Page 77 of Blades of Ice

“But, Papa! A flamethrower.” Cailín stood and held out her arm as though she were going to try to make her own weapon appear when the sound of a baby crying rent the air. Instead of a weapon, Cailín pumped her fist. “We have a baby!” Everyone cheered.

“Someone get me some cake!” Sophia shouted, and the cheering turned to laughter.

Beck hugged Lydia from behind, setting his chin on her shoulder. “Thank you, Sugar. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better family or Clan.”

“You’re welcome, My Bear.”

Giovanni Samuel Stone joined the party an hour later, bundled in his mother’s arms. Sophia refused to stay in bed. She haggled with Nikolas for half an hour of party time, and of course he gave in.

Kennedy sidled up to Lydia. “I see where you get it from.”

Lydia glanced down at the little fox. “Get what from?”

“Your warrior spirit. I’ve known some strong females, but you are the bravest I’ve ever encountered.”

When Lydia looked at her mom, Sophia winked at her.

Beck was floating. That was the only way to describe how happy he was. The only thing that would have made their night better was if his dad had been there. Corbin couldn’t get away from work, so Beck promised that he and Lydia would travel to Canada as soon as possible. Their reception turned into a party and a celebration that went on well into the next morning. After everyone was introduced to the baby, Sophia and Nikolas returned to their bedroom with little Gio. With every male and female having welcomed Dooley and Kennedy into the Clan, they celebrated Kennedy’s news that she would bring the next little Clan member into the fold. The last child born had been Anthony and Tabitha’s brother, Andrew, who was five. With Gargoyles, their age didn’t matter. Living for ten centuries, if they wanted a child, they had one. It gave Beck hope for a houseful.

He was amazed how freely everyone showed their affection. How they laughed and teased. How they included Beck and Dooley and Kennedy. He wondered if they would be as welcomed when they got to West Virginia. From the way Lydia spoke of her King and Queen, he doubted they would treat Beck any differently. That is, after they got over Lydia telling the truth of where she’d been and why she’d kept it from them.

By the time they got home, it was going on four a.m. Beck was wiped but in a good way. After saying goodnight to Dooley and Kennedy, Beck carried his mate to their bedroom. It tooklonger than he would have liked to get out of his suit and to relieve Lydia of her stunning dress. Instead of ripping it off like a caveman, Beck took his time with the zipper. Luna had done an amazing job with the fine details of both Lydia’s belt and Beck’s tie. He didn’t want either of them to get ruined in his haste to get his mate naked.

Crawling between her legs, Beck was awed that the creature beneath him belonged to him in every way. He was blessed that he belonged to her too.

Beck pulled Lydia’s leg up, placing her thigh on his shoulder, and slid his length into her wet core. They’d had sex. They’d made love. They had completed their bond. Now, he wanted to consummate their union. All day and night, Beck had felt connected to Lydia even if they were across the lawn from one another. She spoke to him in his mind, reminding him how much she loved him. He responded in kind with what he had no doubt was a dopey grin on his face. He couldn’t have cared less. No one called him on it except for Dooley, but his friend merely said, “I get it,” and gazed at his own mate the same way.

Now, Beck’s gaze was far from dopey. He didn’t need a mirror to know it was filled with lust and love and wonder. Lydia’s was the same. As he moved in and out of her tight heat, he kept his eyes on hers, not wanting to miss a single second of being one with his female. Lydia cupped his cheek with one hand and gripped his bicep with the other. Tender and strong. That was his Sugar. His soft-hearted warrior. His future. His forever.

While coming down from their orgasms, Lydia traced her fingers over the faint scar from where Orson stabbed him. Then she slid her hand to his back, tracing the one there. “You want to tell me about this?”

Beck rolled them so he was on his back and Lydia was sprawled across his chest. He placed one hand behind his head and let the other rest on her hip. “Boyd did it. He and I nevergot along when he lived with us. He tried to act like he was my father, but since I had a good one, I fought him at every turn. When he brought Valerie to challenge Amara, I was livid. There was nothing I could do to help Amara when Valerie challenged her, but I could tell Boyd what a piece of shit he was. The fight was a bloody one, and at one point, Amara roared in anguish, so I turned to watch. I shouldn’t have. With my back to Boyd, he used a knife on me instead of his claws. I’m pretty sure it was coated in something, because shifting didn’t heal it immediately. Coward that he is ran.”

“That sonofabitch. I wish I’d known that when we were in Sterling.”

“Yeah? Would my badass mate have gone after him?”

“Damn straight. No wonder you don’t trust him.”

“And now I never have to worry about him again. He’s out of my life for good.” At least Beck hoped he was. If they ever crossed paths again, he wouldn’t stop his feisty female if she went after Boyd with her ice daggers.

Beck expected to spend the next week glued to his mate’s side, but Jon had different ideas. He called the morning of New Years’ Eve, asking if Beck and Dooley wanted to hang out at the gym for a while. Lydia encouraged him to go. She’d already given him a set of keys to both her vehicles, so with the address of the gym in the GPS, he and Dooley set out. Beck was glad to spend time with Jon, feeling closer to him than any of his newest Clanmates after what they went through in Alaska. Dooley felt the same. The two polar bears had been friends most of their lives, which was uncommon among their packs.

When they arrived, the parking lot was full. Maybe folks were getting a start on their resolutions. They entered the building and were greeted by a male with brown skin and the whitest teeth Beck had ever seen. He was dressed in rippedjeans, flip flops, and a bright orange tank top, which showed off an impressive build.

He held out his hand. “Welcome to Hartley’s. You must be Beck and Dooley. I’m Joey Palamo.” Beck and Dooley shook hands with the male. “Jon’s in the ring. Come on back.”

They followed Joey through the building that was both a gym to work out in as well as a dojo. Jon was in the ring, sparring with a giant. After a closer look, Beck realized the two must be related. Joey led them to a row of chairs where they could watch. “That’s Frey, Jon’s dad.”

Beck sat up. Frey was the uncle who taught all the Clan kids to fight and to fly. He was taller than Jon and had about fifty pounds on his son, but he didn’t hold back. Neither did Jon. Their moves were impressive. Frey preferred his hands, while Jon used a lot of kicks. When they finally stopped sparring, Jon leapt over the top rope, flipping in the air, and landing on his feet.

“Show off.” Joey hopped up and clapped Jon on his shoulder.

Frey climbed out of the ring more sedately and joined them. Beck stood to greet the male. Beck was usually the tallest one in the room, but Frey had a couple inches on him. “Geoffrey Hartley, but please, call me Frey.” Frey held out his hand, and Beck greeted the male Lydia held such high regard for. After introducing Dooley, Frey crossed his arms over his massive chest. “I have a proposition for you.”

Chapter 30

Lydia had neverbeen this nervous in her life. Not even when Frey had her land a plane on a strip of deserted road that ended abruptly, or when she was alone in the wilderness. The closer they got to Carlton, the more she thought she should have told Sebastian and Dakota she was home. Her family in Atlanta disagreed with her keeping it a secret, especially when Lydia asked her mom to keep Gio’s birth quiet.

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