Chapter 14: Lucas

I tried to fall asleep in the guest bedroom, but it was no use. Rhonen wouldn’t stop pacing, going from whining to snarling and back to whining because we weren’t with Sutton. I would have let him run it off, but I wasn’t going to leave Sutton here by herself. I didn’t usually keep staff here at my private residence and Jaden was back at the packhouse. So there wasn’t anyone here to keep her safe. I didn’t know how else to calm Rhonen down, so I shifted and let him sleep outside the bedroom door until morning.

We woke around sunrise. I showered and dressed before going down to the kitchen to make breakfast. Sutton would be ready for something more substantial than she’d had so far. I was almost done cooking when a far more delicious scent than breakfast hit me.

“So you’re the great cook you were boasting about,” Sutton’s voice came from the doorway.

I grinned. “I’m afraid not. But she won’t be back today,” I said. “But I can manage something a little more than edible at least. Are you hungry?”

She nodded, taking a seat at the bar as I dished up the meal, filling her plate. I expected her to argue that it was too much but was pleasantly surprised when she started to dig in right away. I ate standing up so I could watch her. She looked a good deal better this morning. Stronger. She was healing well.

“Thank you,” she said, putting her fork down once her plate was empty. “That was really good.”

“There’s more.”

She shook her head. “No, I couldn’t. I’m full.”

I set my own plate down, crossing to her. Lifting her chin, I examined the wounds on her face. Confirming what I had already observed. The bruises were already yellowing nicely and the swelling was completely gone. The cut would take longer but the stitches were ready to come out. Her complexion looked brighter too. The bags under her eyes were gone and her lips no longer showed signs of dehydration.

She was still beautiful. I couldn’t wait to see how incredibly gorgeous she was when she was fully healed. Pulling away, she picked up her plate and brushed past me. Going to the sink, she turned the water on and started washing dishes.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Cleaning up after myself is literally the least I can do after everything you’ve done for me,” she said decisively. “I’m sure you have enough work to do.”

I walked up and cut the water off, taking the plate from her hand and dropping it in the sink.

“I have staff for that,” I said. “You can do whatever you want but work.”

“I’m perfectly cap…”

“No, you’re not supposed to get that cast wet,” I instructed. “This isn’t a discussion, Sutton.”

“It’s not the first time I’ve had to work around a cast, Alpha,” she replied. “I don’t like being useless.”

I sighed, cursing myself for my callousness. Rhonen was as well. I pushed a hand through my hair. I couldn’t exactly tell her that my Luna didn’t have to do housework. I couldn’t tell her there were other ways she would be spending her time when she accepted me. But there was something I could encourage her to do. Something that was important to us both. Gripping her elbow, I turned her toward me.  

“You will never be useless, Sutton,” I told her. “Your time is worth more than chores. And there’s something else you should be focusing on.”

Her brow furrowed. “What?”

I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Finding your wolf.”

She took a step back, confusion and pain evident on her face.

“I don’t have a wolf, Alpha Lucas,” she said with conviction. “I didn’t think you still believed I was anything more than human. Whatever it is you smell on me, it’s not a wolf. Don’t you think she would have revealed herself by now if I had one?”

“Not necessarily,” I said encouragingly. “You lived among humans during your formative years. Your mother wasn’t around to prepare you if she knew how. You said you didn’t know your father was a lycan until later in life. Those are just a few things that could prevent your wolf from emerging.”

Sutton chewed her lip like she did when she was thinking but she still didn’t seem convinced.

“I don’t know,” she said, wrapping her arms around herself. “It’s probably better to think about my next move. I should figure out where to go. I can’t keep taking advantage of her hospitality.”

I reined in the spike of frustration at her comment. Reminding myself that she wasn’t used to being wanted. It wasn’t her first thought that she would be welcome to stay, let alone that I had already decided that she wouldn’t be going anywhere.

‘Tell her,’ Rhonen growled.

I was starting to think he was right. She wasn’t going to be in the right mental state to figure it out on her own for a while. And I was getting worried that she would keep finding reasons to explain away what I knew she was feeling and pull away from me. All that mattered right now was that she wasn’t afraid of me anymore. She would be able to process the information without being influenced by fear and misunderstanding.

I stepped in close to her, making sure she was as aware of the electricity coursing between us as I was. Lifting her chin, I met her eyes, ensuring she wouldn’t be able to question the truth behind my words.

“Who said I wanted you to go anywhere?” I asked. “Sutton, you’re exactly where…”

The doorbell loudly interrupted me. Almost immediately followed by an enthusiastic knock on the front door. I stifled a growl. About to open the mind-link wide open and command whoever it was to go the hell away. But I caught sight of the clock and realized the time. It was probably Dr. Callahan coming to examine Sutton. I couldn’t put that off. I sighed heavily.  

“Wait right here,” I ordered, kissing her forehead before walking away.

Rhonen complained with every step. I could relate but we both knew her wellbeing was more important. We’d have the chance to tell her once the doctor was gone.

That thought immediately disappeared when I opened the door to find not only Dr. Callahan but Jaden and his sister, Tarrah, standing outside. Tarrah wore a huge smile and held up several shopping bags.

“I hear we have a new friend,” she said giddily.