Chapter 34: Lucas

 

I nearly canceled the trip altogether after my night with Sutton. Just so she’d give up this ridiculous mission to come with. The idea of her being so close to the border with Alpha Anders’ men pushing into our lands made me sick. Rhonen protested the entire morning, abandoning me to the deep recesses of my subconscious the moment we left the city. He agreed that even Wildmore put her too close to danger.

But we had made a deal, and she had a point about needing to see the doctor. I’d bet she would be getting the cast off and Dr. Callahan should have the test results I’d asked for back. And I had a feeling I wouldn’t like what she found since she’d been dodging my calls all week.

It wasn’t yet mid-morning when I turned into the drive of the farm. I looked at Sutton in the seat next to me as I parked the truck. She was fast asleep. She had passed out about an hour into the three-hour drive from Thorncrest to Wildmore. She’d gotten up before me in order to pack. I think it started to hit her that she would be coming to meet my family. For her, it would be the first time.

“Sutton, baby,” I said gently, grazing my knuckles along her jaw, “we’re here.”

Her eyes fluttered open and she inhaled deeply. She looked around as she sat up straight.

“We’re here?” she asked, still waking up.

Through my open window I heard the screen door to the farmhouse creak open. I turned to see my aunt coming down the porch stairs, my uncle not far behind, just as it slammed shut.

“We’d better go meet them or they’ll be dragging you out,” I teased.

Sutton nodded, chewing her lip nervously. I leaned over and kissed her temple.

“You’ll be fine, baby,” I assured her. “They’ll love you. I promise.”

I got out of the truck and walked around to help Sutton out. Taking her hand, I led her towards my family. Aunt Lara was bouncing on the balls of her feet waiting. As soon as we got close, she went straight for Sutton.

“Oh, my dear girl,” she said as she took her face in her hands. “I’m so happy to see you healthy.” She pulled Sutton into a hug. “You’re just as gorgeous as I knew you’d be.”

Sutton was like a deer in headlights. Unsure how to respond. My aunt seemed to have forgotten that Sutton had never actually met her.

“That’s enough, Lara,” Uncle Rodney said. “Give the girl some space.”

“Sutton, this is my Aunt Lara,” I introduced. “As I’m sure you’ve guessed. And my Uncle Rodney.”

“We are so glad you came to see us again so soon,” Aunt Lara said, releasing her from her embrace.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Sutton replied. “Lucas tells me I have you to thank for saving me.”

“Oh, then he is being way too modest,” Aunt Lara stated. “Lucas did all the saving.”

“Well, nevertheless, thank you for allowing him to bring me into your home,” Sutton said gracefully.

“There is nothing to thank us for, young lady,” Uncle Rodney told her. “You are always welcome here.”

“Now, let’s put all that behind us,” Aunt Lara added, looping her arm in Sutton’s. “Let’s get you in the house and get you fed. I’d love a hand with lunch.”

I shook my head with a grin as I watched my mate being whisked away.

“I’ll get our bags,” I called after them.

Uncle Rodney hung back.

“She looks good. Strong,” he commented. “How is she settling in?”

“Slowly,” I replied, watching her disappear into the house. “But we’re getting there.”

“She has more wounds to recover from than the physical,” Uncle Rodney commented. “You can see it in her eyes. Speaking of… she has rather unique eyes, don’t you think?”

“I think that’s safe to say,” I agreed as I pulled our bags from the backseat of the truck. I looked back to see Uncle Rodney deep in thought. “What is it?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s just there’s something…”

“Familiar?”

“Yes, familiar about her,” he said. “It’s odd. Can’t say what it is though.”

“You’re not the first to say that, actually,” I told him. “Her father was a lycan. Perhaps he was an Ironpaw.”

“Could be,” he replied. “What was his name?”

“Don’t know. I’m trying to find out but we’ve hit a dead end for now,” I explained. “All I know is her mother’s name — Leanna Langston.”

“Doesn’t ring a bell to me, unfortunately,” Uncle Rodney confirmed.

“Yeah, I didn’t think so,” I said. “But that can wait. We’re here on a different matter.”

“The border raids,” Uncle Rodney stated.

“Yeah,” I confirmed. “Has any of that reached here at all? Max feels confident they’ve kept everything contained but I don’t want to take any chances with Sutton here.”

“As far as I know, we haven’t had any strangers in the area,” he said. “But I was surprised to hear you would be bringing her with. We just managed to get rid of the last of her scent.”

“I know,” I said with exasperation. “It’s complicated. She insisted on trying to help.”

“Uh-huh… and having to be away from her for a few days didn’t influence the final decision at all, did it?” Uncle Rodney teased.

“I won’t lie and say it doesn’t make the situation easier to stomach,” I admitted. “But it never would have swayed my decision when her safety is at risk. No, this was all her. She’s in a delicate place right now. I hate that she’s anywhere in harm’s way but she’s searching for purpose right now.”

“And you want to encourage that desire to help the pack,” Uncle Rodney guessed.

“Having a positive impact breeds attachment,” I pointed out. “If she feels she has a place in the pack, it may make it easier for her to accept me completely.”

My uncle was giving me an understanding look when another car approached the house. It was Dr. Callahan. Uncle Rodney waited to greet her as I went to put our bags in the spare room. Aunt Lara and Sutton were busy in the kitchen when I returned. Aunt Lara seemed to be asking her a barrage of questions. Looking a bit overwhelmed, I figured I should rescue her.

“Dr. Callahan just arrived,” I announced, wrapping an arm around Sutton’s waist. “Why don’t we go settle on the porch for her to examine your wrist.”