“I thought I made myself clear.” Aedan growled behind Lucie.
Kyle nodded his head respectfully to Aedan. “I just came to check and see if Lucie wanted to go to a party with me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. For one, I’m not allowed to leave the pack. I’m under lockdown. And two …” Her eyes drifted over to Derrick and Jasper, who were now by her side. “This is my mate, Ryan.”
“Wait, your actual mate?” Kyle lifted his nose a bit to take in his scent. He frowned and looked at Lucie, confused. “So how is that going to work out?”
“Lucie is my soulmate. So there’s nothing to work out,” Derrick said, drawing her close to his side. He locked eyes with Kyle. He didn’t like the way he was looking at Lucie. Like she was a prize he wanted to obtain.
“How does that even happen? How does our princess get a vampire as a soulmate?” Kyle said with a small scowl.
Aedan chuckled darkly and placed his hand on Derrick’s shoulder, a sign that he would handle it. He walked forward and pushed Lucie backward more, wanting her distanced from Kyle. “Is there a problem? Lucie is my sister, and I’m fine with her choices. So if there is something you want to say here?—”
Kyle raised his hands up in front of him and plastered on a fake smile. “Not at all. If this is what Lucie wants, then I support her. I only came to invite her to a party.” He looked over at Gia. “You interested?”
Gia’s eyes lit up and she gave him a quick nod. “Yes.”
“You can go, but you have to take a couple of pack members with you,” Aedan said, looking from Kyle to Gia.
“That’s fine with me. I’ll wait for you by the car,” Kyle said as Gia dashed outside. He looked behind Aedan to meet Lucie’s gaze. “I guess that’s one dream I won’t get to fulfill.” He grinned and winked at Lucie. “I wish you nothing but happiness.”
“Thank you,” Lucie said with a faint smile. She could feel Derrick’s grip on her tightening, and she was certain he was fighting the urge to kill Kyle.
“Make sure my pack members get back here safely and in one piece,” Aedan warned.
Kyle nodded and smiled. “Sure will.” He glanced at Lucie once more and then left, closing the door behind him.
“Who was that?” Derrick asked in a low, deadly tone.
“That’s the guy who tried to kiss Lucie before,” Jasper said in annoyance.
“But he didn’t, and I wasn’t going to let him,” Lucie added immediately.
“I don’t like the way he looks at you. Who is he?” Derrick snapped his gaze to Aedan.
“He’s from another pack. Don’t worry. I’ll keep him away,” Aedan said matter-of-factly.
“Because I am such a delicate female who can’t possibly do anything to fight him off. Good thing I have males around to protect me from throwing myself at every other male around.” Lucie scoffed and walked away. Aedan would keep him away? He didn’t do anything. Besides, he was the ONLY person who had ever looked at her like a woman. She didn’t like his low opinion of vampires, but she actually found herself getting along well with him before.
Derrick grabbed Lucie’s shoulder and spun her to face him. “Tell me. Do you have feelings for him? If you do, I would understand. I just …”
Lucie’s was floored. “What? Feelings for him? I only knew him for a couple of hours.” She looked at him like he had an arm growing out of his forehead.
“I don’t like the way he was looking at you.” Derrick squeezed his hands into fists. “He looked at you like you were his.” He looked back at Aedan and Jasper, who nodded in agreement.
“He has a reputation of getting what he wants. But he won’t be getting my sister,” Aedan said glaring at Lucie. “I never said you can’t take care of yourself or that you threw yourself at men. My job is to protect you, and that’s what I’m going to do. Luce …” Aedan tilted his head and raised his brows at her.
You know the way he looks at you is inappropriate, right?
Are you going to go out there and teach him a lesson? The only guy who ever came to ask me out to a party? What about the way girls look at you? Is that inappropriate?Lucie folded her arms over her chest and raised her brows, challenging her brother.
Why do you have to go and start throwing logic at me? Can’t I just win an argument?Aedan chuckled, shaking his head.
“Gosh, you’re such a moron sometimes.” Lucie lifted her hands up and rubbed her face. “I’m not going to see him again. I only hung out with him for a couple of hours while EVERYONE else was busy. Let it go.”
“Alright, Luce.” Aedan sighed. “So, popcorn and a movie?” He smiled, trying to change the subject.
“Yeah … just give Lucie and me a few moments to talk first,” Derrick said gently, taking her hand in his. He led her up the stairs and back to her room, where he slowly shut the door.
