The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(46)

“I love you. I’ve loved you since the second we met that day in the woods. You were wounded and likely dying but you didn’t want me to call for help because you were frightened I would get hurt. I fell in love that second and I have loved you every day since.”

Luca closed his eyes in utter desperation.

“You don’t have to worry if you don’t feel the—”

Luca caught Kit’s lips in a bruising kiss. Never doubt my love for you, ever.

Kit melted under him, and Luca softened the kiss and lifted his head reluctantly. He had to tell him. “Sweetheart, when we found you yesterday you were hurt. You were bleeding.” Luca’s voice broke.

Kit paled. “No,” he whispered. “Please.” The last word was the most heartbreaking plea Luca had ever heard. He chose his words carefully. Whatever his own thoughts, he couldn’t be certain.

“We don’t know for certain. We have no healers within a hundred miles.”

“But didn’t you heal me?”

Luca wrapped both of Kit’s cold hands into his big ones. He wished he could do the same to his heart. “I stopped the bleeding but I am afraid it might be too late.” Kit’s shoulders shook, and Luca tried to hold him closer. “I-I’m so sorry. This is my fault. If I hadn’t...” Luca’s throat closed.

Just love me.

Always.

Luca held Kit close a long time. The sobs dissolved to quiet hiccups, then breathy sighs as finally Kit fell asleep. He heard a quiet knock on the door about an hour later and called for whoever it was to come in. He wasn’t intending on letting go of Kit.

Iris, Molly, and Taheesha let themselves into the room. Luca smiled weakly. He was glad to see all three of them. Taheesha immediately got into bed and laid a hand on Kit. Kit smiled but didn’t open his eyes.

“How is he?” Iris asked. Luca sat up and relinquished his hold. He watched as Kit turned into Taheesha and his little sister buried herself down next to Kit.

Molly nodded. “That will do them both good, Sire.”

Luca gazed at them both. “I don’t know what else to do.”

“Does he know?” Iris asked, her voice full of worry.

“Yes.” Luca didn’t elaborate.

“I want to look at him, Sire,” Molly asked. Luca nodded absently. “Sire? I have helped women birth babies for nearly thirty years. It would be my first man, though.” She smiled. Luca figured it wouldn’t hurt for her to look. Confirmation from another human may help give Kit the acceptance he needed.

There was another knock at the door and two servants walked in carrying trays with food. “Luca? Why don’t you go down? Sam is downstairs waiting patiently. I know you have hundreds of things to do,” Iris suggested. He didn’t want to leave Kit. “I promise we will come and get you right after when we have helped him freshen up a little. I think it good if Taheesha stays with him a while.” Yeah, because she could give him comfort, even though Luca desperately wanted to. He sighed and got out of bed without disturbing Kit. Then he left the women to it.

Asher was outside the room. Luca smiled at his fierce expression. It was a wonder any of the servants dared pass him. “Have you eaten?” He shook his head. “Then I will send you some food. Please stay here until I return.”

“Sire,” Asher acknowledged formally.

Luca went downstairs and waylaid a servant. It was Josiah’s aunt. She smiled and bobbed. “Please arrange for some food to be taken up to Asher.”

He took a step towards the door just as Sam and Gabriel came in but was stopped by Adrienne’s strident voice. “Luca, what on earth happened to you yesterday? It was unforgivable for you to miss the choosing. Why, you left poor Tara to manage all on her own. Not that she didn’t do a fabulous job, but—”

“Tara?” Luca ignored his mother and addressed the she-wolf who stood behind her. “I’m glad I have seen you. Perhaps you can spare me a few minutes of your time?” He gestured towards the small dining room near the entrance to the pack house. Tara dipped her head and walked in. Adrienne immediately went to follow her. “No, Mother.” Luca put his hand up. “I know you are anxious to return home, and I would hate to delay your departure any longer.”

Luca didn’t wait to hear any reply. He just followed Tara into the room, getting a quick glance of Sam trying desperately to keep his face straight. He shut the door firmly behind them.

“You were missed last night, Luca.” Tara began. She took a step forward, laying her hand on his arm. “I know how much pressure you are under.” She licked her lips and her voice dropped huskily. “Is there anything I can do to make it better?”

Luca reared back. Wait...what? She was propositioning him? He suddenly wondered just how kind and self-sacrificing Tara actually was. It was very unusual for an omega not to want her own pack, or was she under the impression that was what she was going to get? A chill spread over him. He had blamed his mother for the necklace, but it had been Tara who had heard him order it. He was completely certain now that Tara’s ambitions didn’t stop at just a pack. She had her eyes set on a kingdom.

Luca’s eyes narrowed and he shook off her hand. “I am sorry, but I have changed my mind about using a breeder and I will not need your services after all.”

Tara’s lips parted but no sound came out.