~~~Lucas's POV~~~
My mate surried off with Igrette. My wolf was not so happy about it, but he knew she wasn't a threat. We just wanted our mate in our arms.
I draw my attention to my brothers.
"How is the pack running during my mating hiatus?" I ask.
"Fine, same old, same old, with an occasional rouge. Although, there is starting to be some sort of a pattern, but it's most likely just a coincidence." Jasper says.
"What pattern?" I ask.
"Every two days at dusk, two rouges attempt to cross into our territory. We've been killing them every time. It's just strange but you shouldn't worry." He says.
My eyebrows furrow and I nod.
"It could be a coincidence, but I doesn't make sense." I say.
"Well what else would it be, brother?" Elijah asks.
"I don't know." I say, concerned.
The girls come back and the moment I see my mate, my whole body tenses, which is unusual. Whatever this is, must be some sort of threat. I can feel it and any threat again me, is a threat against my mate. Just at that thought, I could feel my whole body heat up.
Her soft hand runs down my chest.
"What's wrong love?" She asks.
"Nothing you need to worry about." I say.
She looks at me worried.
"I promise." I say kissing her forehead.
We sit down to dinner and the whole time all I could think of was, what could these rouges possibly be up to.
****************
~~~Ophelia's POV~~~
Lucas was basically non existent all dinner except for the occasional nod. After, we went upstairs and changed into comfy clothes. Lucas laid in bed staring up at the ceiling like she wasn't there. I tried to get into his mind, but he was blocking me. Why is he acting so strange and what is he suddenly hiding?
I wash my face and brush my teeth. Once I'm done, I peak my head out of the bathroom to see that he is in the same position. My Lycan cries, wanting attention from her mate.
I climb into bed and cuddle close to him. He instinctively wraps his arms around me and pulls me close.
"Lucas." I say softly.
He ignores me.
I nudge my nose against his jaw.
"Lucas." I say a little louder.
He seems to snap out of it and looks at me.
"Hmmm." He says.
"Please tell me what's wrong. Why am I invisible all of a sudden and you're acting like a statue?" I ask.
He sighs. "I'm sorry my love." He says kissing my forehead.
"You're blocking your thoughts." I say.
"I promise it's nothing to concern yourself with. It's just matters that have to do with the pack." He says.
I move up into my elbow and look down at him. "I thought that I was you equal. If it has to do with the pack, then shouldn't I have a say or at least know about it? Were mates, Lucas. We are supposed to decide things together. I want to help you, but I can't if you leave me out." I say.
He sighs. "I'm sorry, my love. I'm just not used to sharing these responsibilities. Being Alpha is a burden most of the time and I don't want to put it on your shoulders." He says.
" Well your budens are mine as well, I just want to help. I may not be as wise as you because of my age, but I assure you that I am very smart " I tell him.
He chuckles. "I know that you are smart, my love. I promise that I'll tell you everything from now on, starting now." He says.
"Thank you. Now, please inform me of what is going on." I demand.
"There is a slight rouge problem, but it could be nothing. It's just rouges have been trying to invade this pack every two days right at dusk for about two weeks now." He says.
My eyebrows furrow.
"That's peculiar." I say.
"It is indeed. I've been trying to think of what it could possibly be, but I don't have anything that comes to mind." He says.
"Well maybe it's because you've been thinking about it for two hours straight." I say running my fingertips down his chest.
"I just need to find out what's going on." He says.
I kiss his jaw.
"You're not going to figure it out when your this tense " I say with a wicked smile.
He looks at me, his eyes glazed over with desire.
I nudge my nose against his affectionately and kiss him. My whole body lights up with familiar euphoria that runs through every nerve in my body. He pulls me to him, running the pad of his thumb over my mark before dragging me under him and kissing me gently.
"I love you to the end of time, and time and time again, Lia." He says.
I smile at the nickname. "I love you more, Lucas, and I like that nickname." I tell him.
He smiles and kisses me. I wrap my arms around his neck and show him just how much I love him.
**************
~~~Lucas's POV~~~
I was tossing and turning all night, until finally it hit me.....
It's a distraction. The rouges are a distraction. They must be planning on attacking from a different section on the border. My sudden conclusion caused Ophelia to stir in her sleep. Most likely because she feels my distress.
I slowly unwrap my arms from her and go to my office. I got about half my plan figured out when I feel her fear and distress creep up on me suddenly.
Ophelia must be waking up. I put my paper down and walk to our bedroom. She keeps shuffling and I can feel her Lycan in distress. I wrap my arms around her and place my lips on her forehead.
Her arms wrap around me. I didn't want to let her go but I had to finish this. I try to move, but she subconsciously pulls me back. Her strength substantially stronger from our mating. I forgot about that part. She is going to be able to keep up with me a lot more now, that's for sure.
So instead of waking her, I gather her into my arms and carry her to my study.
She surprisingly just curls up into my chest and buries her head into my neck. I sigh in contentment. Well this works, I suppose.
*************
~~~Ophelia's POV~~~
I woke up on top of Lucas's chest. I look up at him to see he is still asleep, so I lay my head back on his chest and just listen to his breathing. A knock comes at the door, making him flinch. I go to get up, but Lucas has a death grib on my body. I shimmy my way out of his arms and find my way to the door
I open it to see what I assume is an omega.
He gulps. "L-Luna." He says bowing.
"I was instructed by the Beta not to talk to you or else-"
In a blink of an eye, I heard a loud growl and was pushed behind my mates large frame.
"In what would are you allowed to look or talk to my mate?" He growls.
"I'm so sorry, Alpha. My orders were to speak to you directly, not the Luna. I promise. I was ordered to tell you that we have captured two of The rouges. They are in the holding cells as we speak." He says.
My mate nods.
"Okay." He says unaffected.
The omega stays still, practically frozen.
"What are you still doing here?" He growls.
"My apologies, Alpha." He says scurrying away.
Once the door shuts, he signs and goes to the closet. I wrap myself in a robe and and follow him.
"Are you going to interrogate them?" I ask as he puts his clothes on.
"Yes, but not nicely." He says.
"So, your going to torture them?" I ask.
He nods. "Yes, that is the word for it." He says.
"Are you sure? What if they weren't the rouges you thought they were? Maybe they're just trying to cross the land." I ask.
"Even if they are, it wouldn't matter." He says.
"What if it was me?" I ask.
His eyebrows furrow.
"You are comparing yourself to a rouge?" He asks.
"No, let's just say that I was taken from you. I tried to escape and stumbled upon another land. Then the Alpha tortured and killed me just because I am trying to get back to you." I tell him.
He growls. "That will never happen, Ophelia. You are mine. No one remotely dangerous will get within ten mile radius of you." He says.
I sigh. "It's a hypothetical question, Lucas." I tell him.
"I understand that but if you are trying to change my mind, it will not work. You are my mate. Everything I do now is to protect you and this pack." He states.
"I know, and I'm not asking you to change your mind on how you do things. I am just asking you to recognize your actions. Those wolves are someone's mate. How would it feel if that wolf has killed me before you ever got to meet me?" I say.
He looks at me with daggers in his eyes.
"Please stop with the hypothetical question. You are here now. No one is taking you or hurting you. Understand?" He asks.
I sign. "Did you at least get anything else that I said?" I ask.
He nods. "Yes, I did.
He sighs and gathers me in his arms, pressing his forehead against mine.
"I love you so much it hurts, Lia." He says.
" I love you more." I tell him.
He moved to kiss me, but I place my finger to his lips.
His eyebrows furrow.
"You can't kiss me because is you di, it will only lead to us in that bed as I cannot resist you. Therefore you will be very late, and your pack needs you." I whisper.
He smiles. "Well at least kiss me as I'm out the door." He states.
I hesitate. "Fine." I say.
We walk to the door and he opens it.
I embrace him. "Please be safe and don't take too long." I tell him.
"Of course, my love. I can only be away from you for so long." He says.
I tighten my embrace and press my lips to his, it's soft at first but as part of me expected, he depends the kiss. Lifting me up, shutting the door and presses me to it.
We must stop.
We must stop.
We must stop.
I put him away, but our hips are still molded in dire need.
"I can be really quick, please." He growls.
I look at him unsure.
"You're going to be late." I tell him.
"I am Alpha, I am never late." He says nibbling on my chin.
"We'll never stop, Lucas." I whisper.
He growls and pulls away.
"When I get back, I'm going to fuck you until you can't walk tomorrow." He says.
I gulp, staring at him as he waltzes out the door.
This man.....