The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(36)
Chapter Eleven
“Your Highness?” Tara curtseyed.
Luca immediately frowned and took her hands. “Please, that isn’t necessary.” Tara allowed herself to be helped up and stood expectantly. Luca hesitated. He had no idea what to do or say. He looked at his mother. “Will you excuse us please?”
Adrienne simpered. “Of course, you have plans to discuss.”
Luca cringed but waited until she left the room. This was going to be embarrassing enough.
“If I may, Sire?” Tara put her head to one side and calmly waited for him to answer. Luca nodded sharply and guided her to a seat. He sat down opposite her. Tara delicately placed her hands on her lap. “I am to take part in the choosing tomorrow. The Alpha-heir from the Lansei pack has expressed an interest now that they are permitted to do so.”
Luca had encouraged the Alphas to talk to their potential omegas before the games. The whole point was a mutual partnership. He hated the idea of the omegas being paraded like cattle. The procession had been abolished at the same time as the grand-beta had been retired whether he liked it or not.
“But I of course am aware that your mating with Kit will necessitate finding a breeder,” Tara continued and Luca frowned. He didn’t like that term either. “If I may be so bold, Sire... I wanted to say that while I have respect for the other Alpha-heirs, it would be my honor to be of assistance to you both.”
Luca glanced up at her sharply. He was met with a shy smile. Luca sighed deeply. “I am aware of my responsibilities, Tara. It was just not something I wished to have to deal with when...”
“When your mating is so new?” Tara interrupted intuitively. “I understand. I hoped that because Kit knows me it might make the arrangement easier. I am also a breeder, which means you would be guaranteed success.” Tara blushed delicately.
Luca sighed. Did he take the chance that Kit would find it easier because he knew Tara rather than some strange she-wolf? He didn’t have to breed an omega, but Tara being one carried with it a lot of advantages. It was a guarantee of pregnancy. Surely Kit would think Luca lying with her once and getting her pregnant was better than repeated tries? He forced himself to contain a shudder. It would be like a black cloud constantly hovering over their relationship. He had no idea how many tries and over how many years it would take. He would only need to lie with Tara twice. It was a horrific clinical arrangement but possibly one that would be easier on all three of them. It was just not a decision he had intended to make until they were established in Neira.
Luca stood and took Tara’s hand, bowing formally. “I would be grateful if you would consent.” Tara blushed again, but looked pleased. “And now, if you will forgive me, I have matters to see to.”
Luca turned and nearly ran from the room. He eyed the staircase and assumed Kit was up there. Luca took a step towards it just as Gabriel entered the pack house.
“Sire, if I may?”
Luca looked at Gabriel. “Is it of vital importance?”
Gabriel smiled. “No, Sire.” He looked behind Luca as if he were hoping Kit was with him. “It is something I wanted to share with both you and Kit. Good news, I think.” He smiled.
Luca could do with some good news. “Then as soon as we are together we will come and find you.”
But Luca soon got caught up in more pack problems and by the time it was late in the evening he had completely forgot all about Gabriel.
****
The next morning Luca cracked his eyes open and whined pitifully at his throbbing head. This wasn’t one of his headaches, though. This was completely self-inflicted torture. He had been trying so hard to put off talking to Kit about Tara he had stayed downstairs with the Alpha-heirs and gammas drinking until the early hours. When he had finally staggered upstairs, Kit had been a curled up mound in the bed covers and Luca had every intention of them talking in the morning.
Luca groaned pitifully a second time and paused. He knew he only had to shift to get rid of his headache, but he had hoped Kit might see fit to use his talented fingers again. He reached over to touch Kit. Nothing. Luca squinted against the sunlight streaming into the room and put out a cautious arm. The bed was empty. Luca opened his eyes fully in disbelief. He knew it was still very early because of where the sun was, but there were sounds from downstairs indicating that the pack was up and about. Where was Kit?
Worry filtered through his mind as Luca got out of bed. After a quick trip to the bathroom, he pulled on his pants and walked downstairs. Asher was missing, so he was slightly relieved. Kit wasn’t on his own at least.
“Luca!”
Luca tried not to groan at his mother’s voice.
“Tara and I were just going to share breakfast. We would love you to join us.”
Luca paused. The attempts to insert Tara into his life were beginning to get on his nerves. “I’m sorry. I am eating with my mate this morning. You would be welcome to join us both.”
Adrienne frowned. “Oh, but he left already. I must say, Luca, I realize the mating is an unfortunate necessity, but really, I would expect him to be a bit more discreet.”
Luca frowned. “Kit is being accompanied by his human bodyguard.”
Adrienne laughed condescendingly. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m afraid I assumed too much with them being so close. I will see you later then, son.” Luca barely stopped himself fisting his hands in frustration. He should be used to his mother’s brand of criticism by now.