The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(11)
Alphas always mated instantly. An Alpha’s gifts were only ever transferred when that happened, but he had gotten incredible strength last night and Kit had been healed, which Gabriel insisted was due to him, so...it didn’t seem that the full mating was necessary to get his gifts. Very unusual, but Luca assumed it was the King thing again, so he could go slow. He had no intention of scaring Kit, especially with how malnourished and weak he was. Luca could wait.
Kit moved and Luca pressed his lips together to stop the groan that wanted to tear free from them.
“Sire?” Kit murmured softly.
Luca swallowed. “Mmm?” He wasn’t sure he was able to form a single word, never mind a coherent sentence. Heat rolled the length of his spine and he felt his wolf move restlessly. Wolves never understood the go-slow plan, but Luca had no intention of frightening or hurting his mate...ever.
“Sire?” Kit whispered, a warm puff of breath fluttering across Luca’s nipple.
Luca clamped down on a shudder. “Luca,” he reiterated.
Kit sighed. “We need to talk, Luca.”
“Breaking up with me already?” He felt the pull of Kit’s lips against his chest as he smiled.
“I—we...”
Luca listened as Kit’s words trailed off. “What, baby?” The endearment fell from his lips automatically.
“Do you think I am a child?”
“What?” Luca laid Kit flat, propping himself up so he could look at him. “Of course not.”
“I was when we first met. I was thirteen.”
Luca remembered. “You looked younger.”
“But I’m twenty now,” Kit carried on as if Luca hadn’t spoken.
“Yes,” Luca acknowledged, not understanding where the conversation was going.
“Then...” Kit paused again, and Luca stared in fascination as faint pink tinged the brown skin of his face. Beautiful. “Then why didn’t you mate me?”
Luca blinked, not completely certain he had heard correctly. “When?” Luca blurted out. “You were injured.” Luca sat up. “You have such a poor opinion of me?” he said incredulously and louder than he intended.
“No, Sire, but the Alphas—”
“For pity’s sake,” snapped Luca. His headache that had vanished last night suddenly throbbed at his temples again. Kit shied back and Luca nearly bit his tongue in frustration. “I’m going for a run,” he announced. Luca’s wolf had been riding him hard since yesterday and he hoped it would help the pain in his temples. Kit opened his mouth but there was a knock at the door. Luca leapt up. “Enter,” he commanded tersely.
It was Tara and a slave, carrying what smelled like breakfast. Luca’s belly rumbled. He hadn’t eaten last night. He stepped to the door, not worried about the fact he was undressed. Nudity wasn’t exceptional in werewolves. In slaves either, but for different reasons. He tried to calm down.
“My apologies, Sire, but the council meeting starts in just over an hour.” Tara glanced at Kit, who lay still, staring at the ceiling and not even looking at Luca. It wasn’t fair. Luca had tried to do the right thing, but Kit just looked like he had slapped him. Luca needed a run.
He was shifting as he strode from the room. Sam stood in the dim entrance hall, but looked up as Luca appeared and immediately shucked his pants down so he could shift too. “Good morning, Sire.”
Completely shifted now, Luca bounded away, registering Sam following him after a few seconds. For the first time, Luca appreciated where he was. Hendrick’s—no, his—pack lands were plentiful in game. He chased aimlessly, avoiding the does and their young, but then effortlessly caught a young buck, killing it instantly and nudging some towards Sam. They both ate their fill and then Luca padded over to the stream, listening carefully.
He would have never roamed Hendrick’s lands before, and while the biggest threat to the wolves in Caedra were the mountain lions who sometimes appeared in the north of Caedra near the Tzion mountains, he couldn’t smell any other predators. The problem nearer to home was the Hadrax, a vicious animal about the size of a large pig, but bloodthirsty. It was common to lose some of the lambs every spring and there were tales told to scare children into not wandering off.
Luca drank thirstily, aware that Sam had shifted back behind him. “We have things we need to discuss with Gabriel before the meeting, Sire.”
Luca sighed and closed his eyes. The heat of the change rushed through him, and when he opened his eyes he was human.
“Sire.” Luca heard the awe in Sam’s voice and glanced back, wondering what was causing it. Sam was staring at him and he looked down wondering what—Luca barked out a delighted laugh and eyed his still naked friend. He patted the long sleeves on his T-shirt just to annoy Sam further. Sam grumbled and Luca grinned. He was dressed. Being King had many advantages it seemed.
He was still chuckling as they walked back, much to Sam’s chagrin, and saw they hadn’t wandered as far away as he originally thought. They crossed over a small bridge and met Gabriel just coming from the direction of his father’s house.
“Sire,” Gabriel greeted him as they all stepped into the clearing where the choosing had taken place the night before. Sam quickly dived into the pack house and came running back with his pants on.
“Gabriel,” Luca responded. “I’m making you one of my advisors. There doesn’t seem to be anyone who can match you in historical knowledge.” Gabriel’s smile was cautious and Luca thought he knew the problem. “How’s Danni this morning?”