Smoke Signals

LUCIAN

I only smoke when I’m stressed and Kia knows it. As I blow out a plume of smoke he asks, “Are you okay, sir?”

I nod, taking another long drag of the calming spice mix—a witch’s special blend to help keep my lycan calm during stressful situations when I need to keep my head. I have to admit, it works like a dream.

“You’re smoking,” he states, and I chuckle ruefully.

“I’m glad one of us has eyes that work.” I sigh and toss the butt out the window.

“We will find her, sir.”

I nod again. Feeling completely drained, I rest my head back against the seat and close my eyes.

Last night was pure torture. I wanted her with me, I ~needed~ her… Thankfully, that sweet scent brought me some comfort as I tossed and turned all night. Even thinking of it now makes everything tingle.

Please, Goddess, cut me some slack here.

***

When we pull up outside the alpha’s house, nobody is waiting to welcome the king. We sent no word of our arrival. I wasn’t giving her a second chance to run from me. I can chase for a bit, but I can’t wait forever and I am already impatient.

“We’re here,” Kia states and throws open his door.

~“Guide me,”~ I link him as he opens my door, and feel his agreement.

With him at my side, I march toward the house but after a few steps I pause.

~“Surround it,”~ I growl to my security who are getting out of the car that followed us here. I hear them break into a quick jog to surround the house before I continue to the door.

~“Three steps up, sir.”~

I nod silently, thankful for Kia’s guidance, and manage the steps with ease. As Kia bangs a fist on the door, I grin to myself.

Oh, this is going to be good.

At the sound of the handle rattling a moment later, I force the smile from my lips and hold my composure as the door swings open.

~“Alpha Zayne,”~ Kia links as I look up to where I know he is standing.

“Y-your Majesty…” he stutters but I hold my hand up to stop him.

“I have business with your daughter,” I growl firmly. “Where is she?”

His wolf whines and he steps aside. “Please come in, my king.”

~“Clear,”~ Kia links, and I walk with purpose into the house.

As Zayne closes the door behind us, I draw in a lungful of the surrounding air and pick up the hint of her scent still lingering in it. I instantly shiver.

“Liana!” Zayne shouts through the house. She must be ignoring his link.

The distant slam of a door has my ears pricking. The sound of footsteps soon follows.

“Sorry, I was—” Her voice has me rising in a second, and I twist toward the sweet music.

The sound of her steps instantly stops and Zayne growls at his daughter, “Get here! Now!”

My brow rises at his audacity. Who talks to their own child like that? But what surprises me more is her little snarl in response, and I want to smile.

Hmmm…feisty.

Her steps thump down the rest of the stairs as she heads for his side—or so I assume.

Every step that draws her closer brings with it that sweet scent that makes my stomach somersault and my wood harden painfully.

~“Kia,”~ I say through the link, ~“talk to Alpha Zayne. Give me some privacy here.”~

~“Yes, sir.”~

I walk toward her until we are mere centimeters apart. I don’t even have to smell her deeply; her scent fills up my nostrils and sends a shiver over my skin.

“My king.” That soft, buttery voice melts me, but as she goes to bow, I stop her, placing a finger delicately under her chin before letting my fingers move to the wild pulse in her neck.

She definitely feels it too. My mate. Oh, my beautiful mate.

“You…” I whisper.

“I am sorry, my king, I was…”

“No need, Princess.” I keep my voice low so her father can’t eavesdrop, even though he’s across the room now, distracted by Kia. “I could wait a few more minutes for this moment with you. You have given me quite the chase, my little mate.”

“Your Majesty…” Her voice is high with shock.

“Lucian,” I correct her, letting my fingers move down the side of her bare arm, feeling the curve beneath my fingers. Oh, she’s perfect, I can feel it. She is everything I’ve ever wished for.

“W-what? N-no…no. I…I’m…” I think she looks me up and down. “I’m sorry.” She pulls away from me and makes a dash for it back upstairs.

I don’t chase her. I know where she is now, and I’m not going anywhere, not until she comes with me.

“Alpha Zayne.”

“Yes, My king?”

“I believe we shall be staying for some time. I do hope that is all right?” I say, turning to him—although it is no question and he knows it.

“Of course, Your Majesty. We are honored.” He sounds slightly confused but recovers himself quickly. I wonder why he thinks I’m here. Is it possible he doesn’t guess my business with his daughter?

“Good,” I say with a smile. I’d best get comfortable. This little one needs some work.

***

“Your Majesty, I wish to apologize again for my daughter, it seems she is feeling a little under the weather.”

I smile to myself, knowing it’s a lie—but I humor the old alpha anyway. “Not at all. I can sympathize,” I answer graciously as we sit around the dinner table eating the spread laid out for us.

I love this house. Everything in it smells like her and that fact alone calms me more than the witch’s smoke ever could. Just to know she is under this roof is a different kind of satisfaction.

She knows she’s my mate, even if her father seems oblivious. He seems to be wondering what my business with her could possibly be, from what Kia tells me about the puzzled way he keeps glancing at me.

She is proving a challenge for now, but I understand why she seems so scared of me. My status alone is intimidating enough. She is likely also disturbed by the prospect of having to go through the change to become mine. Even for a wolf, the change is difficult. I know I am a lot to take on, but I’m not one to give up at a bump in the road.

She can take as long as she wants. I have waited this long, and I can keep waiting. Because she is worth it.