A gentle shake pulled me from deep sleep. I blinked groggily, disorted by the darkness,
“Elowen. Wake up.”
I recognized Frost’s voice instantly, though I couldn’t see him clearly in the dim light. I fumbled for the bedside lamp, squinting as soft light flooded the room.
Frost stood beside my bed, dressed in a way I’d never seen before, time was his unal practical attire, replaced by fitted dark pants and a crisp shirt that accentuated his lean, muscular frame. His silver blond hair was styled differently too, less severe than usual.
“Why are you here so early?” I mumbled, pushing hair from my face
lips quirked into a half–smile. “It’s actually very late, close to light, and you’ve slept long enough.
I glanced toward the window, noticing for the first time the inky blackness beyond. I’d fallen asleep reading one of the books from Kaius’s collection, exhausted from the emotional day.
Umm, what’s the occasion?” I asked, sitting up a
and
pulling the sheets around me.
“It’s a surprise,” he says.
That got my attention. Frost wasn’t the type for surprises or spontaneity.
“I don’t like surprises. Too often in my life, surprises had meant pain or humiliation.
“Trust me, this one you will like,” he assured me, his ice–blue eyes holding mine.
Something
g in his expression convinced me. I trust you, so this must be good.”
He moved toward the wardrobe, opening it to scan my clothes, “Not cressed like that; you look good, but maybe a bit more effort.
I’ve never been bothered about my dressing,” I observed, climbing out of bed and approaching him…
He pulled out two dresses–one deep blue, the other emerald green. He held them up, considering each with a critical eye.
“The blue is nice; it complements your eye colour, but the emerald green is better.”
I took the emerald dress from him, examining the delicate fabric. It Had a simple elegance to it not overly formal, but certainly special. “So I need to be this glamoured for my surprise? I asked,”
“Not really, but this is appreciated,” he said, turning back to the wardrobe to select matching shoes.
I hesitated, then began to undress. “You’ve seen me naked before; I got nothing to hide.”
A flicker of amusement crossed his face. “You are right, but I guess watching you dress is creepy, and I wouldn’t want to, except… you want me to.”
“I don’t mind,” I replied, slipping out of my sleep shirt and stepping into the emerald dress. There was something oddly comfortable about our relationship now, despite its complexity: Or perhaps because of it.
I turned, presenting myself with a small twirl. “How does this look?
1/3
His gaze was appreciative but tespectful. “Very good, actually”
A thought occurred to me as I stepped into the heels heil selected, “Does Kalus know about this surprise?
“Oh, he is very aware,” Frost replied, offering his aim with a formality that made me laugh,
He led me from the room, denen the quiet corridors of the pack house. Most wolves wore asleep at this hour, though a few night guards nodded respectfully as we passed. Rather than heading toward the main exit, Frost guided me to a side door I hadn’t used
The night air was cool against my skin, stars glittering like diamond just across the velvet sky, Frost placed a light jacket around shoulders before lifting me effortlessly into his arms,
“Frost. Why are we going into the woods in the middle of the night asked as he carried me toward the tree line, his stride purposeful.
Tll have to carry you; the heels don’t make it easy for you
“Afraid I will harm you? His tone held a touch of teasing.
No.
but this is creepy
by faster,” he replied, avoiding my question.
He laughed softly. “We are werewolves; the woods can’t be creepy. Maybe to the humans it could be.”
ga bit. Just my
luck to be the only wolf in the pack who couldn’t actually…. wolf.
His casual mention of our werewolf nature stung a
“And this surprise
you h
have for me is in the woods?” I pressed, trying to distract myself from those thoughts.
“You ask a lot of questions; a few more minutes, and you would have your answers,”
continued in companionable silence, moonlight filtering through the canopy to illuminate our path. Frost moved with the sure- footedness of a predator, never hesitating despite the darkness. I found myself relaxing in his arms, trusting him completely.
Just when I was beginning to wonder how much further we would go, the trees began to thin, and a soft glow appeared ahead. As we drew closer, my breath caught in my throat.
A small clearing had been transformed into something magical. Hundreds of tiny lights hung from the branches of surrounding trees, their warm glow reflecting off crystal decorations that sent prisms of light dancing across the forest floor.
And there, in the center of it all, stood Kaius.
He was dressed differently ly than I was accustomed to seeing him–mère casual, in dark pants and a simple shirt with rolled sleeves that revealed muscled forearms. Without his usual Alpha finery, he looked younger, somehow more accessible, yet no less commanding.
As I approached Kalus, my steps faltering slightly on the soft forest poor, the full impact of what lay before me hit with breathtaking force.
Fireflies drifted lazily through the evening air, their natural glow mingling with strategically placed lanterns that cast long, gentle shadows across the moss–covered ground.
Tipe table was set with fine china and gleaming silver, a bottle of wine already uncorked and breathing.
“What is this?” I asked, unable to hide my wonder.
Kalus’s amber eyes reflected the dancing lights. “A date between the three of us”
2/3
I glanced back at Frost, who now stood just behind me, then back to Kalus. “How did you plan all these in a matter of hours?”
“I told you I was going to try make this work.” A hint of pride touched his volcr.
“Nothing like a midnight snack in the middle of the woods,” Frost aged, moving to stand beside me.
Kaius stepped forward, close enough that I could feel the warmth rating from him. “It will be worth it if you like it.”
His earnestness surprised me. “Of course I love it
Then
that’s all that matters.” His lips curved in a rare, genuine smile
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