We drive home in silence. When we pull up at the Pack house. I notice two familiar cars parked in the driveway. I look at Damien and he has a smile on his lips confirming who I think it is. Throwing the door open, I run toward the door completely forgetting any pain I felt. I hear Damien telling me to slow down. But I didn’t listen, I was too excited. Before I reach the door, it opens. Aria stepped out with a grin on her face and I threw myself in her arms.
She stumbles back before wrapping her arms around me. “Surprise” she whispers into my hair. I squeeze her tightly, tears running down my face. Goddess knows how much I have missed her, we may fight and bicker, but she has always been there, always the one constant thing in my life refusing to give up on me.
“I missed you” I tell her and I feel her hand rubbing my hair soothingly.
“I know, I have missed you too” She tells me.
“Where are the kids?” I ask, hoping they are here too.
“At home, with Reid. I just spoke to him and he was complaining about having to watch my little pony on repeat,” I chuckle slightly. The girl’s favourite show.
“And Ryker?” I ask, he was my little buddy and reminded me of myself. We always had a strong connection like two peas in a pod. “He is fine, he wanted to come, but I told him when you’re feeling better,” She tells me.
I hear movement behind her, and I look over her shoulder. My father stepped through the doorway and onto the porch.
“Hey kiddo” He says, and Aria lets go and I run to my father. He scoops me up, my feet leaving the ground, and kisses my hair. I hiss at the sudden pain radiating down my side from his tight embrace.
“Oops, sorry I forgot” he says, putting me down on my feet and wrapping his arm around me.
“I didn’t think you would be happy to see me” He says, looking down at me.
“You know I suck at holding grudges” I tell him, and he chuckles. Damien scoffs behind me. Making me turn to look at him.
“What?”
“You have to be the most stubborn person I have met and have had it out for me since I brought you here” He comments with a smile on his lips. My father chuckles.
“That’s my girl, give him hell” He says, making Damien shake his head at his comment.
“You said three surprises, this is only two?” I tell him.
“She is inside” My dad says, looking down at me and squeezing my shoulder. He steps aside and I walk in, but no one is there. I walk into the lounge room. And she is standing next to the lounge, a huge grin on her face as her eyes light up at seeing me. I squeal and all but tackle her onto the lounge. She erupts into a fit of giggles.
“Miss me?” She asks, squeezing me back. I nod, breathing in my best friend’s scent. We sit up on the couch while dad, Aria and Damien come inside. Damien raises an eyebrow at us on the lounge.
“Now just because Amber is here, don’t think you will be allowed to run amuck Lily” Damien warns, and I roll my eyes at him. He shakes his head before walking toward the kitchen.
“So, what’s there to do around here?” She asks. Making me laugh.
“I still haven’t figured that out yet, but we can escape him” I whisper.
“I heard that?” Damien sings out from the kitchen. Aria adds her two cents worth.
“Best behaviour Amber, your father was hard enough to convince to let you come. Don’t make me regret bringing you” Aria warns and we both giggle.
“They do realise you’re the bad influence, right?” She asks before laughing.
“Me?” I say, pointing to myself. “Never, it’s all you” I tell her. She chuckles. Damien walks in then and stands by the door.
“From what I have observed, it is both of you and I will be keeping tabs on the pair of you at all times” He warns. I get up pulling Amber with me, needing coffee.
“Coffee?” Amber nods and we make our way to the kitchen, followed by Damien.
“How long are you staying?” I ask Aria.
“We will leave in a few days, but will come back up with the kids, as long as it is alright with the Alpha?” She says and Damien nods.
“Why are you asking, you could always demand him, shit you could make him rub your feet if you wanted?”
“No, Lily, I don’t like to abuse my authority and it is still his territory” She answers. Damien shoots me a look.
“What it’s true” I tell him, and he shakes his head and starts pouring coffee.
“I see you still don’t bear Damien’s mark?” Aria asks, making my father look at me. Here we go, another lecture. She doesn’t waste any time. Damien smirks at her, questioning me.
“Forget it for now Lily, but we will have a chat later about it” She tells me, and I nod. Maybe it would be good talking to her about it. I know she will understand me better and not judge despite banishing me, she will at least listen.
Damien places the coffee on the bench and everyone grabs one.
“I have Pack business to attend to, David, you can join me if you like” He says, turning to my father who nods. It was weird not hearing people refer to him as Alpha. Felt strange, but my father seemed quite casual, more relaxed without the title, like he wasn’t carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. I watch as my father grabs his coffee and follows Damien.