Aurora POV
Orion was kissing me.
I was kissing Orion! My brain blared in alarm at the realization, with my heart thumping wildly against my ribs as I gripped the fabric on my lap tightly because I didn’t know where to put my hands. My breathing stuttered against his lips.
The kiss started slowly, sensually, as he placed his hands on my cheeks before nipping gently at my lower lip, which made a low, breathless moan escape my throat, and he used the opportunity to plunge his tongue into my mouth, deepening the kiss instantly.
Orion pulled me flush against his chest as I let out a tiny squeak of surprise, my arms automatically stretching upward to wrap around his neck, then trailing to his hair as my fingers lost themselves in his blond hair, tugging gently at his hair tie until the rubber band snapped free, allowing his long locks to tumble wildly over his shoulders.
He kissed me like he couldn’t get enough of me, like he wanted to take my breath away. I tilted my head to the side, breathless, as his hands began to roam my body.
God, how did we even get here? Just an hour ago, I was sitting by the freezing stream, heartbroken and telling myself I was silly for caring because I had been the one to ask Orion for space regarding the whole mate-y situation, yet the mere thought of him belonging to another woman had made me angry and sad. But Josephine had lied—there was no betrothal.
As the realization settled into me, my hands tightened in his thick hair. Orion detached his lips from mine, trailing kisses to my jawline before nipping lightly at my jugular. I arched my back, throwing my head back to give him access to my neck.
The kiss turned frenzied as his calloused hands slid beneath the hem of my oversized shirt, flattening against the bare skin of my stomach. Everywhere his skin touched mine, a wave of electric shivers raced across my nerves.
And then, my stomach let out a protest of its own which pulled us apart.
Kill me now.
The frenzy in the room dispersed a little, but the energy was still charged as I immediately ripped my hands from his neck and slammed them over my face in mortification.
Orion paused, his chest heaving as he stared at me before a chuckle vibrated from his chest as he gently pulled my hands away from my flaming cheeks and pressed a tender peck against my swollen lips.
Orion stepped back a couple of inches to give me space. His eyes were glowing a bright golden, his nostrils flaring as he took a deep breath and cleared his throat while I swallowed hard, still feeling a lingering, heavy tingle in my lower belly.
I turned my gaze away shyly, biting my lower lip. “I... I didn’t get to eat earlier,” I muttered into the quiet kitchen.
An apologetic look crossed his handsome face. “I’m so sorry, Aurora.”
I shook my head quickly. “No, it’s fine—”
“Let’s get some food for you,” he interrupted with a soft smile. He reached out, tapping the tip of my nose playfully, and I couldn’t help but wrinkle it.
I smiled and tried to slide off the high kitchen counter, but the lingering effect of our passionate make out made my legs wobbly.
Orion caught me before my feet even hit the floor, chuckling softly as he lifted me effortlessly into his arms. I gasped, clinging to his shoulders as he carried me over to the dining table and set me gently into a chair.
He pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I’ll make a quick dinner,” he said, and I shook my head, making him stare at me.
I swallowed, biting my lower lip. “The food is inside the fridge.”
His eyes widened. “Oh. I’ll warm it.” He smiled, walking to the fridge before he turned to me. “Don’t move."
Orion did everything, taking it out of the fridge, putting it on another plate before operating the microwave. I watched everything keenly, how he moved effortlessly with his big body. He looked so domesticated.
When the machine dinged, he took the mutton and brought the food out before serving it.
As he placed my own in front of me, he settled in front of me. I rubbed my hands, my mouth already salivating for the food, but remembered my manners.
“Thank you for the food,” I murmured. Always be grateful for the food. I held my spoon, taking a bite.
Orion paused, his dark eyes locking onto mine. “I really am sorry about leaving you like that, Aurora. The elders called an emergency meeting, and as Alpha, I didn’t have a choice,” he explained.
“Oh,” I mumbled, swallowing my mouthful carefully so it wouldn’t go down the wrong pipe. I hesitated, looking at his guarded expression. “If... if you don’t mind me asking, what was it about?”
“I don’t mind at all,” Orion said immediately, his tone dropping. “You are my mate. You have every right to know everything that happens in my life and in this pack.”
My spoon hovered in mid-air as a shockwave of warmth hit my chest at his words, and I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out.
Seeing my gaping, dumbfounded look, Orion offered a reassuring smile. “They were just trying to play their usual political schemes,” he said, gripping his spoon tighter while I nodded.
I noticed his eyes flash for a split second as his jaw tightened. Maybe something had happened at the meeting, and I kept quiet, choosing not to pry any further.
When we finished eating, I immediately stood up to grab the plates, wanting to help clean up. But Orion’s hand gently clamped over my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.
"Sit back down," he commanded softly, a teasing glint in his eye. "Consider this my punishment for ditching you earlier. I’m doing the dishes."
I relented, sinking back into my chair with a small smile as he began rinsing the plates.
"By the way," Orion spoke up over the sound of the running water, turning his head to look at me. "We need to get you some clothes of your own. I already informed Roland."
I blinked, looking down at his massive shirt still draped over my frame. "Roland? Why?" I didn’t want my disappointment to show. I really liked how his shirt swallowed me, but I couldn’t be wearing his shirt forever if I would be staying here... until he didn’t want me anymore.
“She’s coming over tomorrow morning," he explained, turning off the faucet and wiping his hands on a towel as he walked back to the table. He leaned against the edge, looking down at me. "She’s going to take you out into the town square for some shopping. Pick out whatever you want."
Panic flared slightly in my chest at the thought of leaving the safety of his house. "Are you... are you coming with us?"
Orion’s expression softened, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of blonde hair behind my ear. "I have Alpha duties to attend to in the morning, or else I wouldn’t let you out of my sight. But Roland will protect you. No one will dare touch you on my territory, Aurora."
I swallowed the lump in my throat, nodding slowly. "Okay. Thank you, Orion."
"Don’t thank me," he murmured, his deep voice making my heart race. "Spoiling my mate is a privilege."
***
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