Chapter 65

**ARIA**

The sun slowly rises over the horizon and light streams through the bedroom curtains, illuminating my two mates lying at opposite ends of the bed. How can he share the same woman during intimate moments and at the same time be afraid to touch the other?
After several explanations, apologies and clarifications, Austin finally understood Adam's position and desires. But understanding doesn't mean 100% acceptance. Through our bond, I continue to feel his uncertainty and fear. He didn't admit it out loud, but I know him well enough to understand that he was afraid Adam would slip, lose control and mark me. Even though all three of us know that this moment will eventually come, Austin seems to want to put it off as long as possible.

Leila and Cassius want to have breakfast with me, and I know they'll end up telling me that my brother is going to become a hybrid. Their situation is much simpler than ours and the stakes aren't the same.

I jump without a sound when two hands come to rest on my shoulders. I already know which mate it is.

He kisses the top of my head. "You're up early."

"I opened one eye and saw the sunrise and I confess I couldn't resist it."

Adam embraces me, staying behind me. "Everything's quiet this time of day. I think it's my favorite part of the day... the few minutes before the hustle and bustle of the palace."

I turn to look toward the bed where Austin is still asleep. "A real groundhog." I chuckle.

"Too bad for him, too good for me. I enjoy sharing simple moments like this with you."

"Me too." I sigh. "I'm going to go take a shower before joining my brother and your sister for breakfast."

He nods. "I suggest we save some water and I'll join you." He tells me with a smirk.

"Did someone say sex in the shower?" Austin says, looking up with sleepy eyes and a sleepy voice.

I burst out laughing before locking myself in the bathroom. Alone.

I love them both but if we keep going at this rate I won't be able to sit down for the rest of my life.

***

"So have you decided?"

"Yes. We'd been talking about it all along and I don't feel like waiting any longer. I'm going to be thirty and my girlfriend looks 20 at the most. It was important for me to talk to you about it before I took the plunge and do it." Cassius replies.

"And I thank you for that, but the main thing is that you're both on the same wavelength."

"We are," Leila confirms, placing her hand on my brother's.

They share a look that's both touching and full of love. I don't think people who aren't lucky enough to have a real companion can understand this feeling. It goes beyond love and affection, and that's what I see every time they look at each other. They were meant to be together... like really.

"Well we'll leave you now... we have... things to do." My big brother says to me without taking his eyes off my sister-in-law.

Yikes.

"Yeah, lots of things." She confirms and he slings her over his shoulder.

These two can't get enough of each other for more than a few hours, and I don't even want to wonder how many times a day they go bang bang.
As soon as they pull away, I see Austin and Adam approach me with an amused looks on their faces.

"I think we all know what those two are going to do," Austin says with a laugh.

"You're talking about my sister."

"And my brother," I add with a disgusted look on my face.

"Okay. I don't say anything more. It was a joke, that's all." He responds by raising his hands in surrender. "Anyway, we've got other things to talk about. We're going to the pack tomorrow and we need to make sure we're ready."

I groan in frustration."I already know everything I need to know. The pack's organization, their geographical location, their enemies and allies."

"You've prepared well," Adam tells me with a proud smile.

"I'm well on my way to becoming the perfect Luna."

"You already are. The pack adores her and people stop her to talk. They've already adopted her and trust her." Austin gives me a side hug.

Thank you," he says. "I sigh. "Rosalie told me the same thing."

"Well, you better listen to them both," Adam confirms to me by standing up. "I've got quite a bit of work to do, but you're free to come with me if you like."

I stand up too. "I'd love to. I want to know more about what you do every day."

**AUSTIN**

I left Aria and Adam together and preferred to spend my day with Fares so he could give me a tour of all the infrastructures to try and set them up in our pack.

The news that Leila was going to make Cassius a hybrid was expected and yet I would have preferred it if it had come later. It may sound silly, but ever since I found the two of them in that room, her thighs full of blood, it's been playing over and over in my head. I know it'll happen eventually, but the fact that Leila and Cassius are taking action now makes me dread that Aria wants to do it too... sooner than I would have liked. I know for a fact that it will happen and that it's inevitable, but I don't think I've come to terms with it yet.

For fuck's sake! Why did I have to walk into that fucking room when I did?