He averted his gaze before rising to his feet.Lucian touched my cheek with a soft stroke.“We’ll finish this later.You need a minute to think about everything before I dump my past into your lap.I may not be a Shifter, but that doesn’t mean I won’t protect you with my life.I’ll die for you, female.I’m just not sure how to prove that to you.”
Chapter17
Lucian’s emotions were snapping around like a rubber band, and it was all he could do to focus on the dark road ahead of him.
One minute he’d been eating a slice of pie in the library.The next, Eden’s cameras detected an intruder on the property.After searching her land, he only picked up a trace scent.Then, in her garage while he was preparing to leave, another notification came through on his phone.Only one distant camera was aimed toward the house, but there had been enough light for him to see Deacon and Eden kissing by the door.
Instead of losing his shit and giving up, another emotion had taken over him—one that gave him the courage to take Krys’s advice and go after what he wanted.There were a dozen reasons why Lucian didn’t stand a chance.He was a Chitah, not powerful or rich, and he wasn’t exactly her father’s favorite person.On top of all that, he had started their relationship based purely on sex.
With Mae, his kindred spirit, Lucian feared rejection.He’d courted her with fear in his heart.When she chose another, he carried that pain for years.What had changed for him?
Then he realized love made the difference.All these years, he’d thought what he felt for Mae was love, but it wasn’t.Males experienced an indescribable pull to their kindred spirit, and those who were rejected struggled with it.You get a taste of that pure connection with another soul only to realize you’ll never feel complete.That ripped a hole in his heart.Though he had moved on with his life, he never got over Mae.
That feeling dulled after meeting Eden.It wasn’t until he began falling in love with her that it disappeared entirely.Not only that, but the fear in his heart morphed into the courage he needed to win her favor.Whenever she looked at him, he felt seen.Eden understood and accepted him in a way his kindred spirit never would have.That realization made it easy to pursue her as a mate.But he would have to prove himself worthy in every way.
He would have to be a better man.
When he passed a dark crossroad, a car pulled up right behind him.
“What the hell is your deal?”
The driver honked even though there was plenty of room to pass.After they flashed their headlights several times, they pulled up beside him.
Through the open passenger window, Marcus Seaborn’s head ducked into view.“I heard that whore is fucking everyone in town!”he shouted.
Lucian wanted to sideswipe him right off the road, but he was in Robyn’s new Jeep.
Marcus howled like an excited wolf.“I think I’m gonna get me some of that pussy!”He made a vulgar gesture with his tongue before speeding off.
White-knuckling the steering wheel, Lucian punched the gas and gunned after him.
Nobody calls my Eden a whore.I will fucking end you.
The threat triggered something deep within him—a protectiveness that surfaced from his core.
Lucian almost lost control at a sharp turn, and Marcus gained a lead.Up ahead, the car stopped at Juniper Road.After opening the swing gate, Marcus jumped back in his vehicle and sped off.
Nearing the turnoff, Lucian punched the gas and drove through the open gate before it could swing shut and scratch the Jeep.He could’ve just run at Chitah speed up the road, but that would incite his inner animal to flip his switch.
After passing the hardware store and Book Haven, he neared the Rabbit Lounge on the right.The Mage might’ve driven down to Dragonfly’s, but Lucian would find out soon enough since the road eventually reached a dead end.
He parked the Jeep by the road and kept the engine running.Once he stepped out, he drew in a deep breath and sifted through the smell of stale beer, exhaust fumes, and other various odors that lingered in a bar parking lot.He searched each row of cars, his shoes crunching on gravel, and picked up emotional scents here and there that hadn’t been carried off by the wind.Strong emotions had a tendency to linger and attach themselves to objects.
An acrid smell filled his nose.Lucian crossed the parking lot, his hands clenched into fists.
Marcus stood with staticky blue light snapping at his fingertips.The stout man was easy to identify at a distance.He had a distinctly pudgy nose, whiskers, and a small mouth that curved into a sinister grin.
“I feel left out,” he said in his country accent.“Seems like everyone in town is getting a piece of that pie.”
A growl ripped from Lucian’s throat as he drew closer.“If you eventhinkabout going near her again?—”
Marcus cupped his crotch and rubbed it.“I’m gonna fuck her good.Fuck her right on the hood of that Mercedes of hers.Wanna watch?I bet those long legs of hers will fit nicely around my neck.”
Lucian’s anger ignited like a bomb.
He flashed toward the Mage and choked him with everything he had.When Marcus blasted him with energy, it felt like a truck slammed into his chest.Lucian punched the Mage repeatedly, blood spraying in every direction.
The rage he felt was unparalleled as Seaborn’s threats echoed in Lucian’s head.
