Chapter 32
Lucie smiled brightly when she saw Derrick and Aedan walk through the door. She dropped the controller and headed over to greet them. Well, mostly Derrick.
“I told you I wouldn’t be long,” Derrick said as he pulled her into his embrace.
“Luce Luce,” Aedan said, waving a paper. “Mom and Dad are staying the night in Elysia. We’re under strict orders to stay inside the borders at all times. If we step one toe outside our borders …”
“Heads will roll,” Aedan and Lucie said in unison, both laughing heartily. Yep, they knew their parents well.
“Are you guys coming? I’m all warmed up,” Jasper said, looking over the couch at them.
“You any good at this game?” Aedan asked Derrick.
“I just played this against Lucie. I was in first the whole time, but she overtook me on the last lap.” Derrick gave her a wry grin, and she smiled innocently at him.
“She’s sneaky like that. She purposely let you lead. She was anticipating something happening to you. Let me guess … a blue seeker shell?”
Derrick nodded suspiciously and watched as Aedan’s lips curled upward. “Yep, thought so.”
Derrick smiled down at Lucie. “Clever, my little mate. I’m afraid I can’t go easy on you during this next battle.”
Lucie batted her eyelashes at him with a fake pout. “Even if I asked you to? What if I just asked you to only target Aedan and Jasper?”
“That would be cheating!” Jasper yelled from the couch.
Derrick chuckled. “Of course, if that’s what you really want, I couldn’t deny you.”
Lucie giggled. “No, I want you to bring it, so when I beat you, you know you were outmatched.”
“Savage, isn’t she?” Aedan grinned
“Perfect … that’s what she is.” Derrick kissed the top of her head and looked down at her with pride.
“Ugh, mushy mate stuff. Gosh, am I going to turn into a sap like that too?” Aedan chuckled.
“You will.” Derrick laughed. “But it’s worth it.”
“You haven’t even gotten to the good parts of having a mate yet either.” Jasper chuckled, peering over the couch.
“Okay, let’s get this match started.” Lucie didn’t like the direction the conversation was taking.
Derrick snatched her hand and twirled her into his chest, cupping her chin as he covered her lips with his own.
The kiss was slow, unhurried, and he savored every second as if nothing else existed.
“It’s all good parts, Jasper … all of it.
Every moment with her.” He brushed a kiss over the tip of her nose, warmth blooming deep in his chest, so full it almost felt like it might burst. Everything inside him felt right.
Complete. She was more than he ever thought possible.
Meeting her green eyes, he watched the soft pink rise in her cheeks, still struggling to believe she was his … his soulmate.
Aedan grabbed a controller. “Just watch how fast she turns on you once you enter the track. There is no mate pull in the game. Only the will to win.”
Derrick grabbed a controller and pulled Lucie down beside him. “I’m afraid I’ll have to unleash my real powers against you. I hope you’re ready.”
She faced him, a challenge in her eyes. “Show me what you’ve got.”
“Let the games begin!” Aedan said, cracking his neck.
Each one of them took turns dominating. They were scattered all over the track, passing one opponent only to be passed by another. They decided on one last race, and whoever took first was allowed to claim victory. The four of them were all neck and neck on the last lap.
“Uh oh, Lucie, look out!” Aedan yelled as a black speck landed on her leg. Lucie dropped the controller and began brushing her leg in panic.
Derrick instantly dropped his controller and grabbed the black speck off of her. He held it out in his hand and rubbed her back soothingly. “It’s okay, Lucie.”
Lucie looked at the black piece of fuzz and turned to see Aedan and Jasper snickering together. She arched her brow at them and then jumped up, quickly turning the television off.
“Aww Lucie!” Jasper whined.
“Don’t you ‘aww Lucie’ me. Aedan! That is not fair. That’s cheating!” Lucie growled as she pointed at the black fuzz. She nearly had a heart attack thinking that she was once again under attack by a spider assassin.
Aedan shrugged, giving her a cheeky grin. “All is fair in war.”
“When we were kids and we used to play, I remember when you once refused to go on the patio because of a spider. I think it’s adorable. Some things don’t change.” Derrick kissed the top of her head and pulled her against him.
“There’s nothing adorable about it. Soon you’ll see that.
If there’s a spider in the shower, in the corner, within a one mile perimeter of pack borders, it’s ‘Aedan there’s a spider!
’ ‘Daddy there’s a spider!’ I’m thankful that the torch will soon be passed to you.
” Aedan chuckled while Lucie shot him an annoyed look.
“I’ll be your spider champion, my princess.” Derrick stood, giving her an overexaggerated bow, and grinned.
“Now you’re poking fun at me too.” She furrowed her brows. “You guys can believe what you want, but I’m telling you, they would eat us if they were big enough. And I know they’re still testing out their strengths.” She listened as the three guys laughed at her.
The main door to the packhouse opened and Gia popped her head inside. “Lucie!” She bit her lip and looked at the stranger in the room, then back at Lucie. “I’m glad you made it back in one piece.”
“Sorry about leaving you before.” Lucie stepped away from Derrick and walked up to her cousin. She noticed she was acting a bit strange. “Is something wrong?”
“Well …” Her eyes darted over to the three guys. Kyle is here to see you.
Lucie’s eyes bulged open. When you say here …
I mean here here. Like right outside here.
Go play with him then. I’m busy. I found my mate. Lucie watched Gia’s eyes widen in shock.
I think he’s determined to see you. Gia shrugged and looked over at the stranger again, the one she presumed was Lucie’s mate. Not bad, Lucie. Not bad at all. And you get to keep him?
It’s a long story. But yes, I’m keeping him. Lucie sighed.
“Knock knock.”
Kyle’s voice echoed through the room. Lucie looked up in shock at the guy looking in the door.
“Hey Lucie!” Kyle said with a wide grin.
“I thought I made myself clear.” Aedan growled behind Lucie.
Kyle nodded his head respectfully to Aedan. “I just came to check and see if Lucie wanted to go to a party with me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. For one, I’m not allowed to leave the pack. I’m under lockdown. And two …” Her eyes drifted over to Derrick and Jasper, who were now by her side. “This is my mate, Ryan.”
“Wait, your actual mate?” Kyle lifted his nose a bit to take in his scent. He frowned and looked at Lucie, confused. “So how is that going to work out?”
“Lucie is my soulmate. So there’s nothing to work out,” Derrick said, drawing her close to his side. He locked eyes with Kyle. He didn’t like the way he was looking at Lucie. Like she was a prize he wanted to obtain.
“How does that even happen? How does our princess get a vampire as a soulmate?” Kyle said with a small scowl.
Aedan chuckled darkly and placed his hand on Derrick’s shoulder, a sign that he would handle it. He walked forward and pushed Lucie backward more, wanting her distanced from Kyle. “Is there a problem? Lucie is my sister, and I’m fine with her choices. So if there is something you want to say here—”
Kyle raised his hands up in front of him and plastered on a fake smile. “Not at all. If this is what Lucie wants, then I support her. I only came to invite her to a party.” He looked over at Gia. “You interested?”
Gia’s eyes lit up and she gave him a quick nod. “Yes.”
“You can go, but you have to take a couple of pack members with you,” Aedan said, looking from Kyle to Gia.
“That’s fine with me. I’ll wait for you by the car,” Kyle said as Gia dashed outside. He looked behind Aedan to meet Lucie’s gaze. “I guess that’s one dream I won’t get to fulfill.” He grinned and winked at Lucie. “I wish you nothing but happiness.”
“Thank you,” Lucie said with a faint smile. She could feel Derrick’s grip on her tightening, and she was certain he was fighting the urge to kill Kyle.
“Make sure my pack members get back here safely and in one piece,” Aedan warned.
Kyle nodded and smiled. “Sure will.” He glanced at Lucie once more and then left, closing the door behind him.
“Who was that?” Derrick asked in a low, deadly tone.
“That’s the guy who tried to kiss Lucie before,” Jasper said in annoyance.
“But he didn’t, and I wasn’t going to let him,” Lucie added immediately.
“I don’t like the way he looks at you. Who is he?” Derrick snapped his gaze to Aedan.
“He’s from another pack. Don’t worry. I’ll keep him away,” Aedan said matter-of-factly.
“Because I am such a delicate female who can’t possibly do anything to fight him off.
Good thing I have males around to protect me from throwing myself at every other male around.
” Lucie scoffed and walked away. Aedan would keep him away?
He didn’t do anything. Besides, he was the ONLY person who had ever looked at her like a woman.
She didn’t like his low opinion of vampires, but she actually found herself getting along well with him before.
Derrick grabbed Lucie’s shoulder and spun her to face him. “Tell me. Do you have feelings for him? If you do, I would understand. I just …”
Lucie’s was floored. “What? Feelings for him? I only knew him for a couple of hours.” She looked at him like he had an arm growing out of his forehead.
“I don’t like the way he was looking at you.” Derrick squeezed his hands into fists. “He looked at you like you were his.” He looked back at Aedan and Jasper, who nodded in agreement.
“He has a reputation of getting what he wants. But he won’t be getting my sister,” Aedan said glaring at Lucie.
“I never said you can’t take care of yourself or that you threw yourself at men.
My job is to protect you, and that’s what I’m going to do.
Luce …” Aedan tilted his head and raised his brows at her.
You know the way he looks at you is inappropriate, right?
Are you going to go out there and teach him a lesson? The only guy who ever came to ask me out to a party? What about the way girls look at you? Is that inappropriate? Lucie folded her arms over her chest and raised her brows, challenging her brother.
Why do you have to go and start throwing logic at me? Can’t I just win an argument? Aedan chuckled, shaking his head.
“Gosh, you’re such a moron sometimes.” Lucie lifted her hands up and rubbed her face. “I’m not going to see him again. I only hung out with him for a couple of hours while EVERYONE else was busy. Let it go.”
“Alright, Luce.” Aedan sighed. “So, popcorn and a movie?” He smiled, trying to change the subject.
“Yeah … just give Lucie and me a few moments to talk first,” Derrick said gently, taking her hand in his. He led her up the stairs and back to her room, where he slowly shut the door.