“At least your loofah is getting some action,” Jasper teased with a snicker.
“I’ll make sure I have your own body wash for you for the next time,” Ryan said, trying to ignore Jasper. “And what are youaccusing me of?” He smirked as she giggled. The shower turned off, and he heard quiet footsteps coming closer to the door.
“So … am I to wear a towel all day, or do you have something else for me to wear?” Lucie asked in the doorway.
“I think a towel looks good on you,” Jasper said with a shrug.
“Don’t look at her. TURN around,” Ryan said lowly.
“Relax, Ryan. Jasper is like a brother to me.” Lucie rolled her eyes and moved closer to Jasper to prove her point. She was completely comfortable with him.
“Lucie … he is a male. And you are a beautiful woman. And no matter what, he isn’t related to you. There is no way I can be okay with this.” He walked forward and shoved Jasper away a couple feet. “I’ll get you something to put on.” He quickly walked to the end of the room and grabbed a shirt and a pair of drawstring pants. “Um … I have boxers and boxer briefs …”
“That will work for now,” Lucie said matter-of-factly. She kept her voice level so she wouldn’t show how affected she was from hearing that. When Ryan walked back to them, his cheeks looked a bit flushed as he handed her the clothes. She smiled as she took them from him. There were some things he was bashful about too.
She quickly walked to the side of the bathroom and threw the clothes on. She rolled up the bottom of the pants, tied his shirt into a knot at her waist, and pulled the string as tight as she could, tying it in a knot as well.
“Well. At least I’m not covered in flour anymore.” Lucie giggled as she held her arms out. After hearing Ryan’s apology, she was no longer upset with him.
Jasper placed his hand on the top of her head and moved it back and forth. “Much better, Lucie.” He then leaned down. “What do you want to do about him? If you want me to steal you away from him, just say the word.”
Ryan chuckled darkly. “Just try it and see what happens.”
Lucie turned and looked at Ryan. “I’m sorry. It’s more than acceptance. I won’t abandon the treaty. I don’t want to risk there ever being a war between our species.”
Ryan sighed and rubbed his forehead with his hand. “I didn’t want to have to do this …”
Lucie’s eyes darkened as she stared at him. “If you think you’re going to force your mark on me, you have another thing coming.” A low growl escaped her throat as her eyes flickered with her wolf.
She watched him smile at her as his eyes danced in amusement. “Lucie, you’re my treasure. I would never EVER mistreat you. Come on. You can feel my feelings if you really try. Open your heart up to me, and you’ll be able to feel how I feel about you.”
She felt Jasper put his hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him. “Lucie, I’m right here. You know I would NEVER allow anyone to harm you or touch you if you didn’t want it.” He squeezed her shoulder and smiled down at her. “Oh, we need to send a messenger fairy to your parents.”
“I already sent one letting them know I was safe.” Lucie watched as Jasper nodded his head. She looked back at Ryan, whose possessive gaze was fixed on her. But in the possessiveness, there was also tenderness. And she could see that she was his center.
“Lucie …” Ryan glanced at Jasper’s hand on her, and he frowned. “Please … come to me. I need to hold you.”
She looked into his pleading amber eyes, then took a step toward him before she was pulled into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and gently held her, sifting his fingers through her hair with one hand while the other lightly pressed against her back.
“I never thought I would ever feel this … ever. I didn’t think I could ever have this, but I do, and I can. Lucie, I need you. You’renot optional to me. I can’t live without you. My soul is connected to yours. I can feel you and what you want. I know you’re fighting this because you want to protect your pack. My Lucie … what if I told you that the treaty will stand between us?” Ryan said in a soothing voice.
Lucie pulled back slightly and looked up at him. She could see his eyes were serious and that he meant what he was saying. She then looked over at Jasper, who also nodded his head.
Wait a minute … were they really telling her she could be with Ryan and still unite their species? She could really have her fated mate? She felt her chest squeezing, and her eyes burned. Was it really okay to give in to the mate pull? She looked back into Ryan’s eyes as she waited for him to explain.
CHAPTER 19
Ryan sighed. He reached up and brushed his thumb over Lucie’s cheek as he gazed into her emerald eyes. “This is a lot to ask, but please don’t be mad at me. I know I was wrong now, but that doesn’t change anything. And … I can say this with total certainty. Before you were my mate, I loved you, Lucie. Finding out you were my mate was wonderful, but to find out you’re my soulmate … it’s unbelievable. I mean, that doesn’t happen. Our fate together was connected by someone. Maybe your Moon Goddess?”
Lucie shook her head and looked at him, confused. “What are you saying?” She knew what it sounded like he was saying, but it didn’t make any sense.
“This has to be kept a secret right now. Just let me explain, please.” He sighed as he watched hurt begin to reflect in her eyes. He nodded his head slowly. “I’m Derrick, Lucie.”
“You’re not the guy I’ve been seeing—” She stopped abruptly and studied him, realizing he more closely resembled the little boy she used to play with. She always excused his differences due to growing up. But looking at him now … he did look more like Derrick. She softly took in his scent. It was familiar. Derrick … well, who she thought was Derrick, told her before that his scent had changed because of puberty. Which was true since Jasper’s had changed as well. Jasper, however, still had a hint of his normal scent, while the Derrick she knew didn’t. But this Ryan … she was finally putting the puzzle together. There was a nostalgic scent to him, one that made her heart race. Her eyes were glued on him as she waited for him to continue.
“That is my double, Ryan. The real Ryan. Let me explain, please. The prince’s men must be people that can be trusted unconditionally. The only way to truly see that is to work among them. No one will show their true colors in front of the royals. They even act differently in front of Jasper. So, I swapped places with my double. I took on the soldier role and he took on the face of the prince. At the end of this summer, we were going to switch back. The prince’s soldiers would move into the palace as my elite, trusted men, and the real face of the prince would be revealed. Right now, only a handful of people know who I am. I’m so sorry, Lucie. I didn’t realize how isolated and unwanted he was making you feel. I could tell when you talked about him how hurt you were by all of this. I’m so sorry …” His eyes watered slightly as Lucie’s face looked more pale and pained.
“He was supposed to keep it on a friend level so you didn’t fall for him. I never meant to hurt you. Please don’t be mad.”
