The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 841: A SURPRISE VISIT

ASTRID stretched his arms above his head as he sat up in bed. Still half asleep, he shuffled straight to the bathroom and brushed his teeth. He splashed cold water on his face, then reached for the auto-drying sheet dispenser on the wall, pulling out a warm, textured sheet to pat his face dry. The warmth felt good against his skin and helped wake him up a little more.

He walked out of his room and into the kitchen to start making breakfast. As he checked the pantry for ingredients, his mind drifted back to a week ago, when he had told his uncles, brother, and Lauren about his relationship with Wulfric. He could still picture Casey pouting and sulking at the news, crossing his arms like a child who had been told he couldn’t have dessert. In the end, though, he had reluctantly said he would support Astrid. At least until Wulfric messed up. Then all bets were off. The memory made Astrid chuckle. Casey had huffed and puffed about it, but he still gave his support. And Astrid appreciated that.

Thomas had been more measured in his response. Astrid could still see the hesitation in his eyes, the quiet worry he was trying to hide. But he didn’t push. He just asked if Wulfric was the one Astrid wanted. When Astrid said yes, Thomas backed off. It was clear he was still figuring out how to navigate his relationship with his nephews. He didn’t want to overstep. Still, Astrid had a feeling that if Wulfric ever hurt him, Thomas would be right there with Casey, ready to do something about it.

The one who surprised him the most was his brother. He had expected Reas to react more violently, especially given how he had acted when he first met Wulfric, all bristling and defensive like an angry chihuahua. But instead, Reas had been surprisingly calm. He had just looked at Astrid, studying his face carefully, and when he seemed satisfied with what he saw, he gave a short nod. Then he said, ”If the general does anything even remotely problematic, you tell me, okay? I may not be as powerful as him, but I can definitely give him a run for his money.”

And Astrid had no doubt about that. With Reas’s double SS level physique and mental strength, plus his special speed, he could definitely land a punch or two. Maybe even three. But Astrid wouldn’t let it come to that. Aside from the fact that he could handle himself, he really didn’t think Wulfric would ever hurt him. The man was too obsessed with him for that, the good kind of obsessed. The kind that made Astrid feel safe rather than suffocated. Astrid couldn’t even picture him lifting a hand against him.

He pulled out ingredients from the pantry. Speaking of his brother, Reas was currently staying with Lauren for the weekend. Lauren had to leave the capital again for a month to film, so they were making the most of their time together. That was why Reas wasn’t in the apartment right now, he had gone straight to Lauren’s place as soon as he left the military academy yesterday.

As for Astrid, he had the premiere of the [Blind Justice] movie to attend later that evening. Ellis would pick him up later to take him to the company for hair and makeup. His outfit for the night was probably already waiting for him there.

He cracked an egg into the pan and added three slices of bacon beside it. He was keeping breakfast simple today, just eggs, bacon, toast, and a small side salad. Nothing fancy, just enough to fill him up before the day got busy.

He slid the egg and bacon onto a plate and popped two slices of bread into the toaster. While they toasted, he put together a small salad with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, and a simple dressing. When the toast came up, he added them to the plate and carried everything to the counter.

He had just picked up the kettle to steep some tea when the doorbell rang. He paused, a frown creasing his brow. Who could it be this early? Ellis wouldn’t be here yet. Reas wouldn’t leave Lauren’s side when he wouldn’t see him for a whole month. Kiran? No, his friend wasn’t the type to be up at this hour. He ran through the list of people who might show up unannounced, but came up empty. Curious, he set down the kettle and walked toward the door.

Astrid peered through the small screen built into the doorframe. At first, he didn’t recognize the figure standing there. The person was dressed all in black, from their jacket down to their pants, with a black cap pulled low over their face. Then the figure looked up, and he caught a glimpse of what was under the brim. A pair of familiar golden eyes met his gaze through the screen. His breath caught. His heart gave a hard thump against his ribs. He didn’t even think, just fumbled with the lock and yanked the door open.

He barely had time to open his mouth before the other stepped forward, pushing him gently back inside and wrapping his arms around him in a tight embrace. One foot reached back to kick the door shut behind them. Astrid let out a surprised laugh, his hands coming up to pat the broad back of the man holding him.

Astrid’s voice came out muffled against Wulfric’s shoulder as he asked, ”Wulf, what are you doing here?”

Wulfric pressed his nose against the side of Aster’s neck and breathed in. He always smelled like jasmine, soft and clean, mixed with something warm that was just him. He could feel the heat of Aster’s skin through his clothes, the steady thrum of his pulse beneath his lips. He loved this. Loved the way Aster fit against him, the way he didn’t pull away and immediately hugged him back. So, he held on a little tighter.

”I missed you,” he murmured against his skin.