Page 36 of Frost and Fate
“I love you too, Nova.”
She nuzzled into his chest, breathing in his scent. Everything about being with Darren felt so right. She never wanted this moment to end.
A loud rapping on the closet door yanked them both from their cozy thoughts. “A janitor’s closet? Seriously?”
“Aria,” Darren said through gritted teeth.
Nova just giggled. “What did you expect?”
Another round of knocking echoed through the small room. “I know y’all are still in there. The whole floor could hear you. Not to mention the fireworks show of pheromones flooding this entire level.”
“Just a second,” Darren bit out. They quickly dressed then he opened the closet door.
Aria was on the other side, arms crossed. “It would be really great if y’all kept that business in your apartments. Some of us aren’t getting any and we don’t want to have to listen to the perfect mated couple boning it up at work.”
Nova flushed. “Sorry, Aria.”
Aria smiled. “You’re forgiven, and guess what?”
Darren eyed Aria suspiciously. “What?”
“Your best friend, that’s me of course, has arranged for a fabulous party to celebrate you as a newly mated couple!”
“What?” Darren started. “Aria, we haven’t even told everyone.”
She waved him off with a hand. “That’s okay, I already told everybody who’s anybody. The party starts Friday at eight!”
Nova shook her head. “The Collectors are looking for me. We can’t leave the complex. We can’t go outside Matlena’s wards.”
“We’re not leaving the complex. Lucky for us there is a gorgeous unused banquet hall right here in the building!”
“What? Why is there a banquet hall at Ulric?”
Darren was the one who answered this time. “There are often times when Gideon is forced to entertain other large partners, businesses, and even other Alphas visiting the territory.” He grimaced. “Not to mention a surprise visit from the Infernal Council.”
Aria clapped her hands together excitedly. “Exactly. All we need to do is give it a few decorations and voila!”
Nova could tell by the way Aria said ‘a few’ decorations that it would be anything but a small amount of decor. Aria had a flair for the dramatic, and Nova could only imagine what kind of over-the-top antics were in store.
Darren put up a hand to stop Aria from saying more. “We can’t just let a bunch of florists and caterers into the complex. Especially at a crucial time like this.” He put an arm protectively around Nova.
Aria rolled her eyes. “Like I’m going to do anything to put my best friend’s life in danger. We will hire lycan-only companies, there are plenty in the area. Matlena and Brona will screen them on the way in, while Aaron and his new recruits keep an eye on everyone while they work.”
Darren cocked an eyebrow. “The last time I checked, I was in charge of security, Aria, not you.”
“Darren.” Nova gave him an elbow to the ribs.
He looked at his mate apologetically. “I just think it’s too risky.”
“Risky?” Aria’s eyes narrowed. “You mean like sex in a janitor’s closet in the middle of a workday, risky?”
Darren glared at her. Sensing she may have overstepped, Aria’s eyes turned desperate. “I’ll let you select all the vendors. You can oversee everything! Please, Darren…I need this party! We have all been on lockdown since Nova came to us. It would be good for everyone involved to have some fun! If we do it here inside the complex, we can be sure it’s safe! Please, Darren! Please, please, please!”
Darren sighed. To all those close to the Alpha, Aria had always been like a little sister. Any lycan in the complex would give their life for Aria in a heartbeat. Despite her antics, and dramatics, Darren did feel sorry for her. Aria had always been kept close to Gideon’s side. This was obviously done to protect her. The unfortunate side effect was that Aria had been sheltered. She was watched nearly every time she left the complex. As she gazed up at him with those cerulean-blue puppy eyes, he knew fighting her was pointless. “All right.”
Aria squealed and threw her arms around Darren’s neck. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Darren gently pried her off. “But…” he started, “I control the security. You run everything through me first.”
