Chapter 35

Caleb

After a month away, touring five different packs, I had my answer. If I thought about Luka a lot while I was with her, it was even worse when I was away.

After visiting with the packs of Gold Key, Winter Harvest, Monument Canyon, Rocky Crag, and Tidal Creek, along with events at some of them where packs from the surrounding area, I was ready to see the folks from my own home pack.

I had heard stories about my father and mother, stories about my grandparents, but without Luka, it felt hollow.

And so many of the couples, not just the alphas, had amazing stories. People who met on month-long hunts between various packs, others where fated mates followed a scent trail for hundreds of miles to find each other.

I kept notes in a daily diary, and with every word I wrote, the subtext was always Luka.

The gates to the Red Moon Pack territory opened. “Welcome back home, your majesty,” the gateman said with a bow.

“Thank you, Ricardo. I’m pleased to return.”

He had a strange look on his face, as if he couldn’t understand why I’d be pleased to be back. Everything looked essentially the same as we drove through the woods and towns leading to the alpha king compound.

‘Welcome Home, King Caleb!’ a banner said once we headed down the long main drive to the house. As we approached the house, I noticed a line of people standing in the portico of the house, smiling.

James, Mia, Myrna…Arthur, Hector, a few other members of the staff…But not the face I was looking for. Where is Luka?

We parked at the front of the circular driveway, my good mood flagging. I tried to react as politely as I could, with hugs and handshakes, but I was disappointed.

Why had no one told her to come? Or had they asked her, and she didn’t want to?

“You must be tired, let me take your luggage for you,” Myrna said. Warren was already unloading the car.

“I’m sure you want to rest—” James said.

“I do.”

“—But before you do, it would behoove us to meet first. Some quick things to go over in your absence.”

I nodded, and after saying goodbye to the others, James, Frederick, and I decamped to my office.

“How was your trip, your highness?” James asked.

“You know how it was. We talked most days. What did you bring me here to discuss?”

James pursed his lips tightly, stiffening his posture.

“And where is Luka?” I felt relief at finally letting it out, but I also felt I had made myself vulnerable.

“These questions are somewhat related, sir.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Go on.”

He pressed his fingers into a tower, which he does when he’s thinking about how to state something.

“There are rumors…”

I sighed. “Aren’t there always?”

“Yes, sire, but these ones aren’t going away. It relates to the release of the Long Lake Pack alpha, De—”

“Don’t say his name in my presence. It’s a disgrace he’s allowed to roam free. What about him?”

“Well, he and Luka have been spending time together.”

My mouth dropped open. “But she despises him.”

James nodded, continuing. “That may be, but the fact remains that they have been spotted together. And…”

“And what?”

“And he’s been talking about staying, telling members of the pack that he and Luka are genuine mates. He’s been giving her gifts…”

“She hasn’t accepted, has she?”

James’ eyes shifted to the side, indicating she had. I pounded my hand on the table.

“There’s something else, too.”

“Just say it, James.”

“She’s been confining herself in her room. She’s not participating in training any longer, either. She’s in seclusion. People are saying…”

“People are saying, people are saying. People say a lot of nonsense.”

“Perhaps, but even nonsense is worth investigating, and false information should be curbed. But it’s circulating that she’s been in seclusion because she wants to withdraw from the pack and return to her old one.”

I was so furious, I couldn’t see clearly.

“Luka!” I shouted, storming through the house. James and Frederick looked at each other and shrugged, staying in the office. Frankly, I didn’t care if they followed me or not. Nothing mattered but getting to the bottom of this with Luka.

“Luka! Where are you?” I bellowed as I walked toward her room.

I raised my arm, prepared to pound on her door, when it opened.

“Your majesty! You’re home!” She leapt up to give me a kiss, and by instinct I kissed her back and held her briefly, then remembered why I was there.

“Yes, I am. But I noticed you weren’t outside to greet me. Is there a reason for that?” I eyed her suspiciously, monitoring for any deception.

“Oh, I just, I wanted to wait until you called for me.”

I looked at her suspiciously. “Well, I’m here now.”

“Yes, and I’m so glad you are. I just didn’t want to overstep.”

“Even if it means not stepping up?”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean, your highness.”

“Why are you being so formal? Didn’t I tell you to call me Caleb?”

“Yes, sir…Caleb. Just, with the momentousness of your return…”

“All right. Walk with me, Luka. Let’s go to our spot behind the house, on the patio.”

We walked together, and I was so tempted to hold her hand. She looked beautiful, in an elegant but casual short black dress. She had put on more weight since I left, in the right places, and I wanted her as much as I ever had.

I was angry that even in the face of possible deceit, it did nothing to hinder my desire for her.

“How was your trip, Caleb?”

Now that she was talking to me casually, I wanted to chastise her for that instead of the formality.

“It was fine. But I have other matters to discuss.”

“Yes?”

I looked closely into her eyes, trying to see if her solicitousness was an attempt to soften her guilt.

“I hear your former master has been released.”

She lowered her head, her demeanor changing. “Yes. Him and Olivia were let out. It’s…”

“It’s what?”

“It’s…unfortunate.”

“Which part?”

“What do you mean? That they were let out.”

“Mm-hmm.” I nodded skeptically. “That they were let out? Not the conflict of interest it presents? Especially for your future.”

Luka gave me a puzzled look. “I really don’t know what you mean.”

“I’ve heard you’ve been spending a lot of time with him. And that you’ve withdrawn from your training. Is it to keep your wolf at bay, so you can maintain your mate bond with him? There’s a lot of discussion about the two of you…”

“What?” Luka cried. “People are saying that?”

“Yes. Can you blame them? I’ve seen how strong your mate bond is. And I’ve heard that since his release, you’ve withdrawn from pack life here. Is that correct?”

“Yes, a little after, but…”

“And the mate bond is still in effect, yes?”

“Yes, but, no…”

I nodded. “And he’s given you gifts. Is that correct?”

“Yeah, he has, but I don’t…”

“Do you want to go back to your old pack, Luka?”

“No! Absolutely not. It’s the last thing in the world I want.”

“Because if you do, we can all speak and arrange for you to go back…”

“No, please don’t. I love it here. I don’t want to leave. I’m so happy here.”

I nodded, not saying anything for a while, thinking.

“All right, then. I accept your word that you’d like to stay. But I expect you to prove that you want to be here.”

I walked away, not wanting to hear more of her excuses. I had a lot of work to do to tame public opinion, and I didn’t need Luka getting in my way.