Chapter 4: Late apologies and drunken fools

Chapter 4

~Lucas’s POV~

I couldn’t breathe.

I gripped the hands that held my neck trying desperately to loosen them but to no avail, Marcus’ strength far surpassed mine and I already found myself weakening from the lack of oxygen. It was about this time that a martial arts expert’s training usually kicked in don’t you think?

So I raised my hand above my head and brought my elbow down hard on Marcus’ hand trying to dislodge it like I’d been teaching my students for years however, what I probably should have told them was that this particular move wouldn’t work on a level 5 shape shifter intent on squeezing the life out of you; because that was clearly what Marcus was trying to do.

So when that didn’t work I lifted my legs from the ground, wrapping them around his legs then brought my own hands up to wrap around his neck, in an instant he let me go and I fell to the floor gasping for air but he didn’t stop there.

Marcus grabbed my upper arm dragging me across the room and flung me down into a nearby couch, then he bent and grabbed the front of my shirt, looking at me with a murderous expression.

I grabbed his hand and kicked out slamming my foot into his chest and he stumbled back for a second giving me time to  swing out of the couch and just as I was about to tackle him I watched in horror as Marcus reached into his coat and pulled out a gun. I froze on spot holding my hands up in surrender as my blood ran cold.

“Wait, hold on a second-” I started. Trying desperately to find a way to convince him to put to gun away. I still wasn’t quite sure what was even happening. I mean it was no secret that he didn’t like me but I never thought he’d go this far.

“Shut the fuck up and sit down.” Marcus growled and I immediately complied, slowly lowering myself into the couch once more. My hands were still raised and my eyes never left his weapon.

“Marcus I know we’ve had our differences but this is insane-“

“Didn’t I just tell you to shut it?” he said softly, his voice calm yet deadly.

I fell silent and watched in trepidation as he lowered himself into the chair across from me, his gun trained on my head and his eyes glinting.

“My brother may be too fucking caught up with you to realize the piece of shit you really are but I see right through you.”  He said and I remained silent.

“ What do you want from him?” he asked and my brows furrowed.

“I don’t want anything, I-I’m with him because I care about him…” I trailed off when he cocked a brow, appraising me as if I had just lied to his face and I bristled.

“You care about him. You care about him?” he said then surprised me by actually laughing as he seemed to think it over.

“Yes. I care about him, why is that so hard to believe?” I asked, my voice hoarse and my throat burning.

“If you actually cared about him, I wouldn’t be here right now.” He said shaking his head then continued; “For whatever reason, my brother thinks he’s in love with you. He cares more about you than the business he’s worked his whole life to build. He’s putting everything we’ve all worked for an a back burner for you and this is the way you repay him?” he asked. He came off sounding mildly curious but I could hear the undercurrent of anger in his tone.

So Adrian had told Marcus what I’d said then. That explained a lot. As I looked at him I finally began to understand what this was all about. I had thought everything was fine, that he had forgiven me for my cruel words earlier today but I was wrong. I hadn’t even realized how much they had actually affected him and I felt like a fool. I clenched my jaw and looked away.

“Don’t you have anything to say?” he asked but I remained silent as my mind continued processing how much of a dick I really was.

And I called myself the good guy. I looked toward the phone resting on its stand across the room and my fingers itched to call him. The fact that Marcus was here meant that this was serious because as far as I knew, Adrian kept his thoughts and feeling to himself, the only other person he shared them with was me and this time he hadn’t. And I called myself the good guy.

“You don’t even deserve him.” Marcus said softly and I watched as he pushed up from the chair, holstering his weapon. “I’ll tell you this once and only once; either you treat him right or you leave him the fuck alone because next time you hurt him I swear to God I’ll kill you.” He said, his voice dangerously low and I believed him.

I sat on the chair, unmoving long after he had gone; feeling all kinds of shitty for my behavior. He was right, I didn’t deserve him.

………………………………

~Adrian’s POV~

“You guys didn’t have to treat me to breakfast, I’m fine...really, last night was nothing, I’m over it.” I had told them, doing my best to reassure them but they just wouldn’t back down.

Hence the reason I was seated in a restaurant I’d never been to before, eating my favorite ‘dinner’ foods for breakfast.

“Across from me Scottie kept up the conversation, his mouth moving miles a minute while Marcus and I both listened, nodding at all the right moments and smiling when he said something particularly cheeky.

“…and that’s why I dumped her.” Scottie finished and I shook my head.

“It’s like you’re looking for perfection. Trust me, you keep dumping them and there won’t be anyone left.” I told him and he shrugged.

“I feel like it would be easier if I could have about five girls and each of them would have two different qualities I like in a woman, that way I’d have the complete package, only it would be dispersed among five women.” He said seriously, chomping on a loaf before he continues, “Too bad I’ll never find girls willing to do that. I mean why can’t they just learn to share you know?” Scottie rambled on and I laughed. Marcus only looked at him like he’d lost his mind and Scottie looked back oblivious.

He was serious.

“Just make sure you’re being safe.” I warned and he rolled his eyes.

“I think Marcus beat you to the safe sex speech when I was 10.” He said clearly annoyed at my over protectiveness and I reached over to ruffle his hair. He pulled away and plopped another piece of the loaf into his mouth.

“What about you Marc, you found any sexy guys worth your time?” Scottie asked and I looked over at my twin. He rarely talked about his love life. The only thing I really knew about him in that aspect of his life was that he was gay.

“My life isn’t conducive to a serious relationship and neither is yours.” Marcus said seriously.

“You’re such a stick in the mud. One of these days you’re going to find prince charming and I’m gonna be there to say I told you so.” Scottie said with a grin and I laughed.

“Yeah that’ll be the day. Marcus falling in love; that’s I’d love to see.” And Scottie and I both laughed. Marcus only shook his head.

Surprisingly all this relationship talk was actually not affecting me in anyway. I’d woken up this morning with a stronger resolve. I had time on my side. After all Laken and his mate weren’t ever going to part as far as I knew; werewolves mated for life. Eventually Lucas would move on and the only thing on his mind would be me. I was an optimistic guy and I didn’t mind waiting for someone who was worth it.

“But seriously though Marcus. Just for fun. If you had to describe your perfect guy what would he be like?” I asked and after a few seconds of silently staring down into his plate he spoke up.

“This is ridiculous.” He said and Scottie jammed him in the side

“This is just for fun so just answer already.” He said and Marcus sighed then began.

“Fine. He’d...have to be smaller than me I guess. Ah…not necessarily flamboyant but just not too serious-“ he started.

“Says the most serious guy we know.” Scottie interrupted and Marcus shot him a glare. I laughed

“Intelligent, easy to talk to…I don’t know I’ve never really given it much thought.” He ended and I nodded.

“If I find anyone like that I’ll let you know.” Scottie said with a smile.

“No thanks smart ass.” Marcus replied and I watched in amusement as Scottie reached over to ruffle Marcus’s hair and Marcus leaned away trying to get out of Scottie’s reached.

“Hands to yourself Casanova.” Marcus said with a laugh and Scottie winked over at me causing me to chuckle.

You just had to love these guys.

……………………………………………………………..

~Lucas’ POV~

“This has got to be rough on Thomas, I hope Gray will give him a chance.” I typed back and hit send.

I was texting Laken while simultaneously dumping groceries into the back seat of my car. After my surprise visit last night from Marcus, I’d done a lot of thinking and I finally got to see myself in a new light.

I got to see how cruel I’d been to Adrian, the one man who loved me beyond all else and  as I’d sat there thinking about all my past mistakes I’d made the decision to change. To try to be a better person for him, a better person to him. Starting with cooking him dinner tonight at his place as a sort of apology.

When I’d spoken to him this morning he’d told me he was out having breakfast with his brothers and so I hadn’t really gotten the chance to apologize, which was probably a good thing anyway because this should be done in person, not through an impersonal phone call.

I slammed the car door shut and walked around to the front, injecting myself into the car seat and pulling the front door closed behind me.

After shifting a bit uncomfortably on the luxurious leather seats I sighed. I couldn’t wait to get  my car back from the garage, at the moment I was driving one of Scottie’s ostentatious rides and I couldn’t honestly say I was getting used to it. I was more of a comfort kind of guy than one who thrived on luxury. Well except where it came to clothes anyway.

I started the engine and the car hummed to life around me as I pulled on my seatbelt. A shrill beep from my mobile phone interrupted me and I pulled it out to check the message.

“He’s actually already started to come around but things are moving pretty slowly right now, we can only hope for the best I guess.” Laken had sent me and I shook my head, typing back a quick message before pulling out of the parking lot.

“That’s all we can hope for. I’m about to go on the road so I’ll text you later.” I sent.

Poor Thomas, having to deal with something like this.

Ok maybe I was jumping the gun a little. It was time I spilled the whole Laken story. So it was probably best to start from the beginning. It all started about two years ago when I’d visited The U.S, more for vacation than anything else with a few friends.

I’d lived there for a few years when I was younger so this trip was a bit of a nostalgic one I suppose you could say. After all. the America was truly a beautiful country and I had missed it quite a bit.

Long story short, being the cocky fool that I was I’d gotten myself into a spot of trouble all because I was trying to prove a point. I’d found myself trapped in the woods and almost being mauled by a pack of rogue wolves when Victor Obetta, the Alpha of a werewolf pack had saved my life.

At the time I’d been so overwhelmed with gratitude that someone had actually gone through so much trouble to save my life that I’d told myself I owed my my life.

So I’d foolishly sworn my allegiance to the old man. Promising him my loyalty for his kind deed. He’d of course been pleased and not long after, he’d set me to perform a few tasks one of which was to shadow an Alpha’s mate.

That Mate had been Laken and his alpha was Carson, the leader of one of the largest packs in the state. Victor had told me that he needed to teach the Alpha a lesson, that he’d taken something that was his and needed to be punished, so like a fool I’d accepted the challenge.

The mission was simple after all; shadow the mate, report his comings and goings to victor and when I got the signal, I should kidnap the mate and bring him to Victor only things hadn’t gone as planned because I’d foolishly fallen in love with the boy.

Through watching him alone I’d seen the boy’s heart and it was pure, the purest I’d ever seen and I’d been smitten, meeting him only sealed the deal so I’d tried to get him to fall in love with me as I had him. Stupid; I know considering he had a mate and of course it didn’t work.

Yet when I’d been given the final orders to execute him I couldn’t do it, instead I’d helped Laken escape and months later after what I could only call a struggle, I’d somehow become good friends with Carson, Laken and even his Beta Thomas.

The problem with Thomas now was that his mate was a human who was also homophobic and Thomas was having a hard time dealing with that situation, hence our little conversation. There was only one word for it;

Drama. Poor Thomas.

“KK” I glanced at Laken’s message when it came in then dropped the phone back onto the seat.

I knew that Adrian was probably out today so my plan was to drop by his house and get something started. I had his key so getting in wasn’t going to be a problem.

It was time I started showing my lover some appreciation and even though the words I’d spoken to him had been the truth and I’d thought I was justified in saying them it still didn’t change the fact that it was a shitty thing to do.

When I entered his house fifteen minutes later I was greeted with total silence. I kicked the door close behind e and carried the groceries into the kitchen, depositing them on the counter. ‘It’s been awhile since I’d prepared a meal here,’ I thought as I looked around for the things I’d need to make this night a success…

…………………………………..

~Adrian’s POV~

Today had been a lazy day indeed. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I’d taken the day for myself just to relax with friends and family and I had to say I more than enjoyed it. This morning I’d had breakfast with the boys then I’d spent the rest of the day doing light paperwork at home.

There had been no one to intimidate, no orders to give, no one to off; just relaxing and now I was having a drink at the bar with a long time friend of mine.

James was visiting London for the week and had decided to give me a call on only his first night here. He was honestly one of the few people I could call a friend and it was good to  be out sharing a drink with someone so close to me.

“I’m sorry Adrian but I‘ll never understand what you see in men. The world is filled with so many beautiful women.” James said good-naturedly, gesturing around the bar at the sexily clad women moving about.

“And I’ll never understand what you see in women, trust me dear friend when you finally give in and lose yourself in a man you’ll never go back.” I said with a grin and James scoffed at me.

“To beautiful men and women then!” James all but shouted, raising his glass in a toast as he did and I knocked my glass against his with a laugh.

He was clearly drunk.

………………………………..

~Lucas’ POV~

Everything was pretty much done. The food was on the table, the mood was set, my apology was ready and I had actually taken the time to dress up; something I rarely did anymore. So now all I could do was wait for the guest of honor.

I’d tried calling him earlier to find some way to get him home but it had gone straight to voicemail every time, so all I could do was wait and if he wasn’t home soon I’d keep calling. Eventually I’d get through.

………………………………

~Adrian’s POV~

He was drunk out of his mind and I couldn’t help but laugh at the situation, especially considering the fact that James was one who despised losing control in anyway. Getting drunk here with me had to be a first as far as I knew.

“My hotel is somewhere aroun’ here I sink, jus throw me in a taxi, I’ll fine my way.” James slurred. He was stumbling around so much that I had to grab him around the waist to hold him up.

“Nonsense, you’ll stay with me tonight.” I offered but I had a feeling my friend was too forgone to care.

I pulled open my car door and all but shoved him inside, holding his head so that he didn’t slam it against the roof as he got in. Then I closed to door behind him and went around to the driver’s side. The first thing I noticed when I hopped in was my phone.

It seemed it had fallen to the floor of the car as I’d gotten out earlier. No wonder I hadn’t been interrupted all night. I took it up and stuffed it into my jacket pocket, started up the vehicle and we were on our way to my house.

…………………

~Lucas’ POV~

I’d called Scottie earlier and he’d told me that Adrian was probably at a business meeting. I realized then that I probably should have just told him I was making him dinner considering the busy person Adrian was.

I dropped my phone onto the counter and went over to the table, blowing out each candle. They had melted down to half their original length and the food had long since cooled.

As I bent to out the final candle my head snapped up when I heard the sound of a car pulling into the drive way.

He was here! A smile graced my face.

……………………..

~Adrian’s POV~

I wrapped my hand around his waist, pulling him with me to the front door and laughing at his antics as we went. I fumbled for my keys and when I found them I pushed it into the lock, throwing the door open when the click sounded.

…………………….

~Lucas’ POV~

‘I guess my apology came a little too late.’ Was the thought that entered my mind when Adrian burst into the house, his arm wrapped around some guy’s waist as they both laughed and stumbled in.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

ENJOY GUYS! SORRY I DIDN'T POST IT YESTERDAY MY NET WAS BEING A PIECE OF CRAP BUT BETTER LATE THAN NEVER I GUESS.

THANKS FOR READING AND KEEP SWEET!

-DoUbLe.A

-unedited.