Beginnings

She was momentarily confused when she woke up on a bed that was easily three times the size of her little dorm bed. She was completely naked under a thin, light cover. And a heavy arm was wrapped around her waist from behind, a strong chest at her back, warm breath in her neck. She wiggled a little, to half turn around and found Deucalion next to her, now almost face to face. A happy smile crept onto her face. It had actually been real. Not a crazy fantasy she had made up in her mind. She had spent the night at his place, with him. Now he was asleep by her side, his features more relaxed than she had ever seen them and she couldn't help but scoot a little closer to place two soft kisses on his eyelids, hardly touching them. When she tried to get out of bed, he tightened his arm around her and pulled her back towards him.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked in a low, sleepy growl. She chuckled.

"I was going to make us breakfast," she admitted. He pressed his lips to the side of her neck, letting them rest there for a moment before he eventually released her.

"I have nothing in the kitchen; I can't cook so I usually order in. Feel free to order whatever you like," he explained as he rolled to his back when she climbed out of bed. She looked back at him from the door, his body sprawled out on the mattress like an invitation and she bit her lip to suppress the girlish giggle she felt coming up before she finally did leave the bedroom. On the way, she grabbed her panties and shirt. Where the hell was her bra? Oh, over there, by the couch. Their clothes were literally scattered all over the living room. Well, she didn't care right now. She went to the kitchen in her underpants and tank top, brushing her bed-hair back with her fingers and then checked the fridge and cupboards. He had not lied. He had literally nothing in his kitchen but a large pile of menu's ordered by type of meal from breakfast to midnight snack. She chuckled, shook her head, then did eventually pick a place to order from, just down the street. She called, ordered breakfast for two, which would be here in fifteen minutes.

Just when she hung up, she felt hands on her hips, then arms wrap around her and she was gently pulled against his body. Lips on her shoulder, soft, sweet, melting. She smiled, leaning against him and turned her head to brush her lips over his temple. Yes, this was it, this was perfect. She could get so used to that! Waking up next to him, having breakfast here, sweet kisses in the morning. That was something she'd love to do every day for the rest of her life.

"I hate ruining this morning with pack business talk... but I was thinking we need to take at least Waldorf, Marco and Marin with us to meet the Matriarch," he then said.

"Marin? The ominous Emissary I've never met?"

He smirked.

"I have the feeling the Hunters will be much more accommodating if we bring our Emissary. After all, that's their role."

She nodded. She had heard about Emissaries from Talia in one of their many lessons. They were druids – essentially witches and warlocks with a powerful connection to the forces of nature – who functioned as advisors to packs of werewolves and were considered as their 'link' to humanity. She had never met their packs Emissary – Marin Morrell. Deucalion said he usually consulted her alone, because there was a general scepticism towards 'magic' among the pack and additionally, Marin didn't live in Boston, but all the way in Beacon Hills with her family. Her older brother was an Emissary to the Hale pack and Marin was in a way still learning from him.

"So we'll stop by Beacon Hills on the way to meet yo- the Matriarch?" she asked. She had for a moment considered saying 'your mother' but changed her mind halfway and he noticed that. He appreciated that she had gone for Matriarch instead. The whole family connection to the Argent's was not necessarily something he liked to talk about and the fact that she knew that was just another proof for him. How special she was, how connected they were. "But why do we take Marco along? He'll be a pain in the ass..."

Deucalion laughed and nodded when he led her out of the kitchen with an arm around her waist. That way she noticed that he was wearing nothing but a pair of boxer briefs – which she actually considered to be a service just for her, so she actually got to look at him in the daylight, making the girlish grin return to her face. They sat down on the couch.

"I know, I know. But you see, keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer. I am not leaving him here alone where he can rally up the rest of my pack against me."

"Point taken," she admitted with a nod.

"I am leaving Statler in charge here to make sure the rest of the pack doesn't rally each other up as well."

"Yes, good, he'll like that," she replied sarcastically. Because she just knew Statler would be mad at them for leaving him alone to 'babysit' Paul, Abby, Liam and Susan.

"As for Marco, Waldorf will keep him in check. I will have all the time in the world for you."

"Oh?" she asked intrigued. He smirked when he leaned closer, planting soft kisses on her shoulder, her neck, before he turned her to face him so he could kiss her lips. He was impossibly gentle. She leaned towards him, her hands resting on his hard muscled chest. And then all restraint flew out the window. He wrapped his arm around her, pulled her closer so abruptly that she gasped, his lips crushing on hers in a fierce, burning kiss. Like they never wanted to part again. His other hand was caressing whatever skin he could find on her back, mostly her shoulder blades. She wrapped one arm around his neck, with the other hand she was caressing his face – the sharp cheekbones and jaw line. She had not closed her eyes but studied his features. The constantly worried frown between his brows, his very straight, very prominent nose. Really, there was nothing about his face that wasn't prominent. The line of his brows was intense; his cheekbones stood out sharply, casting distinct shadows on his cheeks; then of course his strong, angular jaw line and chin. She noticed the small wrinkles around his eyes, the dimples at the corners of his lips that might become wrinkles someday too. She had never taken this much time to study his features and now it just added to how handsome she thought he was. He had the sort of face that should be pressed on a coin, or carved in stone.

After what seemed like forever, just kissing and caressing skin, there was a ring on the door and she wanted to get up. Which he made extremely difficult by pulling her back into kisses again and again, making her chuckle. Finally however she did manage to get their breakfast from the deliver guy in the elevator, who hardly managed to name the price – she realised she was still basically in her underwear, poor guy probably didn't even know where to look without offending. They paid, the kid left and they had breakfast, before planning their Road Trip.

The following days were perfectly blissful. She was with him whenever time allowed it, hardly even went back to the dorm – only to get a change of clothes really. Leaving Liv a little in the dark about what she was doing and where. She spent the nights with him. In the beginning that had not involved much sleeping to be quite honest. But by now, it did. A state she enjoyed a lot. Falling asleep in his arms, waking up in them. Being kissed goodnight, and woken in the morning with a kiss.

Had they talked about it? Not really. She thought there'd have to be a conversation about it at some point, defining their relationship. But for some reason, she didn't think it was necessary. There was no question about their relationship.

The first day, she had returned to his penthouse completely out of intuition. Had literally found herself there by accident and was confused by it herself. When she had left the next morning she had asked if he would mind if she came back. He had smiled and had, without much thought, replied 'If it were in any way possible, I'd never have you leave'. Cue the butterflies. Really, from that moment on she had decided she didn't care about defining the relationship. Instead she had just blatantly ignored every worrisome thing ahead of them – like the meeting with the Matriarch – and enjoyed her time with him. From ordering in dinner to getting intimately familiar with ever inch of his skin, until the lines blurred where she ended and he began. From long talks about God knows what to just sitting in silence together, from encouraging him to play something on his grand piano for her (and he played it so beautifully, it moved her to tears he had to kiss away afterwards) to her reading to him because he said he enjoyed her voice. She treasured every second. Time was limited, she knew that. They both did. That made it so precious.

Now, she was at the dorm and packed her things. Her boys – how Liv called them – were waiting outside by the car. Deucalion, Waldorf and Marco.

"I'll be back in maybe four weeks, I don't really know how long it's going to take all in all... Depends on how the talk with the Matriarch goes, I guess."

"And how exactly was I supposed to explain your little Road Trip to the University?" Liv asked in disbelief, watching the three men outside nervously.

"I don't know. Bird Flu?"

"Bird Flu? Really? That's what you're going with?" Liv asked sceptically. Then she threw her hands in the air. "I'll just say some distant aunt or something died and you had to travel over there. Can I really leave you alone with three men on the road for four weeks?"

Lyka turned towards Liv and laughed.

"Please, it's Waldorf and Marco. Besides, I doubt Deucalion would even let them near me. He's been rather... protective," she explained laughing and put a second pair of jeans in her travel bag. She really doubted Deucalion would even let anyone look at her funny.

"Huh... this wouldn't have anything to do with you not spending the nights here anymore lately?"

Lyka looked up again, casting her best friend a meaningful look. "Oooohhhhhh! OH M G how the hell did you keep this from me?! You're a thing? You're an actual thing, you and him?! Tell me everything! Every dirty detail! Is he good? Is it everything you thought it would be?"

"That and more," Lyka confirmed and both girls chuckled wildly. "I'd love to tell you everything but I really need to finish packing. We want to get to Cleveland today, so..."

"As soon as your back I want a full report. You're going on a Road Trip with him, I can't help but think there won't be a lot of Road Tripping going on. Poor Marco, poor Waldorf, having to put up with two new lovebirds!" Liv teased. They both laughed, but eventually Lyka did finish packing and joined the three other wolves by the car. Waldorf put her bag in the trunk, watched attentively as the two girls said their goodbye and eventually, the Blonde approached their Alpha. Deucalion smiled.

"Olivia," he greeted.

"I am counting on you to watch out for her. I always have my eyes on you. If I get any whim of you treating her bad, I will come and get you," She warned. He still smiled.

"Yes, you've established that last time. I'll watch out for her, don't worry. She's not leaving my side," he replied and as if to make a point, he caught Lyka's arm as she was just about open the car door, pulled her closer. She stumbled towards him with a slightly surprised gasp. He put his arm around her, held her firmly by his side as he placed a kiss on her hair. Liv grinned.

"Aww... FYI, she's blushing. She's really, really cute when she blushes," she declared.

"It's true," Waldorf agreed with a grin.

"Can we please just get in the car and drive? There'll be enough of this lovey-dovey crap over the next weeks so let's just get it over with," Marco grumbled and got in on the driver's side.

"I really don't know why we're putting up with this," Lyka sighed.

"Most of the times neither do I," Deucalion admitted with a sigh. He opened the car door and Lyka quickly kissed her best friend's cheek before she got in. Deucalion got in next to her, Waldorf took the passenger side. But not before he grinned at Liv once.

"Don't worry, we wouldn't let anything bad happen to our Cupcake."

"Good. Because I'd come for all of you!" Liv warned again. Waldorf laughed and finally got into the car himself. They drove off, Liv staying behind, watching them leave.

They were on the road for most of the day and as it had always been for Lyka, she fell asleep about when they had left the greater Boston area. Already as a child it had been the best way to get her to sleep and that hadn't changed. Twice she jumped back up, trying to stay awake until eventually, Deucalion pulled her closer, bedded her head on his shoulder and held her hands in his. Waldorf watched them through the rear-view mirror for a while before he spoke up.

"So you chose her?"

Deucalion raised his head.

"It would appear so."

"Clearly. Your scent is all over her. I wouldn't be surprised if by the time we reach Beacon Hills every wolf in the country knows she's yours," Waldorf noted. Deucalion nodded a little. He had noticed it too. In the few days past, Lyka had spent most her time with him. She had left for her classes in the morning, studied, then returned to him, had dinner with him, spent the night. Several days, the building manager already knew her. And her scent did change. It might be from the physical proximity to him, the intimacy, it might be because she spent so much time at his place, might be because she actually slept in a shirt of his. But fact was, her scent began to resemble his. As it was common between mates. He recalled it from Talia and Hector. Paul and Abigail.

He just never... he'd never thought he would enjoy that so much. The thought that every wolf who came across her would instantly be able to tell she was his and if they messed with her, they messed with him. The thought that she was... part of his identity, and he part of hers.

Did it add stress to this visit to his home, to his former family? Yes, tremendously. He was putting her in danger, of course. The Argent's were a force to be reckoned with and no matter how much he trusted in the Matriarch's common sense, he knew there was enough potential in this visit to cause deep and utter chaos. But being without her? No. Out of the question. He had barely been able to think of anything else when she was away the past days, had treasured every minute she was with him. Leaving her in Boston while he went to negotiate this truce? No, unthinkable. Also, she'd probably go ballistic if he excluded her from the venture. So it was better this way, everyone was happy.

Waldorf's voice called him out of his thoughts again. "I like it. It was about time you found a mate. Start having super pretty Alpha babies, you two."

Deucalion chuckled a little, yet when the sound seemed to startle Lyka in her sleep, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, caressed her hair until she had drifted off into a deep slumber again.

"Waldorf, my friend, you know I treasure your approval, but I have to say: thinking about children is perhaps a bit hasty."

Waldorf grinned.

"How long have I known you now, Boss? Ten years? Fifteen even? You're not the man who has meaningless fun. If you chose her, I am guessing you chose her for life. So someday – be it a year or two or ten – there is going to be family planning. Can I just ask why? I mean... did you choose her with this in mind, when you bit her? Or did something change."

Deucalion didn't respond for a while, leaving his Beta curious until eventually he smiled.

"I really don't know. And it really doesn't matter. This is where we are now. And there's nowhere I'd rather be."

"Man you really have a talent of avoiding answering other people's questions, don't you?"

Deucalion was still just smiling and Waldorf knew he wouldn't get any more out of him. So he shrugged and focused on the road travelling past them. It was quiet in the car until Marco turned on the radio, just loud enough to have some entertainment, not too loud to wake Lyka.

"Thank you for agreeing to join us, Marco. I know you're opposing the idea of contacting the Argent's. That you're here still means a lot," Deucalion eventually mentioned. Marco shrugged.

"Someone has to be there to do damage control when shit hits the fan," he commented. Deucalion just nodded, Waldorf grinned. And then they were quiet again.

By the time Lyka woke they were halfway in Cleveland, had switched drivers once so Marco sat on the passenger side now, absent-mindedly staring out of the window.

"Welcome back Sleeping Beauty," Deucalion teased with a smile.

"How long was I out?"

"About two hours."

She yawned, then leaned back against their Alpha. She saw him smile and it made her smile in turn. Marco sighed loudly.

"You two are so cute, I want to vomit."

"I can drive a bit, that way we'd tune down the cuteness for a while, hm? And Waldorf can stretch his legs," Lyka suggested.

"Great idea, we'll switch at the next stop!"

And so their travel continued. The first part of a long trip with a very uncertain outcome.

Author's Note:

Had a lot to do at work, so I am a bit delayed and the chapter is a bit... chaotic, I think. But some cute things I guess :D But now it's the weekend and next chapter will get better.

Everyone excited for the Midseason Finale? I know I am! haven't looked at the leak, I want it to be a surprise. Just had to make sure Deucalion was still alive, that's all I wanted to know, now I can have a stressful weekend anticipating Monday :D

Thank you for the reviews and messages, you guys rock. R.O.C.K. Rock! Keep'em coming guys, I really, really appreciate it!