Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Sienna
The Silvercrest estate house rises against the evening sky as if carved from a single piece of granite, imposing and austere. No decorative flourishes, no softening elements. Just raw strength made permanent. I step out of the SUV and tip my head back to take it in.
The building suits him, I think, and then I’m immediately annoyed at myself for thinking it.
I don’t want to think about Lucas right now.
Don’t want to remember the way his wolf approached me after the rogue attack, the gentleness in that massive predator as he nudged me with his muzzle.
Or the way he snatched control back from his animal so violently, yanking himself away from me as if my touch stung.
And I definitely don’t want to remember what I saw after he shifted back.
But the image is seared into my brain whether I want it to be or not.
His naked body as he stood there, breathing hard, blood trickling down his shoulder from where the rogue had caught him.
All lean muscle and powerful lines, his skin still flushed from the shift and the fight.
I’d had maybe three seconds to take it in before one of his guards rushed over with clothes, but those three seconds were enough to make my mouth go dry and cause heat to pool low in my belly.
Lucas kept his back to me while he dressed, denying me even that.
I felt weak in the knees just looking at him. My wolf urged me to go to him, to touch him and make him touch me.
But he told me to get back in the car, like I was a child being dismissed.
Part of me hates that I may be the only one of us who feels this way. That this overwhelming attraction, this desperate need, is one-sided. That only his wolf wants me, due to the primal nature of the bond, but not him as a man.
How can he not want me? I know there’s nothing wrong with me. I know I’m not ugly. I am intelligent and successful. I’ve never had trouble getting attention when I wanted it. But Lucas looks at me as if he sees me as a problem to be solved rather than a woman to be desired.
I want to believe that’s not entirely true. The connection is there. He feels it. He’s just fighting it with everything he has.
And I need to know why.
“Miss Carter?” A voice pulls me from my thoughts. “Welcome to Silvercrest.”
I turn my head to find a woman in her early thirties approaching with a warm smile. She has dark hair pulled back in an elegant twist and is wearing a formal yet laid-back navy dress. She extends her hand.
“I’m Lydia. I’ll be coordinating your stay here. If you need anything at all during your time with us, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.” I shake her hand, noting the firm, confident grip. “I appreciate that.”
“Of course. Now, I’m sure you’d all like to freshen up after that eventful drive.” Her expression turns sympathetic. “I heard about the rogue attack. Are you alright?”
“We’re fine. Your alpha’s security team handled it quickly.”
An odd look flickers across her face at the mention of Lucas, but it’s gone before I can identify it.
“I’m glad to hear it. Come, let me show you all to your rooms. You’ll have about an hour before the welcome reception.”
She leads us into the estate house. The interior is surprisingly warm despite the severe architecture—polished wood floors, comfortable furniture, soft lighting. It’s clear someone put thought into making this place feel like a home rather than a fortress.
My assigned room is spacious and well-appointed. Private bathroom, a comfortable sitting area, fresh flowers on the desk. My luggage is already waiting.
“The welcome party will be in the main hall,” Lydia says from the doorway. “One of the guards will come collect you just before it starts. Take your time settling in.”
A shower helps wash away the dust and tension from the drive. I stand under the hot water longer than necessary, trying to organize my thoughts.
I’m in his territory now. His home. For four weeks. At least.
Since I’m going to be seeing him every day, I will have to do something about our relationship. I can’t stand feeling the mate bond pull between us while he pretends it doesn’t exist.
I will make him acknowledge it.
I’m toweling off my hair when my phone buzzes on the bathroom counter. I check it and find a congratulatory message from my parents. They must have finally gotten my text about the promotion.
I smile as I open it. They have impeccable timing, always seeming to know when I need them the most, even from half a world away.
I stare at the screen for a moment, warmth spreading through my chest. I feel like a teenager again, just wanting a big hug and to be told everything will be okay.
For a second, I consider calling them. I want to tell them about Lucas, about how hard he is making this whole thing, about the confusion and distress that have been sitting like lead in my chest since the moment he shoved me away.
They’d listen. They’d comfort me. But I don’t want to worry them.
They’re supposed to be relaxing, enjoying their time traveling together. I’m not going to dump my problems on them when they’re so far away and can’t do anything about them anyway.
I type out a quick message: Love you both so much. Thank you for always believing in me.
I hit send and set the phone down.
Then, I open my luggage and pull out the burgundy dress I packed specifically for tonight. It’s proper for the occasion yet extremely flattering. I keep my hair loose around my shoulders. If I’m going to confront Lucas tonight, I want to look like someone who knows exactly what she wants.
A guard arrives precisely one hour later to escort me downstairs.
The main hall is already filled with people when I arrive. Silvercrest pack members mingle with my team, conversation flowing easily. A long table holds enough food to feed twice this many people, and servers move through the crowd with drinks on trays.
“There you are!” Lydia appears at my elbow with a champagne flute. “I hope the accommodations are to your taste?”
“The room is lovely. Thank you.”
“I’m so glad. Now, come, let me introduce you around.”
The next hour passes in a blur of names and faces. The Silvercrest pack members are genuinely welcoming, asking thoughtful questions about Moonvale, our work, and what we think of their territory so far. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.
Lucas is nowhere to be seen.
I notice his absence immediately and scan the room periodically as Lydia guides me through introductions. The alpha whose home this is, whose pack this is, isn’t even here to greet his guests?
He’s avoiding me. Again.
“Looking for someone?” Lydia asks.
She is too perceptive for my liking, as I am trying not to be obvious. “Just taking it all in,” I say smoothly. “Your pack is very welcoming.”
“We try. Lucas was very specific about making sure you all feel comfortable here.”
Lucas? Not Alpha Steele? The familiarity grates on my nerves for some reason. Does he let all his pack members call him by his first name?
I already know he doesn’t. The ones I met in Moonvale didn’t refer to him that way.
I accept another glass of champagne from a passing server and let Lydia introduce me to a group discussing security protocols. I smile and nod and participate in the conversation, but part of my attention is still searching.
Where is he?
Then, I see him. A glimpse of him, anyway—a shadow near a darkened doorway at the far end of the hall. He’s standing just inside what must be a corridor to his private wing. Partially concealed. Watching.
Our eyes meet, and I swallow nervously. Was he looking for me the way I’ve been looking for him? This may be my chance to speak with him.
I am completely wrong. Lucas does not acknowledge me. Instead, he disappears into the doorway. He knows I saw him; he just doesn’t care. I turn my face to the wall, my cheeks hot with both anger and embarrassment for getting my hopes up. Of course he’d ignore me again.
I move to pick up my third flute of champagne, and my arm knocks into someone who happened to try to pass at the same time.
“Oh! I’m sorry,” I say politely, grateful that the drink had not been in my hand yet. I look at the person I hit.
It’s a good-looking guy, mid-twenties, sandy hair, currently aiming a bright smile in my direction.
“It’s totally fine. Completely my fault. I got in your way,” he says pleasantly.
I vaguely recognize him as one of the Silvercrest pack members I was introduced to earlier. Carter? Connor? I can’t remember, but I give him a smile. “Thank you.”
I expect that to be the end of it, but he lingers, fully focused on me.
“You’ve been standing here alone for a while, Miss Carter,” he says warmly. “I was wondering if you’d like a tour of the estate? We have some beautiful architecture that’s not visible from the main hall.”
I glance at Lydia, who is currently occupied with my team several feet away, introducing them to some people. Well, it can’t hurt, can it? And a part of me really wants an excuse to go through that door where Lucas disappeared.
“That sounds great,” I say, allowing him to lead me.
His name is Colin, I learn as we walk. He works in territorial management and is clearly trying very hard to impress me. It’s flattering, if a bit transparent. He’s like a kid showing off his toys.
He leads me through corridors lined with portraits, pointing out historical details about the estate. I only half listen, more interested in the building itself than his commentary. There are so many doorways; I can’t figure out which one Lucas went through.
We end up in a lovely room with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, comfortable reading chairs, and a massive fireplace. It’s beautiful in a severe, functional way.
“This is the grand library. All of Silvercrest’s history and knowledge is here,” Colin says, shutting the door behind us before moving closer to me. “I like it because it’s quiet. Private.”