“I won’t leave Lucie’s side. Not after … what happened.” Derrick’s voice grew quiet and he felt Lucie nuzzle her head against him. It still stung. Losing Lucie and what she’d been through was something he feared he’d never get over.
He combed his fingers through the fawn-colored lycan’s fur. The feelings of her love flowed into him and he smiled. No matter what form she was in, she was still his. She was still the one his heart was connected to. Still … he would prefer her human form for several reasons.
“I can send Mikah too,” Alexa said, but Mikah immediately objected.
“No. I’m not leaving your side, Alexa. I’m your guardian. Justice is Lucie’s. It’s best I stay with you.”
“Who’s going to touch me here, with my father around?” Alexa frowned, folding her hands over her chest.
“I’m going to be checking in with them and going back and forth. I agree, though. It’s best to keep the guardians with theirown charges for now. Lycaon wouldn’t give them a task they couldn’t handle. I’m sure there’s another purpose behind this. Let the five of them handle it,” Levi said. “This is something meant for just those two.”
“You can’t expect us to just sit here,” Xander said, irritated.
“I’ll keep my eye on them.” Levi looked at Xander, then Hunter. “These tasks are usually for a purpose.” Plus, he knew the family would intervene too quickly and could potentially sabotage Lucie and Aedan. Lycaon could very well not let them shift again if they angered him.
“I don’t see why we can’t just send a small army to accompany them,” Xander interjected. A few of his dragons at the very least would make them all feel better.
“Because this is a challenge, Xander. There can be consequences for intervening. Like I said, I’ll be watching over them from a distance. If anything seems too bad, I’ll stop it.”
“Sounds like we don’t have a choice.” Freja clicked her tongue angrily.
“You don’t. If we interfere, they may end up stuck in their feral forms. He can keep them like this.” Levi knew everyone was angry about this. The family had been through so much lately, but there wasn’t anything anyone could do.
“You two be careful,” Hunter said with a sad frown.
“Justice, stay safe and alert out there.” Chasen looked at his son … a guardian. This was his role now. His sole purpose was to protect Lucie. Still … it was hard to let your child go, knowing they would be in danger.
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep us all safe.” Justice looked over at Derrick. “It’ll look like we’re just taking our new pets for a walk.” He chuckled, and Aedan let a low growl of annoyance slip from his throat.
So, Lucie … any idea where to start?
Anxious to find your mate?Lucie turned, wagging her tail slightly. It was exciting to think they might end up finding Aedan’s other half.
If it is my mate out there, then yes. Plus I don’t want to stay like this forever. This is a pain.
Aedan, maybe being in our feral forms is a hint. Perhaps you can sense her?
Oh yeah, maybe. Here I had it in my head that we would be looking for ice or something.
Lucie rolled her eyes and growled in annoyance.
“What’s the matter, Lucie? Aedan getting frustrating?” Derrick chuckled, feeling his mate’s emotions.
“We need an interpreter. I don’t speak lycan.” Justice chuckled and looked up at Levi.
Just then, Abe appeared in the room. He looked around in confusion and his eyes met with the two lycans. “Okay … what did I miss?”
“Quick version: The deity Lycaon forced them into their feral forms to complete a task, and if we aid them, they may remain in their feral forms,” Justice said with a scowl. “Can you hear Lucie’s thoughts?”
“I can always communicate with my master, but I won’t relay anything. Deities can be spiteful asses. No offense.” Abe turned and shrugged, looking at Levi.
“None taken.”
He could have at least told us where to look.Aedan sighed in annoyance.
How about the old lycan kingdom? I think that would be the most logical starting point.
You think my mate is a lycan?Aedan wagged his tail in excitement.
