Freeing Luka: The Clecanian Series Book 2

by Victoria Aveline

  “Thank you for bringing me here today. I see why you love it so much,” she said, pulling him from his musings. “I’m sorry I’m so tired. I was nervous and didn’t sleep very well last night. Out of curiosity, what did you have planned for dinner, anyway?”

  She’d been nervous? “I made us a picnic.” He nudged the black bag on the ground with his foot.

  When Jade had first given him the idea, he’d thought it ridiculous. Tremantian females wouldn’t enjoy eating on the ground in the woods. But after some time, he’d realized this wasn’t any female, this was his mate. It made sense that if he enjoyed the reserve she would too.

  Still, a lifetime of experience had him holding his breath, waiting for the derision to show on her face at the idea. His breath had caught in much the same way earlier when he’d decided to share a personal fact about his relationship with his father. She’d surprised and delighted him with her tender response then, and he hoped the same happened now.

  Alice stared at the large bag with wide eyes.

  Dread knotted in his stomach. He’d been wrong. He only hoped the mistake didn’t set them back too far.

  “You packed me a picnic?” She looked at him with an odd expression.

  “Yes. I’m sorry. I thought you might enjoy eating outside and I believed the manta would do a good job of keeping the insects away from us, but I see now—”

  “Whoa, wait,” Alice interrupted. Surprise lit her face, and he was gifted with a glorious unguarded smile that stole his breath. “Don’t apologize. I love it! I’m so upset you didn’t tell me about it earlier. I would’ve rallied if I’d known you’d gone to so much trouble. I thought we were just going to get takeout from a restaurant or something.”

  Her intoxicating scent washed over him. The happiness radiating from her made him feel drunk from pleasure and had his cock stiffening.

  “I didn’t know you could cook.”

  It took him a moment to find his voice again. “Yes. I’m not the best. I only received a score of seven in my cooking exam, but I have a few meals I make well.”

  Turning toward him and tucking her leg under her, she asked, “Cooking exam? Did you go to culinary school or something?”

  Attempting not to eye the seductive jiggle of her breasts as she repositioned herself, he replied, “No, husbandry school.”

  Her eyes rose to the ceiling, and she squinted in concentration. “Oh, yeah. Metli told us a little about that. I didn’t realize you had to learn cooking. What else did you learn?”

  How will she feel about my schooling? Jade had recounted her introduction to the concept, explaining she hadn’t taken to some of their studies favorably.

  “We learn about different things a wife might need or desire from her husband. Cooking, childcare, anatomy, sexual proficiency—” Luka tried to speed through the last, hoping she wouldn’t question it, but she interrupted all the same.

  “Excuse me? Sexual proficiency?”

  He attempted to recall Jade’s issue with the practice before speaking, hoping to assuage some of Alice’s dislike. “Yes. It’s an optional class that teaches males close to graduation how to properly please their partners.”

  He held his breath, waiting to see if she’d be understanding or disgusted. Jade’s response to the class had surprised him, and he’d tried to imagine how a male’s schooling might look to an outsider.

  While in school, he’d never thought of the practice as disagreeable—quite the opposite. All of the males he knew, including himself, had been a bundle of nerves and embarrassment entering the class, and by the time they’d left, they’d had confidence.

  They taught young males how to seduce a female and what to look for in her responses to know whether she was enjoying herself. The males had also learned the importance of consent and how to harness your sexual energy and control it when no willing females were available.

  She blinked at him a moment, her beautiful blue eyes searching his face. Unexpectedly, she reached out, cupping his cheek in one hand while gripping his fingers with the other. “And you were okay with that?”

  He let out the breath he’d been holding in a whoosh, a purr exploding in him. She’s concerned for me. Warmth spread through his chest at the thought that his mate was worried about him.

  “Yes, love. I was more than okay. Without those classes, I wouldn’t be able to arouse my mate with just a touch to the wrist and hand,” he murmured, recalling her intense reaction to his ministrations in the cruiser ride earlier.

  A pretty pink blush spread over her cheeks, but she didn’t deny it. With a smirk, she muttered, “Cocky male.”

  “Is it cocky if it’s true?” he teased.

  Suddenly her eyes grew unfocused and her brows knit. She searched his face. “Have…” She nibbled her thumb nail briefly before continuing. “Have you ever been married?”

  Could that be jealousy etched on her face? Luka had to subdue the satisfied grin that threatened to spread over his face. “No, love. I’ve been picked a few times, but never ultimately chosen. I made sure not to be.” He snatched her hand away from her mouth and kissed the tip of her thumb. “Would you be upset if I had?”

  She pursed her lips and looked away from him. Her voice was falsely casual when she said, “No.”

  “Liar.” He said, allowing his purr to rumble through his and show her his true feelings.

  She narrowed her eyes at him, but he saw the corner of her mouth lift in a smile. “Can I see what you made? We could eat together now if you’re hungry.”

  He allowed the subject to shift, but continued to bask in the idea that his mate was covetous of him. “That’d be wonderful.” Was this how it would be with her? Easy and happy and intimate in a way he’d never experienced.

  Rifling through his bag, he extracted the food and drink he’d carefully packed this afternoon and set it on the table. He programmed the warming lids to heat their food and then handed Alice a glass of tury. “Jade told me she calls this prosecco 2.0 and you would understand what that meant.”

  Alice licked her lips, drawing his eyes to her mouth yet again. You’ve gone your whole life without kissing. You can wait a little longer.

  She took a small sip, and her features lit up. “Mmm. That’s really good. I was worried it was going to be too sweet, but it has a tartness I like.” Crossing her legs, she took another sip and relaxed against the soft cruiser wall. “When do you have to go back to work?”

  He shrugged. Thinking about work would be all but impossible right now. There used to be a rule that allowed for extended absences from work if you became mated, but he wasn’t allowed to reveal his marks. “I’m not sure.”

  “If it’s not too distracting, I’d like to go with you to the reserve again. Watch you while you work.”

  Luka couldn’t contain his wide grin. “You’re making my life quite difficult, you know.”

  Her hopeful expression faded. “Oh?”

  With any other female, he’d be treading dangerous waters with his teasing, but he sensed Alice enjoyed seeing that side of him. “If you aren’t there, I won’t be able to get any work done because I’ll be thinking about you, and if you are there, I won’t be able to get any work done because I’ll be thinking about you and looking at you.”

  Alice blushed. “Thank you.”

  Luka uncovered the food, making sure to hand her the plate containing the ingredients her taste preference scan had revealed she’d like.

  “This is wonderful. Thank you,” she said in between small bites of food. “Will you tell me more about your family?”

  Luka described his brothers and sisters for the rest of the ride to the Temple. He didn’t know if there was anyone else he enjoyed talking to quite as much as Alice. She was funny and sincere and talked about everyone she knew with a genuine, open kindness he’d never experienced before.

  A dark part of his being twisted when she talked about the males she’d met so far. At her mention of Rhaego and how he’d be returning to teach mo
re of the Tremantian language, Luka had to focus on not shattering the thick glass in his hand. This wasn’t good.

  His mind started to spin. They were headed back to the Temple now, where unmated males patrolled freely. A savage part of him screamed for him to redirect the car back to his home with so much force that his hand actually shot out before he quickly pulled it back.

  It was unnatural to even think about leaving her alone. I could watch her again, his mind hissed. She’s my mate; I need to make sure she’s protected.

  The cruiser stopped, and the door hissed as it slid open. Luka worked to pull himself together, but he feared the slightest movement on her part to leave him would make him drag her back into the cab.

  Alice set her plate down and looked at him expectantly. “Luka, are you alright?”

  He set his plate down as well and ground his teeth.

  She rested a hand on his knee and caught his hard stare. “You can tell me. What’s wrong?”

  Could he tell her? He swallowed. “I’m struggling with this, Alice. It feels wrong to let you leave.” A guard walking in the distance caught his eye, and his hands fisted.

  Her brows drew together, but Luka was relieved to see sympathy in her eyes rather than anger. “I’m sorry this is hard for you. You need to let me go, though. How will we be together if we can’t ever be apart? It’s not healthy.”

  He sliced his hands through his hair and tried to calm himself. She was right. If she was going to work as a veterinarian and he was going to continue his research, he needed to be able to be apart from her. He suspected his Traxian half was exacerbating the effects of the mating instinct, and he had to find a way to control it.

  He nodded and lifted his head, forcing a smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  She got up and knelt in front of him, taking his hands in hers. “I can see how hard this is for you, and I appreciate the effort.” With a shy smile, she added, “On Earth, it’s customary for a couple to kiss after a date. I could lift the ban on face touching for a moment if that would help.”

  Like lightning, his hand shot out and gripped the back of her neck. He slanted his mouth over hers and kissed her until they were both gasping for breath. Alice’s blue eyes were heavy-lidded and focused on him when he pulled away, and some of his stress melted. He leaned forward and kissed her more slowly, languorously, taking his time to learn what made her breath hitch and fingers clench. When he moved away again, he was pleased to see the disappointment in her eyes. He might not be able to have her now, but he felt certain she wouldn’t want anyone else.

  Chapter 19

  Luka had tossed and turned all night and was in an odd mood. His mind and body were fatigued, his aggression high, yet he was also excited and nervous about seeing Alice for dinner.

  To top it all off, unwelcomed, simmering arousal coursed through him. When he’d returned home the night before, Alice’s scent had still lingered, driving him mad. He’d stared at the area where she’d lain naked by the fire and recalled the way her body had shuddered when she’d come.

  He’d paced, unable to relax. She should’ve been there with him, not alone in her home. Unable to sleep, he’d decided to distract himself by working through his best course of action. He needed to have a clear plan to make sure Alice eventually decided to stay with him. He’d contacted Theo to get some insight, but it had only led to more frustration.

  Humans are impossible! With any other female, he could give gifts to show his sincerity or he could display his skills to prove he’d make a fit husband and father, but when it came to Alice, none of that mattered. Theo had explained that after many conversations with Jade, he believed a human’s capacity for love and loyalty were unparalleled, but it had to be won—earned, even. They listened to their hearts rather than cold logic. There was nothing he could do or give to ensure her affections, and the lack of certainty was terrifying.

  He clutched the bag of food he’d prepared a little tighter when Izzo began jogging toward him, wide grin in place.

  “Hello, brother,” he said cheerfully as he neared.

  Luka only grunted in answer and snatched the pass out of Izzo’s hands. He walked ahead, anxious to get to Alice and experience the soothing relief he felt whenever he saw her.

  “I heard all about your date,” Izzo said from behind him.

  Luka tried to ignore his brother, but he couldn’t quell his curiosity. “And?” he growled.

  “You did well. She was very happy.”

  His spirits soared for a moment before darkening again. “How do you know? Did you visit her?”

  Luka pictured Alice kindly inviting Izzo into her home, unaware of what that meant to Clecanian males. He’d need to explain the significance to her.

  “She wanted my help in surprising you with something. She’s been working at it all day, so make sure you put on a damn happy face, because right now you’re acting like a sour baeder, and she doesn’t deserve that.”

  Luka’s steps faltered and he spun toward his brother, head tilted. Izzo was young and had always been the most lighthearted of the group. He never let his Traxian side dictate his mood, and he always worked to lighten the spirits of his dour brothers, but now his substantial frame and light-blue eyes were radiating authority and aggression.

  Pride swelled in Luka for a moment. Izzo was becoming a formidable male. Strong, proud, and honorable. It lessened some of Luka’s anxiety to know not only Zed but Izzo was watching out for his mate’s best interests, even if that meant standing up to Luka himself if needed.

  “I’ll be better when I see her. It’s difficult being away.”

  Izzo crossed his arms and huffed, glancing across the water near Alice’s home. “Tell me about it.”

  Alice had been right yesterday in the forest. He needed to start seeing his family for what they were, blessings. Most Clecanians nowadays had few, if any siblings. He shouldn’t take their affection for granted.

  “How are things with…” Luka tried to recall the name of the small girl with curly brown hair Izzo was infatuated with.

  “Daisy,” Izzo provided. He hiked his shoulders, and the corner of his mouth turned down. “I haven’t technically recognized her, and I don’t know why. From the first moment I saw her, I could’ve sworn she was meant to be mine.”

  Luka gripped his shoulder. “I’ve spent a lot of time researching mating the past few days, and I’ve read many accounts of matings. What I’ve come to find is it’s not nearly as consistent as most people think. I’ve read about mating marks appearing as soon as an individual scents their mate, before ever even seeing them. Others appear after years of friendship. Asivva believes it took Theo so long because he’d subconsciously built a mental barrier to it. It varies from race to race and individual to individual. Don’t lose hope. If your instincts are telling you she’s yours, they’re likely right.”

  Izzo slowly nodded in agreement, pushing his shoulders back. “Thank you. I needed that.” He smirked at Luka. “Look at you, giving pep talks and going out in public. Alice is rubbing off on you.”

  Heart picking up speed at the mention of her name, Luka resumed his trek toward her house and grinned. “I sure hope so.”

  When he finally reached her door, Izzo departed, telling him his pass would expire in four hours. If he needed more time, Alice had to alert a guard and request it.

  He softly knocked and straightened, his skin itching with excitement.

  She opened the door, and his stomach did a somersault. Her hair was loose and a bit wild, and her skin was flushed pink. A beige smock was tied around her waist. She beamed at him, and he had to control his impulse to wrap her in his arms.

  A low purr punctuated with a growl escaped him when she stood on her toes and quickly kissed him on the cheek.

  Her smile dimmed as she scanned his face. “Are you alright? You look tired. Did you sleep okay?”

  “Yes, love. May I enter?” Luka loved the way her pupils dilated and her body seemed to vibrate with pleas
ure every time he used the pet name.

  Distracted from her worry as he’d intended, she blushed and stepped aside to let him in.

  Once inside, she grasped his hand and tugged him toward the kitchen, unaware of the effect the small contact had on him.

  “I wanted to repay you for dinner last night, so I tried to make you dinner myself. Izzo helped me pick foods you liked and showed me how to cook them on that weird stove-counter thing. I have to go freshen up. Go sit down, I’ll be right back.” She waved her hand at the table, then scurried away into the bathing room.

  He glanced toward the dining table and his jaw slackened.

  Glass orbs had been programmed to hang over the table in a long delicate pattern, and the lights in the rest of the house were turned down, creating an intimate, warm glow. The softly lit table was covered with a large cloth and decorated with the plants he’d given her. On either end sat their covered plates and a soft napkin folded into an intricate pattern. He glanced to the kitchen and saw piles of used dishes and bits of chopped food. She must’ve been working on this for quite a while.

  She’d done all this for him? The door opened again, and she emerged from the bathing room. He felt himself growing hard as he took in her stunning appearance. Instead of the smock, she wore a vermillion dress that was tight around her chest, accentuating her breasts, and flared delicately around her waist, ending mid-thigh. Stuck in the hair by her ear were a few small flowers plucked from the ruhi bush he’d sent to her today.

  His eyes couldn’t take in enough of her, and after a prolonged silence, she began shifting on her feet. When she raised her small nails to her mouth, a gesture he’d began attributing with stress, he was startled out of his hypnosis.

  Dropping the food on the ground, he crossed over to her and ran his palms down her arms. “You look…beautiful.” The compliment was not enough, not by a long shot, but she preened all the same.

  “I hope you like the food.” She dashed to the kitchen and bent to retrieve something from a refrigerated compartment. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you and you brought food too, but I was worried I might mess it all up and if we didn’t have a backup, we’d go hungry.”