“Did you want me to leave?I don’t want to live anywhere that she’s not welcome.”
Tak rubbed the tattooed side of his face.“Did I say she wasn’t welcome?I only mean she might not want to live with a bunch of dogs,” he said on a laugh.Tak went back to his serious tone.“I’m your Packmaster, so I have to approve anyone coming into this home.Eden doesn’t need to earn my respect—she already has it.”He put his fist to his heart.“It would honor me to have her in my family.But what if she pulls you away from us?My spirit wolf is saddened to think you might leave.You’re a part of this pack.I’m glad you’re obeying the laws, but this challenge isn’t easy on me.You could lose your life, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Lucian stared vacantly at the empty chair in front of him.“If I die, bury me somewhere on the property.And tell my family I’d do it again.”He stood and kicked in his chair before stalking out of the room.
“Hey!”Tak grabbed Lucian’s shirt and stopped him in the kitchen.
Lucian whirled around, fire in his eyes.
“Weareyour family.”Tak pulled him into a tight hug.“If this is what you need to do, I support you.”
“Thanks.”The tension ebbed from his muscles.“When’s the last time you washed your armpits?”
Tak rocked with laughter and shoved him back.“Is that the charm you wooed her with?”
“There’s something else you need to know.”
Tak crossed his thick arms.
“She lives with her father.I’m a planner, and that means thinking about a scenario where she becomes my mate.They’re a package deal.He’s old, and she takes care of him.”
Tak shrugged.“There’s plenty of room.”
“You don’t need to meet him?You said a minute ago that everyone has to meet your approval.”
“Let’s take one day at a time.My people care for their elders, and I respect that she’s taken on that responsibility.What harm could a feeble old man do?”
Lucian snorted.“He’s like you.Makes a lot of jokes.”
“Sounds like we’d get along.”
Laughter overlapped from the dining room as the conversation shifted to chickens and livestock.
Tak placed a hand on Lucian’s chest.“You have a warrior’s heart.You fight for what matters.”He lowered his arm but held his attention, his dark eyes assessing Lucian as if he understood everything.“I hope you win her respect and love.I hope she deserves you.”
Lucian traversedthe dark woods like a shadow escaping the rising sun.Although rain clouds cloaked the stars and moon, his impeccable night vision brought everything to life.The bluebonnets weren’t as vibrant, but their dark flowers moved like tides in the field he crossed.
Though Chitahs could run at blinding speed, he was careful on the rocky terrain.When the trees became clustered, he took to the branches and moved effortlessly through them.It was as if an awakening was happening inside him, and he was inviting his emotions to rule him for the first time—emotions he had always suppressed now guided him like a compass.
When he reached Hightower’s property, he selected a tree across from the front door and perched on a low branch.Lucian swung his legs while he caught his breath, his heart pounding in his chest like a hammer.
As he stared at the shiny door knocker, his thoughts lingered on the previous night.Not his confrontation with Hightower but his passionate night with Eden.
After tying him up, Eden teased him until his dick was throbbing.Once he had suffered enough, she almost broke the bed while they chased their orgasm.He still had rope marks on his wrists from their sexual games.
Squeezing a branch overhead, Lucian recalled how readily her tiger had accepted him the moment he looked into its fiery-orange eyes.He remembered the luxurious feel of her soft fur and the crushing weight of her enormously strong body.An animal that size could easily take down five men.Lucian had never thought he could feel this connected to anyone who wasn’t a Chitah.Her tiger called to the inner animal that operated inside him—the one that lived on instinct alone.
Eden’s Shifter craving was dark chocolate with almonds.She kept a large supply of candy bars in the pantry, and he fed her by hand while they discussed their favorite books at length.He felt so understood, and being apart from her created an emptiness in his soul.
When Hightower’s front door opened, Lucian snapped out of his thoughts.
The Mage was dressed in a fancy suit and shiny shoes.After stepping outside, he locked the door behind him.When Henry twisted around and caught sight of Lucian casually watching from the tree, he froze.
Lucian gave a sinister grin.
“Get off my property, Chitah!I’ll report you to the Council.Are you deaf?”
Lucian dropped to the ground and crouched, his inner animal itching for a chase.“I want my answer.”
