Page 39 of Lycan and Lark
She looked up into Gideon’s eyes. There was a joy there that she hadn’t seen from him in years, maybe even since before he’d been burdened with the title of Alpha. It spread warmth through her heart. She threw herself in his arms and he lifted her off the ground. Her feet dangled in the air as she squeezed him more tightly. “I’m so happy for you, Gideon.”
He tightened his hold and spoke softly in her ear. “Thank you. I’ve missed having my little sister around.” Gideon set Aria on her feet and she turned toward Dahlia, gazing down at her belly.
“Auntie Aria. That has a really nice ring to it. You two are going to be spoiled rotten.” Aria spoke into Dahlia's stomach and Dahlia giggled.
“Definitely true.”
“Aria!” Aria whipped her head around at the familiar voice.
“Nova!” She ran down the hall, wrapping Nova in a tight embrace. She pulled back, checking Nova’s eyes and groping around her face. “You’re still human right? Well, Celestial, I mean. No one turned you into a lycan?”
Nova grinned. “No lycan, just me, but there is a little wolf that I've been dying for you to meet.” Nova turned her body, revealing Darren just behind her.
“Darren! How dare you keep my friend away from me for so long. Did you know my birthday—” Aria’s words died in her throat when she noticed the tiny bundle in Darren’s arms. “What. Is. That?” Nova gently scooped the bundle into her own arms and turned to face Aria. “You had a baby? I didn’t even know you were pregnant.” Aria tried not to sound as hurt as she felt.
Darren gave Aria’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Gideon sent us away to protect us when he found out about the pregnancy. You know Nova would never intentionally keep something like this from you.”
Aria swallowed the lump in her throat. “I understand.”
“This is Aspen. Meet your Auntie Aria.” A tiny baby boy peered up at Aria. He had soft, golden eyes and a thin layer of shiny, silver hair covering his little head.
Aria reached out a hand to stroke his cheek. “He’s perfect.” She looked back and forth at the people around her. “Mates, proposals, lycan transformations, pregnancy announcements, and an actual baby. This really feels like the worst month to have missed out on. Is there anything else I need to know about?”
“Lucas died and Dahlia brought him back to life,” Darren said with an amused smirk.
“True. And your boyfriend ripped Creedin’s head off,” Dahlia added.
“What? Creedin is dead?” Aria couldn’t even touch the whole brought-back-from-the-dead right now.
Dahlia nodded. “Yep. Lark just appeared out of nowhere and killed him. He saved my life. Well honestly I think he saved all of us.”
Aria faced Gideon. “Is all of that true?”
Gideon’s jaw was set. “It is.”
“And you’re still keeping him locked up like some prisoner?” Aria’s wolf moved near the surface and a growl scraped across her words.
“One good deed cannot atone him for the long list of sins he committed under Creedin’s command. He will have to earn our trust.”
“You don’t know anything about him.” Aria’s voice dropped low as her wolf began to take control, easing them into a shift. An unexpected snarl snapped her attention away from Gideon. Dahlia’s eyes were glowing a vibrant green. Gideon's mate clutched her stomach as her lip pulled back, baring teeth.
Gideon released his own growl. “Aria, get your wolf in check. Dahlia is still learning to control her animal, and it’s extremely protective of me. Do not provoke it.” Gideon’s tone bordered on an Alpha command. Aria took a deep breath, urging her wolf back into the recesses of her mind.
Gideon reached for Dahlia, cupping her cheeks. “Come on, honey, breathe. You’re safe but now is not the time for a shift. Aria’s wolf is just stressed. She’s not going to hurt anyone. Do you need to go for a run?”
Dahlia’s face was drawn tight as she nodded.
“I need to talk to Aria for—”
“It can’t wait.” A low growl rumbled through Dahlia as she spoke through clenched teeth.
“I’ll take her.” Darren rushed forward.
“Is that okay with you?” Gideon swallowed hard.
Dahlia reached for Darren’s arm in an affirmation to Gideon’s question.
“I’ll keep her safe, Alpha,” Darren encouraged.
