Chapter 27: Sutton

 

I didn’t know why I was so excited by Lucas’ project. I was supposed to be finding a way to get back on my own two feet. This seemed like it would end up giving me more of an attachment to this place. But at that moment, it was hard to care. I really wasn’t prepared to go anywhere and I wouldn’t be able to get a job in the area without the Alpha’s blessing. So, this gave me something to look forward to.

I was checking out the land and making mental notes when Lucas came back out.

“You think you can salvage it?” he asked, coming to stand next to me by the oak tree.

“I think I can make something work,” I replied with a grin. “The land is decent and it’s a good time of year to get started. Did you know you were missing a section of fence along the back? It’ll need to be replaced once we clear the area around it.”

Lucas nodded with a slight grin. “I removed it. The property backs onto a nature reserve. I like to hike, too,” he said, giving me a wink.

I forgot about his wolf. It was normal for lycans to keep easy access to forests and fields. It’s why their cities were spread out more, unlike the usually cramped human cities where you tended to live on top of each other. It was something I really liked about the lycan way of life.

“Oh, right,” I replied awkwardly. “Everything go okay on your call? It seemed serious.”

Lucas nodded. “It was Alpha Anders,” he said.

I felt the color drain from my face and my mouth went dry. “Oh,” I practically squeaked. “He’s looking for me already?”

“Yes, but he has no idea where you are,” Lucas said. “I denied his pack warriors access to our territory to look for you. If he wants to search on Ironpaw lands, he knows he has to go through me. My men and I will be with them every step of the way. I think we can even manage to feed them some false evidence.”

“How?”

“The car,” he said. “It’s hidden for now. Far enough from the border that they won’t stumble upon it. We can plant it somewhere leading away. Maybe even in Silverstreak territory. But we’ll see if he even takes me up on my offer.”

“If he doesn’t?” I pressed, not daring to hope that he would give up.

“Then I’ll have to increase our border patrol,” Lucas said. “If he won’t work with me, then he’ll send more covert teams to try to get past our border. But we’ll be ready.” He took my hand. “I know you’d like me to say he’ll move on and forget about you, but I can’t. I don’t see that happening.”

I nodded, chewing my lip anxiously. Lucas squeezed my hand supportively. I found myself wondering why he didn’t do more. It seemed he had been taking every opportunity he could to get as close as possible. Now, he seemed to be keeping his distance. It shouldn’t have bothered me. After all, I didn’t want another mate. But I had gotten used to the idea of Lucas as my friend.

A fist clenched around my heart. He must not want me anymore. Keeping me here is too much of a risk. Alpha Anders actually convinced him I was nothing more than a useless, pathetic human. He would be a fool to take me as his mate. His pack would never accept a human, let alone a murderer as their Luna. Because that’s what I was. A murderer.

“He told you… what I did, didn’t he?” I asked quietly, pulling my hand away. “He told you that killed Mason.”

“No, he didn’t actually,” Lucas said. “But what he did — or didn’t — tell me says a lot more.”

“What’s that?” I replied, my voice cracking as I desperately tried to push back the tears I didn’t want to form. “That you should consider just handing me over? That I’m more trouble than I’m worth?”

Lucas’ hand was in my hair and I was being pulled against him before I could register what was happening. His face stopped a breath from mine. I was forced to meet his steely gray eyes. The look in them was so intense that I barely noticed his hand on the small of my back. I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for the electricity pulsing from his touch.

“Baby, the only thing I’m considering is the fastest way to make you mine for life,” he rumbled, deep and low. “Because the sooner you’re wearing my mark, the sooner you’re untouchable. And Anders is the only one who will have to decide if you’re worth the absolute devastation I will rain down on his entire fucking pack should he come near you.”

I held my breath as his words melted over me. I didn’t know what it meant. I didn’t trust that he wouldn’t hurt me. But I trusted what he just said. Whatever he wanted — whatever he had planned — he saw me as his. He would never allow someone to take me.

A jolt of fear and excitement hit me. Contradicting emotions that Lucas seemed to inspire in me without effort.

“Did I make myself clear enough, Sutton?” he said, his lips brushing along my cheek.

“Yes,” I breathed.

He spun me around and pressed me against the trunk of the tree. A low growl sounded from his chest. He breathed in deeply as his lips trailed ever-so-lightly down my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.

“I’m trying very hard to control myself, Sutton,” he spoke in my ear. His hand moved down to my hip, his thumb hooking into the waistband of my jeans. “But when you start to doubt me — to doubt how much I fucking want you — it makes it difficult to keep from showing you.”

“Sh-showing me what?” I rasped.

“Just how damn good I’m going to make you feel,” he growled.