“Is this truly what you want?” I nodded. “I don’t want him in my pack.” Lucian’s chin lifted like he was daring me to go against him. I shrugged.
“Free him. He can join Drake’s pack, or be a Rogue.” Stools watched me, no longer visibly shaking. He remained quiet, but tears filled his eyes.
I turned back to Lucian and crossed my arms. The muscle in his jaw bunched. Finally, he lowered his eyes, inclining his head to me, taking me by complete surprise. He was submitting to me. Alphasneversubmitted to anyone.
“As the Luna says, Bruno.” Lucian jerked his chin toward the prostrate male.
“Thank you, Luna,” Stools said, voice strangled. All I could do was nod curtly because I was still reeling from Lucian’s submission. I couldn’t let him get me off track, even though he’d already softened me.
I forced a glare.
“If you had told me you knew Cierra was still in town, I would have been able to keep on alert.” He sighed, closed his eyes tight, and when he opened them again, they were full of love and reverence.
My heart throbbed.
Damn him.
“I know.” He cleared his throat. “I learned my lesson.”
“Did you really?” I sniped, tipping my chin up. He dropped his eyes from mine, giving dominance to me. I inhaled curtly. Alphas didn’t give in toanyoneand Lucian had now done ittwice.
My heart thrummed. The rapid thud of my pulse pounding in my ears.
“I’m going back to the kitchen to finish preparations for tomorrow.”
He rolled his shoulders but he said nothing. I walked away, slowly, watching Lucian say something to Bruno, who helped Stools up and guided him to a sports car I assumed belonged to him.
I hesitated near the door. Lucian stayed watching them, his head bent forward, his shoulders jerking with a loud exhale. I hated it when he looked sad.
My heart literally ached.
I ran back to him; he was in the process of turning toward me.
I threw my arms around his waist.
“Thank you for listening to me.”
His hand smoothed the hair that had escaped from the ponytail.
“Always.”
37
The dying lawn crunched under my steps as I left the back steps of the house. Lucian had been stuck in his office for a while now, so it was the perfect time for me to make a visit to the bitch before the Blood Moon tomorrow.
I met Alex’s gaze from where he leaned against the shack door. His head lolled against the wood, and his eyes popped open, settling on me.
“I don’t know if you should be here without Lucian,” he muttered and straightened. I ignored him and kept going forward. He backed away so we didn’t touch. It was kind of funny how he acted like every woman had cooties.
“I won’t be long,” was all I said and shut the creaky door behind me. The single light bulb was on, beaming over her pale roots.
I reached her in two steps and ripped off the duct tape across her mouth.
She grunted, her head falling forward with pants exploding from her lips.
“I didn’t think you had the balls to come see me.” Scraggly strands of damp hair hung near her temples.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
