chapter 93
Damien’s POV
I understood Reid’s desire to protect his mate, understood it in its entirety. But also understood Aria’s need to end this. It started with her father and she felt responsible for what happened to Lily and wanted to be sure it ended this time. Nearly the entire blood Moon Pack had showed up, and we were preparing for what was to come.
Instead of waiting for them to come to us, we were preparing to go to them. Mostly I preferred things on my terms. I was familiar with our lands so going to another was a little risky but this way they couldn’t keep slowly picking us off and hopefully when it is all said and done, Lily will be free, and we can go on with our lives.
Reid and I dragged everything into the guest house that was attached to the rear of the building, over the last couple of weeks I had it built for this purpose. Lily just assumed I was renovating at random, yet I had my reasons. It was supposed to be for David, but now that he is gone, it will now serve a purpose for Aria and Reid and the kids.
As much as Lily composed her excitement, I could tell she was happy her family was around, and felt her buzzing through the bond.
“Is that everything?” I ask, looking at Reid.
“Yeah, that’s everything. Thank the goddess. I don’t understand how she fits that much in the car” Reid mutters the end half to himself.
“So Aria’s pregnant?” Reid sits on the end of the bed placing his head in his hands, I could tell how stressed he was by the dark circles under his eyes and the way his shoulders hunched.
“Yeah, five weeks with twin boys this time, when are you going to start?” Reid says, looking up curiously.
“I don’t mean to pry, just I can’t smell your scent on her, so I am assuming you haven’t mated yet”
“Not from a lack of trying she was willing this morning, but you guys showed up” I tell him chuckling.
Reid sighs, “Well at least you got that weird implant out of her arm. Hate those things defies the goddess. But if she is willing, then hopefully soon I will have a niece or nephew running around” He says, making me furrow my eyebrows.
“Implant?” I ask, confused.
“Yeah, in her arm, Lily got it put in a couple years back, to stop her from getting them bleeding problems argh, never mind. Any way she can’t fall pregnant with it, it does something, I knew you being Alpha you would want an heir pretty quickly. So I am glad she came around to the idea. Lily was adamant she never wanted kids because of Layla”
I had no idea what he was talking about and felt nothing in her arm, then again, it wasn’t like I was looking for it either. I hadn’t known a single wolf who used birth control because like Reid said, it is up to the goddess.
“We should find out if it is still in her arm” Darian said. Making me nod to him.
“Coffee?” I ask before walking out. Reid hops off the end of the bed and follows me into the main house. Opening the sliding doors leading into the Kitchen the smell of fresh brewed coffee instantly hitting my nose. Natalia must have shown up. I see she was busily preparing breakfast and Lily was helping her while Ryker watched with eager eyes.
Reid walked in, messing his son’s hair before kissing Aria’s face.
“Sorry for yelling” He whispers to her and she nods before pecking his lips. Before grabbing another pickle and I watch horrified as she dips it in her bowl of ice cream. What a revolting concoction, I thought.
“Want some?” She asks when she catches me staring. Shaking my head, I walk over to Lily, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her neck. Ryker’s eyes watching, making me pull away.
“When are you going to have a baby like mum?” Ryker asks, making me wonder if he overheard his father and I talking. The kid was too smart for his own good, but I was also interested in hearing her answer.
“One day” She answers, smiling at him. Reaching past her, Reid looks at me before nodding and looking at Lily’s left arm. I nod, knowing he was trying to tell me which arm it was in, if it is still in her arm. I pour two mugs before handing him one.
Lily flipped pancakes while Natalia cooked bacon, sausages and eggs. After everyone ate, Reid stood up clearing his plate and so did I.
“Reid and I are going to organise the packs into housing and check on everyone” I tell Lily before kissing the top of her head before following Reid.
Lily POV
Aria relaxed all day while I started drawing and painting the wall in the room. Ryker followed me up and helped paint the background. I missed having him around and having so much family around. I never realised how lonely it actually was in this house. Like I knew it was lonely and always quiet, but I actually enjoyed the craziness and how loud the kids were as they ran up the halls. Made me think back to when I lived at my old pack house, which was always bustling with people and pack members.
It also reminded me of growing up with Amber. Ryker spent all day following me around helping with whatever task I was doing, whether it was mixing paint, cleaning brushes or just general cleaning. I could tell he wanted to say something but kept his lips sealed until I eventually demanded to know.
“What’s up with you?” I ask while I finish the last part of the background. It was nearly dinnertime, and I wanted to finish the background so hopefully it dries by tomorrow so I can finish it.
“Nothing, I just heard dad and uncle Damien talking this morning”
“About what?” I ask.
“Dad said you didn’t want kids, and that he was glad you came around to the idea and had some implant removed”
“So that’s why you asked this morning about when I would have a baby?” Ryker nodded.
“Why are you upset though?” I ask.
“Because dad said the implant in your arm means you can’t have babies, and Uncle Damien seemed upset”
“This is why you shouldn’t eavesdrop on adult conversations, Ryker. And I will have it removed and why do you care about me having babies?”
“Because mum banished you, you can’t come home till you’re marked and mated” Ryker said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“That was before, I know your mother will let me visit. Damien and I were planning to visit soon anyway before all this” I tell him.
“So you will come home?” He asks excitedly.
“Yes, but not like before Ryker, this is my home now, but I can visit you and you me. You will always be welcome here buddy” I tell him, hugging him. Ryker places his arms around me, squeezing tight, when suddenly Aria walks in. She examines the wall.
“That is coming along nicely, Lil” I smile at her.
“Come on Ryker, dinner is done and then you need to shower and go to bed” Aria tells him. Ryker runs downstairs and I gather brushes ready to wash and leave out to dry for the next day. Aria walks over before wrapping her arms around my shoulders, hugging me. I could feel the little baby bump against me.
“You heard Ryker?” I ask and I feel her nod.
“You know Lily, I did that for you. You could have come home, I would never turn my back on you. I just needed you to give this a shot first. You have a right to be happy sis” She whispers.
“I know and I am kinda, well will be once all this is over” I tell her honestly.
“I love you sis” I tell her, leaning my head against hers.
“And I love you, I should have told you when Kade first escaped” She says just as Reid and Damien walk in. Both of them looked to the wall.
“Wow, that looks great, Lily,” Reid says.
“It’s not done, yet” I tell him. Both Reid and Aria walk out, leaving me with Damien who was staring at the painting on the wall. I felt him step closer, wrapping his arms around me, and could feel the steady beating of his heart against my back.
“I had my doubts but glad I let you do it now, It looks great love” I nod before turning in his arms.
He looks down at me, a strange expression on his face. Layla purring in my head at his closeness.
“What is it?” I ask,
“We should talk after dinner” He says softly and I nod. Layla’s voice in my head.
“It’s about the birth control in your arm, I told you it was a bad idea” She said.
“Well, that wasn’t the reason I had it put in. I can remove it, besides I actually forgot about it till Ryker mentioned it. Do you think we would heal if I removed it?”
Layla nodded in my head. Might as well get it over with and not give him a reason to be upset. It’s not like I was hiding it from him. I honestly forget it’s even there.
“Come, we should head down” Damien says and I nod. As we are about to go down the stairs, I stop.
“You go ahead, I will be down in a second” Damien nods before walking down.
Going into the bathroom, I lock the door before shoving my shirt sleeve up.
“And you’re sure you want to do it?” Layla asks and I can feel her peering through my eyes looking at my arm.
“Yeah, having the kids here made me realise how much I want kids with him” I tell her. Letting my claws extend, I press one against my skin and hiss slightly, making it just big enough to pinch my fingers around the bar.
“That is so gross” Layla gags in my head. Gripping my fingers around the end, I pull on it and it doesn’t budge, constantly shifting had moved it deeper into my arm.
“Maybe slice your nail across it, opening it” Layla suggests. I do as she said, trusting that she would heal it. The thin little flexible bar comes out easily before I drop it on the counter. I watch amazed as the wound heals.
“I wonder why we can heal now?” I ask her.
“Little things yes but let’s not try for bigger injuries” She states.
“Damien marking us, I think helps but mainly I think it’s because our bond is stronger” She admits and I have to agree with her. My bond with Layla had grown greatly, and I loved that we had each other to lean on. Washing my arm, I then quickly wash my hands, slipping the bar in my pants pocket before heading down for dinner.
Everyone ate quickly, wanting to shower and go to bed, and I even convinced Natalia to have dinner with us for once. When everyone went to their rooms, I stacked the dishwasher with Damien’s help. I could tell he was nervous through the bond and slightly upset.
When we were done, Damien led me upstairs to our room, closing the door behind us. I flop down on the bed and Damien sits on the edge of the bed. Placing his head in his hands, not looking at me.
“Do you want kids?” He asks, and I know Layla was right, it’s about birth control.
“Yes, I do” I tell him. Damien looks up and I can tell he thinks I am just saying that to please him.
“Then why are you on birth control and why didn’t you tell me”
“Because I forgot about it, I wasn’t trying to keep it from you” I tell him, trying to pull him closer with my feet, but he pushes my feet away.
“You understand it has to come out then” He says, eyeing my arm like he wants to rip it out himself. Reaching into my pants pocket, I wriggle around trying to find it before pulling it out. Damien watches before he pinches the small rod between his fingers, his eyebrows furrowing.
“What’s this?” He asks, confused.
“My implant, I removed it earlier. Ryker said something to me” I tell him and I watch as his face lights up before he grips my ankles tugging me toward him.
I squeal at the sudden rush before I find myself on Damien’s lap, my legs straddling his and his arms wrapping around my waist tightly as he kisses me. His tongue tastes every inch of my mouth and I feel his grip on my hips tighten as he grinds them against him, making me moan at the friction. I can feel his erection pressing against me and I move my hips against him and he groans before flipping me onto my back so he is now between my legs as he grinds his hips into me.
“Does that mean, you’re still willing?” he says, grinding his hips into me harder. I chuckle before kissing him and wrapping my legs around his waist, pulling him closer.