Blood Moon (26 page)

Abruptly, Lukas released her, and she staggered. The whole Alpha wolf thing could be arousing, but annoying. She couldn’t handle anymore. Cern offered his hand and she took it.

“That’s enough from all of you.” Cern’s rebuke cracked through the tension between the two Shifters.

“What are you up to? And what did they mean when they said meeting with Aria under your approval?” Haemon demanded.

Cern’s smile was less than kind. “It means I have final say over who comes and goes around Aria. I will decide whether or not you will be allowed to see her, and I will not allow you to see her alone. Period. Either of you.”

Lukas and Haemon both started to protest, and Aria whirled on Cern. “What? Neither of them? But Lukas is my Mate!”

Cern shrugged. “Remember, absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

“Are you three having second thoughts about your decision?” Jonas appeared over Lukas’ shoulder.

“No,” Aria said with a sigh. “We were just discussing the possibilities.”

Lukas and Haemon stared at each other, the air between them charged with static. Her stomach did an uneasy somersault as she looked between them, wondering if they were sharing more than just an angry glance.

“If the two of you are done posturing, it is time for you to pack and leave.” Jonas motioned for them to lead the way from the room.

Lukas offered a tight smile. “Why so eager to be rid of us, Jonas?”

“You are all unpredictable, and I don’t want you under my roof when you decide to do something else stupid.”

***

Cern and Aria were the first downstairs. Aria took a seat in the airy foyer and watched Cern pace the marble floor. Until Jonas gave approval, they could not leave.

“What is going through your manipulative little brain, Cern?” she asked. Of her choices, Cern was the least of the evils. But his intentions still confused her, and that made her wary.

He frowned. “Don’t be like that, Aria. I’ve got your best interests at heart.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, okay.”

“Just trust me.”

She snorted. That ship had sailed.

Jonas emerged from the back of the house and motioned to Cern. Without a second glance to Aria, he followed Jonas through the doorway into a small parlor. The door shut firmly behind them. Aria sighed. So much for listening in.

Fatigue weighed in her body, head falling into her hands. The heat and scent of an unwelcome presence snapped her eyes open. Haemon’s face hovered a hairsbreadth from her own. His wolves carried suitcases outside, leaving the two of them alone in the hall.

“Aria.”

One word and her pulse skyrocketed. Her hands gripped the arms of the chair so tight her palms ached. Haemon laughed, one finger tracing her jaw.

“You aren’t anywhere close to rid of me, Aria. This is merely a temporary setback.” His fingers clamped over hers on the chair, his nails digging into her flesh. “What I really want to know is what you’ve gotten into now. Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I haven’t visited your dreams lately. How did you keep me out, Aria? You aren’t strong enough.”

Anger drew a snarl from her lips. She hadn’t realized it, being so focused on Lukas and the Pack. But he hadn’t been in her dreams since that night at the waterfall.

He cocked his head, nostrils flaring as he leaned closer as if to decipher the scents clinging to her skin. “Who protected you? Lukas couldn’t. He was too far away. That only leaves Cern.” His icy eyes seemed to glow and he laughed, the smell of his breakfast washing over her face. “Oh, yes. You bit him. It all makes sense now.”

A door opened down the hallway, but neither of them bothered to acknowledge the sound.

“Haemon?” Aria whispered.

“Yes?”

“You have exactly ten seconds before I show you exactly how I injured Cern.”

His grin only widened. Aria wasn’t sure what would have happened, but Cern and Jonas drew closer, and Haemon released her. He stepped back, brushing his hand through his hair as he nodded to the other two men.

“What’s going on?” Cern couldn’t seem to decide which one of them to study.

“We were just expressing our opinions. We’re finished.” Aria glared at Haemon’s mocking façade as she spoke. Hate radiated off her.

Haemon released the handle on the small suitcase resting beside him. “For now.”

With a slight bow, he opened the front door and walked out. A few moments later, a car door slammed and they heard the sound of tires in gravel driving away.

“You are more trouble than you’re worth,” Jonas commented, exhaustion outlining the fine lines of his mouth.

“I do my best,” she replied, with a wide sweep of her arm.

Lukas appeared at the top of the curved staircase. The others followed, tension palpable in the air around them. Thaddeus and Lawrence kept sliding hostile glances at Sebastian. Her curiosity piqued, Aria wondered what she’d missed overnight.

“Aria, I am so glad to see you. This bunch is no fun,” Thaddeus whined. Sebastian stayed several feet away, pretending an intense interest in the view outside the window.

Aria raised her eyebrows and jerked her thumb towards Sebastian. Thaddeus shook his head.

“Later,” Thaddeus mouthed. He elbowed his brother, holding out an open palm.

Lawrence slapped a set of keys in them. He glowered. “I said I’d drive.”

Thaddeus picked up his suitcase with a grunt. “And we’d like to get there in one piece.”

“Don’t listen to him. I’m an excellent driver,” Lawrence told Aria, waving off his brother’s comment.

Cern cupped her elbow, drawing her to Lukas and Jonas. They stood near the doorway, arguing.

“Now what? Really, this is getting old,” Aria interrupted, balling her hands on her hips. “Surprise me and tell me you’re arguing about something other than us.” She’d reached her limit of dumb arguments for the day.

“You’re going home with me,” Lukas stated, without looking at her.

“You can’t, Lukas. You agreed to the terms,” Jonas argued.

Aria pinched the bridge of her nose. “This is stupid.”

All three men turned to her. Lukas and Jonas appeared annoyed. Cern’s perpetually amused smirk was beginning to drive her nuts. She threw her hands in the air. “We don’t have a choice, Jonas. How else do you expect us to get home?”

He opened his mouth and then shut, face glowering.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Cern and I have to ride with them. Technically, it isn’t violating any rule. We’re in the car with them, under Cern’s supervision and with his permission. That upholds all your stipulations.”

“The Council did not have this in mind when it made those rules.” Jonas threw up his hands. “If we’re going on your logic, you could just stay in the MacLeod Pack house as long as Cern’s there!”

A slow grin lit Aria’s face, and Cern’s booming laugh echoed through the foyer. “Why, Councilor, that’s the best idea you’ve had in decades.”

Jonas stared at them, his face slowly turning red. Lukas shrugged. “Hey, you’re the one that mentioned it.”

“Get the fuck out of here.” Jonas turned on his heel, muttering obscenities, stalked into a nearby room, and slammed the door hard enough to knock a vase of flowers to the floor.

Her mood lifted, considerably. Aria smiled and looped her arms through Lukas and Cern’s elbow. “Shall we?”

Chapter Twenty-six

“
I can drive!” Lawrence argued with Thaddeus, trying to wrench the keys from his hand. Cern closed the door behind them, and Lukas seized Aria’s waist, while one hand plucked the keys from Thaddeus hand and tossed them to Cern.

“Cern can drive.” He slid the door open and released Aria. She started to sit in the first bench of seats, but Lukas shook his head. “You and I are sharing the back seat.”

Thaddeus whistled, and Lukas shoved his shoulder. “Shut up, Thaddeus.”

She crawled into the seat, Lukas quickly following. The space felt cramped with his large frame, but he hauled her against his side, one arm around her. She leaned against him, resting her head on his chest. The muscles around her shook for a moment, and then the tension drained out of them.

“This is going to be a very long two weeks if we can’t be alone.”

She kissed the side of his neck, laughing. “What Cern and the Council don’t know can’t hurt us. I’m sure Ella will help us out.”

Lukas groaned. “One mention and she’ll be turning into our own personal covert ops coordinator.”

Aria giggled, burrowing closer to Lukas. His other arm came around her, and he struggled to turn in the seat, stretching his long legs out and resting back against the window. He pulled her closer, and she curled up on his lap, her head pillowed on his chest.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there last night.”

She didn’t have to ask what he meant. His voice rumbled in his chest, mingling with his heartbeat under her ear. The sounds comforted her in ways she hadn’t even realized she needed.

“And you were supposed to know, how? Don’t worry about it, Lukas. I can take care of myself.”

“I know. But I don’t want you to have to.” One large hand stroked her hair.

She couldn’t suppress a yawn. The warmth and comfort seeping from his body into hers had her relaxing more than she had in days.

Sleep, baby. I just need to hold you for a while.

She slid her arm around his waist, squeezing him tightly. “No way. You’ll think too much.”

The car jerked a little, and they were on their way. Thaddeus poked his head over the seat, grinning like an idiot. “Woo! Aren’t we cozy. Don’t do anything back there or Cern will have to make you pay later.”

Aria sent him a pointed glare. “Thaddeus, go away.”

“You two need a babysitter.”

Lukas deep voice rumbled over her head. “Let me put it this way, turn around or I’ll break your nose.”

“Geez. A little excitement and you two just get boring.” Thaddeus flopped into his seat.

Lukas started laughing first. Before long, Aria shook with her chuckles. Boring. Now there was something she’d love to see.

“Thaddeus, the day my life gets boring, I will sponsor the pub crawl.”

His eyes twinkled over the back of the seat. “I’ll remember that.”

Aria settled back, her body becoming heavy. With the release of her stress, her weariness was almost overwhelming. Lukas hummed softly, his hand stroking her hair and back. Without really meaning to, she finally fell asleep.

When Aria woke, they were nearly home. Her head rested on Lukas’ thighs, her forehead nestled against his stomach. His hands were lifting her head when she turned to find a pained expression on his face.

“Sorry to wake you, baby.” It sounded like he was gargling rocks.

She sat up, pushing her hair out of her face and blinking. He adjusted his waistband. A slow smile curved her lips and she covered her laugh with one hand. “I guess I caused some problems while I was sleeping.”

“I was getting a cramp in my back when I woke up, and I moved you to sit up. Then you started trying to get closer.”

She grinned, sheepishly. “I was cold.”

He shook his head. “Then we’re even. I’m burning up.”

She winked at him as the car pulled off the main highway. “I’ll see what Ella and I can cook up tomorrow.”

Sunset colored the horizon outside the tinted windows, and Thaddeus and Lawrence’s heads bobbled with the thumping tempo, pulsing through the speakers.

“Interesting music choice.”

Lukas sighed. “You have no idea. He’s been listening to this crap for the last forty minutes.

Cern was surprisingly bright. “Hey, this is the latest and greatest, I’ll have you know. I am keeping up with the times.”

Thaddeus stretched, emitting a loud yawn. “Oh yeah, Cern. You da shit, homie.”

They stopped at a gas station, and everyone unfolded their bodies from the car. After appeasing her body’s need in the bathroom and taking care of everyone’s snack orders, Aria returned. She passed out candy bars, chips, and soda.

“I don’t know how to get to your house from here. Who’s driving?” Cern asked, dangling the keys. Lawrence started for them, but a familiar and unwelcome hand snatched them first.

“I’d love to help out.”

Haemon’s grin widened at the shock on all their faces.

“What the hell…?” Aria trailed off.

Haemon laughed. “I know my main Pack house is several hours away, but I decided to get a little closer until the Challenge happens.” His glare flicked to Cern. “After all, Aria, I want my opportunity to spend time with you.”

She took two steps toward him, a growl escaping her throat. Lukas’ hands pulled her back.

Haemon flipped the keys to Thaddeus, who caught them with one hand. “Have a good trip. I’ll see you soon, Aria.”

He sauntered off towards the station, whistling softly.

“Someday, I’m going to kill him.” Aria bit the words out as she watched him open the glass doors and head inside.

Lukas’ hand rubbed circles on her back. “Not if I get there first.” When she tilted her head up and looked at him, he winked. “If you’re really good, I’ll save you a piece.”

They loaded into the car and made the last thirty minutes of the drive in tense silence. Aria sat next to Lukas, absorbing his warmth and trying to understand what she was going to do about Cern. He had reverted back to his old, jovial self and seemed to have forgotten about their spat the night before. She could not. Something existed between Haemon and Cern—something that not even the Council knew about. It also made her uneasy that he knew about the power surges, which were becoming harder and harder to control. She had never told him, never told anyone before.

When they pulled onto the driveway of the house, she had made up her mind to speak with Cern before they went inside. She needed some answers.

***

“Cern, we have to work some things out before we go any farther.”

He handed his suitcase to Lukas. She smiled and pushed at her Mate’s shoulder. “Go on. We won’t be long.”

The others left, and a few curious onlookers crowded the windows of the den. “What is going on between you and Haemon?”

Cern huffed, crossing his arms. “Well, you don’t pull any punches, do you?”