Chapter 70

**ADAM**

“They need it. Neither of them has taken the time to mourn their father. They've been pulled into a vortex, and now they have to face it,” Leila says from her chair in front of my desk, seated next to Austin. “That's why I got her drunk last night. She needed to release the pressure. She's only 21, and she's lost both parents and a baby. Can you even imagine?”

“It’s true—I tend to forget that. She always seems so strong,” Austin replies thoughtfully.

“Same here,” I admit. “We should give them time to be together.”

“Cass told me about their father’s house. He didn’t want to bring it up right away with Aria, but they’ll have to decide whether to keep it or sell it,” Leila informs us.

“What does Cassius want to do?” I ask.

“He wants to keep it. He has fond memories of that house, but he knows it will be complicated to go back there in a few years. The whole neighborhood will have aged, and he’ll still be the same.”

“It’s true that it won’t be easy, but I think the house should stay in their family,” Austin says.

I nod, refraining from commenting further—it’s a decision that ultimately belongs to Aria and her brother.

“Well, let’s change the subject,” Leila says, standing up. “Is the big fiesta project for Aria still on? Because a little bird told me her birthday is next week, so…”

“Wait, that’s next week?” Austin asks, frowning.

“You didn’t know that?” I ask, surprised. I can’t believe it—he’s been so intent on competing for her attention, and he doesn’t even know her birthday.

“That’s not the point,” he says, clearly offended. “Let’s give her the best evening of her life. I want her to forget, even if just for a moment, all the crap she’s been through.”

“I agree,” I say with conviction.

**ARIA**

It's been a strange few days. I feel like everything I've kept inside me until now has come out. I've hardly left the room. Cassius brought me photos and videos of our childhood and we reminisced a lot. I didn't think I needed it, but it did me a world of good. Austin and Adam gave me space, joining me every night in our bed without asking any questions but showering me with their love. 
I may have lost my parents, but I have a family and it's high time I got out of the bubble I've locked myself in over the last few days.

When I woke up this morning, I was already alone in bed. I slept so deeply that I didn't even hear them come out. Once my shower is over, I take a little more time than usual to choose my outfit, do my hair and put on my make-up. Once I'm ready, I head downstairs to the dining room with a book in my hand. I greet everyone politely, but stop dead in my tracks when I pass a young woman with a baby in a sling. 

“Hello.” I say as I approach her.

“Good morning Miss Aria.” The young red-haired woman says to me with a big smile. 

“Is it a girl or a boy?” I ask her.

“It's a little guy.” She replies, pulling him out of the scarf.

I smile instantly when I see him, he has the same red hair as his mother and a pale complexion. “Oh he's so cute.” 

“Carry him in your arms if you like... oh I'm such an idiot... sorry I shouldn't have...” She splutters uncomfortably.

“I'd love to.” I reply, placing my book on the windowsill beside me. It looks so small and fragile. I stroke his little cheek, he opens his eyes and has the same green eyes as his mother. “He's the spitting image of you.” 

“I know.” She tells me, smiling. “My mother told me that the first son was always the spitting image of his mother and the first daughter the spitting image of her father.” 

“Oh yeah?” I ask her, frowning. I cradle him in my arms a little longer before handing him back to his mother. “You haven't told me what your name was.” 

“My name's Carrie. My mate is one of the deltas who trains with your brother. He told me he was a force of nature.”

“He always has been. What's his name?”

“Jensen.”

“Thanks, Carrie.” She nods. and goes on her way. “Hold on. Do you think we could meet again? I don't seem to have a lot of friends around here so...”

“I'd love to. “She replies and heads off in the opposite direction to me.

I pick up the book again and when I turn around, Austin and Adam are looking at me strangely. I approach them and kiss them in turn. 

“You're up early this morning. You could have woken me up.” I tell them as I head for the dining room with my two mates hot on my heels.

“You were sleeping peacefully we didn't want to wake you.” Adam replies and I feel his gaze on me. 

“Do you have anything special planned today?” Austin asks me. I suspected he was going to be the one to ask me first.

“I'm going to start by having a nice breakfast and then read while enjoying the sun.” 

“Is that all?” He asks and I turn around surprising them both.

“Why don't you just ask the question you want to ask me?” 

“Well uh... I just wanted to know if you had anything special planned because you've been... how should I put this.”

“I'm curious.” I reply, crossing my arms, and he looks at Adam, who shakes his head.

“Well... usually you're in jeans, t-shirt with a sweater when it's a bit cooler whereas today well you're in a dress with heeled booties so I'm...”

“I dressed up because I wanted to. Quite simply.” I turn and continue walking toward the dining room, unable to hold back my smile. I pretend in front of him that his jealousy annoys me, but in reality I think I like the attention.