Claws.

24

CHAPTER 24

"I like the name Lilith." I murmured. I sat beside Aiden in his bed as he cradled our daughter. His chest was bare, showing the bandage that was wrapped around his waist. "It suits her."

"She gorgeous." He murmured, kissing her gently.

"She's loud." I laughed quietly.

"Which is why the name suits her." Aiden smiled. "Lilith is the Goddess of storms, but she had many nicknames including Screeching owl."

I snorted. "Sounds about right."

"Are you two ok in here?" Chase asked gently, opening the door.

"Yes thank you, Chase." I smiled.

"Can I see my niece yet?" He asked sheepishly.

Aiden laughed. "I think that would be ok." He handed his daughter over to my brother gently. Chase rocked her softly.

'She's adorable...' Leona cooed. She was as protective of her as I was.

"What's she called?"

"Lilith," Aiden grinned madly. "After the Storm Goddess"

Chase laughed. "Aha I see. The little demon girl as well."

"Don't forget screeching owl!" I sniggered.

"She's so cute." Chase rubbed his nose against hers and then handed her back to Aiden. "Well, you know where to find your babysitter." He grinned. "I'll get you guys something to drink."

"Thanks Chase." Aiden murmured. "Your brother has a way with kids."

Climbing into bed beside them, I answered "It's because they share the same nature."

Aiden snorted.

"How's your side?" I asked, gingerly placing a hand on his wound.

"A bit sore," He grimaced as he shuffled. "But nothing can bring me down anymore..." He kissed me softly, "Not when I've got my two best girls."

-----

"Wait- what?" William flunked into a chair. "I-are you serious?"

"Of course." Aiden smiled. "It was Nickoli's idea."

Will looked at his mate in wonder. "Are you sure? It's your position..."

Nickoli kissed his cheek. "You defeated Faulkner- you won us the war. You deserve to be Gamma more than anyone."

"He's right William." I grinned, rocked Lilith back and forth.

"I-I," He leant back in his chair. "I don't know what to say."

"Say you accept, silly Willy." Nick giggled, sitting on his lap.

"Then I accept." He smirked.

"Yay!" Nickoli giggled, kissing his mate. "Strong, sexy and dominant." He purred.

"Guys! There's a baby in the room!" Aiden laughed, covering Lilith's tiny ickle ears.

Suddenly, Raffi entered the room with a guy. It was her mate!

"Hey guys, erm, this is Sahari." She introduced. "Sahari, this is Nickoli, Aiden, Will and his sister Jamie. And that little cutie is Lilith."

"Hey guys." He smiled at us all, blue eyes twinkling. "Raffi says she needs you guys to help tell me something...?"

We all shared a glance. "Ah." Aiden shifted awkwardly from foot to foot.

"I'm going to put Lilith down for a nap- I'll be right back." I sent Raffi a reassuring look. She was twiddling her thumbs nervously, staring at us all pleadingly.

Upstairs, I rested the Screeching Owl in her cot beside our bed. She gargled in her sleep, blowing a little bubble.

"Aww." I rubbed her soft cheek and little button nose.

"You're a what?!" A voice yelled from below.

I let out a snort, before clicking the door shut and scampering downstairs.

As I rounded the corner, I heard a thud and saw Sahari slumped on the floor.

"What the hell happened?!" I exclaimed

"He fainted." William sniggered. Raffi hit him hard on the shoulder.

"It's not funny!" She sighed, kneeling beside her mate.

Suddenly, Sahari sat up. He flicked aside his shoulder length hair and rested on the palms on his hands.

"You fainted." Raffi told him.

"I fainted. " He repeated. "Prove it."

"What?"

"Prove that you're all werewolves." He said.

"We're not all werewolves actually." Aiden told him, sitting on the sofa. "Jamie and Will are werecats-"

"Lions to be exact." Will told him.

"And little Lilith is a hybrid between the two." Aiden smiled.

"Right." Sahari gulped. "ok."

"We can prove it to you." Nickoli sniggered and started taking his shirt off, causing Will to growl. "See, dominant." He left his pants on, deciding not to tease Will that much. We heard the familiar crackle and snap of bones bending and breaking and fur began growing from his changed skin.

Within seconds, Nickoli stood in the middle of the room as a giant, russet wolf, his trousers shredded on the floor.

"Holy..." Sahari shuffled backwards on the floor, bumping into Raffi's legs. "You weren't kidding around huh?" He looked up at Raffi, who was biting her lip. "Do you look as awesome as that?"

She smiled, relieved. "Even more so."

Nickoli-wolf huffed and flicked his head haughtily.

I laughed. "But no one is as fabulous as Nickoli, obviously."

William began rubbing Nickoli's ear as he spoke. "SO what do you know of mates?"

Sahari looked blank. "Erm..."

"I haven't told him yet..." Raffi whispered, rubbing his arm.

"Is this a werewolf thing?" He asked, still on the floor.

Aiden nodded. "Mates are the best thing that will ever happen to you. They are your soulmate- you're destined to be together."

"W-why are you telling me this?" Sahari murmured, brow creased.

"Because..." Raffieti sighed, biting her lip. "You are my mate."