The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(43)

Kit shivered. The silk shirt was thin and now that it was damp it offered no protection as the wind whipped through the trees. He needed to stand, get moving.

He didn’t answer Luca. He couldn’t go back. Even if Luca treated him with respect he would never have his love, not really. And he couldn’t bear the thought of such an existence. It was ironic. He had never expected to be loved. He assumed his mother had loved him because she had died for him, but she had never been demonstrative, ever. The few days having Luca’s attention was like a drug. Now that he had experienced it once he craved it and he couldn’t bear to face what he knew he would never have again.

He took a few deep breaths and groaned as he pushed himself upright on wobbly legs. He stood, shaky but upright. He would go to the human village near the camp they had caught Gareth in. Asher’s father had been kind and he may offer him some shelter. Kit took a determined step, but pain clutched sharply at his belly and bent him double. He fell back to his knees again. What was that? He panted for a few seconds but it didn’t hurt again. Even though everything in him needed to rest, he knew he needed to move. He got upright and shuffled along, stepping carefully around a huge broken off tree stump. He put out his hand as he passed to steady himself and picked up his foot to step over a root.

Aghh. Pain lanced through his abdomen and he stumbled to the ground. He shook his head, moaning pitifully, and clutched his belly. It felt like someone was twisting a blade in there.

Kit? Sweetheart, where are you? I can feel you are in pain. Tell me where you are? You are in danger all alone.

Kit looked around him. The forest was quite dense and he knew there were many creatures that would make a meal of him. Maybe it would be better if the Hadrax found him. Then he shuddered. No. He had seen what their teeth could do when he’d labored on a farm. But the pig hadn’t taken an animal, it had been a child.

Kit sobbed out a breath and pushed to his feet. He couldn’t go back to Luca, he couldn’t. Pain dogged every step until tears streamed down his face, but he carried on, one stubborn foot in front of the other. He wanted to stop; desperately wanted to stop, but he mustn’t. He must have eaten something bad, but what? More pain sliced at his insides, and cruel memories tugged at his heart, of the last time he had eaten something that made him sick and how he had been responsible for his mother’s death. So much blood. Kit forgot how many times he fell down and pushed himself back up, his eyes barely open, his feet barely moving. Tears clogging his vision.

Kit, Kit, forgive me please. I didn’t know, I’m so sorry. I thought you loved someone else.

As well. Kit heard the words Luca didn’t speak. Loved someone else as well. What was he trying to say? Trying to justify why he thought it was okay to love Tara so he wouldn’t hurt Kit’s feelings? Although why Luca would think that was beyond him. Kit’s heart only beat for Luca.

Please, Kit. Please tell me where you are. You aren’t safe.

It was nice, Kit thought absently. Nice that Luca was still talking even though he’d never answered him. He peered ahead. The forest was getting dark but he could see something up ahead. It must be a house. On and on. Small stumbling steps. His belly was on fire. His head hurt. His throat stung. He wanted... Luca. Kit didn’t realize he’d whispered the name in his head until he heard his voice.

Kit. Kit, I’m here my darling. We’re trying to find you. Where are you?

Kit peered up ahead. He’d thought he was still walking but he must have stopped and not even realized it. The house. He was heading for a house, but as he put his hand out and touched the same tree stump he realized with sickening clarity he’d been walking around in circles. There was no house. No rescue. He couldn’t even stand, but at least he wasn’t so cold anymore. Maybe he could go to sleep. Have a rest here then when he woke he could try and find the village again. He was so tired.

Kit, you have to tell me where you are. My darling, please. Please tell me.

Kit smiled. He liked being called darling. He could pretend that Luca loved him.

I do love you. You mean more to me than my life. I was wrong, sweetheart.

He hadn’t realized he had spoken the thought, even in his mind. It’s all right. I’m just going to sleep.

No, darling, stay awake. Talk to me. Please talk to me. I need to hear you love me. That you belong to me.

Kit tried to answer. He tried to tell Luca that he was okay. That he would go away so Luca could have a good life without him being in the way. But he was so tired he just couldn’t keep his eyes open for a second longer.





Chapter Thirteen





“Why can’t we find him?” Luca cried in desperation. “He’s hurt, Sam. I know he is. Why did I listen to anyone else? Why didn’t I believe him?” They had both shifted back and now stood with Asher, the two human guards, and Gabriel, who had caught them up quickly.

“Sire, calm down,” Sam said, his arms out.

“Calm down?” Luca shouted. “How can I—”

“Luca,” Sam thundered and everyone stopped talking. “Listen to me. We know he has been past this way. We have caught his scent. Shifted, you said it was strong, but we kept losing it and then it got stronger in other places. None of this making sense. Think. Take some deep breaths, but before you shift again I think he’s going around in circles. That’s why his scent is so confusing and why we can’t fix on a trail. The other problem is your panic. You are so upset about him being hurt you are fighting your wolf. Let him lead, Luca. Trust your wolf to find him. Forget everything else and let your wolf take you to him.”