“You raaaannnggg?” Jasper said from the floor below.
Derrick led Lucie down the stairs to where Aedan and Jasper were sitting. “Can you watch her for just a few moments?” His eyes glazed over as he had a private conversation with Jasper.
“Alright. But when you get back, we’re going to hook up the game system. Let’s race,” Jasper said, his grin daring Lucie to say no.
Derrick chuckled. He looked down at Lucie’s disappointed face, inwardly smiling. He loved that she didn’t want him to leave her side. “Baby, I won’t be but a few moments. I promise.” He kissed her lightly on the lips.
“I’ll walk with you,” Aedan said. “You’re new here. I don’t want pack members to get jumpy.”
Derrick nodded, and the two men headed out the door. Lucie walked over to the couch and sat down.
“Aww, don’t pout Luce Luce.” Jasper chuckled and tossed a small bag of chips at her.
“Where is he going?” Lucie continued pouting, not bothering to hide it.
“He’s checking on our soldiers, Lucie. You know … responsibilities and all. He’ll be back soon, princess.”
“Come on,” Lucie said, tossing a controller over to Jasper. “We might as well get a few warm-up sessions in.” She grinned and waved her controller in the air.
Jasper laughed. “I won’t go easy on you. Your status means nothing to a vicious competitor like myself. Bhahaha!”
“Good. So, when I beat you, you’ll really understand the difference in our skills.”
CHAPTER 32
Lucie smiled brightly when she saw Derrick and Aedan walk through the door. She dropped the controller and headed over to greet them. Well, mostly Derrick.
“I told you I wouldn’t be long,” Derrick said as he pulled her into his embrace.
“Luce Luce,” Aedan said, waving a paper. “Mom and Dad are staying the night in Elysia. We’re under strict orders to stay inside the borders at all times. If we step one toe outside our borders …”
“Heads will roll,” Aedan and Lucie said in unison, both laughing heartily. Yep, they knew their parents well.
“Are you guys coming? I’m all warmed up,” Jasper said, looking over the couch at them.
“You any good at this game?” Aedan asked Derrick.
“I just played this against Lucie. I was in first the whole time, but she overtook me on the last lap.” Derrick gave her a wry grin, and she smiled innocently at him.
“She’s sneaky like that. She purposely let you lead. She was anticipating something happening to you. Let me guess … a blue seeker shell?”
Derrick nodded suspiciously and watched as Aedan’s lips curled upward. “Yep, thought so.”
Derrick smiled down at Lucie. “Clever, my little mate. I’m afraid I can’t go easy on you during this next battle.”
Lucie batted her eyelashes at him with a fake pout. “Even if I asked you to? What if I just asked you to only target Aedan and Jasper?”
“That would be cheating!” Jasper yelled from the couch.
Derrick chuckled. “Of course, if that’s what you really want, I couldn’t deny you.”
Lucie giggled. “No, I want you to bring it, so when I beat you, you know you were outmatched.”
“Savage, isn’t she?” Aedan grinned
“Perfect … that’s what she is.” Derrick kissed the top of her head and looked down at her with pride.
“Ugh, mushy mate stuff. Gosh, am I going to turn into a sap like that too?” Aedan chuckled.
