Hunted (War of the Covens 1)

“Why?” she asked, indicating their unfamiliar surroundings with a sweep of her hand. Jaeden nodded to the store they’d pulled in front of. It was called Lunar Furniture. Caia snorted. “That’s subtle.”

Giggling, Jaeden reached into the back seat for Caia’s backpack. “Yup. Lucien’s not exactly a subtle kind of Alpha.”

“This is Lucien’s place?”

“He asked me to drop you off after school.”

“Why?”

“No idea, sorry.”

Caia tried not to anxiously bite her lip. “Thanks for the ride.”

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”

She reached for the door handle to get out, and then glanced back at Jaeden. “And thanks again for … well … you made today a lot easier for me.”

The young lykan’s smile lit up the whole car. “I’m really glad you’re back, Cy.”

Smiling despite herself, Caia climbed out of the Buick, waved goodbye to Jaeden, and walked into the store. All was quiet with no one manning the front. Taking in a set of doors at the back of the room, Caia guessed Lucien was in there somewhere. It was a large space, the showroom filled with all kinds of furniture. She looked over some of it, awed at how beautifully crafted the pieces were. His work came in all styles and woods. Stunning.

Amazed, she shook her head and then thoughtlessly turned over a tag on one of the rocking chairs. Her eyes widened. That’s how Lucien was able to contribute so thoroughly to the already substantial pack inheritance. Entranced by the rustic whimsy of the chair, Caia didn’t hear Lucien come up behind her.

“How was school?” the dark voice rumbled at her ear.

“Wha—” She jumped, whirling to face him, her hand floating to her heart in reflex. Damn it. She breathed. She didn’t want him to know how much he unnerved her but his gentle, mocking laughter told her that ship had sailed.

“Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Yeah, well, if your intention is not to scare people, don’t sneak up on them.”

“I thought you would have at least smelled me. I picked up your scent. That’s how I knew you were here.”

She shook her head, gaze returning to the rocking chair. She didn’t want to analyze the rush of hot shivers that ran down her spine when he mentioned he’d followed her scent. She was acting like an moron where he was concerned.

“I was too busy looking at this chair. It’s really beautiful.”

“Thank you,” he acknowledged and took a step back from her. Her body appreciated it and began to function normally again. “How was school?” he repeated.

“Fine. I met Dana and Daniel, Sebastian, Alexa, Finlay, and their brother, Malek.”

“How was that?” His tone suggested he knew how uncomfortable it must have been for her.

“Again, fine.” No way was she going to let him think this was hard for her. From what she knew of Pack Leaders, he’d treat her like a baby otherwise.

“Just fine?”

“They’re nice.”

Lucien laughed outright. “Nice? No. Uh, I’ve met Dana, Alexa, and Malek, and they’re not nice.”

“Well … the others were nice.”

“And …?”

“And nothing.”

He quirked an eyebrow in a disarming way.

Caia answered his unspoken question. “I’m trying to get along with everyone here. If I have the Pack Leader running to them every time I’ve got a problem, they’re going to hate me.”

“So there is a problem?”

Caia felt a growl purring at the back of her throat. She never growled. “No,” she said between clenched teeth.

He seemed to take the hint. Kind of. “Your classes okay?”

“Yes. Thank you. They’re fine.”

A moment of silence descended upon them. She squirmed beneath the study of his silver eyes. She hated that he affected her so much. When she couldn’t take it any longer, she blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. “Why did you have Jaeden drop me off here?”

She thought he wasn’t going to answer. He stood staring at her for what seemed like hours and then suddenly straightened from the desk he’d been leaning on. “I wanted to hear how your first day went.”

“Couldn’t you have asked me when you got home?” Her tone a little mulish.

His eyebrows rose in amusement. “You’re not used to people and the whole art of conversation thing yet, huh?”

“You talk about me like I’ve been locked in a dungeon for the last eleven years.” Caia sighed. “I have spoken to people, you know. I’ve been known to converse with teachers, deliverymen, the mail guy … all manner of folks.”

He chuckled. “Were you rude to those people too?”

“I didn’t mean to be rude. I was just surprised at being dropped off here, that’s all.”

His continued attention was unnerving. Caia blushed. Goddess, was the guy trying to make her appear like a bumbling backwoods outsider?

“I’m finished for the day. I’ll drive you home.”

Confused, Caia watched him saunter across the store and disappear into the back room. “Couldn’t Jaeden have …” Her voice trailed off as she glanced around, perplexed. “Never mind.”