Page 39 of Frost and Fate
“It’s dinner to celebrate you two!” Aria’s hands clapped together excitedly. The group consisted of Gideon, Aria, Lance, and Laurie. Across the room Leah stood with Lucas, Aaron, and Brona. Matlena and Romani were in the far corner, speaking in hushed tones. Romani looked pale, but otherwise healed. Upon their arrival, the entire group looked up at them.
Gideon made his way over to them. The Alpha was wearing a very well-tailored tuxedo that accentuated his height and build. “Welcome.” He smiled. “It’s time I officially congratulated you two on finding your mates.” He turned to Nova. “Welcome to our pack. As the mate to one of our own, you will have the unconditional and full support of the pack.” He put a hand on Darren’s shoulder. “You are such an important part of this pack and it truly brings me joy to see you so happy.” He raised his crystal glass in the air. “To Darren and Nova. The newest mated members of our pack.” The rest of the group echoed his sentiments.
Darren was glowing with pride and happiness. He wrapped an arm around Nova’s waist, pulling her close. The others each came up and offered their own congratulations. A waiter came out to announce dinner was ready, and everyone took their seats. The food was absolutely incredible. The meal started with a salad that had real edible flowers in it. The main course consisted of a breaded chicken breast covered in some sort of rich cream sauce. It was accompanied by grilled vegetables and fresh garlic bread. Nova had never eaten anything so delicious. She dug into the meal.
Aria giggled next to her. “I’ve never seen you so hungry. It’s good you’re eating a lot! It takes a ton of food to grow a shifter baby.”
Nova stilled. Her fork hovered in the air a moment before clattering onto her plate. An uneasy silence fell over the table.
Aria sensed the tension and quickly chimed back in. “Not that you’re pregnant now, I just meant when you and Darren do have kids.” She let out a nervous laugh. Nova hadn’t moved. She seemed to be stuck in place.Kids.Nova had always known she would have kids someday. Those thoughts had all been before the Collectors found her, before her powers had emerged.
A cold sweat formed on her skin. Would her children be like her? Would they be Celestials? Would they be born with powers and hunted down their entire lives like she was now?
“Nova?” asked Darren, concern etched on his handsome features. She pushed her chair back and stood up. A gentle snow was making its way down from the ceiling. She stepped away from the table, bracing herself on one of the floor-to-ceiling glass panels. Glittering blue ice began to outline her hands. It crept along the windows and walls. Darren made his way to where she was standing. A warm hand pressed against her lower back. “Nova?” he repeated.
She continued to stare out the window.
“Don’t worry about Aria.” He spoke in a gentle tone. “We have plenty of time before we need to think about kids. Let’s just enjoy tonight and worry about all of that later.” His breath was coming out in frosty puffs now.
“I can’t do it,” Nova said.
“Can’t do what?”
She finally turned from the window to look at him. “I can’t have kids with you. I can’t do it. I won’t do it.”
Darren looked stunned. “Why are you saying this?”
Tears streamed down Nova’s cheeks. “Do you think I want to have little monsters? To bring them into this world?”
“Monsters?” echoed Darren, his jaw tensing.
“Yes, monsters! What do you think would happen if we have kids?”
Darren was quiet. His eyes burned into hers. “I didn’t realize having lycan children would be so unappealing to you.”
Nova stared at him, his words catching her off guard.
“I guess lycans are good enough to save you, train you, and fuck you. God forbid you have a lycan ‘monster’ child of your own.” There was so much venom in his tone that Nova found herself unable to speak. “I’m glad your sentiments about lycans have been made clear now. We may be monsters but we have been there for you since the moment you needed us.” Darren took a step away from her. He glanced around at the wintery scene unfolding in the apartment. “Stop the ice, Nova, it’s getting out of hand.”
Confusion filled her. Why was he talking like this? The coldness in his eyes could have bested even her icy magic. He turned away from her, moving swiftly toward the door. A sickening realization took hold of her. Darren thought she didn’t want to have kids because they would be lycans. Panic flooded her veins as he proceeded toward the exit.
“Darren!” she cried out. “That’s not what I meant! It’s not you, it’s—”
The penthouse doors burst open before Darren could reach them. Several security guards came bounding in. “Ulric!” They addressed Gideon with his most formal name. “The Collectors—”
Gideon was up and moving in seconds. Leah, Lucas, Aaron, and Lance were close behind him. “What happened?” he roared. The faces of the guards went pale as waves of Alpha energy radiated across the space. The man who initially spoke, a young lycan by the name of James, swallowed audibly before speaking again.
“Girls. They left more girls.”
“Dead?” Gideon asked, his tone grim. James nodded tensely.
“How many?” Lance barked out.
“We’re not sure. Twelve that we know of. They were left all around the property.”
Nova’s stomach churned.
“Twelve?” Leah roared. Her black eyes took on a horrifying glow. Everyone was moving.
