Page 6 of Frost and Fate
Nova turned toward the man they called Darren. Honey eyes burned into her, and she quickly looked away.
Laurie stepped forward. “We’ve provided you with everything you’ll need until we can arrange to get your things brought here. If you need anything else, please let me know. I know this is all very strange, but we are here to help you, Nova.” She placed a warm hand on Nova’s shoulder and Lance let out a low growl. One look from Gideon was enough to quiet him.
“Thank you,” Nova said, still feeling overwhelmed.
Laurie smiled. “We will leave you to it. See you tomorrow morning, and remember, if you need anything…”
“Yes. Thank you.”
The others filed out, leaving Nova alone with Darren. They stood in silence for what felt like forever.
When he finally spoke, his deep syrupy voice made her knees feel weak. “Let’s get you to your apartment.”
Nova nodded, unable to speak or make eye contact. He opened the door and she followed him out. As they walked through the Ulric complex, Nova couldn’t help but stare. The building was teeming with life. They passed several offices, a large cafeteria, and a hallway full of gyms and training rooms.
“The lower levels of the building are for work, training, and meetings. The upper levels are where you’ll find all the apartments,” Darren explained.
They reached a set of large black elevators and stepped inside. As soon as the doors closed Nova’s pulse started to race. This was the closest she had been to him since their first encounter at the club. She peered up at him. He was as tall as she remembered. Something about the way he stood, and not to mention smelled, made her mouth water. His scent was warm like spices. Darren turned to look down at her and their gazes locked. It felt impossible to look away. Warmth crept up her neck and cheeks. Those honey-fire eyes burned into her, devouring her. She felt like some sort of magnet was pulling them toward each other. She wanted to step closer.
The elevator doors slid open with a ding, yanking Nova out of her trance. She followed Darren down the hallway until he stopped in front of a unit. He held the door open and ushered Nova inside.
“They should have stocked the fridge and pantry for you, but of course let Laurie know if you need anything else.” He stared down at her. “I’ll be staying in the apartment next door. If anything happens, or you feel you’re going to have an uncontrollable power event that could endanger the pack, let me know immediately.”
Nova began to look around. It was a cozy apartment. A small kitchen led into the living room. A TV sat in front of a soft-looking blue sofa. A hallway, which Nova assumed led to the bedroom and bathroom, branched off to the back of the apartment. She turned to her right and gasped. A large, frameless, rectangular mirror hung from the wall. Nova stared in horror at the sight in front of her. Her once silver-streaked hair had now become fully silver. All traces of its former brown color had vanished. She lifted a hand to run the silver strands through her fingers. The hair felt silky, soft, and cool to the touch. Nova sighed. She really was some sort of freak now.
A throat cleared behind her. “If it makes you feel better, I think it’s beautiful.”
She turned to Darren. Once again the heat crept into her cheeks. “Thank you,” she said with a shy smile.
They held their gaze a moment longer before Darren spoke again. “I’ll leave you to settle in. Try to get some sleep. I’ll be back to take you to the training room at eight AM,” he added. “I would advise you to be ready on time tomorrow and not to keep Gideon waiting.” And with that, he turned and left the apartment.
A pang of sadness struck her as he closed the door behind him. What was she expecting? For him to tuck her into bed? An image of Darren shirtless and in bed with her flashed unbidden into Nova’s mind. Aye aye aye. Why did they have to assignhimto watch her? She felt like a total bumbling idiot every time he looked at her.
‘I think it’s beautiful.’ She smiled, remembering his words.
Nova climbed into bed, alone. Sleep did not come easily. She tossed and turned, her mind full of questions. Eventually exhaustion took over, and dragged her into another dream-filled sleep.
Nova was in the ice cave again. She walked slowly through the vast frozen cavern. Shimmering snowflakes fell all around. Something glowed at the far end of the wide space. Nova stepped closer. Whispers danced around her, calling her home. She moved ever closer to the light, closer, closer...
Nova jumped upright as her alarm beeped. She was covered in a cold sheen of sweat. Releasing a sigh, she rolled out of bed and got herself into the shower. The hot water was revitalizing and helped to clear her mind. Her hair was still silver. She threw it into a damp ponytail and headed to find an outfit for training. Nova’s closet and drawers were filled with clothes. There was a note hanging from the closet doorknob that read,‘Let me know if you need to borrow anything else! Xo, Aria’
Aria? Who’s Aria?
Nova was grateful not to have to put her dirty sweats back on. After perusing the clothing, she donned a pair of black leggings, a blue sports bra, and a black tank top. It became immediately apparent that whoever Aria was, she was much smaller than Nova. The sports bra poured cleavage out the front, the tank top rose high enough to show a generous amount of stomach, and her leggings hung so low her hip bones were nearly revealed. Before she could rethink her choice of clothing there was a knock at the door. “Damn.”
Nova hurried through the apartment. She looked down at her ill-fitting outfit as she opened the door.
“I don't know who Aria is”—she tugged self-consciously at the tank top—“but we certainly aren’t as close in size as she thinks.” Nova looked up to find Darren staring, mouth open, at her. The way his honey-fire eyes raked over her exposed skin was enough to send heat straight between her thighs. Nova flushed and glanced away.
This seemed to knock Darren out of his stupor. “We will talk to Laurie about getting you some other clothes.” Geez, even his voice sent heat rushing around inside her. The sweatpants and fitted white tank top he was wearing didn’t help. The man looked good in anything. Now Nova was the one staring.
“Sounds good,” she squeaked out. The smirk on his face made her feel like he knew exactly what was going on in her head. She sighed. This was going to be a long day.
ChapterSix
When Darren had knocked on the door of the complex’s newest resident, he certainly hadn’t expected the sight that greeted him. Nova’s silky silver hair had been pulled up into a ponytail, showing off the smooth lines of her face and neck. The outfit she was wearing for training was far from the usual appropriate attire. A lean flat stomach and symmetrical hip bones peeked out from above a pair of very low black leggings. His eyes moved upward past her tapered waist, and landed on a sports bra that could barely contain her full chest. A deep V of cleavage pushed up and over the blue fabric. His mouth literally fell open. His wolf howled in approval.
He looked her up and down, desire growing within him. Her body reacted to his heated gaze. When he scented her arousal in the air, it was all he could do not to throw himself at her. His wolf clawed to get out, to move forward, to take what was his.
