Page 13 of Lycan and Lark
It looked like Aria was going on a date. The first date since she met Lark. Who knows, maybe it would be fun. Plus there would be free food and drinks and a chance to get out of the complex. What’s the worst that could happen?
* * *
The walk back to the complex was beautiful and the scent of honeysuckle was even stronger on the late-summer breeze.
Honeysuckle made her think of Gideon. As kids they would run barefoot through the woods all day. This time of year, it had always been a competition to see who could find the most mountain honeysuckle before its short blooming season was over. Gideon was much taller than Aria, and had access to the higher vines and bushes. She remembered stretching up on tiptoes, trying to reach the perfect flower, and eventually falling to the ground in exasperation and defeat. Gideon had grinned at her, and then plucked a dozen or more flowers from the higher areas, laying them gently in her lap. She stared up at him in admiration as they sucked the sweet nectar out of each honeysuckle blossom.
Things had been so simple then. Gideon was the best big brother and he had always watched out for her, especially since their parents passed.
He was an incredible Alpha, too. He always put his pack first. They trusted him, and knew he would continue to do what was necessary to ensure the pack thrived. Recently, however, he had been a bit of a bear. The woman from Aria’s birthday party seemed to have broken his heart, or at least seriously wounded his ego, and he had been monstrously douchy ever since she skipped out on him.
Caught up in memories, Aria found herself mindlessly walking toward his office. She could use a visit with her big bro. Gideon’s voice could be heard from all the way down the hall. He was in deep conversation with someone. She stopped in front of his office, hand hovering just above the knob, and stilled. “Keep an eye on her.” Aria’s heart beat faster. “You and I both know she hasn’t been the same.”
“You want me to have her followed again?” There was the unmistakable voice of the Ulric pack’s Beta, Lance.
Gideon sighed loudly on the other side of the door. “She’s too smart for the private security teams. Have Laurie watch her and keep you updated. Eventually I’ll find out what she’s hiding. If she won’t tell me, then I have no choice but to keep a close eye on Aria. I don’t know if this is the right move but I’m worried about her.”
Aria stepped away from the door. Her chest went cold. Suddenly she and Gideon seemed a million miles apart. He wanted her friends to spy on her? Laurie wouldn’t do it. Aria knew her friend better than that, but the fact that Gideon even suggested it her made her stomach churn. Her feet moved her swiftly down the hallway and back into the elevator. She didn’t want to lie to Gideon. She couldn’t tell him the truth. So for now she would stay away. Her wolf huffed. It didn’t like all the isolating they had been doing since Lark first disappeared. She didn’t like it, either.
Aria’s apartment welcomed her into its silent retreat. She curled up on the couch and daydreamed about multicolored eyes and sweet skin. Maybe tonight would be fun. In fact, she decided she would make it fun. She would give this out-of-town lycan a fair chance and do her best to ignore all thoughts of Lark. Her wolf growled its disagreement but she brushed the animal off.It’s for the best.
* * *
Pre-date butterflies fluttered through Aria’s stomach. She wasn’t one to get nerves before a night out. She blew through life with an “I just wanna see if I can” attitude which set her up for an excess of fun and minimal disappointments. So why was she feeling so jittery? Her wolf was sulking so much. It clearly wasn’t on board with the new lycan planning on wining and dining them this evening.Well we can’t wait for Lark forever.Just thinking his name made her swallow anxiously. Her wolf huffed like that’s exactly what they could do.
Aria released a shaky breath and finished her makeup. She had settled on a shimmery pink halter dress and gold heels. The dress hugged her in all the right places and made her cleavage look pretty damn perfect. She brushed through her hair with jerky strokes as it once again failed to produce the look she desired. “Fuck it. I’m just going to put it in a ponytail.” She whipped the hair up with fingers that had done this a million times.
“Stop huffing over there. You are grade-A gorgeous no matter what you wear or do with your hair.” Ginger finished her own makeup and blew herself a kiss in the mirror. “Perfect!” Her cell phone buzzed and she snatched it up eagerly. “They’re here. Are you ready?”
Aria gave herself a final touch of pink lip gloss and nodded. “Let’s do this, bitch.”
The boys were waiting in the lobby when they arrived. “Dane!” Gigi flung herself into the arms of her boyfriend. Dane was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. His chocolatey skin and topaz eyes made him swoon worthy. Not to mention he was built. Likebuilt, built. His broad muscles flexed beneath his red t-shirt and leather jacket. He was a newer addition to the pack and the two had only begun dating recently. He pulled Ginger close, kissing her deeply before turning to Aria.
“This is Hunter,” Dane introduced, “he’s visiting from my old pack in California.” Dane clapped the other man on the shoulder. Aria bit back a low whistle. He was definitely hot. Hunter was all rowing-team, Norwegian god. Big, blond, and with a smile that would melt your panties in an instant. His skin was tan and his warm gold eyes burned into her.
“This is Aria,” Gigi chirped from beneath Dane’s arm.
“Nice to meet you, Aria.” Hunter reached out and took her hand. She stared up into his golden gaze but her heart didn’t do any flip-flops, despite his good looks.
“Hi.” She shook his hand and gave him her best smile.
“You ladies ready to go?” Dane asked. It took Gigi a minute but she finally peeled her eyes away from Aria and Hunter and practically squealed with excitement.
They headed out of the complex, making small talk and laughing. Aria could feel herself relaxing. No doubt the help of the shots she and Ginger had taken before the boys arrived. Hunter put his arm around her shoulder as they walked. She tensed momentarily as that unfamiliar guilty butterfly fluttered within her. She breathed in the warm night air and allowed herself to relax into his hold. Hunter smelled clean and somewhat floral. It was a pleasant scent, but it didn’t drive her into a dizzy, blood-surging haze like Lark’s scent did. Not that she was thinking about him. Okay maybe she was. Maybe she wasalwaysthinking about him. Her wolf huffed unhappily and she rolled her eyes.Our date is being sweet to us so be nice, you furry bitch.
The walk to the Daybreak Lounge was fairly quick and everyone seemed to be loosened up by the time they stepped inside. Warm lights bathed the lounge in a soft orange glow and jazz music floated across the air as they cozied into their booth.
Aria downed her drink as soon as it arrived. She pressured the rest of their group to do the same and pretty soon they were diving into their third round. Hunter hung his arm over Aria’s shoulder. He brushed his fingertips lightly over her bare shoulder and she shivered. Ginger shot her a smirk from across the table and Aria threw a peanut at her. She dismissed the projectile with a flick of her wrist and then jumped into some story about twins and lycan reflexes. Aria giggled at her friend’s ridiculous tale. Ginger was a lightweight for a lycan and she was already swaying in her seat.
Aria allowed herself to look up at Hunter. His golden eyes gleamed down at her under the sunset lighting. He smiled and she returned the grin. His fingers still brushed along her skin and fire began to burn within her. The doors to the lounge swung inward and just as quickly as the fire ignited, the flames flickered out.
He’s here.
The man who walked into the lounge appeared to be a stranger. He had buzzed brown hair and hazel eyes. He was tall and fit, wearing charcoal slacks and a white button-up. She had never seen him before and yet, she knew with painful certainty that it was Lark. His eyes scanned the room then landed on her. They flicked to the hand toying with her upper arm and his jaw ticked. He walked slowly toward the bar, taking a seat across from their booth. Aria couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He ordered a drink and turned back to face her. Aria swallowed thickly. His eyes were a warning and she squirmed beneath his gaze. Several women approached him and he shrugged each one off. Aria looked around and noticed more women gazing over at him, doe-eyed. An irritating pang of jealousy bit into her flesh.
He ghosted us, she reminded herself. A few moments in his presence and she had nearly forgotten the days of frustration and turmoil that his absence had caused her. A fresh wave of irritation rose up in her. She turned to face Lark’s glamour and then slowly slid closer into the crook of Hunter’s arm.
Lark’s jaw ticked again and she was rewarded with the sight of his knuckles turning white as they gripped his glass.
