by Victoria Sue
Luca stripped and then did the same to Kit. Kit tried to cover his belly, but Luca just bent down and pressed gentle kisses all over it. “You’re beautiful.”
Kit sniffed again, but he looked a little happier.
Luca groaned as he stepped into the bath. It was huge—definitely big enough for both of them. He held his hand out, and Kit stood and padded over to him. He stepped in and went to sit opposite Luca but Luca wasn’t having any of that nonsense.
He fixed both of his hands on Kit’s hips to steady him. “Turn around,” he growled. He caught the flare of interest in the big blue eyes staring at him. Luca just lifted him, turned him around, and sat him down on his lap, pulling Kit flush to his chest.
Kit wiggled. “Mmm.”
Luca swallowed, lust sparking immediately between them. His semi-hard cock swelled as it was nestled in the crease of Kit’s ass.
Kit tilted his head to look at Luca, and pouted. “I know you don’t want to touch me anymore because I’m fat.”
Luca gaped. He had no idea what to say. Everything he had done today had been wrong in some fashion or another. Whether he agreed or disagreed it would be wrong. Kit’s shoulders fell and Luca realized he’d kept silent way too long. “Kit?” Kit didn’t reply, so Luca leaned forward and kissed the smooth skin at the base of his neck. “I don’t think you love me at all.”
Kit stiffened. “What?” he said in a shaky voice.
“You haven’t told me you loved me today, not once.” He let that sink in and gripped the side of Kit’s hips firmly.
Kit twisted his head back to look at him. “B-but you know I love you.”
Luca smiled. “Because you tell me?” Kit nodded. “So...when I tell you how beautiful you are you think I’m a liar?”
Kit’s blue eyes filled again and Luca swore. He was making this worse.
Luca cuddled Kit close. “You are my life.” He breathed out and nibbled Kit’s ear lobe, gratified at the answering shiver. “Every second of every day I thank the fates for being poisoned.”
Kit tried to turn to see him, startled. “What?”
“It was one of the worse days of my life, but at the same time it was the best day of my life.” Luca smiled as realization shone in Kit’s eyes.
“If the worst day of my life hadn’t have happened I worry I would never have met you. You are the kindest, most loving person I know. You put up with hell for seven years for me. I adore you.” Luca placed his big hand on Kit’s belly and just at that second something bumped against his skin. Luca gazed into Kit’s eyes, sharing the knowing smile. “I adore both of you. Never, ever doubt my love.” Luca’s hand slid from Kit’s bump to the side of his face where he pressed him in close and completely ravaged his mouth. He’d tiptoed around Kit for days, even before they had left, frantic that he was going to be hurt again, doubt Luca, or decide he wasn’t happy. Enough. It was driving them both nuts.
Luca broke the kiss and nibbled Kit’s bottom lip then he nudged him to lift his chin to access his neck. Kit arched his neck and tilted his head to one side. Luca needed no further invitation. He mouthed, licked, and sucked until the soft begging sounds from Kit’s throat were driving Luca mad with need. He clamped his hands on Kit’s hips and in one movement lifted him so Luca’s cock sprang upwards, hard, aching.
“Oh,” Kit cried as Luca lowered him back slowly, burying his cock in Kit’s tight wet heat, sliding straight in because Kit was slick inside and ready for him.
“Baby,” Luca panted.
“S’good,” Kit mumbled, head flung back.
Luca lifted Kit up and Kit gasped. “Luca, please. I need—” Gravity impaled Kit again and he begged Luca over and over, not to stop, never to stop. Kit’s breathy moans and little cries drove Luca to the edge quickly. He let go of Kit’s hips and reached around to grab his cock, hard. Luca could feel the slick on the end, even under the water. Kit was writhing on top of him and Luca lifted his hips at the same time as he gripped Kit’s hard length.
“I’m coming,” Kit wailed and Luca needed no further invitation. Just as Luca felt his cock pulse he bent and sank his teeth in Kit’s neck.
Kit’s scream was probably heard all over the pack house. Bliss chased through Luca as he emptied himself into Kit, and he just had the strength to lick the bite to seal it.
“You’re gonna have to carry me downstairs,” Kit whispered. Luca put his head back and laughed.
****
Kit didn’t think he had eaten so much for a month, and every mouthful was wonderful. He had never seen so much food so beautifully arranged. Luca wiped his mouth after clearing his plate for the second time and eyed Kit. “You might have to carry me back upstairs.”
Everyone at the table chuckled. Petro was one of the nicest men Kit had ever met, and his son Sascha was fascinated with him. Petro, Gabriel, and Luca started talking pack politics, particularly about the rebel group of humans causing problems in some of the outlying pack areas closer to Niandes.
“Have you heard of The Human Alliance?” Petro asked.
Luca frowned. “No, not at all, but I’m afraid we are quite sheltered having the most northern territory, and communication between territories isn’t something that has happened much.”
Petro snorted inelegantly at the understatement and put down his wine glass. “The Human Alliance is the latest group of rebels to emerge to challenge the wolves.”
“There have been plenty of others over the years, though,” Luca said.
Petro nodded and sighed. “They were responsible for the village massacre.”
Kit pricked his ears up.
“No, Father,” Sascha interrupted, “the wolves were responsible for the deaths.”
“Really?” Luca asked.
“The humans attacked a shipment of goods destined for the capital. There were fabrics, silk,” Petro continued.
“Silk?” Luca said, confused.
“Unlicensed children are often bonded to work the boiling pits,” Kit put in. That much he knew.
Luca turned a horrified look to him. “What the hell are boiling pits?”
“The only way of releasing the protein holding the strands of silk together in a cocoon is boiling them,” Sascha explained. “Because the cocoons may get damaged by anything too harsh, a stick—a spoon, for example—it is thought better if hands test the softness.”
“You’re saying,” Luca said slowly, “that children are forced to put their hands in boiling water?”
“The silk trade is one of the wealthiest in Niandes and Solonara,” Daniel, Petro’s beta-commander, added. “I am not surprised you are unaware of it in the north. Only mild temperatures are conducive to long term production and the winters in Caedra are simply too cold.”
“As they are here, but to a lesser extent,” Sascha added. “The shipment was finished silk on its way to be sold.”
Sam leaned forward. “So why was the village attacked up here, then?”
“Because the leader of The Human Alliance was born in the village. Torren is a small settlement just over the border into Niandes. It is barely a day’s ride from here,” Daniel replied.
“So it was revenge,” Luca said flatly. Kit saw him rub his head. It was one of Luca’s ways of showing he was unhappy.
“Ninety-seven men, women, and children. The youngest was eleven months,” Sascha said. Kit couldn’t help the small distressed sound that escaped his lips. He wrapped his arms around his belly protectively.
“And the trouble is that it has now started an all-out war. One of the humans’ main objections was that in the poorest villages surrounding the silk farms, the betas have been told to overlook the births of unlicensed humans, even encourage it.”
Luca growled. “Are you telling me what I think you’re telling me?”
Petro nodded. “Yes, bluntly, that it isn’t just the silk-worms that are being farmed, the humans to work them are also being produced.”
Kit put down his glass shakily, suddenly regretting having
eaten anything at all.
“The leader of the rebel group is named Christoph Tor. I was told he lost his son in the massacre and he has vowed to kill any and all werewolves he encounters.”
Luca blew out a long breath. “Things are worse than I feared.”
Kit listened, took a sip of water, and glanced at Sascha. Sascha was staring again.
Kit smiled. “You’re gonna give me a complex.”
Sascha blushed and eyed his father, but Kit didn’t think they were listening. Daniel was describing the safest route to cut through to get to the capital.
“Are you going to tell me what’s up or am I gonna have to guess?” Kit whispered.
“Father, do you mind if I take Kit to show him the gardens?” Petro shook his head and Luca nodded his approval. Kit knew full well the gardens were an excuse. Sascha helped Kit stand. He was glad to stretch his legs and he wasn’t sure how much more of the conversation he could listen to without being physically sick. Kit followed Sascha out of the large dining room and down a corridor. Sascha didn’t speak until they got to a small recessed door. He paused. “Can I trust you?”
“I think you already made that decision bringing me here,” Kit pointed out.
“I kind of did, didn’t I?” He opened the door out into a small terrace garden. Kit jumped slightly as he saw a shadow move to his left.
“It’s okay,” Sascha said encouragingly out into the darkness, and out of the shadows stepped a young man. Sascha held out his hand and the young man ran to him, clasping the hand as if his life depended on it.
Kit smiled in understanding. He would guess that the man was human. Sascha wasn’t anywhere near as big as Luca but he was still a tall and powerfully built werewolf. The man currently tucked into his side was anything but.
“Kit, I would like you to meet Darrin. He is my mate.”
Kit smiled and held out his hand. Darrin eyed Kit cautiously. Kit would have put both him and Darrin at around the same age, but Darrin was taller than Kit with pale skin and fair hair. Darrin put his head to one side and extended his own arm. Kit understood all the envious looks Sascha had been giving him, and decided to jump right in. “Your dad seems reasonable, Sascha. He knows I’m male and human. I’m not even licensed. Why can’t you tell him?”
Sascha sighed and waved to some chairs. Kit sank into one gratefully, peering at his feet. He’d only been half joking when he’d told Luca they were swollen. His little toe looked a bit puffy...
“My dad isn’t the problem,” Sascha finally responded.
“It’s mine,” Darrin said quietly and took a breath. My name is Darrin Tor and my dad is leader of The Human Alliance.”
Luca had been right, Kit thought. Things were definitely worse than he feared.
Chapter Sixteen
“Why does your father still think you are dead?” Kit asked when he had recovered from the shock.
“I panicked,” Darrin said haltingly.
“We met accidentally over a year ago,” Sascha said, taking Darrin’s hand as they sat down. “We share an interest in horses.” Kit saw the wobbly smile from Darrin. “In that I’m terrified of them, and Darrin loves them.”
“You seemed to be an able rider, though,” Kit said. He’d woken up in the cart and watched Sascha escort them inside.
“I fell off when I was thirteen and knocked myself out. I wasn’t able to shift and heal for some hours and I had broken a bone. It mended, but it pains me sometimes, and it cured me of a fascination with horses. Anyway, long story short, as I got older I knew I was going to have to conquer this ridiculous fear. I couldn’t be Alpha and not lead my people, so I decided to fight fire with fire and took my father’s most rebellious stallion into the fields, some distance away from where our gammas patrolled. I fell off twice before Darrin couldn’t bear to watch me any longer and came out of his hiding place.” Sascha paused. “Best day of my life.” He lifted Darrin’s hand to press a kiss on his palm.
Kit’s heart warmed at the look of utter devotion that passed between them.
“We met in secret for months,” Darrin continued. “Then...the last time I sneaked away...” His voice faltered and his hands trembled, and Kit immediately guessed.
“The village was attacked, and your life was spared because you weren’t there,” Kit answered.
Darrin nodded miserably. “We don’t know what to do. If our relationship is discovered, Darrin thinks his father will turn his attention to Perse.”
“The only good werewolf is a dead werewolf,” Darrin finger quoted. But it was obviously too much for him because he turned in desperation and buried his head in Sascha’s broad chest. Sascha’s arms immediately went around him.
“We don’t know what to do,” Sascha whispered.
“You tell your father.”
Everyone twisted in shock as Luca’s words registered. Sascha jumped up in alarm, but Luca walked over to them, closely followed by Sam, and Luca bent down to Kit, plucked him from the chair, and sat back down with Kit now ensconced on his knee. “I missed you,” he mumbled.
“The Alpha has retired. One of the humans showed us where your garden is.” Sam looked around appreciatively.
“It was my late mother’s,” Sascha sat, and after a second, firmly pulled Darrin into his own lap, much to Darrin’s shock and Kit’s amusement. “She died three years ago. My parents tried for years to have another child, but unfortunately, they both died during the birth. There was nothing anyone could do.”
Kit put out his hand and squeezed Sascha’s arm. “I’m sorry.”
“Our pack is small and not highly populated. We are also the only pack in the territory. There are outlying groups of wolves but no Alphas to make a cohesive pack. Most of our wolves are farmers, not fighters. If the humans came, I am frightened for what would be left,” Sascha said somberly. “I don’t want to do anything to draw their attention, but...”
“You’ve mated already,” Luca finished, “so to separate the two of you would be impossible.” He looked at Sascha.
“Sire,” Sam said, “perhaps the best thing would be to take both of them with us.”
Sascha stared at Sam in understanding. “Because the longer Darrin stays here, the higher the chance of discovery.”
“And the more likely you are to paint a target on your pack’s back,” Luca finished and stood, depositing Kit gently but keeping an arm around him. “Sam, take Darrin to the stables where the guards are sleeping. No one took much notice as we came in and hiding him among them will be easy. Sascha, you need to go and talk with your father. We leave at dawn. I want to get to the boundary to Niandes by tomorrow night.”
****
Kit shivered in the morning air as they said goodbye to their new friends. Luca, Sascha, and Petro spoke quietly for some time until Sascha had hugged his father and climbed on one of the geldings they had swapped out the lame horses for. Darrin stood in between Henry and Attica, with Asher blocking anyone’s view of him. Sam had obviously told the humans last night and they were all protecting the boy. He simply told Nial and Elliot that Darrin was to help them with the horses.
Kit knew Asher would be thrilled to see another werewolf-human mating and Kit wondered for the millionth time just what was stopping Sam from approaching Asher. He had seen how they looked at each other. He knew Luca certainly wouldn’t object.
“I’m putting Darrin in the third cart with Henry. Attica’s driving the second with Ben, and as usual you and Asher are in the first. There will be six werewolves shifted at all times, four surrounding the carts and two running ahead to scope things out.”
Kit nodded and Luca bent down to kiss him on the mouth, hard. It wasn’t a peck, Kit was mauled. He whined when Luca broke off. “You can’t start something like that and just stop.” Luca grinned and before Kit could object he had swung him up to sit next to Asher. Luca levelled a look at Asher and Asher just nodded in silent agreement.
They didn’t stop at all until nearing dusk. Kit peed when he had t
o into an empty bottle. Luca took turns with Asher watching him, but he told Kit that once they crossed the border he would have to stay up front all the time. They needed every werewolf to use their sharper hearing and smell to be a warning for possible signs of danger. The trouble was that between the human rebels and the werewolves from Niandes, everyone was out to get them.
Kit groaned and tried to rub his back when they had just climbed down. Luca was there in an instant. “What is it?”
Kit leaned back into Luca. “Backache from sitting down.”
Luca pressed his talented fingers into Kit’s back and Kit groaned so loud a couple of gammas laughed. They soon stopped when Luca sent them a look.
“I’m okay.” Kit took a step away from him and went to join Henry, Attica, and Darrin getting the food ready for everyone. Darrin had offered to help with the horses, but Nial was very protective of them. Not that Kit was hungry at all, but that still didn’t mean he wasn’t going to eat. Attica had chided him in the gruff but kind way he did that Kit had the baby to think about.
Most of the wolves shifted and hunted for their meals. The humans were happy to eat what Sascha’s pack had sent them, so there wasn’t much to prepare. Kit sat between Luca’s legs sipping his tea. Henry and Attica had waved them off the clearing up, and Asher, Sam, Sascha, and Darrin were all peacefully sipping tea as well, or coffee. Sam nodded to the plate of food covered with a cloth, next to Darrin. “Midnight snack?” he teased.
Darrin looked confused, then he blushed. “No. I...um was told you don’t treat female weres the same, but I assumed you still wanted her fed.” He looked at the puzzled faces. “Did I do wrong?”
“What are you talking about?” Luca asked sharply, and Kit closed his eyes as his stomach rolled sickly. He knew, he just knew.
“The female werewolf in the cart,” Darrin whispered. Luca climbed out from behind Kit.
“Oh shit,” Sam said a second later, obviously working it out. Everyone grew silent as Luca pointed to the back of the cart and Sam and Asher walked around it. He stood near the front and inhaled, then he bellowed making everyone jump.