Chapter 11

I awoke dazed and lifted my left arm to look at my watch. 3:45 AM. Great job Astrid, I thought to myself. I know that nothing I did was wrong, but I am sure Alexander didn’t think I would be running right off to sleep in the other room at the first chance I got. I grabbed one of my oversized shirts and threw it over my head. I kissed Kilian on the head before tip toeing and gently closing the door.

          I was trying to be quiet, and discrete walking through the house towards the garage. I was about to open the door to the garage when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I froze and slowly turned around now sure who to expect at this point.

          “Well well, what do we have here? Looks like someone is sneaking out of one man’s room to sneak into another man’s room…” The teasing tone dominate in the voice.

          “Well if you try to call me a slut again, I may just need to double your training for this week.” I replied and Helga stepped out of the shadow with a huge smile on her face.

          “Don’t worry, I just aspire to one day have half your sex life.” She laughed out the words.     

          “So inappropriate you have no idea,” I said scolding her, “I hope you never know how confusing what I am going through is.” I admitted defeated.

          “Mama, if anyone can figure this out, it is you.” She said and kissed me on the cheek.         

          “Wait, what are you doing up? Are you okay? Did Bjorn do something already?” You could sense the frustration in the last question, I was to tired to mask it.

          “Honestly no, he is not what I expected. I think I will be okay with it for a little while. I was nervous I would feel disrespected and like a child. He hasn’t spoken much to me alone; he was nice when I showed him around. He even opens doors for me. I tired to refuse but he said that is how they do it where he comes from, I won’t protest anymore.” She shrugged at the end.

          “Well I am glad to hear that, so why are you up?” I stated a second time.

          “Oh, I just needed some water and heard you closing Dad’s door, I figured it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.” She giggled and whispered goodnight as she went down the hallway.

          I made my way into the room above the garage and saw Kilian sitting in the chair with the light on. I instantly felt horrible. I know he could hear what happened. Why would I allow myself to let go like that? I didn’t want to hurt him; I am still not even sure I want Kilian in my life to that extent. I just felt like I needed something familiar.

          He looked up from his paperwork when I shuffled over to him. I had regret written all over my face. I knew he had the crystal on him. I was straining to sense what he was feeling, the only thing I could pick up on was love and understanding.

          “Did you have a good evening princess?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

          I blushed in response, unable to speak.

          “Astrid, you did nothing wrong. I know you are trying to figure things out. I am still here; I do not love you any less. I will say I expected you to come here right after, if we are going to do this regularly, we may need to iron out some details. Sex is one thing, I do not like sleeping without you.” He was talking at a steady pace threatening to keep going if I did not interrupt him.

          “Okay, okay, I will speak.” I cut him off, “I haven’t decided anything, I really did not plan on any of that happening. It felt familiar.” I was trying to explain.

          “The thought of sharing a room with another man with you doesn’t excite me, but if we need to- “Lex stopped seeing my eyes almost explode.

          “Stop, please, no that is not what I want.” As I said the words, I decided just to follow my gut and let go like I did earlier. This is no time to try to put a cherry on a pile of shit.

          “I do not want both of you that way. I am still trying to process but I know I love you and I want to be with you. Kilian is so familiar and fresh in my mind. I can’t really explain it. I needed to have at least one last time with him. I do love him, and he is amazing. I want him to find a mate, I am going to ask the goddess to grant him one. He deserves to feel as in love and at home with someone as we do together.” I took his hand in mine and looked into his eyes.

          “I am sure she has already had a plan for him. You are such an amazing woman, it wouldn’t shock me if you had an army of men to love you.” He smiled before continuing, “I am just blessed because you chose me, always.” He kissed my forehead and stood up.

          “Where are you going?” I asked.

          “I am starting you a bath. I want to nap with you, we have a lot going on today. I accept and understand what you did, but we need to get you cleaned up and his smell off you before I can sleep soundly next to you.” He reminded me of his wolf senses.

          “Yeah, I should’ve thought about that before coming back to the room.” I admitted following him to the bathroom.

          “Not at all, I always want you closer to me at the earliest point. This way, I get to help.” He said as he started filling the tub with steamy water and bubbles. He first took his shorts off before taking the oversized shirt over my head. He picked me up bridal style then lowered us into the tub.        

          He was quiet as he washed my body with the sponge. I sat there with my head against his chest knowing the decision had already been made, I just needed to admit it to everyone.   

          “I will talk to Kilian as soon as I have time. What happened tonight will not happen again. I think he knew that from the beginning,” I was thinking back to his words earlier, “he said something about it possibly being the last time. Thank you for allowing me the closure. You always chose me for as many times as I chose you.” I kissed his cheek and laid my head on his chest.

          I fell asleep in the tub; I remember feeling him dry me and lay my naked body back into the bed before feeling his embrace. All the recent events have left me exhausted. The alarm went off at 6:30 AM and I shot straight up.

          “I completely forgot that I told Sylvi that I would get her house ready today for the baby to come back!” My voice filled with stress about the next 24 hours.

          “Princess, you forget that you have me again. I was online last night, I ordered everything that she will need for at least a week, maybe more…” He blushed while shrugging his shoulders. “I know that Luke works with the heavy equipment trucks so I went with that theme when I could. Anyways, it will be ready for pick up at 2 PM today, their appointment is at 3:30 PM that should give us plenty of time to set up. I was thinking if we needed more hands, we can recruit the kids when school is out. What better way to prevent babies then to make them set up all the furniture?”

          “You are truly my personal angel. Thank you for doing all of that, are you offering to drive me to pick it up and help with the set up?” I asked with hope filled eyes.

          “Anything you want princess.” He said with a kiss on my forehead. “Now we need to get ready, I know we said we are skipping training this morning but I am going to go for a quick 20 minuet run, I promise to be showered and ready by 7:30 AM.” He bowed as he finished tying his shoes before heading out the door.

At 7:30 AM I walked outside with Kilian and the 6 teenagers looking around for Lex. I knew that he would be here if that is what he said but I hate being of schedule on busy days. A dark green GMC Yukon pulled up in the driveway. Lex got out of the driver’s seat with a grin on his face.

          “Sorry I know I am seconds late; my run time was a little off.” He smiled as he walked over. The teenagers were already walking towards the vehicle. “I picked this up yesterday thinking it would be easier if we could all ride in one vehicle.” I smiled back at him and made my way to the center front seat. Being between these two was the last thing I needed at this moment, but my day was to full to give it much thought.

          “That was a great idea man, thanks.” Kilian said as he slid in the passenger side.

          “Can Bjorn drive my car to school from now on? I mean we are saying he is of age to drive right? My car would just need to be put on the road.” Helga asked from the middle row.

          All 3 of us in the front stiffened. We hadn’t thought about requests like that. I am sure Bjorn didn’t know she was going to because he was the first to respond.

          “Usually it takes time to get a license in a different country, especially if you are under 18. Maybe it is best we try to remain under the radar for now.” He said sweetly.

          “I just wanted to throw it out there.” Helga used a tone that finished the conversation.

          I was glad I didn’t have to be the one to tell her no right away. She doesn’t usually ask for much from anyone.

          “Thank you for letting us stay in school.” Ingrid spoke trying to cheer up the morning haze in the vehicle.       

          “Of course, sweety. We are going to do as much as possible to keep everyone normal-ish.” I said to her. “Oh, that reminds me, Sylvi told me last night that she is adopting a baby boy today! She didn’t want to jinx it, so she isn’t telling everyone until after it happens. I offered to take care of setting up her house for his arrival. Would all of you be willing to help me after your done with school?”

          The girls all started agreeing and expressing their excitement at the same time, nothing was audible. The back row all agreed right away luckily their deeper voices were able to be made out through the high pitch squeals.

          We arrived at the Highschool first, I told the office that I needed to add Alexander as a guardian onto Helga’s paperwork and they complied. Luckily divorces and marriages were common no one asked any questions. The agreed to let Bjorn shadow Helga’s classes for the 2 weeks he would be in town, but he needed to sign the student code of conduct and was given a handbook of rules.

          The middle school was a little more relaxed when it came to the two boys. The secretary looked at them a few times because of their sizes. Lex just offered some weird gene pool they are ‘blessed’ to be a part of. She giggled at him and I felt my anger rise slightly. The kids were all settled and the 3 of us decided to head to the local hunting store to stock up on some random supplies. I was active in the hunting community, so questions were never asked.

          Lex and I dropped Kilian off at the house. He said he wanted to finish up the basement today and had a few things to take care of. I could sense a difference in our relationship. We both knew it was over, he was just waiting for me to confirm it and rip off the Band-Aid.

          “We have just enough time to go to lunch, then we can head to the store early so you can look at some baby clothes. Oh, and I spoke to the Uncle of the baby. He was excited I contacted him about the baby’s furniture. His son is going to meet us at the house with it so we can put it in the nursery.” He flashed his smile. He knew he was doing amazing things and nothing short of making me happy.