Aiden descended the stairs into the main guild room. The moment he appeared, heads turned.
"Big Brother!" Oliver jumped up from his seat, grinning. "You're back! I haven't seen you in days."
Oliver calling Aiden big brother gave Kayden an irritated look on his face that shook his head and rolled his eyes
"Been busy," Aiden replied with a small smile.
Piers leaned back in his chair. "Yeah with avoiding us, you mean. What's going on with you?"
Elena looked up from her book, concern in her eyes. "We've been worried. You've barely been around."
Arianna, sitting across from them, met his gaze briefly before looking away. "It's good to see you," she said quietly.
Before Aiden could respond, the main door opened and Katherine strode in. Her expression was serious.
"Aiden," she called out. "My chambers."
The room fell silent.
Aiden then followed the Captain into her chambers, and closed the door behind him.
