Chapter 29 Lucien

It was almost dawn as the limo pulled up the hill toward the Pack House, I focused my attention on the house my family built over two hundred years ago. Gradually as the pack grew, additions were made.

Now this massive house was mine. There was a legacy to live up to on these lands. It was now my responsibility to fill the cup of all these wolves.

Pack loyalty only went as far as their leaders. Although members usually left only when mated with a wolf from another pack, there were always some who just wanted to make their own way.

Typically, that wolf had to petition the Alpha and give their reasons. It wasn’t common to turn them down. After all, why have someone who didn’t want to be there in the ranks? It only caused discontent.

The weight of it all sat on my shoulders. It felt like years and not weeks since Dad was killed. The Council and Kane kept me briefed on what needed my attention, but other than that, they were leaving me alone.

No time.

No time for grieving, no time to enjoy life, no time to just be.

I flexed my fingers, loosening them from the tightly held fist I didn’t even realize I held.

I nudged Vanessa, waking her up out of her post orgasmic slumber.

My body responded instantly to her soft moan and groan of displeasure.

I clenched my jaw; I didn’t have time for another round. I intended to have words with her on the way home, but one thing led to another and now her gown was in a puddle on the floor.

“Hey. Wake up. We’re back.”

More grumbles, so I smacked her bare ass. Which woke her up with a screech.

“Why did you do that?” she demanded.

“Because we’re back.” I drawled. “Would you rather I left you here and went inside alone?”

“Well. No. Of course not.” She replied, hastily reaching for her clothes and slipping into them.

I turned back to the window, and as soon as the car pulled up to the house, I was out the door before one of the Pack House Security Detail could even walk up to it.

I nodded to him as I went by.

I exhaled as I went through the massive oak door. Feeling refreshed, relaxed. Finally home.

Kane walked down the hall from the direction of the kitchens, with the little guy in tow. Both their faces filled with joy.

Kane signed something to the lad, Nicholas, and the boy’s face lit up as he turned to me.

Kane laughed, “He’s excited to meet the great big Alpha wolf.”

I couldn’t help but smile down at him. “Is that so?”

I crouched down and extended my hand, “We need to shake.”

His smile disappeared, replaced by a look of astonishment. He looked up at Kane, who nodded and nudged him toward me.

His little hand was dwarfed by my huge one. I gently shook it and smiled.

A slow grin spread on his face. Nicholas looked up at Kane and signed.

Kane shook his head, and the boy turned back to me. His little mind whirled with something important gauging by the look of concentration on his face.

Then he held his hand in a tiny fist and rubbed it down his cheek to his chin.

Kane laughed and made a fist and bounced it nodding his head. The little wolf clapped and threw his little arms around my neck.

That sudden motion stopped me.

Kane reached for Nicholas, but I held up my hand.

“No,” I said softly, wrapping my beefy arms around his tiny body, pulling him to me.

My eyes met Kane’s. I could see relief and appreciation in his, and for a moment I wondered what mine said to him.

“What was that all about?” I said, when my brief hug with Nick ended and I stood.

“He asked if you had a sign name,” Kane responded.

“A sign name?”

“Yeah. Rather than finger spelling everyone’s name, usually a deaf person will give someone a sign name. He just gave you yours. The letter A for Alpha with a beard.”

I couldn’t help but smile. The innocence of children. “How do I say thank you?”

Kane showed me the gesture, which I repeated, which made Nicholas’ grin even bigger.

Kane signed again, and the boy ran down the hall back toward the kitchens.

“You’re up early,” I commented, heading toward my office. I heard the front door slam behind me, but I didn’t turn around.

“Lucien,” came the demanding shrill from behind me, which I ignored.

Kane looked from her to me and back again.

By watching his eyes, I figured Vanessa headed up the stairs.

“Everything good?” He asked.

“Yeah. I just need to pull my head out of the bedroom and back to pack business. Walking back in here just now felt right to me. I never should have gone to Coralridge.”

“Why’s that?” he asked walking beside me.

“You know as well as I do, Alphas only attend these things when they have daughters to present. I felt stupid and put in my place when Gabriel mentioned that he was surprised to see me. Then, when Vanessa stepped in with some lame-ass excuse about visibility, I could see it in his eyes…like he was laughing at me without moving his mouth.”

Kane visibly winced. “Yeah, that sucks. Sorry that happened.”

“Yeah, we went because “Daddy” said we should,” I replied using air quotes around the word daddy. “I need to get down to business. What’s happening here that I should know about.”

My office door opened without a knock, and Vanessa slipped in, shutting it behind her.  Her hair cascaded down her body, covering bits that her sheer silk robe barely covered.

Kane coughed and made for the door.

“No. Don’t go.” I said weakly, my eyes riveted to the woman at the door.

“Kane. Please go.” She whispered.

He looked between us.

“I need a word with my mate, Kane.” She crooned, her eyes downcast and fiddling with her bracelets as she came up behind me. “I need to apologize.”

“I’ll be back later,” Kane said and walked out, closing the door behind him.

Her hands caressed my chest, unbuttoning my tux shirt, then pulling it free. “What do you have to apologize about?”

I grabbed her wrists, and swung her into my lap. “I asked you a question.”

“I thought last night would be different.”

“How?” Her comment took me by surprise. I waited for her to tell me it was a waste of time.

“I thought we’d have a lot more fun in the limo on the way home. So, I figured we could have some fun now.”

Her scent filled me, and I wanted to forget everything. I blinked myself back. “I can’t right now.”

She pulled back, her eyes wide. Stepping back a step, wringing her fingers, and fiddling with her bangles. “What do you mean you can’t?”

“Vanessa, there’s more to being your mate than fucking you all day.”

“But. But I need you? Don’t you need me?” She asked expectantly.

“Not right now. No.”