Page 24 of Lycan and Lark
* * *
The office doors flew open upon her approach. Gideon’s assistant, James, came flying out like his fur was on fire. The scent of fear rolled off of him. She strode into the office, not bothering to knock.
“What did you do? Threaten to eat James? The poor guy looked like he’d shit his pants when he ran past me just now.” Gideon leaned against his desk and let out a deep sigh. She could sense his anguish, and quickly crossed the space between them. “Hey.” She squeezed his shoulder. “I know you’re still upset about…her…but you can’t keep taking it out on the rest of the pack. Your demeanor has been less than pleasant these past weeks.”
“What exactly are you saying?” Gideon’s tone was sharp, but Aria didn’t flinch. She was used to the big bad wolf.
“You’ve been a first class dick. An Alphahole. A royal pain in everyone’s wolf and ass. Haven’t you noticed everyone avoiding you?” She raised an eyebrow at him expectantly.
Gideon fixed his gaze on Aria. “I’m surprised you’re aware of what’s happening here in the pack considering you’ve been noticeably absent for months now.”
“That’s not true.” Guilt hit her like a ton of bricks and she took a step away, turning her eyes toward the window.
“I know you miss Nova, but you’ve got to make time for your other friends. You can’t just stay hidden in your apartment for days at a time.” He placed a soft hand on her arm. “I don’t know what really happened to you when you were taken. I know you say you can’t remember…” He stopped and Aria could feel his unspoken words hanging in the air between them. It hurt that he didn’t trust her. It hurt more that she had needed to lie to him, that she was still lying. He straightened up, seeming to find a new resolve. “We have guests coming in from the London territories this evening. I expect you to be visible and on your best behavior while they’re here.” The words were cold and harsh.
Aria did not like to be told what to do. Guilt, disappointment, and frustration stirred within her like a vile soup. Why did everyone have to continue to question her about that day? About Lark? She gritted her teeth. “Whatever you say,Alpha.” She glared up at him momentarily. Then she stormed out of the office.
She was sick and tired of being treated like a child. He thought he could force her to dress up and play nice with some stuffy old Alpha and his horrid children, no thanks. She wasn’t some living doll or a simple accessory to the Alpha. There would be no dining with foreign dignitaries tonight. She had other plans.
* * *
Aria stared out the window as the last traces of sun vanished from the sky. The stars peered through the wispy white clouds, giving glimpses of the sparkly worlds beyond. She heard that fairies came from the stars. That’s what her mother had told her when they would look up at the night sky together. Of course, Aria had never met a fairy. Maybe it was nothing more than a bedtime story. It must be lonely, gazing down from the heavens, she mused. She wondered if stars ever got sad. What a weird thought. Now she was literally projecting her own lonely feelings onto lumps of burning space rock.
She checked her phone again. No missed calls. Laurie hadn’t returned from whatever obligation she had to attend and Aria was literally losing her mind with boredom. She was on her way to the fridge to consume yet another unneeded snack when the phone rang. Aria ran, jumping over the back of the couch, and snatched the phone from the coffee table.
“Laurie! Thank goodness. I’m losing my shit in here. Are you on your way up? And did you bring any wine? Because I may have already dipped into our girls’ night stash…”
“Aria. This is Laurie. I’m sorry but there is an emergency. Can you please come to the green out back?”
Aria frowned. Laurie sounded like a robot. The usual warmth and soothing tone was nonexistent in her speech. “What kind of emergency?” But Laurie was gone. Aria dialed the number again. No response. She sprinted out of the apartment wearing a cami-and-shorts set and fluffy pink slippers. She opted for the stairs, allowing her lycan speed to move her quickly down.
The door opened onto the first floor and she turned toward the back of the building. The green was a clearing just outside the training rooms. It was sometimes used for outdoor training, but mostly it served as a communal space for bonfires and after-hours socializing. Tonight it was empty.
“Laurie?” Aria surveyed the darkness. She moved farther out into the clearing, edging closer to the woods beyond. She breached the tree line, using her lycan senses to search for any sounds or movements nearby. “Laurie?” she called again. She peered into the woods, searching each shadowy space between the flourishing trees. Even her wolf was coming up empty.
The silence surrounding her took on its own menacing presence and she shivered under the endless sky. Was something watching her? She spun toward the complex and screamed.
“Lost, little princess?” Lark’s hand whipped forward, gripping her arm. The complex dropped out of sight before she had even closed her mouth.
The warm, golden-wood cabin took shape a moment later. Lark towered over her, his massive silhouette illuminated by the fire’s glow.
“What the fuck are you thinking scaring me like that? I almost had a heart attack!” Aria had her hand to her chest. She took several settling breaths and the incessant thumping beneath her fingers finally slowed.
Lark’s eyes pinned her to the spot. The harsh gold and vibrant turquoise irises glared down at her. “You’re done avoiding me.” It wasn’t a question ofifshe had been. It was a statement, a command.
“I haven’t been avoiding you.” Aria folded her arms indignantly.
Lark moved in closer, inhaling deeply. “I’d know that was a lie even if I couldn’t smell it on you.”
“What were you doing in the woods?” She deflected his statement with a question. Wait. What was she doing out there? Laurie! “Shit, I have to get back. Laurie needs me!” Aria searched for her phone, which seemed to have vanished from her hand at some point.
“No she doesn’t.”
“Yes, she does. She called me. There is some sort of emergency, so I need you to take me back.” His body remained still and she cried out in frustration. “Didn’t you hear me?”
“There is no emergency. Laurie is fine. She’s forgotten about your girls’ night and is headed home to check on her kids.”
Aria’s eyes narrowed. “What did you do?”
