Physically, however, he posed almost no risk.
Luka stopped growling, but he maintained his tense posture as he lifted his head to sniff the air. Human, but the male also carried another, fainter scent. Shifter. Not just any shifter, either.
He smelled like Ruger.
Throughout his long life, jealousy had not been a luxury afforded to him, nor had there been any need for it. He had never owned anything. Nothing had ever belonged to him.
Until now.
Something wild coiled in his chest—a savage possessiveness tempered only by lingering uncertainty. Even as his instincts screamed to protect what was his, he hadn’t been given leave to make that decision. More to the point, he hadn’t been granted the right.
The moment stretched on, tense and uncomfortable, the stranger permeating the air with the scent of his anxiety. Yet, he didn’t retreat. Chest high, back straight, he stood his ground with a quiet bravery Luka couldn’t help but respect.
Behind him, more people had gathered at the top of the grassy hill—half a dozen males and a statuesque female with long, golden curls. Radiating poise and confidence, she started toward them, leading the way while the others fell in behind her.
Luka lowered deeper into his crouch, the muscles in his thighs and calves straining as he dug his toes into the wet dirt. It wouldn’t be the first time he had been outnumbered, but now, he had something worth fighting for.
“Okay, whoa.” Ducking under his wing, Ruger stepped in front of him, placing his back to the others. “Easy.” Calm and steady, he rested his hand in the center of Luka’s chest and traced his thumb back and forth across the skin. “No one is here to hurt us.”
He looked at his mate, then past his shoulder to the human male behind him, but he didn’t relax. “That one smells like you.”
Eyes the color of candlelight flared briefly at the corners, but he didn’t look away or remove his hand. “That’s Kol.” His lips twitched at Luka’s low grumble. “He’s mated to my brother.”
“Your brother?”
Ruger nodded. “So that makes him family.”
Luka’s brow knitted, and his lips turned down in a scowl. Of course, Ruger had a family. Most people did. Technically, he’d probably had a family of his own at one time. From his perspective, the institution seemed kind of overrated.
Still, he understood his jealousy had been misplaced and his reaction exaggerated. “I offended you.”
“No.” Ruger shook his head, shuffling a step closer until they stood only a breath apart. “You didn’t offend me.”
He detected no trace of deception in the male’s chemosignals, only the inviting fragrance of his natural scent. He had nothing tangible to compare it to, but it evoked the feelings of comfort from a warm fire on a cold night.
“I’m sorry if I startled you,” Kol said, his voice soft but steady. “I saw what happened on the security cameras, and I came to see if either of you needed help.”
This time, he did detect the hint of a lie, but he was too distracted by the strangeness of the human’s words to address it. “Camera?”
Ruger smiled and shook his head again. “I’ll explain later.” With a gentle pat to Luka’s chest, he pulled his hand away and began removing his robe. “We’re okay,” he added to Kol over hisshoulder. “We’re going to need some clothes, though.” One side of his mouth crooked into a smirk. “Very large ones.”
“Why are you giving me your blanket?” Luka asked when his mate reached behind him to wrap the material around his waist. “I do not wish you to be cold.”
“It’s a jacket,” Ruger corrected as he tied the soft fabric to hold it in place. “And don’t worry about me. I’m still wearing more than you are.”
His mate asked an impossible task of him, but instead of arguing, he accepted the gesture with a nod of gratitude. Thejacketdid feel nice against his skin, though it was unlike any coat he had ever seen.
By the time Ruger finished his task, the new group had joined them by the lake, all of them wearing similar masks of confusion and concern. All of them except the female. Admittedly, he was out of practice when it came to deciphering facial expressions, but if he had to guess, he’d say she looked pleased.
“My name is Skye Maddock.” She spoke with a crispness that belied her delicate features. “I own this place,” she added with a dismissive gesture over her shoulder to the gothic castle atop the hill.
Though she bore a pleasant demeanor and a friendly smile, everything about her unsettled him. Not the least of which was the raw power he felt emanating from her.
“I am Luka Gregori.” He placed his right hand over his heart and bowed his head in a show of deference. “Please forgive my intrusion.”
Although it hadn’t been his intention—or his choice—he had trespassed on her land, and as such, he would accept whatever consequences she wished to bestow.
“There is nothing to forgive,” she assured him. “You are most welcome here.”
