interrupted in disgust.

"You sneaked in, didn't you?" Julian thought out loud, ignoring us. "I wonder . . . "

"Julian," I said warningly, "Don't."

He sniffed around overdramatically.

"And you guys completed the mating process!" He cheered teasingly. I buried my head in Ashton's neck. Xavier growled. I knew without looking because the voice was deeper, throatier.

Selene, take me now. Please. I beg you.

"I'll go tell Alpha Rivers!" Julian exclaimed. My eyes widened in horror. My head snapped up. Although I knew he wouldn't, I didn't like that wild look in his eye.

"How did you even know?" I questioned as a distraction. He gave me a knowing look but answered nonetheless.

"The scent," he answered in a duh tone, "You smell- used to smell of citrus and honey. Ashy boy smelled of minty oak. When you opened the door, the scent I smelled was a strong mixture of both. It was an easy guess. This room is saturated. And have you looked at your neck?"

I winced. How could I be so incredibly stupid? Especially when we were talking about perfume, like, five minutes ago? And how many fucking hickeys had Ashton given me?!

"And you know that the patrols are strict and we're on high alert. As much as I ship you guys, this was bloody irresponsible." He added.

"His scent is familiar now that he visits often," I pointed out, shaking off my embarrassment. "The guards would not have been alarmed. And I'm sure he left a note or something to make sure no one in his pack panics."

"Really?" Julian raised an eyebrow, looking at Ashton.  I faced him and groaned. He looked guilty.

"You didn't leave any message nor did you tell anyone, did you?" I asked him.

"No," he loured. "Give me a minute."

His eyes glazed over as he mind linked some pack members. Probably Noel or Hayden.

"Any progress?" I asked Julian. I didn't have to elaborate. He shook his head.

"Andrew and Arnold are on their trail. It's weird, though. Even Andrew can't catch them. Their trail goes about in circles before disappearing completely. It's so confusing. And wrong. I mean, how can a bunch of over fifty rogues just disappear into thin air without a trace!" He rambled. I pursed my lips. It was suspicious.

"When is today's strategy meeting? I want to attend." I said.

"You can't," Julian denied. "For the sake of secrecy, only ten people are attending. Five from our pack, five from theirs."

"Who all are meeting?" Ashton asked. He'd finished informing his people, I guessed.

"Your dad, his beta, gamma, pack warrior, and Andrew."

"From our side?" I queried.

"Alpha Rivers, Beta Carson, Gamma Craig, Warrior Wesley, and Arnold."

"We really can't get a cut, can we?" Ashton frowned.

"No," Julian sighed. "Also, you really should escape before Aaron finds you here. He's not in a good mood after being denied entry into the meeting."

"Why is it that you know more about my pack affairs than I do?" I asked him.

"Because I'm here to meddle, missy. It's my job. Evergreen sent me here for a reason."

"Right," I muttered. "That."

"Yeah, now get your ass downstairs for training with me. You have ten minutes. Also, no funny business anymore, get it?" He glared at Ashton as he said the last part.

"Oh, fuck off," I snapped despite the fact that Ashton was grinning cheekily. 

"Try not to get caught," Julian rolled his eyes and stalked out with another hard look at Ashton. He shut the door behind him.

"What did you tell your pack?" I asked Ashton.

"That I was out for breakfast at the diner near Colton's," he shrugged easily.

"That makes sense," I nodded, getting up. I had to go downstairs quickly.

"Do you have to go?" He asked,

"Yes," I sighed reluctantly. "If Aaron is in a bad mood too, I need to."

"Oh," was all he said.

"Will you pick me up for school?" I asked hopefully, taking out my black spandex leggings and black sports bra from my closet.

"Of course," he smiled. I smiled back before going into the bathroom to change quickly. I combed my hair back into a braid, brushed my teeth, and washed my face before walking out. Ashton was laying back on the bed with his head buried in my pillow. I chuckled.

"I'm leaving," I told him. "Let me know when you leave, okay? And lock up and take the key with you when you leave. I have an extra."

His reply was muffled by the pillow. I laughed, dropping a kiss on his head before walking out.

Julian was impatiently waiting for me downstairs. We broke into a jog with just a curt nod of acknowledgment. I noticed it took me no effort to reach our five-mile marker - the stream. Not at all. It was as if I hadn't done anything.

'The mating,' Sera supplied.

'Damn, this is crazy,' I wondered.

'It is.'

"So, you're mated now," Julian said, wiping the sweat off his brows.

"Yeah," I answered shortly, unsure where he wanted to take it.

"Are you okay with that? I mean-" he cut himself off. "I never thought I'd have to give you the little sister talk so soon," he scowled.

"Just spit it out!" I laughed, getting his drift. I wasn't embarrassed. I was amused at the slight green tinge in his skin.

"I hope that you didn't feel forced or rushed. If you did, just say the word and I swear Lia, I'll-"

"Julian!" I chuckled. "It is alright. It was a mutual decision. Besides, I love him."

Why was it so easy to tell Julian that but not Ashton?

"You do?" He blinked before breaking into a grin.

"Yeah," I laughed again.

"Did you tell him?" He asked excitedly.

'Babe, I'm leaving,' Ash mind linked me. 'See ya in a few.'

'Can't wait,' I grinned, loving the feel of finally hearing him speak in my mind.

"Lia!" Julian broke me out of my daze with a knowing look.

"Yes?" I tried to remember what he had asked. "Oh, no. No, I haven't. Yet."

"Tell him soon," he said softly.

"I was going to. Today. Just before you so politely interrupted me. I hate you."

"Sorry?" He shrugged with a wide smile, not sounding sorry at all.

"I can't wait for Liana to tell you. You just wait," I muttered lowly.

"What?" He asked with a frown, miraculously not catching that.

"Nothing," I replied innocently before we made our way back.

*******************************

A/N:-

I am fucking tired. My eyes hurt. My hand is swollen from writing so much. Literally. I'm nose deep in heaps of notes.

I want out.

I hope you have it better. Take care. It will get better if it's bad now. Remember that.

Enjoy. I guess.

No QOTD today. I don't have the energy to come up with that.

Thank you guys so much for over 150 votes. I'm very grateful.

Until next time, all my love,
xoxo.

(23rd June 2021)