Freeing Luka: The Clecanian Series Book 2 Read online

Looking down, he found he’d worn a path through the moss with his pacing. Movement near Alice’s house drew his attention again. Auzed, his brother, was striding toward her home. His mind argued Zed was likely escorting her to the meeting, but his instincts urged him to throw his brother in the lake and escort her himself. Clenching and unclenching his fists, he stood simmering.

  He watched as Alice emerged from her home and followed Zed. Luka dashed along the tree line, needing to move quickly to keep them in view as they weaved around floating houses. Unable to tear his gaze away, he continued to trip over fallen branches. Slippery moss and pebbles seemed to place themselves underfoot. Luka couldn’t recall the last time he’d tripped. He wasn’t a clumsy person, but her outfit and the fact that she was walking with another male made it impossible to focus.

  The clothing she’d picked had her bare legs on full display. Shapely, tanned legs. He could just imagine running his hands up her thighs until they disappeared under the hem. The wind whipped, fluttering the light fabric higher and causing his mind to blank.

  A large rock hidden by moss made him slip yet again. His ankle rolled unnaturally, followed by a sickening crack. He cursed, falling to a knee. When he peered up again, both Alice and Zed were staring at the tree line.

  The pain in his ankle shot up his shin, but he attempted to freeze.

  I have to control this!

  He had to figure out a way to dampen his attraction, or he’d make an utter fool of himself when he finally talked to her.

  In order to replace the image of a crazed, chained, horny male she’d grown accustomed to, he needed to be charming when they spoke. Delicate. How was he supposed to sweep her off her feet if he was sporting a bum foot and an ever-present erection?

  Out of his four brothers, Luka had always been the one to keep a level head. When Theo and Zed would lose their temper and get into bloody fist fights, he’d been the one to have arguments using reason and logic. That wasn’t to say his brothers had responded in kind. He’d had to learn how to defend himself from an early age, and he supposed he should be grateful for that. Protecting his mate would be much more difficult if he didn’t know how to fight.

  He rose, favoring his good ankle. From this distance and from the research he’d done on humans, he knew Alice wouldn’t be able to see him, but Zed, with his perfect eyesight and extensive guard training, would.

  Luka saw the moment Zed spotted him. His scowl remained in place but became annoyed rather than alert. He turned and almost touched Alice before lowering his hand again.

  Luka let out a relieved breath. At least his brother was aware of the effect the mating bond was having on him.

  A spark of urgency and embarrassment tugged at him as he hobbled along the shoreline. He couldn’t show up like this. He’d look weak in front of her. She couldn’t see him like that.

  Luka waited until Alice had been escorted into the building then made himself visible to Zed, who was glaring in his direction.

  Zed began to jog toward him, the clear platforms rising to meet his feet with each long stride. He wished he had the clearance to call those platforms to the surface. Then he could go see Alice in her home whenever he wanted.

  No, stop! No more stalking her! he scolded, even as he ached to snatch the small token giving Zed access to the lake.

  “What the fuck are you doing, Luka? Is this where you’ve been disappearing to?” Zed barked. Glancing over his shoulder, he lowered his voice. “Do you know what would happen if you were to be caught here? I’m head guard, for Goddess’ sake! I should be—”

  Ignoring his brother’s lecturing, he asked, “Do you have a healer on you? I hurt my ankle.”

  Zed slammed his mouth shut, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “No,” he said through gritted teeth.

  “Where is the closest one?” He glanced around Zed, eyes drawn back to the meeting house, even knowing he wouldn’t be able to see inside.

  “You’ll just have to suck it up. You’re late as it is.”

  Luka’s eyes flashed to meet his brother’s amused smirk. He knows where a healer is, but he’s not telling me. Punishing me for my behavior.

  Zed turned and began walking along the shore, forcing Luka to limp behind him. “I can’t go in there like this.”

  Zed shrugged. “You don’t have a choice. They’re going to be submerging as soon as the Queen is ready. That’ll barely give you enough time to get there and get settled.”

  “If you escort me across the lake, I’d have time,” Luka argued through clenched teeth.

  Zed rounded on him, annoyance splashed across his face. “You need to be escorted by Metli, like all of the other attendees.”

  Luka reached out to smack his brother, but even with his mated-enhanced speed, his ankle slowed him down. Zed stepped back until he was standing on a platform in the water, just out of reach. Zed lifted his hand, displaying his hand clock for Luka to see.

  Being late to something like this wasn’t an option. The Queen always did things on time, and if he arrived too late, they’d submerge without him, and he’d lose his chance to speak with Alice in a non-threatening group setting. Luka cursed and began hobbling the long way around the lake toward the main entrance.

  When he reached a waiting Metli, precious minutes later, he was covered in sweat, and a sharp pain stabbed through his ankle with every step. Already foul, his mood darkened further when he thought about the first impression he’d be making on his new mate.

  “What happened to you?” Metli asked, eyeing him up and down with a quirked brow. “And where is your paint? The Queen made it very clear that both you and Theo need to cover your marks when in public.”

  I don’t have time for this. “Can you please escort me to the meeting, Metli?” His words were polite, but his tone was biting.

  Pursing her lips, Metli shoved a large ball into his hands, then hurried off over the water without a word.

  Luka groaned, taking a few quick breaths to prepare himself for the pain, then staggered after her. He’d need to apologize to her later.

  Peering at the red ball in his hands, he wondered if he could somehow take it with him. The object was chosen as a guest pass, allowing visitors to cross the water, because it was unlikely to be stolen. Bright red and large, it’d be difficult to smuggle unnoticed.

  When he reached the other side of the lake, he found Metli waiting with arms outstretched. Lips pursed in a tight line and eyes aimed upward, she tapped her foot impatiently.

  The females of this world were not used to being spoken to so curtly. Metli, a respected employee of the Queen, was especially not used to it.

  “I’m sorry, Metli. Would you mind if I kept this with me so I can visit the medbay after the meeting?” He lifted the leg of his pants, exposing his swollen ankle. Angry red bruises were already beginning to spread over the engorged skin.

  She crinkled her nose, grimacing. “Fine, but only because Flen is already aware of your matehood. Keep your hands in your pockets and talk to no one else.” Eyeing him then the pass with suspicion, she added, “If you keep it for too long, I’ll have it deactivated.” Without another word, she walked into the dim room.

  The door to the meeting space was only a few feet in front of him, but it may as well have been a mile. Once inside, he’d be able to sit, but until then, he had to make a good impression. Metli had just reminded him that females didn’t take kindly to weakness.

  He needed to stride in and be seen as a strong, attractive male Alice might be proud to call her own, while also keeping his distance. Already, it was difficult to concentrate on anything other than the pain. Carrying on a conversation would be impossible.

  It was unfortunate he wouldn’t be able to talk to her, but he decided that going to see the doctor before speaking to her would be the best course of action. Some females even found patience and aloofness attractive, so this may work out in his favor. He took an experimental step and choked. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.

  Just as he was
starting to feel that a visit to the doctor was more urgent than the meeting, his enhanced senses picked up her scent. Like a slap across the face.

  I have to see her, he thought desperately.

  Holding his head high, he limped the few feet to the door and then willed a mask of indifference to overtake his features. Inhaling deeply, he opened the door and stepped through, evenly distributing his weight. Searing pain shot through his ankle with his movements. Nausea roiled within him, but he kept his face stoic and scanned the crowd, eager to spot an open chair but more eager to spot Alice.

  When his eyes landed on her, he almost forgot the searing pain. She was so lovely, sitting there, smiling. All of his dreams of her had been accurate. His unconscious mind hadn’t played tricks on him by enhancing the beauty of her eyes or the wicked curves of her body. She was real and perfect. A true, unguarded smile flashed over her face, and she laughed at something the male next to her, Rhaego, said.

  Wait. Rhaego? The hazy spell cast by her visage dissolved. She was talking and laughing with Rhaego.

  He took a step toward her, his intentions dark, but halted, feeling as if someone had stabbed him in the ankle with a burning metal poker. The pain was worsening, and the cold sweat that broke out over his skin told him he needed to get off his bad leg soon, or he’d make a joke of himself by fainting in front of his mate.

  This is a mistake. I have to get out of here. She hasn’t seen me yet.

  Without warning, the room began to sink. His gaze whirled toward the control panel and found Metli. She picked at a spot on her floor-length navy vest, unaware of his lethal glare.

  He scanned the room again, looking for a chair. All he could do now was wait it out. The free seat that was closest to him was on the opposite side of the table from Alice.

  He walked slowly to the seat, trying to look nonchalant and casual but more likely looking insane. A bead of sweat trailed across his temple, and he promptly wiped it away. He clumsily plopped into the soft chair, drawing glances from the attendees nearest him.

  She hasn’t even noticed I’ve arrived!

  He ground his jaw when he realized his bold attempts to ignore his injury had been in vain. He could’ve crawled to his chair, and she would’ve still been engrossed in conversation with Rhaego and…Verakko!

  Verakko, a green-skinned male from Swadaeth ancestry, spoke to her with a small grin pulling at his lips. In return, she smiled brightly back at him, laughing at whatever presumably inane thing he’d said. Luka crossed his arms over his chest and attempted to shoot mental daggers at the male with his eyes.

  The Swadaeth Clecanians, from the arid western deserts, were a very solitary culture and had evolved in relative isolation from other Clecanians. They tended to prefer the privacy and simplicity of the desert oasis in which they lived.

  Because of their self-imposed seclusion, most Swadaeth were known to be antisocial and uninterested in most personal interactions. There’d be no reason for Verakko to want to speak with Alice unless he found her attractive and was trying to charm her. Luka had spoken with the male a few times before and had never seen even the hint of a smile on his face.

  So help the male if he is attempting to sway her. Glancing down to his marked wrists, Luka’s temper relaxed a fraction. Verakko knew she was someone’s mate. Even he would respect that.

  Luka rested his crossed arms on the table in front of him, scowling in their direction. He needed to calm down. When she finally did notice his arrival, it would put her off to see him looking so angry.

  He allowed his eyes to close briefly, inhaling through his nose to calm himself. Her scent hit him again like a bag of rocks. The sweet, feminine aroma called to him, making him want to rub his head in the crook of her neck.

  Jealousy raged through him; he knew the two males near her were able to smell her divine scent as well. His gaze flashed back to where they sat at precisely the wrong moment. From the corner of her eye, she spotted him and did a double-take. The wide smile she’d been sporting only a moment ago faded as she took in his aggressive demeanor.

  Way to fucking go, Luka.

  As his heart climbed into his throat, another jab of sickening pain sliced through his ankle.

  Chapter 12

  There he is. Finally.

  Alice was momentarily stunned into silence. The last time she’d seen him, he’d been dirty and wild-looking. Now, his bruises were healed, and his skin had changed from a pale, scratched mess to a healthy bronzed tan. His hair, now clean, hung around his ears in dark brown waves she wanted to run her fingers through. Roaming her gaze down his body, she marveled at the bulging muscles of his crossed arms. It shouldn’t have been possible, but since being rescued, he’d somehow filled out even more.

  The vision before her was perfection, except for one small thing. He appeared to be seething. His beautiful pale-blue eyes glared at her, and it looked as though every muscle in his body was on high alert. The tension radiating off him was so palpable that the occupants of the chairs near him subtly leaned away.

  Her initial heart-pounding joy at both seeing him and beholding his downright gorgeous face was snuffed out. She inhaled shakily. All of her worst fears were being confirmed. He was angry with her. Probably hated her for what she’d done to him in that cell. She’d been stupid to think they might be able to have a relationship after all that. The fact his mating marks had appeared for her must drive him crazy.

  She felt herself shrinking under his hard gaze and looked away. Turning to her left, she attempted to engage Verakko in conversation once again. Anything to distract herself from Luka’s accusatory stare. “What were you saying about the lake platforms?”

  In any other circumstance, the muscular man speaking to her now should’ve captivated her. The skin near his forehead was a soothing shade of teal, but as it continued down toward his chin and neck, it faded into a vibrant green. His hair was cut short on either side and left long on top, allowing his pointed, pierced ears to be prominently displayed. Streaks of sea-green, aqua, and gray ran through his thick charcoal hair and matched the color of his heavy brows.

  Verakko was gorgeous but deadly looking the way a snake might be. When they’d first started speaking, his dry sarcasm and pessimistic disposition had added to his serpentine aura.

  She noted the quiet intelligence that radiated off him as he described the platforms in a deep, silky voice, the tone almost melodic. Alice wouldn’t have been surprised to learn Verakko’s ancestors used their unique timbre to lure prey. Yes, this man in front of her, who looked at her with glowing green eyes, should’ve been more than enough to keep her attention, but she couldn’t keep her gaze and thoughts from straying to the sour-looking man across the table.

  “And… You’re not listening to me, are you?”

  Oh, crap. He must’ve realized she wasn’t paying one lick of attention to his descriptions of the technology employed by The Pearl Temple.

  “I’m so sorry. That was rude,” she said, forcing her gaze to remain locked on Verakko.

  He looked between her and Luka and gave her a wry smile, exposing overly sharp canines. “So that’s your mate, huh? I’ve met Luka a few times, but he’s never appeared quite so…angry.”

  Great, so it’s just me, then. “Yeah, I think he’s angry I’m his mate.”

  Verakko snorted. “Then he’s an idiot.”

  Alice shot him a sad smile. What would happen now? Were there any cases of mates becoming unmated? From everything she’d learned, it seemed like mating was for life, but that didn’t mean he had to like her.

  “He’s right to hate me. I forced the marks to appear. I didn’t want to do what Helas said, but I didn’t have a choice, and now I’m Luka’s mate forever, and he hates me and…” Alice’s voice grew tight as she rambled on.

  “Hey, uh, no need to be upset,” he said without conviction. Verakko’s gaze shifted around the room; he was clearly uncomfortable with her show of emotion. He leaned in, continuing in a lower tone. “Look,
I don’t know what happened to you in that place, and I don’t know what Helas told you, but you can’t force mating marks to appear. They appear or they don’t, no matter the circumstances. They may show themselves at different times for different people, but there isn’t anything anybody can do to draw them out.”

  Alice glanced at Luka again, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. Being consoled had always made her cry more, rather than less. Luka still looked furious, but now his hard stare was turned on Verakko. He began to stand but then sat back down quickly, his face paling.

  “Look at me, Alice,” Verakko commanded. His tone was velvety, and she could feel his words ringing through her mind.

  She shook her head to clear it and noticed Verakko’s eyes had darted away. Could he actually use his voice to entrance? She peered at him with raised brows.

  He cleared his throat and mumbled a quick “sorry” before returning his gaze to hers. He continued without any further explanation. “You’re his mate. He isn’t yours. If he doesn’t have enough sense to see how lucky he is to have found you, that’s not your problem. He needs you. You don’t need him.” He shot a glare toward Luka, then leaned in to whisper, “You tell me if he acts like a pishot, and I’ll make sure to hack into his home’s programming and make his life a living hell.”

  “Thanks.” Alice chuckled, wiping at her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater. “What’s a pishot?”

  “No translation for that, huh? It’s what you call someone who’s acting like an idiot or is a very unlikeable person. How to describe the actual meaning…” He narrowed his eyes, squinting toward the ceiling, and ran the tip of his pointed tongue over his sharp canine. “I believe it originated in the mountains where the Pesque live. I think it means ‘One who spits into the wind.’”

  She laughed again, drawing out a small smile from Verakko.

  He has a point. If Luka wanted to be mad at her, then that was his right, but she needed to remember she didn’t really know him. Sure, they’d spent many weeks together, but that hadn’t been the real him.