The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(38)

He never gave the mating jewels another thought.

****

Kit hadn’t seen Luca when he returned after talking to Asher. He knew he shouldn’t interfere in what Asher had told him, but he was hoping Luca himself might grant permission for his beta to mate a human. It wasn’t something ever done before, but he knew Luca was reasonable and he had an idea that Sam was as interested in Asher as the human was in Sam. He had caught Sam’s looks at Asher a few times in the last few days when the beta didn’t think anyone was looking and he didn’t think it was as hopeless as Asher thought it was.

He walked into the pack house carrying the bag with his outfit in and managed to avoid the she-wolves who all seemed to be excited over something, and asked a kitchen servant for some toast and water to be sent upstairs while he bathed. Asher had accompanied him to get his outfit that Molly had finished early this morning and he was excited to see it. He desperately wanted Luca to be proud of him. He knew today was so important to Luca. They were barely three days from marching to Neira, and Luca needed everything settled here first.

The room was empty. Kit sighed in disappointment. He had been asleep when Luca had finally come to bed last night and had woken once to see Luca sprawled out, snoring softly. He had been careful not to wake him when he had left, and hoped he might have been still here when he got back, although cheering Asher up and promising not to talk to Luca about Sam had delayed him. Asher had been horrified when Kit had offered, insisted in the end it was pointless as he didn’t even know how Sam felt, and Kit had in the end reluctantly agreed.

Kit unpacked the clothes in trepidation. Molly and Taheesha had both assured him they knew what would be acceptable, and he was eager to see what they had come up with.

Kit stood looked at the outfit in awe—black fitted pants that were the common dress for men, a cream silk shirt made from a silky gossamer material, and a cummerbund in scarlet to add a slash of color. It was understated, classy, and perfect. He thought about how loud and bright the dress with the gold lace he had seen Tara in was. He would die if someone made him dress up like that and he couldn’t for one second imagine Luca would appreciate it. The cream was perfect against the brown of his skin

Suddenly, he was excited. His Alpha would be proud of him. Tara might be expecting something to happen, but Luca had never let him down. He was overreacting, and his mother was simply a bitch.

Kit forced a little soup down later, despite his stomach wanting to rebel, before he got changed. He hadn’t eaten anything since he had been at Molly’s. He’d waited, expecting Luca to come and change and then finally he’d given in and asked one of the gammas if they had seen Luca. The gamma had been helpful and told him servants had removed Luca’s outfit earlier from their rooms, and he would be getting ready somewhere else. The whole thing seemed odd to Kit, but it was likely that Luca had showered earlier and just taken clothes to change into. He could hear the increase in chatter from downstairs as servants ran back and forth from the kitchens to the outside pack area. The tables were already set up, with just the food to be added after the games and the choosing had happened. This time though, there were huge picnic areas set up as, much to Kit’s delight, Luca had invited every single pack member to eat. Each visiting Alpha had been instructed to repeat the celebrations at their own pack as well. All of Caedra was celebrating.

Kit stood and nervously smoothed his pants. He was ready. He guessed he’d just make his way over to the area the games were to be held. He just wished he had seen Luca to know. He had reached out tentatively in his mind an hour ago, but Luca hadn’t replied, so he assumed he was too busy. He tried not to be disappointed. Luca had nearly run himself into the ground all week getting ready for today.

There was a quick knock at the door and Taheesha skipped into the room in her cream dress with matching scarlet sash draping from one shoulder to her waist. Kit smiled. “You look beautiful.”

Taheesha twirled instantly. “So do you,” she insisted, and slipped a smaller hand in Kit’s. “Iris has just been escorted to the stands with the Alpha-heirs and their omegas, but I didn’t see you, so I said I would come and check if you were here.”

Kit blinked and puzzled over the information. “Do you think we should wait here, then, if we are to be escorted?”

Taheesha shrugged. “I don’t think so, nearly everyone has left.”

Kit absorbed the hurt, then shook it off. He wasn’t a girl, and he was more than capable of walking a quarter of a mile. “Then we will go downstairs and walk with Asher.”

Taheesha shook her head. “Asher’s at the games. He was walking over there with the other guards when I came.” Kit frowned. What was going on? Luca was frantic about him never going anywhere without his guard. “Come on,” Taheesha pulled at his hand, “I don’t want to miss anything.”

Kit took a deep breath and let Taheesha pull him out. As they neared the game arena, Kit started noticing the puzzled looks from a few of the servants who were still running back and forth. They were probably wondering, like him, why he and Taheesha were wandering about on their own.

He heard a shout and saw Elliot jogging towards them both. He looked exasperated at Taheesha. “Your sister’s going out of her mind wondering where you got to.”

Taheesha gripped Kit’s hand stoically. “I don’t know why. I was with my brother.” Elliot shot Kit an almost apologetic glance, but Kit understood. The relationship was new and it would take a lot to sink in. Elliot held his arm out to Taheesha. “I would be honored if you would let me escort you to your seat, princess.”