Page 52 of Country and Clove
Graham grabbed the shocked woman, diving in for a passionate kiss. Her fist came up so fast and hard, even Aaron didn’t see it coming. She clocked Graham, sending the big man toppling over and out cold.
Tawny was over there in a heartbeat. She stepped between the two. Graham’s eyes opened and he shook his head as he got to his feet. The other Alpha was seething. “What the hell just happened? And why did you kiss my Beta?”
Graham’s eyes flicked between the two. “Your Beta? I kissed her because she’s my fated mate.”
Tawny spun, eyes trained on the blonde woman who was still standing silent.
“Don’t deny it.” Graham shoved toward her. “I know you heard the call.”
“Taia, is this true?” Tawny’s eyes were piercing as they bore into her. The tall woman, apparently named Taia, shifted uncomfortably. She took a deep breath in and blew it out with a loud sigh.
“I heard it.” She peered at Graham. His eyes lit up and he dove in for another kiss. Taia punched him again and he stumbled back. “I said I heard the call. Back off. I don’t even know you.”
Aaron stepped forward. “Graham, maybe you should give her some space.”
The other lycan ignored him. “I’m Graham. I think you’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever laid eyes on. I know you don’t know anything about me, but I’m in love with you already.”
“Okay, buddy, that’s the opposite of giving her space.” Aaron placed a gentle hand on Graham’s shoulder. He shrugged him off.
“All right, let’s all just take a second to breathe.” Tawny placed her hands on Graham’s chest. “Taia, why don’t you and Graham head into my house and have a chat. We’ll be waiting for you out back. Davey!”
“Yes, Alpha?” He appeared by her side.
“Get some supper started for everyone who just returned,” Tawny ordered. Taia and Graham headed toward the house while the rest of the group hurried around back. Graham was continually trying to reach out for Taia’s hand. She slapped it away each time. Tawny cut her burning gaze at Aaron.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Aaron groaned.
“Y’all been here less than seventy-two hours and look at the shit pile you’ve managed to stir up.” Her arms were folded and her fingers tapped repetitively against her sleeve.
“We had no idea when we came here that any of this would happen. Not the Celestial emergences or the mating bonds. It’s as surprising to us as it is to you,” he assured her earnestly.
Her posture remained tense. “We’ll have our pack discussion this evening and I’ll have an answer for you by morning. After that, I think it’s best if y’all head on back home.”
“I understand.” Aaron bowed his head slightly.
The Texas pack, now doubled in size, gathered ’round the fire, eating and laughing and asking a million questions. Everyone was interested in the Celestials and a sort of magical show-and-tell soon ensued. Nova dazzled them by turning the small bonfire into a roaring blue beacon that shot up into the night sky. The others jumped back in surprise, but applauded as she returned it to its normal size. Next came the ice magic. Creating a snowstorm in the middle of a heatwave must have required a tremendous amount of energy, but Nova looked as graceful as ever as she commanded the large, sparkling snowflakes with ease. The younger children went wild for it. Several of the newer pups even shifted into their wolf forms, snapping at snowflakes in the air and rolling around in the fresh powder that accumulated on the ground.
Darren looked on with dreamy eyes and Aaron smiled to himself. He finally understood how his friends had been feeling. His own gaze settled on Clove where she sat next to him. He gave her fingers a squeeze and she turned, leaning forward and planting a soft kiss on his lips. Having her by his side so publicly sent a rush of warm fuzzies bustling through him. When he was with Clove, he was in heaven.
Lark was next. He awed the crowd by teleporting all around the space, even ending up on the roof of Tawny’s home at one point. The little ones raced around, trying to guess where he’d appear next. The small group turned on him when he teleported nearby, and he was suddenly dogpiled by six little lycans. Those in human form wrestled with him, while the few in wolf form licked his face and yipped excitedly.
Next to Aaron, Aria sniffled. She was teary-eyed and smiling. Her hand rested on her belly and Aaron knew she was thinking of the way Lark would be with their own children. Aaron’s wolf sent him a vision of Clove, belly round with his second pup while she chased a toddler around the green behind the complex. His eyes drifted to her stomach and she glared at him.
“I see those cogs turning. Don’t get any ideas about knocking me up.” She gave him a knowing smirk. Aaron’s mouth popped open in surprise.
“How in the hell did you know that’s what I was thinking about?”
Clove grinned back at him before leaning in close. “I don’t know if I’m ready for kids yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get in plenty of practice for when the time comes.” Her green and gold eyes shimmered with the reflection of the flickering flames. Aaron let out a low growl and dragged her in for another kiss.
“Well, darlin’. I’m suddenly thinking we should call it a night.” He dipped down, skimming his lips against the base of her throat. Several screams pulled their attention back to the younger pups wrestling Lark. He’d zapped them with enough static electricity to make their hair stand on end and their fur puff out like a Pomeranian. The adults roared with laughter and the kids tried and failed to tame their wild new looks. Lark got to his feet, sending a few wild bolts of electricity into the sky in beautiful arcing patterns. The crowd clapped and cheered for him. Lark’s face was alight with a smile Aaron had never seen before. The tortured lycan probably never imagined himself being at the center of a crowd of lycans all cheering him on and calling his name. It was refreshing to see him looking so utterly relaxed and happy.
“Do you have any magic?” a dark-haired boy asked Darren.
“In the bedroom,” Nova whispered under her breath. The group absolutely lost it, laughing and slapping their chairs. Nova’s cheeks burned as red as the bonfire. “Stupid lycan hearing,” she muttered, burying her face in her hands.
“How about her?” The same little boy pointed to Aria.
“She has a super power,” Lark told them.
