Its Eyes Are for the Stars Ch. 04

Hi!

I know it's been a bit of a wait for this chapter. Again, broken computer. I have the worst luck. Anywho, this chapter has been my favorite to write so far and I hope you all enjoy it!

I realized recently that my stories, so far, have been filled with the type of characters I dislike. You know, emotionally immature, brash etc but they're young and sheltered, it's fitting. I hope that as the story unfolds, you'll see each of them grow and change.

Thanks again to Archangel for editing!

SRB

***

The past two and a half weeks had felt like an eternity. Zach had called Ash, pleading with him to write a physician's note with a made up reason as to why he wasn't able to attend classes without revealing the true cause. Ash had been furious but had conceded, muttering about how the family hadn't paid to get Zach into the school for him to decide on a whim that he needed a break mid-semester.

This was another point of guilt. The Carlisle family had done so much for him and his siblings, and how had he repaid them? He had let this own selfish needs keep away the one person needed to mend their family.

"You're such a piece of shit," he whispered to himself with disgust evident in his tone. He was lying in bed alone; it was the middle of the day. Anna had gone to work, leaving him alone with his thoughts. She sensed the change in him, and had asked on several occasions if he was alright. He'd just lied. Lied to her like he had been doing for so long.

He had avoided leaving his apartment. He wasn't ready to risk the chance of running into HER. At night, those whiskey colored eyes invaded his dreams, calling him to her. And during the day, each blink, each moment of rest his eyes sought revealed HERS.

It wasn't facing or meeting HER that frightened him. No, that part excited him a little. It was everything that came with it. It was the confessions and the consequences.

***

Aara wasn't sure if she wanted to smile or to scream. She had just finished Skyping with a very excited and happy looking Carmendi. Her little sister's eighteenth birthday was in two days, and Carmendi had enthusiastically shared her plans of how she was going to seduce her mate the moment she was of age.

Aara had asked her if she was sure she was ready, and when her baby sister eagerly replied in the affirmative, Aara couldn't help but ask how. She listened intently as her sister explained how much she loved Epic, how her body yearned for his, how she just knew that the moment she joined her body to his there'd be peace in her soul.

Sighing, Aara turned and looked towards the door that she knew concealed her mate, her ever so patient mate. He hadn't pressured her, hadn't crossed any lines. He gave her space when she needed it, and affection when her soul begged for it. So attuned he was to her needs, so attentive.

Before, she had been the doctor's perfect soldier. Cold, calculating, aware. A mission well done had always been what motivated her, and her hatred for the doctor soared as she suddenly feared that she was incapable of giving her mate what he needed.

Tears prickled the back of her eyes, a sensation that was new to her. She suddenly stood and began pacing her bedroom, the heels of her hands pressed hard to her eyes in an attempt to force the tears back. She imagined a future where her mate was unhappy, unfulfilled yet obligated to stay by her side because fate demanded it. She pictured herself never being able to break free of her training, never being able to love the way that was required of her—or worse, loving him with all of her heart and him never knowing, because showing emotions was something she wasn't sure how to do.

She was nearly shocked as she felt a tear slide along her cheek and under her chin. Her pacing ceased. She was crying. This was crying. She moved to the bed and sat as the tears continued running down her face. A salty drop slipped over her upper lip and she stuck her tongue out the taste it. Bringing her hands to her face, she wiped away the moisture and looked at the proof of her feelings on her hands.

Standing up quickly, she crossed the room to the standing mirror and smiled at her reflection. She laughed a little as she took in her appearance. She hadn't cried since she was a young girl, hadn't allowed herself to feel much of anything. This was feeling! She was feeling and knew in that moment that she would be alright, eventually. More than alright.

A successful mission, that was what drove her, and she knew now that fate had given her a new mission. Aaron was her mission; his happiness was her mission. Opening up, freeing herself was her mission—better yet, allowing him to free her was her mission.

Never one to do tomorrow what she could do today, Aara wiped her face, left her room, and crossed the living area to her mate's room. She would tell him how she was going to be everything he needed one day, that she appreciated his patience, and that she loved him, because she was pretty sure that she did.

Before entering, she realized that he was in the shower and turned to go back to her own room, resigning herself to talking to him when he got out. She took two steps before she stopped in her tracks and turned back around, marching determinedly into his room and towards the bathroom door.

She peeked into the steamy room, steeling her nerves and forcing her feet forward. She watched him silently, appraising his form through the frosted glass. His large hands moved over his body, leaving a trail of white suds behind, and she gritted her teeth with envy. She wanted to touch him him; she always wanted to touch him, and was sick of fighting her desires.

Her steps toward the shower door halted as she watched his hands move. Over his chest, down his perfectly sculpted torso, and even lower. Her breath caught in her throat as he palmed himself, beginning a slow stroke. His image was skewed by the effects of the glass, but what he was doing was obvious. It suddenly felt as if there wasn't enough air in the room.

A moan escaped his lips, and her legs nearly buckled from the intense want coursing through her veins. She watched as his length thickened and grew. His head fell back as he touched himself, his breathing becoming harsher.

Aara was suddenly embarrassed, unsure of what to do and turned once more to leave him to this very private moment.

"Yes, Aara..." Aaron sighed breathily, and she froze. He was thinking about her. She was on his mind as he... as he brought himself pleasure.

She mentally chided herself for her silliness. Of course she was on his mind. He was hers.

No longer wanting to leave the room, she turned and focused all of her attention on her sexy mate, curious to what he was thinking of, eager to hear what he'd say next.

"Just like that, baby. Do you like my dick in your mouth?"

She slammed her hand to her mouth, quieting the gasp on her lips. Without conscious thought, she moved forward, nearly touching the glass of the shower door. Her pulse quickened, her body heated and she used the hand at her mouth to muffle a moan.

Placing her ear against the glass, she listened intently to every moan, groan, and gasp that escaped her mate's lips.

"Oh yeah, take it all. Yesss," he bit out with a growl that caused her nether muscles to clench and pulse.

She could see it vividly in her head now, her on her knees as he fed her what looked to be a long, thick cock. This new train of thought scared her, but she found that her excitement won out. She could do that for her mate, allow him to take pleasure from her.

For a while, he didn't say much, simply enjoyed his mental images that she wasn't privy to. She now had both hands resting against the glass, needing to be in physical contact with something as she continued eavesdropping on her mate.

His breathing became faster and harsher, and she couldn't help but look once more. His pace had quickened, his head rolled to the front and shudders began to wrack his body.

"Yes, let me fuck your mouth, Aara Belle... Good fucking girl... Yes, yes, yes... OHHHHHHHHHH!"

She gasped loudly as rope after rope of cum shot from the tip of his cock, and couldn't tear her eyes away. Though his image was blurred, it had been the most intense, most beautiful thing she had ever witnessed. Watching her mate as he reached his peak, the noises, the shudders, the near buckling of his knees... all of it had appealed to her like nothing had before, but still, she wanted to be the one bringing him pleasure.

Forcing herself to leave the steamy room quickly, she made her way to his bedroom and sat on the bed, willing her breathing to return to normal. She didn't have to wait long, as he emerged minutes later with a fluffy blue towel wrapped low on his hips and water still dripping down his chest. The imagery was almost too much for her frayed senses to bear. Their eyes met as he dried his hair, and he smiled at her, causing her heart to beat faster.

"Good morning, darling," Aaron said, approaching her and bending to place a light kiss on the top of her head.

"Hi," was her weak reply.

His brows furrowed as he looked from his closet to her. "Is something wrong?"

She looked up and managed a small smile and patted the bed beside her. He sighed and joined her. She could tell by his expression that he was preparing himself for something unpleasant, and she cringed inwardly. Apparently, he expected nothing good from her.

"We should talk," she managed to get out, despite the tightening in her chest. What she was about to do terrified her. She was going to open up, let him in.

"I'm difficult," she began.

"I know," was his quick response.

"You've been so patient."

"You're worth it."

"Are you going to let me talk?" She couldn't help but smile at his antics, still unable to look into his eyes after what she'd witnessed moments ago in the bathroom.

"Not if it's something I don't want to hear."

"No, it's good things."

"I like good things," he said, pulling his stiff mate into his arms, hoping his warmth would relieve the rigidness of her posture.

"I've been thinking..."

"You think too much." She peeked up at his face then. Deep green eyes met icy blue ones, and she immediately relaxed. How could she have ever thought that she couldn't love this man?

"Emotions scare me." She paused and looked at him, expecting him to interrupt, but he simply smiled, a twinkle in his nearly-white eyes. His arrogance annoyed her. "I hate you," she huffed and went to pull away, suddenly feeling vulnerable.

"You love me," he said jokingly, poking her side causing her to squeal a little

Her mouth moved as if she wanted to say something. He now watched her curiously. Taking a deep breath, she calmed her nerves, prepared to resume her turn in their banter. "Maybe I do."

Pushing back the hair falling into her face, he bent down and kissed her forehead. The sweetness of the gesture was enough to bring tears to her eyes once more. "I could be your everything. I know I can. I can do this," she whispered.

"You already are, Aara Belle." Grabbing her ponytail, he used it to pull her head back, forcing her to make eye contact with him. He stared at her face for a long moment, his brows furrowed and his mouth pinched. "You've been crying. Why have you been crying?" Anger and concern swirled in the icy depths of his eyes, and he looked as if he'd rip apart the world to prevent her from shedding a tear.

"Me." Sighing, she looked down again. "I worked myself up, imagining making you unhappy, imagining you not being satisfied with me as a mate. It was all very childish, and won't happen again."

Wrapping both arms around her, he pulled her tighter to his body, willing himself not to respond to her nearness as he was still only wearing a towel. "Don't hide your feelings. I want you to feel everything. I need you to, in fact. Just never feel those particular feelings again. They're stupid. Feeling that way is stupid because I am so freaking happy with you. God doesn't make mistakes, Aara Belle." He looked at her pointedly then smiled. "He may have a sense of humor, though."

"Jerk," she replied with a smile as she kissed his chin, taking note that this was one of the first times she had initiated physical contact with him.

"Whatever; you love me. Said it yourself," he said with a sure nod, the smile never leaving his face.

"I believe that I said, 'maybe.'"

"Semantics, Mate. And I maybe love you too." He removed his arms from around her and stood, turning his back to her. He began undoing his towel and paused, looking over his shoulder. "Even if you are a dirty, spying pervert." Laughing hysterically at the crimson blush that spread across her face and up her throat, he dropped his towel and disappeared into his closet.

***

Epic watched Carmendi rolling around on the ground with a wolf pup. The courtyard was bathed in moonlight as members of his pack milled around after the barbeque they had just had. He observed her as she held still, letting the pup get closer and closer to her. When the pup was almost touching her, she'd suddenly move, causing the pup to jump and scurry back. He couldn't help but laugh at her antics.

She was just what his pack needed after such a dark period. New blood. She was the sunshine that graced the earth as the clouds parted. She was his.

He couldn't wait until he could have her. Really have her. When he asked her about her birthday, she had said that it was a surprise. Her answer had baffled him. All of the files from the lab had been taken, and he had contemplated asking his cousin Ryan about the date. However, he didn't encounter many surprises in his line of work, so why ruin this one?

With her, it was one surprise after another. She had been there for three weeks, and he had woken up each day not knowing what to expect. There was the morning that he had woken up to the smoke detectors blaring. He had rushed throughout the house, looking for a fire, panic beginning to set in until he made it to the kitchen. There he found his mate, standing on a chair, waving a towel at the device making the offensive racket.

Flour was caked onto her olive skin and in her flaming red hair. She pouted in his direction when she noticed his entry, refusing to meet his eyes.

"I tried to make pancakes," she frowned, climbing down from the chair. He looked around his once pristine kitchen. His mate wasn't the only thing covered in flour. He laughed then, loud and from the stomach. He hadn't remembered ever laughing so hard.

Just yesterday afternoon, she and some of the younger pack members had bombarded him and his betas with water guns and water balloons. He wasn't sure what he was more impressed with: that she and a group of kids were able to catch the a group of well-trained soldiers off guard, or that the kids had listened to her. She was his equal in every way, his perfect match.

He watched as she stood up from her crouching position. Just looking at her was enough to get him going sometimes. Her tight, black jeans clung to her muscular thighs in a way that caused him to envy the lack of space between her jeans and her soft skin. Her hair was pulled to the side in a loose braid, exposing her bronzed neck and shoulder to his gaze. He couldn't wait to put his mark there.

She turned towards him then, grey eyes meeting green. She smiled for a moment, right before taking off towards him at full speed. Despite being thrown off guard, he caught her as she leapt, losing his footing in the process. He hit the ground hard, his silly, giggling mate landing on top of him.

"I've got a surprise for you, Alpha Otto," she whispered with a smile, staring down at him.

He lifted himself slightly, reaching beneath his body to remove a rock, a grimace on his face. Carmendi made no move to lift herself from on top of him. "I don't know if I can handle more of your surprises, you weirdo," he responded with a smile as he lifted his hand to brush a stray strand of red hair from her flawless face.

"Nah, you'll love this one. I promise. Now let's go to bed," she said as she stood and began walking in the direction of his home. He couldn't help but groan as he watched her shapely body sway.

After saying their goodnights and a chaste kiss, Carmendi now stood, back against her bedroom door, attempting to calm her nerves. It had been decided by pack elders that she and Epic sleep in separate rooms and considering how amped up her libido had been lately, she knew that was for the best. She turned her head to look at the digital clock on the nightstand. It was 11:09pm. In 51 minutes, she would be 18 years old, and she planned to bring in this new year of her life in the most delicious way possible.

She had considered seeking advice from her sisters, but had decided against it. Aara had yet to let Aaron close enough to kiss her, refusing to give up her frigid sensibilities, and Audrienne had only found her mate a couple of weeks ago. And then there was Santana, who had apparently moved out of the complex earlier in the month. Santana was the last person she'd ask. She didn't want to burden her sister with her excitement while it seemed that everything fell apart between her and her own mate.

Seeking the answers to her questions over the Internet had led her on a strange, tantalizing and at times frightening journey, and had caused her to reach one decision... do what feels right. Her plan for the next 51 minutes was simple: shower, shave, and climb into her mate's bed wearing nothing but a robe.

She had always found being in the shower calming, but tonight it had the opposite effect. The pressure of the liquid aroused every inch of her skin and, by the time she emerged, she was nothing more than a ball of nerves. She had spent more time in the shower than she'd intended, letting the sensations prep her body for the night.

Before clicking off the blow dryer, she turned to look at the clock. 11:56. She unplugged the appliance before taking a deep breath. Making her way to the bed, she picked up the teal silk robe she had purchased weeks ago and slipped it on, letting the fabric entice her skin to further arousal. Inhaling and exhaling deeply once more, she exited her room and made her way towards Epic's.

It took only a second for her eyes to adjust to the darkness of his room. Using her skills of stealth, she was sliding onto his bed before he had even noticed there was another person in the room... or so she thought.

"What are you doing, Carmendi?" he asked, rolling to his side to face his mate. Smiling at her baffled expression, he explained: "I smelled you the moment you opened the door. Now, why are you in my bed?"

Lifting the comforter, she slid in next to him. Propping herself up on her elbow, she looked down at him and replied, "Little red wanted to tempt the big bad wolf." Her witty reply did not have the desired effect, as Epic leapt from the bed and stood ramrod straight in the far corner, eyeing her warily.

"Carmen, I'm not above rules, sweetheart. This isn't going to happen." She sat up suddenly, the movement causing the top of her silk robe to slide down, revealing her right shoulder and the top of her breast. He groaned and looked away, unable to stand the enticing picture his beautiful mate made.

She smiled and moved to her hands and knees, crawling towards the end of the bed. He snuck a peek in her direction and gritted his teeth. She was going to be the death of him.

Pouting prettily, she spoke. "Epic, I'm very disappointed in you,"

A loud, pained growl filled the room and she gasped at his reaction. "Why, because I refuse to break the rules?" he bit out almost angrily.

"No," she responded, looking intently into his grey eyes, still perched in her seductive position. Seeing her on her hands and knees made his wolf restless, clawing to break free, and she watched with a smirk on her face as his eyes bled from grey to gold and back to grey again as he fought for control of his beast.