The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(44)

Luca took a deep breath. Sam was right. Another breath and he let the change sweep through his body. Sounds were suddenly louder, but if anything, the quiet was more deafening— every leaf that moved, every squirrel that hopped a branch, every moan...

Moan? Luca’s wolf froze, and Sam put his hand up for the others to do the same. Luca closed his eyes and just breathed. In. Out. It was there. He smelled it. The faint spice. The smell of home. Luca’s wolf snarled... The smell of blood. Head back, he let loose a long howl. He was coming. He knew where he was and Sorin help any creature that tried to stop him. Luca flew in the direction of the sound. Barely half a mile later, then as he leaped over a tree stump he landed on two feet as a human.

“Kit,” he cried, and bent down. Kit lay curled up on his side, eyes closed, barely breathing. He could smell the blood and checked for injuries quickly. Where was it coming from?

Very carefully, he lifted Kit off the cold ground. He was freezing. Luca wrapped his body around Kit’s as Sam and Gabriel arrived, the humans moments later. Sam had a torch and Luca cradled an unconscious Kit while the other two tried to see what was wrong. Gabriel’s hands ran down Kit’s legs, trying to find an injury.

“He’s wet,” Gabriel said. Sam shone the torch and everyone stared at Gabriel’s hands in horror. They were covered in blood. Luca swallowed his panic.

“Where is it coming from?” he asked, bewildered.

Gabriel shot him a saddened look. “Sire, I think he’s losing the pup.”

“No,” Luca whispered in agony and gathered Kit close. No, he couldn’t. Thoughts of Kit smiling, content, a blissful smile as he ran his hands over a huge belly. Then thoughts of Kit cold and still, eyes closed. “No,” Luca said. “I can heal him.”

“It may be too late for the baby, Sire,” Gabriel warned him.

Luca nodded to Asher. “Pass me the blanket. Wrap him tight to me. He needs the warmth but he needs me to run, and he mustn’t be jostled.” Luca bent his head while Asher and Sam tied the blankets over Kit and around Luca until he was cocooned in Luca’s warmth. Luca centered himself. He accessed the place deep inside where he knew he could heal and poured every ounce of that feeling into Kit.

Hang on, sweetheart. We’ll be home as soon as possible.

Luca ran so smoothly that Kit barely moved, he was so cushioned against the padding. He detoured the games field and the clearing, could hear the sound of people laughing, eating, and drinking as dusk fell. Sam kept close and even Asher caught them up as they got to the pack house. He slipped unnoticed in the kitchen door and didn’t acknowledge the startled servants as he crossed to the stairs and slowly and gently climbed them. When he stood in the bedroom, Sam and Asher helped unwind the blankets and Iris and Danni appeared. They looked worried sick. A second later, Taheesha followed them.

Luca paused. There was so much blood, but Taheesha crossed quickly and laid a hand on Kit’s limp arm, then his belly as she unwrapped him. “There is pain and sadness in there, Luca. Let me help.” Danni and Iris laid towels on the bed then Luca laid Kit down then climbed on and took Kit in his arms. He closed his eyes as the room fell silent. He rocked Kit tight, pouring love, healing, and determination into him. Everything he had was Kit’s for as long as he would have him.

Please, my darling. I cannot live without you.

Kit remained still but Luca became aware of something. It was almost as if Kit was listening. I will give everything up. I don’t want to be King if it causes you a second of hurt, he promised, breathing small kisses onto Kit’s face, willing with everything in him for him to wake.

Tired.

Luca’s eyes stung as the small word filtered into his mind.

I know, but you are safe. You can sleep, heal. Luca peppered him with more kisses. I love you.

Why?

The question nearly broke Luca’s heart. That Kit doubted him. Because you are perfect. Perfect for me.

I can’t breed.

It wasn’t fair to tell Kit anything else when he had lost the baby, but it wasn’t the point anyway. Kit had to know he was loved for himself, not what he could or couldn’t do. Luca would break the news to him when he was stronger. My darling, I love you and only you. Pups aren’t important. You are what’s important. I cannot bear the thought of not having you in my bed every night. Just you. I don’t want anyone else.

“Really?” It was only when Taheesha gasped that Luca realized the word had been whispered out loud. He opened his eyes to be met by beautiful blue ones.

“Promise,” he said solemnly and kissed Kit’s soft lips.

“Luca?” Iris asked, appearing with a bowl of steaming water. Danni followed, carrying some large soft towels. Luca smiled and stood. Kit’s worried glance followed him.

“I’m going nowhere,” Luca said. “Just let them get you clean and dry.”

He stood to one side. Gabriel sent Asher down for water and soup. Sam disappeared to see how things were going downstairs and to find Molly and Tomas. Luca just stood and watched carefully as Iris and Danni bathed and changed Kit. Taheesha never moved once. Every second she kept some part of her hand touching Kit. Luca wasn’t even sure if she had fallen asleep.

“Taheesha, honey,” Iris cajoled as they moved Kit and sat him up a little.

Taheesha opened her eyes and yawned. “I was just giving them love.”