Page 79 of Blades of Ice

“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”

“Nope. You said it was a long story, and I’m ready to hear it. Come on.” Dakota gave her back to Beck, then went behind the bar and pulled everyone’s drinks.

“Lydia, you’re okay!” Jolee bound into the room, headed for her. She stopped when she saw the tears. “Uh oh. Whose ass do I need to kick?”

“Mine, apparently. I’m such an idiot.”

Jolee looked around. “Okay. I must have missed introductions, and where is the waitstaff?”

“You didn’t miss anything, and I sent the waitstaff home so we could talk freely. Lydia was about to tell us where she’s been, what she’s been doing since we knowwhoshe’s been doing, and no introductions as of yet. Beer?”

Jolee giggled. “You know what I like.” To Lydia she said, “I’m thrilled to see you. Oh! Thank you for sending Ollie my way.”

“Ollie?”

“I guess your mom sent him to us, but yeah, Oliver Lynch, the male who updated your parents’ new place?”

“You’re welcome? You said I sent him to you, and by the smile, I’d say he managed more than the remodel.”

“You’d be right. Now, how about we all sit down and introduce ourselves. I’ll go first.”

Jolee told everyone who she was and how she knew Dakota. Lydia introduced Beck, Dooley, and Kennedy to everyone,letting her family say who they were and how they were related. By the time they’d finished, Dakota had everyone a drink, and they were all gathered in the lobby.

Lydia took a long pull off her sour, leaning against her mate. “About a week after I went home, Carleigh called.” Lydia went into the cryptic messages and how she and Cailín traveled to Alaska. It took about an hour to get through her story with everyone interrupting. Dakota frowned more than once, and Sebastian? Well, he looked introspective.

Dakota jumped to her feet. “I oughta kick your ass, but I won’t because you’re here and safe. But couldn’t you have at least told us you were back home? And Gio’s a week old and we haven’t seen pictures?” She turned to Sebastian. “It’s like we’re not the King and Queen.” She threw her hands up, knocking her cowboy hat off, and stomped off. Bas stood, picked her hat up, and took it to her where she was pacing.

Tabitha tapped Lydia on the arm. “Really, a flamethrower?” She jiggled her wrist, but Anthony grabbed her arm.

“You might want to try that outside.”

“What’s up with your hair?” Lydia asked her cousin. Anything to get the focus off her.

“Well, you see—”

“Not now, Tony.” Dakota stalked back over. “At least tell me you got the handfasting on video.”

“We did.”

“And pictures of Gio?” Bas asked.

“That too. I’m really sorry I kept quiet about everything. I knew you were busy getting the lodge remodeled, and Bas, you had just gotten Dakota away from her pack. After what happened with Tinsley, I wanted to prove to myself I wasn’t a fuckup. That I could handle the task you gave me without you having to bail me out. If it weren’t for Dooley, Kennedy, andJon…” The tears fell again, and Dakota crossed the room and knelt in front of her.

“You idiot. You are not a fuckup. You are one of the bravest females I’ve ever met. I’m in awe of you.” When Lydia opened her mouth, Dakota shushed her. “Do you know how many females would have curled up in the middle of all that snow and given up?”

Kennedy raised her hand. “Me, and I’m an arctic fox.” Everyone laughed, including Lydia.

Dakota continued. “Am I mad you didn’t tell us what was going on? Yes, but only because we should have had your back the same way you had ours. That’s what Clan is for. And it might take a minute before I forgive you for not inviting us to the handfasting. I might be inclined to do so faster if you promise you’ll never again take on anything without asking for help if you need it.”

“I promise.”

Dakota gripped Lydia’s nape, removed her hat, and touched her forehead to Lydia’s. “I’m really glad you’re here.” When Dakota stood, she smiled at Dooley and Kennedy, replacing the cowboy hat. “Thank you both for taking care of our girl and helping to rescue our Beck. I know I speak for Bas in saying welcome to our Clan. Now, about that video…”

Lydia turned into Beck once more, only this time it wasn’t with sadness. Her heart was at ease, and if she really thought about it, it was at home. She would always have her place in Atlanta to go back to, but Lydia wanted to build a house close by. Carleigh had her own life with H3, and as much as Lydia loved Cailín, Bas was her King, and Dakota? Dakota was more than her Queen. She was a friend. A sister. Lydia and Beck would continue their search for shifters, but she wanted their home base to be in Carlton. As Sebastian had said, it was halfwaybetween Atlanta and New York. With her mate being a pilot, he could fly her either place easily in the Clan jet.

While her family gathered around Sebastian’s laptop and watched the ceremony, Dooley and Kennedy joined Lydia and Beck.

Dooley placed his hand on Kennedy’s still flat belly. “We think this would be a great place to raise a kid.”

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