The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(47)

“I am unable to do something I class as being unfaithful to someone I love. I could never hurt Kit in any way.”

Tara scoffed. “Are you mad? What about pups? He’s a human,” she spat the word.

Luca growled. “Be very careful before you insult my mate any further. It is nobody’s business except our own, but a pure omega has the ability to birth an Alpha’s children.” He watched as Tara snapped her lips closed.

Further realization slammed into him when barely a hint of surprise showed up on her face. “You knew,” he said incredulously. By Sorin’s light he had been so stupid.

“Of course I knew,” Tara snapped. She stepped forward again. “Luca, you need me. You know the other packs will never accept a human. I am even willing to overlook your...bedroom habits.” Luca took a deep breath. He could feel the ground tremble. Tara was either ignoring it or didn’t care.

“Sire?” He heard Sam’s knock on the door.

Luca took three steps to the door and yanked it open. He gestured to Tara. “I want her escorted off my pack lands. She has jewelry of mine I want found and then I want her gone by six.” Luca didn’t stop to hear the reply for the second time in a matter of minutes.

Sam ran after him after issuing orders as he cleared the pack house. “How’s Kit?”

“I don’t know,” Luca replied honestly. “The girls and Molly are with him, but we have no human healer.”

“Molly has delivered a lot of human babies, though.”

Luca stopped suddenly. “Yes, she said.” He glanced up the stairs. Why was he down here when he yearned with everything in him to be upstairs? Kit wasn’t some blushing girl that needed other women to make him feel safe. He needed Luca, and Luca needed to make sure he always would.

“Sire, why don’t you stay up there with Kit today? There’s nothing I can’t manage, and Gabriel has been fantastic when he hasn’t got his head buried in a book. You can’t make any decision about leaving until Kit is better anyway, because one thing is certain: When you head for Neira, Kit has to go with you.”

Luca eyed Sam. “I am lucky I have good people working for me. I am particularly pleased with Asher.” Luca was gratified to see the faint flush on Sam’s face. “Very well. Come straight up if there’s a problem. I will make a decision by tomorrow.”

Luca turned and jogged back up the steps. He dismissed Asher as he had no intention of leaving Kit alone, and walked into his room. Kit was sitting up in bed, both hands around a steaming cup of soup. Taheesha sat next to him, eating a huge sandwich, and Iris and Molly were seated in the easy chairs chatting away. He took a deep breath and felt the tension drain out of his shoulders.

“There’s plenty.” Iris gestured to the table. Luca smiled but he only had eyes for Kit. Iris giggled and stood up. “I think,” she said pointedly, “we should finish our meal downstairs.” She looked at Luca. “Make sure Kit finishes all that soup. He is, after all, eating for two.”

“Yes,” Luca said absently, too busy drinking in the soft smile on Kit’s face, and the blue eyes that were completely focused on him. He blinked and whipped his head around to Iris as her words registered. “What? What did you say?”

Molly chuckled, and Taheesha bent down and kissed Kit’s belly through his shirt. “I told you last night I was giving them both love. You never listen to me,” she grumbled. “But it’s going to be a boy. I was hoping for another sister.”

Luca gaped. “How?”

Molly smiled. “Taheesha has known instantly not only when a charge of mine is pregnant initially, but the sex of the baby over ten times this year alone. You know, Taheesha visits as often as she can, and many human females come to me for care. I have delivered many babies, Sire.” Luca’s legs were suddenly wobbly. He sat down on the bed.

Iris safely retrieved Kit’s empty soup cup. She looked at Kit. “I think you need to make sure your Alpha eats as well,” she said sternly. Kit smiled and put his hand out. Luca clasped it like a lifeline. He was bemused at the kisses he got from both Iris and Taheesha before they left with Molly.

Kit brought Luca’s hand down and laid it flat over his belly. “Are you pleased?” Luca swallowed quickly, afraid he would embarrass himself by making an unmanly noise.

“I am overwhelmed,” Luca said, a huge smile breaking out on his face. He lifted the soft shirt up so Kit’s belly was bare, bent down, and heard the catch in Kit’s breathing before he pressed the softest kiss imaginable on Kit’s belly. A boy? How did he ever get to be so lucky? Sorin had truly blessed them all. The relief that rushed through him made Luca feel light-headed.

When he raised his head, Kit’s eyes were awash with tears again. “Sweetheart, please don’t cry. It kills me.” Kit opened his arms wide and Luca buried himself in them. “I’m so sorry. I treated you—”

“Hush,” Kit soothed, and peppered Luca’s head with kisses where it lay against his chest.

“Do you know how long...I mean when?” Luca asked, looking up, then moved. In barely a few seconds he sat on the bed cradling Kit and the blanket in his lap. Kit sighed contentedly and leaned in to his chest.

“No. Molly is going to try and find out. Human babies take nine months but wolves are only two. Hybrids, as you know...” Kit swallowed nervously.