Page 5 of Lion Conquers All
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Connie reached for Mia, taking her from Knox’s arms and snuggling the baby close, peppering her head with kisses.
The other babies clamored for the same affection and she made her way to each, trading one out of her arms and another one into her arms until she had snuggled and kissed all over all four of them.
She took every opportunity to love on other people’s babies whenever possible. A small part of her hurt every time she saw one, but another part of her wanted to share in the new parent’s joy. Just a little. Just to have a hint of what it would’ve felt like to have a child.
“They love you so much.” Penny brushed a lock of curly blonde hair from Erik’s face.
Connie grinned, devilish thoughts of mischief blossomed in her mind like a child left alone in a candy shop. “They know their auntie Connie will spoil them.” She had to take pleasure in the blessings of those around her.
“They aren’t even one. You can’t spoil them that much yet.”
“Oh, but they know it’s coming.”
Penny’s mouth turned up into a grin that said she knew exactly how badly Connie planned to spoil her children and she was fine with it. “We wanted to ask you over for Sunday night dinner. It’s the whole group this week. We will be at Col and Naomi’s.”
“Oh, I—” The whole group meant the other men would be there. The new lions. Aarav would be there.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I will see you guys next week at your place…if that’s okay?”
“You know he won’t mind if you come. I can’t believe the control he’s shown. It’s been almost eight months, Connie. If he was going to be pushy, he would’ve already been.”
“I don’t feel comfortable being around him. It’s not fair. I know what the you-know-what does to you guys.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I can’t be what he wants me to be. Ever.”
“That’s not true, Connie. But we all respect your choice, Aarav most of all. Please don’t cut yourself off from us. We consider you family.” Katherine put a hand on Connie’s shoulder and looked her straight in the eye. “Please come.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good.” Penny chirped out the word like an excited songbird.
“Why did you come all the way out here to ask me this? You could’ve texted.” Connie patted her leg. Her cell was safely tucked in the big cargo pocket on the side of her pants.
“And you would’ve said no, as soon as you heard it was everyone.”
True.I still want to say no. I still should say no.
“Bring your amazing caramel pie. It’s not a family BBQ without it.” This time it was Knox who spoke up. He didn’t try to reach for her or touch her. She didn’t like men touching her and it always amazed her that the guys in the Tribe never did. Never tried, either. To them, it was the most normal thing in the world.
Of course it helped that in their world, men didn’ttouchany woman that wasn’t their mate.
Connie had to give extra points to the alien warriors for having excellent personal boundary laws. It made her life so much easier when she did spend time with the Tribe. Earth men could really learn a thing or two from them.
3
AARAV
He was on the north side of town making rounds when the cell phone in his pocket rang. It was the office line. He pulled over on the side of the road to answer.
“Deputy Di’Rham, here.”
“Di’Rham, I’ve got the Roberts, husband and his wife, in the office. And they are anxious as a hive of disturbed honeybees. They say their son Sam has been missing for two days.” Patsy’s voice held a hint of worry. It was uncommon for the sheriff’s secretary to allow stress into her voice. The woman was typically unflappable, no matter what kind of craziness happened in town.
“Isn’t it likely he’s off with his friends like the rest of the kids in this town, living up the break between summer school and next semester?”
“They were in Anchorage for their anniversary. Just got back in town. The house is empty. No note. Nothing. His phone is going straight to voicemail. They checked his Xbox and it says the last activity was two days ago.” Patsy’s voice was worried. The older woman rarely got concerned over anything, but he could hear the thready line of fear shaking her normally concrete constitution.
“No sign of forced entry or a struggle. Nothing?”
“No. Not that they could tell. They came straight here.”
