Chapter 39
Silas
When they found out I had bonded with Lark, my parents insisted that we come over for an impromptu celebration.
“Lucy’s feeling better,” I say. “Mom insisted that we come by to celebrate my bond with Lark and that Lucy’s finally feeling more like herself.”
“Does she want us all there?” Graham lifts Lark to the countertop and stands between her thighs. He claimed he was having Lark withdrawals and has refused to leave her side since we came downstairs this morning. From the blissed-out look on her face, I can tell she doesn’t mind.
“Of course she wants everybody to come.” Graham looks pleased. He’d already declared today a vacation day, so he’ll be there. “They’re fixing lunch for all of us.”
Saint hands Lark her latte. “I’ll be there, too.” He leans in and kisses her cheek as she takes her first sip.
“I need to do a few things before we go,” she says. “The warehouse owner is giving me all kinds of hell about honoring my leasing agreement.”
My blood boils. Last night, between two of our several rounds of marathon sex, she had explained how the guy who owned the second warehouse was refusing to refund the cost of the second lease.
“Can’t you just threaten him with a lawyer?” Saint asks.
Lark frowns. “I have. I don’t think he’ll give in until this goes to court.”
“But you’ll win,” Graham declares.
She shrugs. “My lawyers seem to believe so. But it still holds my company’s money hostage until the case is finalized.”
I put my coffee on the counter. “We’re all here today. Let us help you look over the documents. Maybe if we all review it, one of us will spot something that will force his hand before it requires a lawsuit.”
The bond buzzes, warm and steady, with Lark’s love for me. I send it back to her and a stunning smile curves her full lips.
She hands Saint her cup, then pulls Graham even closer, wrapping her legs around his waist. “Take me to the office.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He sweeps her from the counter like she weighs nothing, smacks her ass, then carries her to the back of the house to our shared office space.
We spend several hours reviewing documents and making plans. When we spill out the door for the short walk to my parents’ house, we feel confident about how we’ll handle the situation.
My parents have the backyard set up for a cookout. When we arrive, Pops is hanging a congratulations banner from the gazebo and Dad is checking the grill.
“They’re here,” Lucy shouts, launching herself at me. I catch her easily. She pulls me into a tight hug before turning and doing the same to Lark.
“I’m so happy for you,” she gushes.
I place my arm around Lark’s shoulders. “You look good, Luce.”
Her color is better than it’s been in months. A bit of dark hair is coming back, soft and new, at the crown of her head. It’s coming in patchy but give it a few months and she’ll have enough to style in one of those super short cuts that some women wear.
“I feel good,” she says. “I’m not officially in remission yet, but the doctor has a good feeling.”
Lark bumps Graham. “We know all about those feelings, don’t we?”
He chuckles before hugging Lucy. “Glad you’re feeling better, Lucy.”
“Hey, Loo,” Saint says, taking his turn for a Lucy hug, then turning to my waiting mother. She holds him tight for a second too long before releasing him.
Her face beams as she steps closer to Lark. “Silas, are you going to introduce me to your mate?”
I make the introductions. Mom, Pops, Dad, and Daniel all take turns greeting Lark.
“Oh, she’s lovely!” Mom claps her hands together. “You’ve done very well for yourself, Silas.”
Lark is clearly charmed by my mother. “It's really nice to meet you, Mrs. Caron." She says it with a perfectly straight face, even though I know she's thinking about Karen Caron.
Lark puts her hand out to shake mom’s hand, but she just swats it away, pulling Lark in for a tight hug instead. “Jeremy says you’ve met.”
Lark turns toward my pops.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
A slight blush graces her cheeks, but she meets his eyes easily enough. “Really good.” His mouth twitches like he knows exactly what she means but he doesn’t say it.
Dad puts out his hand. “Al,” he says, “Or dad. Whichever you prefer.” Lark just nods then turns to greet my third father.
“Hello, I’m Lark.” She sticks out her hand.
He gives her a slow, measured look before nodding once, then taking her hand in his. “Daniel.”
Lark meets it without flinching. I exhale. Daniel has made grown alphas uncomfortable with that look.
“Geez, Daniel,” Lucy says bumping him out of the way with her hip. “Don’t gush.”
Dad chuckles. “Find a seat, everyone. Food’s almost ready.”
We gather around the long outdoor table. It was one of the first pieces I made when I started my business.
“This is nice,” Lark says, running her palm along the top.
“Silas made it,” my mom beams.
Lark sits down and Lucy immediately grabs the seat to her left.
As her newly bonded mate, I take the one to her right.
Dad places a plate piled high with burgers in front of us.
I place one on Lark’s plate before taking two for myself, then pass the plate around. We’re all quiet as we fix our burgers.
“Lucy, dear. You need to eat the burger. Your doctor said you need more protein.”
Lucy huffs, picking up the burger. “I’m trying. It doesn't taste right.”
Lark turns to face my sister. “Has your appetite not returned?”
Lucy shrugs. “I still can’t smell anything, so everything tastes off.”
Graham looks up immediately. “Still no return of your sense of smell? What does the doctor say about it?”
Lucy shakes her head. “He says it’s normal. Most people get it back within six months after the chemo ends.”
Lark looks thoughtful. “What about things that are really intense in flavor? Like a sour pickle or a super sweet donut?”
Lucy nods. “Yeah, stuff like that has some flavor for me. It’s not the same, but I can taste it.”
Lark doesn’t say anything, just pushes the spicy mustard and plate of pickle slices closer to Lucy. Without comment, Lucy piles additional pickles on her burger and then smothers it in mustard before taking a bite.
“So, Lucy, are you thinking of starting back to school?”
My sister swallows and turns her eyes on Saint. “Maybe in January, if everything goes well.” She takes a deep breath. “I think I’m ready to get my own apartment though.”
The table goes quiet.
Mom reacts first. “Absolutely not,” she says. “You need to stay here where I can take care of you.”
“I love you, Mom, but I need my own space.”
I tense beside Lark. I don’t like it either. Not yet. She’s still recovering. But before I can say that Lark speaks.
“My apartment’s sitting empty,” she says. “You could stay there.”
Lucy’s head snaps toward her. “Really?” She’s thrilled.
Mom, however, is horrified. “She needs to be here—”
“You’d be doing me a favor, actually,” Lark continues, still looking at Lucy. “I’d feel better knowing someone was looking after it. Plus, it’s not far, so we can all check in on you.”
Without looking, Lark reaches back and takes my hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. The tightness in my chest loosens.
Mom looks like she wants to argue, but Dad rests a hand on her shoulder. “We will call her every day.”
“I’ll install a full security system before she moves in,” Daniel adds.
Lark nods. “Of course, Daniel. Silas told me you’re in the security business. I’m sure you’ll want to install the highest quality tech.”
Daniel looks at her for a long moment. Then his mouth tilts with something that might be the beginning of a smile.
Lucy jumps in before Mom can argue again. “So,” she says, looking between Graham and Saint. “When are the rest of you planning to make it official?”
Saint goes still. Graham on the other hand, smiles easily. “Whenever Lark is ready,” he says. “I’m in no rush. Good things are worth waiting for.”
I don’t miss the way Lark’s gaze flicks toward Saint. He's uncertain. I'm not. Through the bond I can feel what she feels when she looks at him. Steady. Warm. Patient. She's not waiting for him to be ready. She already knows he is hers. It won't be long.
Eventually I push back from the table. “We should get going.”
Mom protests, but it’s half-hearted. “Family dinner next Saturday?”
Graham kisses her cheek. “We can’t, Karen. The University is hosting a fundraiser.”
Lark tucks her hand into his. “Graham is being recognized for his research.”
Graham beams down at her.
“Always such a smart boy,” my mother says, patting Graham’s cheek. Then she kisses Saint’s cheek before turning to pull me and then Lark into tight hugs.
“You two enjoy these days. The first weeks after a bond are truly special.”
Hugs are shared by everyone else, along with promises to visit soon.
“I’ll text you the codes,” Lark says to a beaming Lucy. “Move in whenever you’re ready.”
“Thank you!”
As we walk back to our house, Saint chuckles. “Bold move, princess. I thought Karen’s head would explode when you offered Lucy your apartment.”
Lark shrugs. “Lucy’s a grown woman.”
Graham wraps his arm around Lark’s shoulders. “I’m just glad to know you don’t plan to move back.”
She looks up at him. “To the apartment?”
He nods. “Bonding with Silas makes it more official, but we never discussed if your move to our house was permanent. This means you aren’t leaving.”
Lark rolls her eyes at him. “Of course I’m not leaving. I just had the mirrors installed and Saint hasn’t even seen them yet.”
“Mirrors?” Saint asks. “Do I want to know?”
He looks between Graham and me. Graham is smiling. I'm smiling.
“Oh, you definitely want to know,” I say.
Lark laughs. “Last one there has to watch.”
She takes off at a sprint, her long legs eating up the distance on the sidewalk. My alpha urge to chase surges.
Mine.
Saint's, too. He's already moving.
Graham calls out from somewhere behind us. “I love to watch!”