Page 87 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

“Nox and I planned everything and got fake identities,” I say.

“Good.” Arden smiles. “And now, no talk about bodies, kidnappers, or work, anymore,” he says. “I know you have to get up early tomorrow, but I want to have a proper date with you.”

“I love that idea,” I say.

Arden leads me through the huge Council building, and I realize I have only seen a tiny part of it. There are areas that are restricted because the private apartments of the Council members are there, like where Eric and Val live. That part of the huge building complex is for the permanent residents and almost works like a pack. The common places like the offices and the restaurant area, I already know. But Arden leads me further into the building and up a couple of broad marble staircases.

“I’m not kidding. This is like a castle out of dreams,” I say.

“A place for a princess,” Arden jokes.

“Not any princess.” I laugh.

“Do you prefer pack life?” he asks.

“I prefer the privacy of a pack,” I admit. “And the nature around me. I love having my own place to retreat to. It’s less busy in a pack.”

“I agree,” Arden says. “I’m not so much a city boy, either.”

I feel relieved at his words, squeezing his hand slightly.

“Are you ready?” he asks when he stops in front of a door. “Just to answer a couple of questions ahead: Yes, we are allowed to be here. No, no one will disturb us. It’s ours for two hours.” With that he opens the door, revealing a huge observatory. The whole ceiling is round and made out of glass, opening up in all directions. It’s dark already, the moon high above us and stars illuminating the sky.

“This is amazing,” I whisper as I step inside.

“I know we don’t have the time to go on an actual lengthy date, yet,” Arden says. “But I hoped this would make you happy.”

“We could meet in your room for a date and chat, and I’d be happy,” I say. “But this is so amazing.”

Arden grabs a basket he must have brought here earlier, and pulls out a bottle of red wine.

“And this makes it even better.” I grin.

I watch him spread a blanket for us while I continue looking around in awe. I’ve never been to an observatory, only to one of those tourist attractions, but this here is where the Council actually researches, where they watch the movements of the stars and try to spot activities from deities. At night, it’s even more magical.

Arden has brought wine and some cheese with grapes, which he puts next to the blanket. He sits down there, waiting for me to finish gaping at everything before I join him. We empty a glass of wonderful red wine with each other, while snuggling.

I lean against Arden’s chest eating some of the grapes.

“I can’t wait to have you all to myself,” Arden says, his warm breath tickling my neck.

“And I can’t wait to haveyouall to myself,” I say, turning around in his embrace. I don’t know what it is, the wine, the atmosphere with the stars above us, but I find myself getting bold. “There are no surveillance cameras?”

“There are, but they are switched off while we are here,” he says, eyeing me curiously and a tad hopefully.

His hopeful gaze is all I need for encouragement to straddle his hips. I take the glass of wine out of his hand, have a sip of it and put it aside before diving my fingers through his hair. He tilts his head back, opening his lips slightly, inviting me into a kiss.

I want to have more than two hours for our first time with each other, but there is no reason we can’t have some fun. I draw back slightly, getting rid of the sweater and top I’m wearing.

“I’m not sure what you are planning,” Arden asks, fascinated and confused. “But I’m not opposed to it.”

“Do you want to open my bra?” I ask him.

With the concentration and focus only he can have, he fumbles with the clasp of my bra, feeling each and every part of it before opening it in one go. “You are a pro.” I grin.

I can’t deny my stomach is making a leap at the way Arden looks at me when he finally frees my breasts. I’ve never had a guy look at me like he does… or maybe I had, but it was never important because this is my mate. He reaches out his hand, touching both of them gently. I giggle.

“What’s wrong?” he asks me curiously.