The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(17)

“What the hell?” Luca opened his eyes to see Kit’s brimming with laughter. He stared at the mischief written all over him and understanding slammed into him. “I was seeing through your eyes?” he asked incredulously. Kit giggled, and the sound skittered pleasantly over his skin.

Luca smirked and closed his eyes again. Just the tattoo this time, he admonished. Then he nearly opened his eyes again in shock. His mark was completely changed. The letters A and L were still there but skillfully woven into a crown. It was the mark of the Alpha King. He knew that without having to say another word. Even the crown was similar to Kit’s, just a larger version. Luca grinned and opened his eyes. My crown’s bigger than yours.

Kit snorted inelegantly and threw him a grubby-looking sheet from the end of the bed. Luca looked down at the drying cum and swiped at it, wrinkling his nose. He would have preferred to keep Kit’s scent on him. As soon as the thought left his mind, Kit’s heady scent replaced it.

Luca took another breath in then stepped back, reluctantly feeling his cock lengthen in response to Kit’s scent. He pulled on his pants and marched to the door and pulled it open. Sam stood there protectively with his back to the hut. Asher and the others who had helped him stood surrounding the group of guards. The four gammas looked sulky but were making no attempt to cause a problem. A brindle-colored wolf lay curled up panting with at least six makeshift spears pointing at him.

“He refuses to shift,” Sam said dryly, “but he has made no attempt to escape.” Sam glanced back at him and Luca knew he was looking at his mark. “Your Highness,” Sam quietly acknowledged.

“I need clothes for Kit,” Luca said.

Sam glanced at Asher, who stood with a knife pointed at Gareth. “Any small clothes?”

Asher nodded at one of the other humans. He was smaller than Asher but his clothes would still drown Kit. The man stripped immediately, and Asher threw the clothes towards Sam.

Luca turned and went inside the hut. Kit hadn’t moved. He just lay sprawled amongst the tattered sheet. His eyes were half-closed, his slick, sweaty hair brushed to one side, replete. Pride rose up in Luca as he drank in the smile. He adored the look he had put there.

“We need to go.” He walked to the small bed and leaned over, groaning as their lips brushed. Kit whined and pouted. Luca chuckled softly. “Do you need me to dress you?”

“There is so much wrong with that question,” Kit teased.

“When we get home,” Luca promised. He stared at Kit, fearful still that the mating had been forced even though Kit seemed to have enjoyed it.

“Before or after the council meeting?” Kit asked pointedly. Luca huffed, and Kit immediately looked contrite. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t fair. Of all people, I understand your responsibilities.”

Luca brushed another kiss over Kit’s soft lips and it was a wrench to step back. He catalogued Kit’s face carefully. He’d cooled, knew where he was and what he was saying. Guilt filtered into Luca.

“You didn’t force me,” Kit promised and cupped Luca’s cheek. “I was out of my mind with needing you.”

Exactly... Out of your mind.

Our mating has been destined since we were born. I knew exactly what I was doing.

Luca bent down and kissed Kit’s mouth again, then he walked back outside, closing the door to the hut behind him. A shivering Gareth in human form lay curled up on one side. Luca ignored him. He was well aware the punishment was death or banishment but he wasn’t sure that would make a good first day. He would bring the wolf back with them.

He glanced at Asher. “What work do you do?”

Asher blinked, then looked down. Luca frowned. He hadn’t meant the question as a criticism, he just wanted to know if his family could manage without him. “I am a cellar-boy,” Asher replied sullenly.

Luca registered surprise and glanced at Richert. “Do you need your son to provide?”

Richert shook his head.

“I am fortunate to be granted three. Asher was never fond of farming.” Luca mused. A cellar-boy basically worked in the cellars below the tavern, moving barrels of beer, lighting and maintained the fires in the bars, washing glasses and doing whatever was needed for the taverns that served the werewolves and the humans who had money to drink there. Any human in a licensed trade like farming were allowed such perks. Cellar-boys were basically slaves to whichever werewolf owned the tavern, but licensed meant he received a small wage. This village’s tavern was more unusual as it was jointly owned, but seeing as now Luca was Alpha of Caedra, Asher technically worked for him. Half of him, anyway. He obviously knew better than to speak any of those thoughts aloud.

“Would you like to be one of my guards?” Luca watched as Asher’s sullen look was replaced with a hopeful smile. “You would be under Sam, of course.”

Luca heard the sharp inhale from his best friend and he also registered the assessing look Asher sent Sam. He nearly laughed. Perhaps he would have to start choosing his words with more care around those two. He looked at Gareth. “Chain him to the human guards and have Asher watch them.” He immediately regretted rushing out with Sam without stopping for horses. It would be a long walk back with the humans. Then he remembered what he’d been barely in time to save Kit from. The ground shook slightly as anger swirled in his gut. Everyone looked alarmed but Luca raised a consolatory hand before people started dropping to their knees.