Page 10 of Lycan and Lark
Lark raised his head, staring up at her. “Aria?” His lips moved but it was no longer his voice. The words were feminine and familiar.
“Aria? Wake up, Aria. Wake up!”
Aria shot upright, breathing frantically. Somehow her covers had gotten tangled around her body and she struggled to free herself from the mess of fabrics. “Fuck!” She floundered her arms and legs, tearing through the sheets.
“Woah!” a soft voice came from somewhere near the bed. A wave of soothing energy flowed over Aria and she took a deep breath in as relief calmed her nerves. “Let’s get you untangled.” Laurie moved quickly to Aria’s side, working to free her from her blanket binds. “What were you dreaming about? Or maybe I should ask who?” Laurie gave her an impish smile.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. “What are you doing here?” Aria asked as confusion clouded her sleepy and lust-fueled brain.
“Lance sent me to check on you.”
Aria groaned. “Of course he did.”
Laurie’s long blonde hair swished around her as she finished unwrapping Aria’s sweaty body. “Better?” she asked, her blue eyes gazing sweetly down at Aria. Laurie sent a fresh wave of comforting energy through her and Aria’s pulse finally slowed to normal.
“Better. That’s a pretty handy trick.” She swung her legs to the side of the bed and raised her arms in a much-needed stretch.
“It certainly helps the boys when they get night terrors. Of course Lance is hopeless. I think he prefers stressful dreams to happy ones.” Laurie smiled thinking of her mate. Envy bloomed within Aria’s chest.
“You and Lance…your relationship had a rocky start.”
“That’s an understatement.” Laurie giggled.
“What made you stick it out? Especially with how complicated your situation was.”
Laurie gave a soft, understanding smile. “He is my mate. I may not have felt the call as clearly as a lycan, but I couldn’t have stayed away from him even if I wanted to. It didn’t matter that we didn’t make sense or that it was messy and complicated. Even when I tried to deny our bond, I was always drawn back to him.” She sighed dreamily. “I wanted him more than I’ve ever wanted anything and when we both stopped fighting it, everything suddenly made sense.”
“Weren’t you worried people wouldn’t accept you as his mate?” Aria pressed, clawing toward some kind of reassurance.
Laurie’s beautiful features briefly fell. She reached a hand up and gently stroked the scars that marred her shoulders and back. “Of course. But I didn’t need their acceptance. Only Lance’s.” Aria mulled that over silently. Eventually Laurie spoke again. “I’m sorry about your party last night. I’ll fill you in on everything that happened with Gideon. How about we chat over brunch to finish celebrating your birthday? Le Crepe?”
“Yes, please!” Aria jumped out of bed, with visions of scrumptious, sweet breakfast foods temporarily overtaking the cluster of worried thoughts rooting around inside her mind. She threw her hair in a ponytail and slipped into leggings and a crop top. “Let the belated birthday celebrations commence!”
ChapterSix
Aria and Laurie strode through the complex arm in arm. She had called the twins to come meet them for brunch but they were working at their family restaurant. “We could go to The Coop instead. That way we could at least see Gigi and Clove,” Laurie offered.
“I do love those two but I’m in the mood for gourmet overpriced brunch, not Earl’s homestyle cooking.” She shot a look toward the security guard as they passed through the lobby. It wasn’t Mack, lucky for him. She was going to give him a piece of her mind next time she saw him. What was he thinking calling the Beta in the middle of the night and giving him all her juicy business?
“Stop scowling. The security guards are here for the complex’s protection.” Laurie gave her a stern look.
“Whatever. Gideon has everyone spying on me and getting into my personal business.” She gave the current guard theI’m watching youhand signal and he swallowed tensely.
“You’re being paranoid.” Laurie patted her arm and they pushed out the doors and into the fresh mountain air.
The sun was bright and beautiful in the soft blue sky. A light breeze blew by and it carried the scent of summer honeysuckle on it. Aria trotted down the steps, giggling with Laurie until a familiar feeling caused her wolf to perk up. She froze, glancing around with uncertainty. The streets and shops were occupied by people of all ages and mixed with shifters and humans alike. She scanned the strangers until her eyes fell on a figure leaning up against the outside wall of the cafe. He was average in terms of looks with brown, widely spaced eyes and curly black hair. Aria stared at him, trying to decipher her familiar feelings.Mine.
Her heart lurched and she knew in that moment, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was Lark. He may have thought he was well glamoured, but her wolf saw straight through it. The man gazed back at her with a subtle smirk on his face.
“I need a second,” she told Laurie, untangling their arms. Then she darted across the street.
The man quickly headed around the corner, disappearing. Aria picked up her pace, following his path until she came to an empty sidewalk. She walked slowly toward the back of the shop. She was about to turn back when a hand shot out and dragged her behind the building. Her back hit the brick wall and she looked up into the haunting, color-changing eyes of Lark. She sucked in a breath as his sweet scent surrounded her.
He was dressed casual in a fitted grey hoodie and dark jeans. Damn, he looked even hotter than the last time she saw him. “Are you following me?” she asked when she finally found her voice.
“I hate to break it to you, Princess, but you’re the one who followed me back here.” His mesmerizing eyes were a mossy green and pale violet. Aria frowned at him.
“Let’s try this again.Whyare you following me?” She met his eyes defiantly and heat snaked its way across her cheeks.
