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They drove—mainly Aaron—for almost three hours until they reached their honeymoon destination. Astrid was looking at the archway that stood proudly at the entrance of the tourist attraction which was known as the Conti Lodges.
The sign was made out of woods and two totems stood on each side of the archway. The totems were the figures of vicious animals that were native to the area; wolf, boar, deer, and chamois.
Astrid noticed the place was crowded. She never thought people would come out into the wilderness especially when it was still the transition of autumn into winter season.
Still, it was full of people—locals and tourists alike—running around all over the place. The children were laughing as their parents were watching over them. Astrid gulped the lump in her throat when Aaron parked the car in the designated parking lot for customers of the Conti Lodges.
“Wow,” she breathed out as Astrid took in her surroundings, “I never expected this place to be this big and crowded,” she said, unfastening her seatbelt as Aaron grinned at her.
“Yeah, after their almost bankruptcy, I never expect my cousins to be thriving and be this successful. They are popular among the locals and tourists all over the globe,” Aaron said, getting out of the car.
He went to his wife's side, opening the door for her, and offered his hand. Astrid took his offered hand and got out of the car. Aaron slipped his arm around her waist when a couple walked toward them.
The woman was stunning with her auburn hair shining against the morning sunlight. Her deep blue eyes were enticing when Astrid looked into her eyes. The man—perhaps her husband—was a handsome young man with his brunette hair and striking green eyes.
His eyes were very much like Aaron’s if one looked at them once. However, Astrid could distinguish that her husband was on the spectrum of pine green whereas the man was on the spectrum of evergreen.
“Hello, cousin. How are you? You’re looking cheerful today, Alina.” Aaron said, kissing the young woman—his cousin, Aline—who was smiling charmingly at her husband.
Strangely, Astrid did not feel the threat that tried to consume her with jealousy and rage. Instead, a sort of calmness was found.
“And you! Finally, I got to meet the man who stole my cousin away. How are you, Kyle? I hope you’re treating my cousin well enough,” Aaron teased as he was shaking hands with the man—Alina’s husband, Kyle.
Alina laughed wholeheartedly when Kyle slipped his arm around her waist, hugging her close to him. Astrid smiled at the small gesture before she noticed that Aaron was putting his hand on her lower back.
Her heart kicked in her chest at the small, thoughtful gesture.
“Cousins, I would like you to meet my wife, Astrid Larsen. Astrid, this is Alina and her husband, Kyle. They have been married for... I’m sorry but how long was it again? You have to forgive me if I don’t remember your wedding anniversary, Alina,” Aaron teased charmingly as Alina was dismissing him with her hand.
“Bugger off, Aaron. I don’t think your wife would like to know all about that trivial stuff. Plus, look at you! I didn’t even want to believe when you said that you would be bringing your wife when you asked for the honeymoon suite. I thought you were joking but then I digress,” Alina said wickedly as her blue eyes were focused on her face.
Instantly, Astrid felt her face heated, knowing fully well that she was blushing hard. She felt a little shy all of a sudden when Alina was locking her gaze upon Astrid’s face.
Aaron pulled her close, hiding her front against his side. He chuckled softly, trying to keep the conversation going while keeping his bashful wife away from the prying eyes of his cousins.
“You know me fully well I’m not kidding around about the important stuff in my life, Alina. Plus, I would love to see around the property with Astrid before settling in for the day. If you will, Kyle?” Aaron requested, hoping that Alina would stop looking at Astrid. Thankfully, Kyle stepped in to fulfill his request.
“It would be my honor, Aaron. I can show both of you around the property,” Kyle said, arching his eyebrow. Aaron looked at Astrid before she shook her head.
“You go right ahead, min kjærlighet. I’ll just be a minute,” she said, smiling sweetly. Aaron narrowed his eyes at her decision but he just shrugged it off.
The men left to explore the premises as Kyle was chatting animatedly with Aaron, leaving Astrid alone with Alina. Both women watched their husbands go away as the silence engulfed them.
“So... I wouldn’t think for a moment that Aaron would be settling down. Well, that’s exaggerating. Of course, he would once he finds the right woman to be with for the rest of his life,” Alina spoke, breaking the ice between them.
Alina smiled, gesturing her hand toward the chalet that had been redesigned by Kyle and her. It had been one of the honeymoon suites that were available in the Conti Lodges.
They were walking around the premises, talking about the amenities that were available there. Astrid nodded her head as Alina talked her over about the pathways that were safe for them to use during their stay there.
In the end, Astrid only smiled at Alina when the redhead showed her to the front door of their honeymoon suite. The wooden design of the chalet was attracting her violet eyes to pay attention to details.
“By the way, Alina... Aren’t you a little concerned about my former background? You know... with my affiliates with the Order and all that?” Astrid asked Alina. She was twisting her fingers around. Her heart beat faster as Astrid was nervous to know about what Alina thought about her past.
It didn’t matter, of course, but if Aaron’s family couldn’t accept her and all her flaws, she would rather keep her distance and maybe... just maybe step away from here—
Don’t! You know better than to do that, dragul meu. You’ll like her, Astrid, and they will accept you as who you are, Aaron slipped into her mind.
Astrid blinked her eyes, smiling weakly at the declaration before she noticed that Alina was smiling at her. The redhead took her hands, intertwining their fingers together as Alina stared at her face.
“Astrid, I know you’re the Huntress of the Order—no scratch that, former Huntress—but it would be beneficial for you. You have acquired the knowledge for us to use to protect ourselves better than their threat, Astrid.” Alina stated, smiling as she squeezed Astrid’s hand.
Astrid bit her lips. She shook her head as her violet eyes stared into Alina’s blue eyes.
“How can you be so sure? What if the Order comes to your door, Alina? What then?” Astrid asked softly. Her whisper carried against the chilly morning breeze. Alina chuckled softly as she said the one that Astrid had been dying to hear all her life.