The morning was an interesting experience for Aylin, with her waking up in Scarlett's arms. It was never a wise thing to do, but she compared her mate to the sleazy Alpha she was previously with. She had given up on the mate bond, believing she was destined to be mateless. However, now that she had found her mate, the uncontrollable attraction and immense comfort she felt when the other woman was present was a factor that couldn't be denied.
She snuggled closer to her mate, her breath hitching and her heart pounding at the deep chuckle that came from Scarlett. Her eyes widened, realizing that her mate must've been awake the entire time. She flushed, looking up at Scarlett, who looked down at her with a teasing smile on her face.
"You awake now sweetheart?" Scarlett asked, a gentle smile causing her violet eyes to glow, and suddenly, Aylin couldn't focus on anything else. When the smile turned into a smirk, she was finally reminded of the question and she pouted, answering her mate.
"I'm awake." She huffed, struggling to get out of her mate's arms, a feigned look of irritation on her face.
Nox chuckled at her mate's antics once more, wondering when the last time that she'd laughed so happily and so easily was.
Aylin's adorable, misty eyes and sleepy daze was incredibly endearing to Nox. It had her subconsciously wondering how she had survived for so long without knowing of such little pleasures.
It was true what people said, having a mate really did change you, and Nox was glad that she had no aversion for change. It meant that she could give her beautiful little omega the royal treatment she deserved.
She eventually let Aylin go, allowing her to freshen up before the omega's enticing scent took away her rationale. She needed the distance for both her and Nier to cool down, and she decided to order room service as well, killing two birds with one stone.
--------------------------------
By the time Aylin was done with the shower and had dressed, Nox had set out the room service in the suite's lounge area.
Seeing her mate, Nox walked up to her and led her to a seat, before kissing her gently on her forehead.
She then proceeded to serve Aylin's food, and it was only until Aylin was halfway done that Nox begun to eat.
The breakfast was tranquil, with a silence that was neither oppressive nor uncomfortable, a silence that brought comfort to the two. Though, since they woke up during the mid-morning, breakfast wasn't really the appropriate term for the meal.
It was Nox who finished her meal first, quickly showering and dressing then joining Aylin in her plans for exploration of the luxury hotel.
There were many options to choose from, including a theatre, a game room that looked more like an arcade, a pool, a spa and a gym.
"Let's watch a movie first!" Aylin spoke, her chipper tone betraying her excitement.
"Sure, sweetheart, I'll get us some snacks as you pick a movie." Nox said, ready and willing to follow along her mate's whims.
Aylin picked a horror movie and they walked into the theatre, choosing a couple's seat, since Aylin wanted the opportunity to bury her face in her mate's chest. The movie pick was deliberate, since Aylin knew that she was unable to watch horror movies because of how scared she usually got.
Nox was well aware of what her mate was doing, but welcomed it, as she loved the feel of Aylin's body in her arms. The way each dip and curve seamlessly fitted into Nox's own body was just right, the warmth and the smell of her pheromones was both calming and addictive; like a drug Nox couldn't and wouldn't quit.
The horror movie worked as Aylin intended,her fear causing her to burry her face in her mate's chest to seek comfort from it. Aylin wasn't even sure if she saw much of the movie, as she was more focused on surrounding herself with her mate's warmth and scent.
When the movie ended, they walked out, and after a brief tour of the hotel, begun the preparations for the dinner with Marcus.
--------------------------
Nox parked the Aston Martin in front of the high-end Italian restaurant, getting out of the car before opening Aylin's door and helping her out of the vehicle.
She couldn't help but admire the beauty of her omega. The dark black A line dress Aylin wore made her beautiful emerald eyes and light brown hair with blonde highlights stand out.
Nox was amazed at how effortlessly beautiful her mate was. Aylin startled her out of her thoughts by linking their arms together, reminding Nox of why exactly they came there in the first place.
She glanced round the parking lot, spotting her best friend's Lamborghini. Nox internally sighed. Marcus was too fond of aesthetics, seeing as he brought an Italian supercar to an Italian restaurant.
They walked up to the reception and the receptionist smiled at their arrival.
"Good evening, Ma'am, Miss, how may I be of service?" The woman asked, her tone polite and professional.
"Good evening, we're here for the reservation under Marcus Jackson." Nox spoke, Aylin instantly feeling her irritation rising just by hearing the man's name.
"Of course Ma'am. Right this way." She spoke, leaving the desk for another receptionist as she guided them to the private room.
The instant the two walked in, Nox was engulfed with a friendly hug. Nox smiled as she shook her head at Marcus's antics.
It was a wonder how that man was so stoic in a formal setting, considering his childishness. He let go a second later, allowing Aylin to take a good look at him.
He stood a good two inches in height above Nox, and he had a well-defined body, refreshing sky-blue eyes and golden hair that reached his shoulder, which was tied up in a half-bun at the back of his head.
He was such a typical golden boy that Aylin had to refrain from rolling her eyes at his appearance.
They sat down, and Marcus immediately initiated a conversation.
"Geez Scar, I was so excited to board the train first,only for you to get in seconds after. How's that fair?" He begun, feigning an affronted look on his face. Nox scoffed at him, choosing to change the topic.
"Your tastes in restaurants has changed again, it seems." She said, ignoring Marcus's question.
"Well yeah, I figured it was the Lambo's turn to shine, so I picked it- Hey! No changing the subject!" He spoke, frowning in indignation at almost getting swept up in Nox's pace.
He then sighed, figuring that he had to start, as the host, so to speak.
"Scarlett, this beautiful woman beside me is Delilah Frost, an omega,and my mate." He said, continuing; "Delilah, this is Scarlett Nox, my best friend." He finished.
That was when Nox noticed Delilah. She had mint-blue hair that seemed to be natural, paired with icy-blue eyes that sparked with a hidden power. She seemed taller than Aylin by about an inch, but her petite figure could not hide the regal aura she carried. If her omega was akin to a fairy or forest sprite, this omega reminded one distinctly of ice, delicate and dangerous.
"Pleasure to meet you, Ms Nox." Delilah spoke, her voice light and soothing, yet refreshing to the ears.
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Frost." Nox responded, before lightly glaring at Marcus, as he had turned his gaze to Aylin.
Marcus looked at Aylin, taking in her appearance. From her light brown locks with blond highlights to her emerald green eyes that sparked with something he couldn't quite put his finger on. It was as if there was something lying dormant in Aylin, but he put it way from his mind for now. She looked about an inch shorter than his mate, and seemed to have some slight muscle. She was clearly not one to be messed with. Her beauty reminded him of a wood fairy or an elf of some sort. His mate was prettier though.
Nox supposed it was her turn to make introductions now.
"Jack, I'd like you to meet Aylin Dunamis, my stunning omega mate." She begun; "Aylin, this is Marcus Jackson, my best friend, and his mate, Delilah Frost." She said, smirking as she felt Aylin's anger subside at the introduction to Marcus' mate.
Now, if only her little mate would admit to her jealousy, Nox would be beyond satisfied.
------------------
The meal went on, with playful banter and laughter here and there. Once they had finished their deserts, the mood turned somber as Marcus' smile slipped off his face.
Noticing the change in mood, Nox frowned.
"Scar, there's something I need to tell you." He said, his tone serious. Nox nodded, letting him continue.
"They're moving again." He said cryptically. Nox's eyes narrowed.
"I thought they went silent a while back, were they not satisfied with the damage I dealt?" She asked, her icy tone intriguing Aylin, since she had never seen her mate like this. The tone spoke of Scarlett's dominance, eliciting an involuntary little shiver down Aylin's spine.
"You did, but it seems like they're planning something in the shadows. They've been accumulating quite a large amount of support lately." Marcus continued, his serious expression making Nox wonder what exactly those pests were up to.
"I see. Any intel on what they could be planning?" Nox asked.
"A little, but nothing concrete yet. It seems like they've gotten better at covering tracks." Marcus growled, his frustration evident.
This caused Nox to raise an eyebrow. It was not like Jack to be stumped with gathering intel. She had firsthand experience with his information organisation, and there was no intel they couldn't gather, including what the human presidents had for dinner today.
Of course, the Cethins, which were led by Nox herself, were the most formidable intelligence gathering organization in the known world, paranormal or human. Still, Marcus' team was not inferior, as they had held that title prior to Nox's formation of the Cethins.
Thus,for him to be frustrated, this was concerning, a concern which she voiced out loud.
"That's interesting. How the hell did their security develop to this extent? Those insects only knew how to leave a paper trail from start to finish." She said, the severity of the situation setting in on her. It looks like she had to deploy the Cethins once more. It was not the time for unexpected variables to be cropping up, even more so now that she and her best friend had found their mates.
Aylin could feel the mild anxiety her mate was feeling. Without thinking, she held Scarlett's hand, an action that calmed the Alpha almost instantly. Scarlett smiled gratefully at her, and Aylin could feel that her Alpha's anxiety had dissipated.
"Do you think you can deploy the Cethins to help, Scar?" Marcus asked, looking at Nox. Nox gave Marcus an incredulous look, as if what he asked had not made a lick of sense to her.
"Of course! You know I'd help any way I could, Jack." Nox said without hesitation, causing a relieved smile to grace Marcus' face.
It was not that he had no faith in his best friend, it was more like he was not sure that she thought it wise to help him in such a situation.
This was obviously due to many reasons, the primary one being that the likely target for these pests was her, and now that Scar has a mate, security couldn't be lessened in any way.
He was relieved she saw the predicament as detrimental to the both of them,seeing as she offered her assistance without hesitation. He was really grateful for that.
"Thanks. I think with the Cethins on the intel gathering, I can rest easy now. All the same, we should beef up pack security and warn our allies, just in case." Marcus said, to which Nox nodded. It was better to be safe than sorry.
As Nox leaned back in her seat, digesting the new turn of events, she had a sinking suspicion that this was only the advent of an incoming storm.