The Crown's Entrapment

At Everett Manor, Black Claw Pack Territory

Aurelia and Calypso both arrived at the Black Claw Pack just in time for dinner. For the former, it would be her last night there since tomorrow would mark a new period of her life where she'll have a new home to live at... In truth, she really didn't want to leave if she could help it. She would've simply stayed with her family, but she knew this was bound to happen sooner or later. She would just visit them whenever she could.

"I'm glad that Calypso agreed for you two to sleep here for the night," Lady Rosa commented as she pulled Aurelia and Calypso into their dining room. "It'd be best if you two just went tomorrow morning."

"Oh, it's nothing, Mother," Calypso politely stated. "I'm honestly excited to spend the night here. Besides, I know Aurelia would want to stay here one last time in her own bedchamber..."

Aurelia could only shake her head. It would seem that Calypso had already succeeded in winning over her parents during the thirty day grace period they agreed to, making things less awkward for all of them.

Her eyes then darted towards Gideon, her brother already sitting on his chair with his wife, Freya. As usual, his face would always go gloomy whenever he saw Calypso. Even now, his brother just couldn't trust Calypso.

Back to her mate, Aurelia sneaked a glance at him, the man flashing his usual smile as he enthusiastically talked to her parents.

"I will entrust my daughter's welfare to you, Calypso, and I do really hope that you won't break that trust," her father, Lord Tubal, firmly stated. "I know that things will not always be perfect once the two of you start living together and become a family. Struggles, trials, and some problems will always come to you at some point, but you two should always stand against those things together. Communication is always the key to avoiding misunderstandings..."

Aurelia simply listened and nodded like Calypso as her father, Lord Tubal, gave out a lot of things to remember in starting a family.

"Hah, I can only say one thing, and that is I will definitely kill you if you ever make Aurelia cry!" Gideon interrupted with a scoff.

"How many times have you threatened my cousin already? Can't you see how he's changed?" Freya snorted. "I'm sure you've seen enough of him now to say that he only has eyes for Aurelia."

"Ah, it's alright Freya. I'm already used to Gideon's threats," Calypso grinned. "And besides, there's nothing to worry about since it will only remain as idle warnings..."

Aurelia raised an eyebrow. He was obviously not minding Gideon's sulky mood. But before she could call him out on it, he suddenly grabbed her hand on the table, making her inwardly flinch. Still, she didn't pull her hand away from him knowing that all eyes were currently on them.

She knew she had to play her part in reassuring her family that she was really serious about this choice that she made. There was no turning back now, especially with how she could still feel Freya vaguely observing her. It was a woman's instinct, and although she had already made her stance clear to Freya, she could still understand why the princess's guard was up against her.

"I will do anything for my mate, and making her cry out of pain or misery is not among them..." Calypso declared. "In fact, the only thing that will make her cry would be me making her cry out of- Ouch!" Aurelia suddenly squeezed Calypso's hand, making him wince. "Alright, maybe I took it too far."

Hearing her mate's shamelessness, Aurelia couldn't help but bush as she barely managed to give her parents a timid smile.

A burst of hearty laughter resonated within the room, courtesy of both of their parents. "Well, I'm happy that Aurelia is finally settling down and starting her own family like Gideon," Lady Rosa commented. "Still, it's kind of sad still that she won't be living here with us anymore, but she will at least be the new Luna of the Midnight Pack. I'm sure our Aurelia will be very busy with the new responsibilities she'll be saddled with soon..."

"Are you planning to mark her this midnight then, cousin?" Freya straightforwardly asked with a teasing smile.

Aurelia gulped at the prospect of it. Then again, it wasn't like she hadn't prepared herself for it.

"Well, I plan to..." Calypso answered, his eyes fixated on her.

He was smiling widely at her, and he honestly looked more and more handsome as the days passed by. Maybe it was because she was seeing him every day lately? Calypso never failed to show himself to her daily ever since that thirty day grace period started. He was there even if she was constantly ignoring him. Well, she wasn't ignoring him as much lately since she found his company surprisingly entertaining. He talked a lot, something that she rarely ever did even in her spare time.

She unknowingly bit her inner cheek when Calypso touched her cheek with his warm hand and said, "You're blushing, Lia. You look more lovely this way..."

She felt something weird churning in her stomach at his words, but she quickly ignored it by stretching her lips into a sweet smile. "Thank you."

She then turned to face her parents, whose eyes were rapidly blinking at hers as well.

"Are you sick?" Gideon suddenly blurted out.

"What?" she snorted with a pout.

"Since when did you-"

Gideon was unable to finish his words before Freya elbowed him from the side.

"Aurelia is a woman in the process of having a partner, so it's only natural," Freya quickly stated. "Ah, how about we have some wine since we're having a celebration? I would like to have a toast for Calypso and Aurelia."

The servants promptly poured them a glass of wine at Freya's cue. From there the princess stated, "To Calypso and Aurelia, may your union and Mate Bond be fruitful. We hope the two of you the best in your new journey together... A toast!"

Freya raised her glass, and so did the rest of them. The night indeed did not end with a simple dinner. Instead, Aurelia, her mother, and Freya all shared a drink of more wine while her Father, Calypso, and Gideon did the same.

"You'll probably lose consciousness like Lady Jayra and Queen Xenia after being marked," Freya warned Aurelia the moment her mother excused herself to talk with her father. "I heard most humans do...  If you want, I can lend you some books that might help make your relationship stronger, specifically in intimate things," she whispered into her ear.

Aurelia gave her an awkward smile and said, "Uhm, I don't think I'll need it... I'm not experienced, but I'm not that naive as well."

Freya chuckled, "Look at you blushing. But anyway, just tell me whenever you change your mind. You can also directly ask Lady Jayra for them since all of those books are hers to begin with..."

Aurelia simply nodded. Surely, she didn't need such books. Why would she? She already studied every living creature's anatomy for her to not be clueless about those kinds of things!