“An hour at most, Rafe,” Aiden said in what was likely supposed to be a firm voice, but laughter was lurking under his words.
Rafe opened his mouth but was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell.
“Got it!” Ethan shouted. Rafe twisted around to see Marcus’s lover dart out from where he’d been standing by the doors and down the hall to welcome their newest guests.
His brothers all took their seats. On the right of Aiden sat Marcus and Winter. On the left, Bel had taken the farthest chair, leaving the chair immediately next to Aiden empty. Something fluttered in his stomach and his mouth had suddenly gone dry. His feet refused to move. This…this moment was so very big. A new, different kind of weight pressed on his chest, making it difficult to even draw a breath. He thought he’d wanted this, but now that it was here…
Aiden smiled at him and patted the arm of Rafe’s chair again. “It will only make us stronger.”
God, please be right.
With a small, sharp nod, Rafe finally got his feet to work. He crossed to the chair and sat, trying to ignore the tiny thrill that shot next to him. He glanced over at his twin to find him with a happy grin as he sat up perfectly straight, his hands folded in his lap as if he were excited to take in all that was about to happen. Just another science experiment to him with results to be mentally catalogued for later study.
They had to wait only a minute before they could hear Ethan’s soft and pleasant chatter up the hall accompanied by the carpet-muffled clomp of heels. Ethan grew quiet as he reached the door and winked at Marcus as he entered. Lola, Ryder, and Gideon followed him.
Ethan hurried over to stand right behind Marcus, his hand on his eldest brother’s shoulder.
His three companions looked unsure and nervous as they stopped in the center of the room. He hadn’t been allowed to warn them of the reason for the meeting. Only asked them to come at a specific time. Lola stood in front of the other two, her arms folded over her chest and her chin up, as if she were preparing for a confrontation.
“Thank you so much for coming to meet with us today. I am Aiden Varik, leader of the Varik clan,” Aiden began.
Lola’s eyes immediately shot to him, and her lips parted ever so slightly. It was the first time Aiden had claimed the position of clan leader to anyone. The first time they’d ever officially claimed being a clan. It was a little heart-stopping, to say the least.
And as Rafe stared at his long-time friends, the weight on his chest lifted, leaving him with the feeling of butterfly wings brushing against his heart.
“Over many years, you’ve been friends and trusted companions of Rafe Varik. You have been his protectors. You have acted to protect the other members of the Varik family. It is that type of loyalty, compassion, and bravery we value most. For that reason, we would like to invite you to become members of the Varik clan.” Aiden paused and leaned forward in his chair, his smile growing into something warm and fatherly. “Please, join our family.”
Lola looked over at Rafe and then down at the ground, but not before he saw the surprising sheen of unshed tears in her dark eyes. Her hands rested on her hips and her throat worked as if she was trying to swallow, but something was blocking the passage. His fierce and violent Lola was trying very hard not to cry. He wanted to go to her and wrap her in his arms. His beautiful Lola. She’d been with him the longest. His companion in mischief.
“Rafe…” she said in a rough voice.
“It’s so very long overdue,” Rafe replied.
“Because you feel like you owe us. For the Black Wolf clan.”
“No,” Marcus said. “Because it’s deserved. Even before the Black Wolf clan.”
Lola nodded several times and looked up at Aiden. “Then yes. Yes, I’ll be a Varik.”
Rafe chuckled. “You’ve always been a Varik, love.”
Lola turned and took a step away from Gideon and Ryder so that they were fully standing in front of Aiden. The small, lithe dancer had his arms folded tightly over his chest and was staring at the ground.
“Not without Gideon,” Ryder said in a low, hard voice.
Gideon’s head snapped up, his mouth falling open in his shock. Rafe was not at all surprised by the sentiment, though it was a little stunning to hear Ryder speak next. He also had a suspicion that if Gideon didn’t agree, Lola might back out. They were a tight group. It was all of them or none of them.
“But…I…I don’t understand. It’s a mistake,” Gideon said near a whisper.
“Are you saying the leader of the Varik clan has made a mistake?” Winter drawled.