I needed to get away. My lion was going nuts. He didn’t want to stay away from either Dominic or Lucas. He wanted to be around them both.
“Oh, shut up. Until you can tell me which one is our mate for sure, we’re staying away. Damn it!” I yelled internally at my lion, and he answered with a roar.
“Are they our mates?” I whispered—silence was my only reply.
Fuck!
Moving On
Lucas
“Ican’tbelieveyoudid it,” Noah's voice held a mix of surprise and concern, but I barely registered it. He had been repeating himself for the past hour and a half, ever since I signed the lease for my new place. Yet, his words couldn't dampen my spirits.
This was my moment of freedom–my decisive step away from the waiting and wondering about Talon. He hadn’t called as he said he would. No surprise there, I internally grumbled. The sting of disappointment lingered, but I pushed it aside. No, I refused to dwell on him anymore. If he didn't see my worth, then it was his loss. Three weeks of waiting had been more than enough. I was done with the hope, the pining–all of it.
“Lucas, are you even listening?” Noah’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.
Casting a brief look at Noah, I focused back on the road, my thoughts drifting to how he had always been the anchor among us siblings. Fourteen years my senior, he had seamlessly stepped into the role of a protective elder brother, a role he shared with our oldest sister, Olivia. Together, they were the guardians of our family's chaotic harmony—and with eight other siblings, that wasn’t an easy task.
Noah's presence in the car was as commanding as ever; his deep blue eyes, a familial trait we all shared, exuded warmth and concern. His dark brown hair, always neatly combed, and his muscular build, a testament to his disciplined nature, set him apart. It was this strength and stability that made him a cornerstone of our family.
His gaze was fixed on me now, a blend of brotherly love and worry, as if he could sense the turmoil beneath my composed exterior. Noah had always been adept at reading us, understanding our unsaid struggles, and offering silent support.
I forced a smile, though it felt more like a mask. “Yes, Noah, I’ve heard every word. You’ve been saying it for the past hour and a half,” I replied, keeping my tone light.
“Yes, an hour and a half, and we’re still about another hour from home. You know Mom and Dad are going to freak out, right?”
“They’ll have to adjust,” I said, reaching to turn up the radio, hoping to end the conversation.
But Noah was persistent. He turned off the music and faced me squarely. “Lucas, I’m serious. You’re moving three hours away.”
I sighed. “Noah. It’s time. I…I need a change. I’m twenty-two; I finished school and got a good job where I can work remotely. It’s time I move out.”
“I get that. And if that’s all it was, I’d be all for it, but this is three hours away, Lucas—three hours. Mom and Dad are going to shit kittens and that’s not something rabbits should do.”
I suppressed my laughter at the mental image he painted. It really was something no one should do—shitting kittens equaled awful.
“Why couldn’t you find a place… you know, close to us,” Noah said, pulling me back to the present again.
I couldn’t tell him the real reason. I didn’t want to deal with the chance of running into Talon. It was bad enough controlling my rabbit. He was angry we didn’t go to him.
“Lucas, come on, bro. Tell me what’s really going on. Why so far?” Noah said softly.
I released a loud breath and looked at Noah. “I’m…. I… I’m just ready for a change. I need to be somewhere new. I need to move on.” I focused back on the road. “And it’s not three hours; it’s two and a half. See, we’re pulling into the neighborhood.”
Noah was the one to sigh now. “You seem too excited to go to your execution.”
This time, I barked a laugh. “Mom and Dad will be fine. Don’t worry, big brother.”
“You’ve met our parents, right?”
I shook my head and parked next to my sister’s car. I groaned. It seemed like I’d also be facing Olivia. Now, she was set in her ways and bossy.
Noah chuckled beside me. “Not so excited now, huh?”
I turned and glared at him. “You knew she was going to be here.”
Noah laughed louder and slid out of the car. “Come on, you get to tell the family about your decision.”
