The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(12)

Gabriel flushed. “I hope she had a restful night.”

Luca looked at him in surprise. How did he not know? Then he understood. He had been so wrapped up in Kit he had forgotten that Danni wasn’t officially Gabriel’s, but his brother’s. “I understand Danni’s attraction, but what made her father agree?”

“His own son is but twelve and the man lost his mate two years ago. He has no interest in his pack anymore and just spends every day drinking himself into oblivion. He was happy to let someone else run his pack until his son is of age. He knows Danni is valuable and is using her to protect his son’s rights.”

Luca frowned, saddened. He turned to Sam. “What talents do the omegas left have?”

“Abel has some foresight. Hannah is a grower—”

“A grower?” Luca interrupted. He had missed that last night. Growers were highly valued. They could get crops to grow in every season. The Alpha that mated Hannah would be wealthy.

“I would imagine Gareth would be tempted?” he speculated.

“As a second choice, yes,” Gabriel answered slowly.

Luca glanced at Sam. “Perhaps you could facilitate an introduction?”

Sam smiled. “Excellent idea, Sire.”

“Good. Now, tell me what support I’m going to have...or not, at the council meeting.” Luca turned and grinned at Sam. Sam opened his mouth to say something but paused when he caught sight of Luca’s neck.

“What?” Luca asked, puzzled, as he felt Sam’s stare.

Sam swallowed and glanced at Gabriel, who returned his appalled look.

Luca sighed. “Sam, just tell me.”

“You aren’t marked,” Sam said bluntly. “The council will see you didn’t mate the omega.”

Luca glared. His Alpha mark—a small red tattoo on his neck that appeared when he was twenty-one—turned a deep black once he mated his omega. “The omega has a name, and what sort of monster do you think I am? You saw the state he was in last night.”

Sam’s hands rose, conciliatory. “I know, Sire. I know...but there will be some Alphas—”

“I am not about to justify my sex life to other people. It is none of their business.”

“I’m actually surprised Kit didn’t say anything,” Gabriel said quietly. “He, more than any, would understand the significance.”

Luca sat down on the nearest log. The tables and chairs from last night had all been cleared away. He swiped a hand over his face. “I know matings are usually done straight away, but I got my gifts already. You both know that,” Luca reasoned.

“I know, Sire, and it isn’t that,” Sam said.

“Although it is perfectly possible you may develop more,” Gabriel speculated.

“Then what’s the problem?” Luca nearly shouted in exasperation.

“It’s protection,” Sam said.

Luca looked indignant. “What part of me killing Hendrick last night did you forget?”

“Not you,” Gabriel said quickly. “Kit. It’s not just you who will carry the mating mark. If Kit doesn’t have one then he is fair game for any Alpha, especially those who now realize what he is. I can’t believe he didn’t say. I can’t believe he let you leave without marking him, unless as human he didn’t know. Kit not getting your mark is the one thing that can stop you being King. Without mating him you have no claim to Askara’s throne, no matter how strong you are, and there are many friends of Hendrick that would seek just such a revenge. They cannot kill you, but they could kill your omega.”

A chill ran the length of Luca’s spine. That was what Kit had tried to tell him and he had been too stubborn to listen.

“Sire, where is he?”

Luca frowned. “He’s having breakfast.”

Sam glanced at him in alarm. “Guarded?”

Luca didn’t bother with the negative reply. He just exploded into a run and careered to the pack house. Luca heard the crying as he reached the doors and leaped up the steps, barging past the hurrying slaves and guards and running into the bedroom where he had left Kit. There, he found Tara sobbing in the middle of upturned trays, furniture, and food. “Sire,” she cried.

Sam and Gareth rushed in behind him. Sam bent down as Luca, heart pounding, searched the room frantically. “Tell us, Tara, quickly,” Sam urged as he helped her to her feet.

“Two wolves. They were escaping with him as I came back for the tray.” She gestured to the large broken window. It was too high for a human to safely scale but a werewolf would manage.

“Did Kit see you?” Gabriel asked.

Tara’s eyes filled. “He was unconscious. He had blood on his face.”

Luca swallowed sickly. “He was breathing?” He barely dared ask.

Tara paused and Luca felt his heart pound so hard it nearly broke his ribs. “Sire, he must be alive,” Sam said. “If killing was the intention, they wouldn’t have taken him.”

“That you know of,” whispered Luca and sank to the bed. What have I done?





Chapter Four





Kit was stunned awake by the torrent of cold water that seemed to hit him like a brick wall. He gasped and spluttered at the same time as he was dragged to his feet.