Officially Official

MAX

When she was awake, when we made love, cooked, or watched a movie together, I was okay. When we laughed about silly things or teased each other, I was okay. More than okay.

Seeing us together, functioning as a couple, was deeply satisfying.

But when she was asleep next to me, I felt this urge to tell her we were mates before she left for Paris. It seemed like the right thing to do.

That way, she would have time away from me to process the news and decide if she wanted to be with me completely or not.

If I waited until she was back, she might feel trapped, tricked into being with me on my terms. That was the last thing I wanted.

But, despite the urge, I kept quiet and respected her wish to enjoy our honeymoon to the fullest.

We had about two weeks before she left. Every time I thought it was too soon to be apart from her, I reminded myself that when she came back, we would hopefully have a lifetime together.

“I think it’s about time we start going out,” she said one evening as we were sitting in the back garden, sipping on iced tea.

“We are out, darling.” I smirked.

“I mean really go out. See our friends. I miss Eva, Sarah, and Bonnie, and I will have to visit my aunt and uncle at some point as well.”

“Am I selfish for not wanting to share you with other people just yet?”

“Yes, you are.” She chuckled. “But I can’t say I don’t like it.”

“You do?”

“I have been waiting for us to be like this for the better part of my life. By the way, I want us to have a picnic again, like we used to.”

“If we start seeing people, I doubt we will have time to do it soon. But I promise to have one as soon as you are back from Paris. By that time, the news of us being together will have sunk in.”

“We are going official?” she questioned, looking surprised.

“To me, we are already official. Unless you are not sure about it.”

“I am! Of course, I am. I just thought we wouldn’t make any announcements yet. I mean, you don’t seem like the type to do it that way.”

“I am not. And there will be no announcement in the sense that we will go all out and have a party or something. But as I am sure you have noticed, our friends have been shipping us for too long.”

“That’s true. They will be happy to hear we are together.”

I laughed at her innocence.

“Why are you laughing?” She pouted.

“Because, darling, you always forget you live among werewolves. They have already heard we are together. Countless times already.”

It was adorable how she blushed to the roots of her hair.

“You shouldn’t have told me that,” she mumbled. “Now I will be thinking about it every time we have sex.”

“I will make sure you won’t think about it while we have sex,” I promised. “But if it makes you feel better, we can soundproof. Patrick and Eva did it for their bedroom.”

“Thank you. But until then, no…”

“No sex is not an option,” I said, deadpan. “I want you too much.”

“Me too.” She sighed. “So, I guess I will just have to lower the volume.”

“You don’t. Just put it out of your mind. People have sex all the time, and some of them are loud. It is something that happens, and it’s nothing to be embarrassed by.”

“I like the way you put it.” She smiled.

“It’s the right way to put it, darling. Unless, if we feel guilty about being in love with each other and acting on it.”

ESTELLA

So…

The week before my short trip, we started making rounds.

Honestly, it was strange to be out in the daylight again after being holed up with Max for days.

We went as far as the back garden, mostly in the evening. So, I hadn’t seen the sun for days. Neither had he, for that matter.

It was then that I realized he hadn’t gone to the clinic at all since I returned.

When I asked him about it, he said that he mind-linked his dad to take over and told him I wanted to go and see Howie and Leslie first.

Now, I could start describing what happened with everyone we met, but I feel it would be a waste of time, meaning that reactions to us being together were similar.

They were all happy for us, even Bonnie, who beamed upon seeing us holding hands and invited us up for tea.

The only one I didn’t get to see was Rohan. He said it was too dangerous to visit. Nevertheless, he sounded genuinely happy for us and said it was about time.

Also, he extended an open invitation to visit him when the situation with the attacks was resolved.

Truth be told, I hadn’t thought about it until he mentioned it. For the past two weeks, Max and I have lived in our own little world where the danger of the attacks didn’t exist.

With the exception of that one time when we first spoke about me having to go back to Paris, the issue wasn’t mentioned again.

Anyway, as I said, almost everyone we knew was glad about us getting together.

Of course, that didn’t include my uncle, who was one step away from having a stroke when we walked into the house together, and Max kissed me right before them.

It was unexpected, but like all his kisses, was welcome and very much wanted.

“What is going on here?” he asked through gritted teeth.

“What does it look like?” I asked back.

“How long this has been going on?”

“Since I came back from Paris.”

“That’s why you didn’t bother with visiting,” he snickered.

“Which is only natural,” my aunt said, intervening with an understanding smile. “She had more interesting things to do.”

I was thankful for my aunt’s backing. Not that I really needed it or their approval to be with Max. I’m an adult, after all. But it still meant a lot.

“What happened to that Laurent guy you were seeing?” my uncle asked, a bit too sharply.

“We ended things on good terms a few months back.”

“And why wasn’t I informed?”

“Because I don’t share every detail of my life with you, Uncle.”

“And how am I supposed to look out for you then?”

“You don’t need to. I can handle myself just fine.”

“I agree.” Max gave me a wink, his hand giving mine a reassuring squeeze. “Estella is one tough cookie.”

For the first time since we’d arrived, my uncle’s gaze shifted to Max. Their relationship was always a strange mix of respect and rivalry.

My aunt and uncle had always suspected I had a thing for Max, but I don’t think Uncle Julian ever saw it as anything serious. That was about to change.

“She’s too young for you.”

“She’s an adult. And she’s given her consent,” Max reminded him.

“Don’t you have a mate somewhere? What about her?” my uncle pressed.

This time, it was me who squeezed Max’s hand. He gave me a comforting smile before addressing my uncle.

“I love Estella more than words can express. There’s no one else for me but her. Only her.”

The earnestness in his voice made my heart race. It seemed to have an effect on my uncle too, because his whole demeanor changed.

His clenched jaw and fists relaxed, and his body seemed to lose its tension. I had a feeling that my aunt’s gentle touch on his back wasn’t the only reason for this change.

“Take care of her, or I’ll kill you,” Uncle Julian warned softly.

“I’d probably kill myself if I ever hurt her,” Max replied, his face serious.

It might sound like some romantic exaggeration, but the shiver his words sent down my spine told me he meant every word.

After that little drama, we sat down to eat. Uncle Julian kept shooting sidelong glances at Max but didn’t bring up our relationship again.

He asked about my summer plans, and I told them I was planning to work remotely.

“I can handle that,” my uncle offered. “If you want to stay here and enjoy your summer, I can take care of it.”

“Thanks, but I’d rather do it myself. I’m the one who’ll be working for the company. I can’t always rely on you. It’s enough that you helped me get the internship.”

“Your talent got you the internship,” he countered. “I just pointed it out to them. That’s all.”

“Even so, I should handle my own affairs. Besides, I want to go see Gabrielle and her mates and fill them in on everything.”

“I can’t wait to meet your French friends.” Max grinned and nudged me.

“In that case, can I tell them they’re welcome to visit anytime?” I returned his smile.

“Absolutely! I’ll let Patrick know too. An overseas alliance wouldn’t hurt. But they can’t come right away.”

“I know. I wouldn’t put them in danger.”

“What danger?” my aunt asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

Max started to explain everything to her. If you’re wondering why Brian (Patrick’s dad) hadn’t already done so, it’s because he’s away most of the year.

He manages my uncle’s business—the Australian branch. I’m not even sure if he’s aware of everything that’s been happening here, mostly for safety reasons.

To say that my aunt and uncle were shocked and worried would be an understatement. They insisted I stay with them until I left and after I returned if the situation wasn’t resolved.

Of course, I declined. I can take care of myself. Why can’t they understand that?

MAX

I thought winning Julian’s approval would be tougher. He’s always been fiercely protective of Estella.

I respect him for that, but it’s not something I’m ready to admit to his face anytime soon.

Besides, I meant what I said about her being a strong woman. And now, she has me too, for real and forever.

Whether she decides to let me turn her or not, I’m determined to train her every day, just like I used to when she was younger.

Actually, I think it would be a good idea to have her train with Rohan. He’s the best warrior I know, and he’d be more than happy to do it.

“Why are you grinning like that?” Estella asked from beside me as we drove back to my place.

“It’s nothing.”

“More secrets?”

“No, not at all. I was just thinking about our future together once you move in with me,” I confessed.

“Maybe you should focus more on the present,” she suggested, parting her legs and guiding my hand to her bare thigh.

“Should I pull over, darling?” I asked, already turned on by her.

“Do you really need to ask?” She winked.

So, I pulled over. Even if it was broad daylight and my car didn’t have tinted windows, I would. Anything to make my girl happy… and myself.