After he’d flipped his switch, Lucian’s primal side had taken control.If Eden had been in human form, he might’ve scooped her up and run to safety.But since she’d shifted, Lucian’s inner animal braced for a fight to the death.
Resting on his forearms, he thought about the kill while water glossed over his hands.
Damn, that felt good.
Tak once said that a prideful man is a dangerous one.After winning the challenge a week ago, Lucian hadn’t given Henry a second thought.They were too busy planning Eden’s move, and she would have the pack’s protection.He’d seen a few challenges in his day, and losers were usually too ashamed to retaliate, especially since revenge only guaranteed their death or imprisonment.It never crossed his mind Henry would return after that public shaming, and it made him wish he hadn’t disabled the alarms on the house even for a night.
He pressed his forehead against the sink.
“You wasting our precious water?”Afram said from the doorway.
Lucian straightened and turned the faucet off.The cut on his cheek had already closed up.The knot on his head pulsed, but nothing compared to the burning on his inflamed chest that left every nerve ending raw.
“Well, if it ain’t the Shoe Bandit.You look like something the cat dragged in,” Afram said with a deep chuckle.“Get it?”
Lucian definitely got the tiger joke.
Eden’s father switched off the bathroom light.“Come with me, son.”
Lucian followed him into the living room.Afram turned on the floor lamp next to their game table.Eden had decided to leave it behind since the pack had larger and more comfortable tables.
Afram shuffled to a chair with his walker and took great effort in sitting without falling.
“Shouldn’t you have your oxygen?”Lucian asked.
“I ain’t gonna die tonight.”
Lucian sat across from him and slicked back his damp hair.
“I had you pegged all wrong,” her father began.“Didn’t think you were interested in my girl.Not all serious like.She’s a beautiful woman, so a lot of men want her in the carnal way.Then Eden told me you challenged that fool.”
“Someone had to.”
“Hmm.”He coughed a few times.“I knew a Chitah tribe long ago in my homeland.We didn’t used to hide from the human race.Couldn’t.The Chitahs stood out, and because of their pale hair and eyes, human tribes feared them.That made them easy targets for attacks.Isn’t that always the way?Sometimes I think we’d all be better off if we were born blind.But I knew Chitahs to be a lot like us.Took care of their families and fought for them.That’s what I want for Eden: a protector.Someone who will guard her heart, her future, her values, and her life.”
“That’s why I challenged the Mage.She deserves everything, including the freedom to choose.”
“Men play heroes, but women have more courage than we’ll ever know.”Afram rubbed his wrists where the rope had left marks in his fragile skin.“Eden almost gave up her future for me, and I feel damn guilty about that.”
“She loves you.”
“My child knows how to fight.She would’ve figured a way out of that mating, but at what cost?”Afram shook his head.“I only wanted the best for her.Any man would be lucky to have my Eden.She’s smart, kind, and ambitious.Children are a blessing.Once you become a father, you’ll know that’s all that matters.”
Lucian hesitated before speaking, but it didn’t seem like a truth worth hiding.“We may not have children.Not because we’re different Breeds, but we’re not sure we want them.I’m trying to earn your approval, but if that’s a deal-breaker, I don’t know what the hell to do.”
“I had my time on this earth.You decide what’s best for you.Everyone’s path is different.”Afram folded his arms on the table, his skin looser than a younger person’s, his eyes dimmer, his hair whiter.“Eden is the last of my people.Every beginning has an end.She knows the stories of my tribe, but that time was long ago and forgotten.I learned my lesson about pressuring a woman for children; that’s not the key to happiness.I only want you to make me one promise.”
“What’s that?”
“Take care of her.Love her like she deserves to be loved.When I’m gone, she’ll be alone in this world—no family of her own.I’m her past, and you’re her future.”
“On my word as a Chitah, I’ll honor her.”
Afram regarded him for a moment.“That’s good enough for me.A Chitah’s word means something.You don’t have a kindred spirit?”
Lucian sat back and crossed his arms.He’d once felt pain and rejection when thinking about Mae.Now he felt nothing at all.“She has a family.I wouldn’t want her even if she left them.The connection between us means nothing anymore.”
Afram nodded as the two men shared something deeply painful in common.“A woman’s love will save a man’s soul.It saved mine.”
