Chapter 11

Luka

This attack lasted much longer than the one in the car, although I’m not sure how long. Caleb held me, and at some point I fell asleep.

When I woke up, he was still there, holding me tightly. His face as usual was beautiful, and I could feel how strong he was with his arms around me. I felt myself pulsating, thinking about the muscles beneath his clothing.

I repositioned myself just a little, to get a better look at him and to make myself a little more comfortable. He woke up immediately with the slightest movement. He must have exceptional reflexes, I thought to myself.

I looked at him, taking in his cool blue eyes, his full lips, his high cheekbones, the five-o-clock shadow on his face. He was still waking up and rubbed his eyes.

That’s when I saw the bite mark and remembered.

No, I was hoping I had just dreamed that. I was flooded with panic, knowing that he’d probably send me away. Declan probably would have killed me on the spot if I ever did anything like that to him, and this was a king, not just an alpha.

I tried to avoid looking down so he wouldn’t think about it, but how could he not? It probably felt like razors on his skin. I was sure he blamed me. What would he do to punish me?

He got up from the bed efficiently, without lingering. The sun had just started to rise. “I need to participate in daily training, and I have to get dressed properly for it.”

The door was closed before I could say goodbye. God, he must blame me for biting him, I thought to myself. I had ruined everything.

It wasn’t as bad as Long Lake Pack, but I felt awkward and ill-at-ease. Out of place. I got up to put on my clothes, and I chose the most simple outfit, a plain white linen shirt and a long tan-colored skirt with pockets. It was the most convenient for housework.

I looked in the closets of the bedroom to find the cleaning supplies, but they were stored in one of the cabinets in the bathroom. I made the bed and scrubbed every inch of the bedroom. I assumed that would be the first thing to work on, and I’d move to other chores once Caleb came back and told me what to do.

After two hours, it was spotless, and Caleb still wasn’t there. I figured I should make breakfast. In the tour of the house, he had showed me the kitchen and everything stocked in it, and I figured those were his favorites. I made eggs, sausages, biscuits, and toast, along with a bowl of fruit, coffee, and orange juice. I was starving, since I assumed the same rules applied here about not eating before the alpha.

I heard Caleb stirring nearby, done with training. I was keeping the warm food heated, and I worked on serving it so that it was out for him but still warm. It was a delicate balance.

When Caleb came back, he was in his towel, and his pecs and abs glistened with water. I could barely concentrate on serving, and I was lucky I didn’t trip over myself when he sat down. I admit I glimpsed downward, and immediately felt embarrassed. But I was still curious.

“Who made this?” Caleb said, grabbing another bite of eggs.

“I did, sir—I mean, Caleb.”

He moved his head slowly to look at me. “Don’t do it anymore.”

“Not to cook this for breakfast again, you mean If there’s something you don’t like, I can fix it. And I can do better, it’s a new kitchen…”

“No. I mean, you are not to cook. We have chefs who prepare meals, each with various specialties.”

“I’m sorry about that…”

“No need. Sit. Join me to have some breakfast.”

Sit with him? Eat with him? At the same time? I was hesitant, looking to him as I pulled out a chair, expecting him to change his mind, but he didn’t.

“Let me serve you.” He got up for another plate and set of silverware, then prepared a plate for Luka. It was strange, but not in a bad way. I liked being close to him, too.

He wouldn’t let me clean up, which instinctively felt wrong. I’d do it later, when he left to do something else, I told myself. When Caleb went to his office, I went to my room, not sure how to spend my day.

After a while, as soon as I saw he wasn’t nearby anymore, I went back to the kitchen, but it had already been cleaned up. A chef was now preparing food, I assumed lunch for the alpha and others in the household.

All I knew was that I didn’t want to be rejected. I wanted to show that I was worth keeping around.

“I’d like to help you, please.” I grabbed a peeler and held it up. “I’m Luka.”

“I know who you are.” The chef immediately took the peeler back and returned it to the counter. “I don’t need any help with cooking. Please attend to your own matters.”

Caleb

The sparring session this morning was intense, but it was good to work out all my pent-up…energy. Damn, it was hard as hell…pun intended…not to devour her then and there in that towel.

Logan was salivating. I never knew how much strength I had until I had to resist her.

The shower was refreshing, like washing off the desire, renewing myself. The food the chef was cooking smelled incredible, and my stomach growled.

I went into the kitchen, pleased but surprised to see Luka. I expected her to spend more time resting, getting used to her room, maybe decorating in whichever way she saw fit, and trying on her clothes.

I nodded and told her good morning, and tried not to think of her body next to mine. It was not working.

The food was prepared on the table, although the chef had left. I took a bite, and it tasted delicious, more delicious than usual even, but different.

“Who made this?” I asked.

Luka answered. “I did, sir—I mean, Caleb.”

I was angry, because she shouldn’t be exerting herself like that. I told her to refrain from cooking. She stood around awkwardly, like she was nervous or even afraid.

“Sit down.” I’ve never liked it when people stood around me without speaking, and it began happening more often after becoming the alpha king.

She looked starving, and I served a plate for her, realizing the meal had been prepared here rather than the banquet kitchen. She looked alarmed but ate rapidly, so quickly that she reminded me of a bird. It was adorable, actually.

I told her to do what she normally did and emphasized that we had staff for all of the household duties. I went to work and told her I’d be by later.

After doing some work, I went to the kitchen for my lunch. I was surprised to see her again just outside of the kitchen.

I took her hand, and I saw that the scars from her burns had not healed completely. I really didn’t want her to do any work, especially with her hands, and especially not anywhere near cooking flames, so that she could heal as quickly as possible.

She looked ashamed when I took her hands, and there was an air of helplessness. I was used to everyone knowing their role and going about their own business. I realized she didn’t. But no matter what her role was, it was not to do housework. I wanted her to have purpose, but with something more important.

She looked down and frowned at her hands. She tugged at her clothes and adjusted her hair, like she was trying to hide something.

I shook my head. Even her scars and the wear on her body couldn’t hide her beauty. The long brown hair, the pale skin, the full red lips.

She should be proud of herself, and confident in her beauty and worth, I thought to myself.

“All you need to do in the future is just stand by my side.”