Hunted (War of the Covens 1)

Caia shook her head. “Uh, no. I’m not falling for that again. Last time you and Ryder said that to me, I had heart failure.”

He had the decency to look sheepish. “How were we to know you were afraid of spiders?”

“Spiders?” Caia spluttered. “It wasn’t just a spider. It was the mother of all spiders.”

Lucien laughed. “This isn’t a spider. Will you please just come?”

Huffing as she remembered the huge, brown, spindly creature they’d thrust in her face about two weeks ago—thinking she’d find the alien monster from Hades as amazing as they did—she walked cautiously after Lucien. She followed him outside and stopped short on the porch as he approached a brand-new car.

“I know it’s no sports car.” He patted its roof. “But it’s brand new.”

“What is it?”

“The new Ford. You like the color?” He studied her for a reaction.

Caia smiled in confusion. It was gold pistachio—metallic, very pretty. “Yeah? Why?”

He grinned. “Because it’s yours.”

Was he kidding?

Nope, not according to the cheesy grin on his face.

“Lucien, I can’t accept this.” But she was already gravitating toward the vehicle. She ducked her head inside the passenger window, checking out the color-coordinated interior, and inhaling that wonderful new-car smell. “I really can’t accept this.”

She heard him grunt from the other side of the car. “No can’t about it. It’s yours.”

“Does she like it?” Caia straightened to see Ella rushing out of the house. “What d’ya think, Cy?”

“I think it’s too much,” she said.

Ella’s face fell. “But … Lucien went to a lot of trouble—”

“Mom.” He stopped her, shaking his head in what Caia had come to recognize as irritation. His attention swept back to her. “You’re taking the car.”

It was a command.

“Bu—”

“No buts. Jaeden’s not picking you up this morning, so unless you’re going to change into the wolf suit and run to school, you’re going to be late.”

They were waiting for her, standing around Mal’s SUV, as she pulled into the parking lot in the new car. It was a dream to drive. She’d actually forgotten how much she’d missed having a car, although back in her life with Irini, it had been a beat-up Mustang she’d driven. A feeling of self-consciousness settled on her as she locked the car and headed to the pack.

Jaeden smiling devilishly at her.

“You knew about this,” Caia stated, coming to a stop in front of them.

She shrugged, still grinning.

“Nice ride.” Mal laughed. “Looks like you’re all set to be a soccer mom.”

“Shut up.” Jaeden slapped him across the head, incurring a low growl from the back of his throat.

Caia looked thoughtfully back at the shiny machine. “I was actually thinking if he was going to get me a car, he could have gotten me a nice, cheap old thing.”

“Yeah.” Jaeden eyed her meaningfully. “He could have.”

Caia made a face. Jaeden had been making innuendos about Caia and Lucien for the past few weeks. While Caia was certain he was just being nice and trying to make sure she integrated back into the pack without any problems, Jaeden thought his preferential treatment meant something. The only feelings between Caia and him were the private ones emanating from her fantasies, and she was telling no one about those, not even Jaeden. Not that it mattered—she had a feeling Jaeden was aware of her crush. Her perceptiveness could be a little disconcerting sometimes.

Besides, Caia’s mood depressed as her gaze fell on Alexa. Why would Lucien be interested in the Little Orphan Annie when he could have the gorgeous brunette?

“Lucien is being generous.” Dana’s annoying voice cut into her thoughts. “You should be a little more grateful.”

Alexa smirked. “Yeah, Caia. If he could hear you now … tut-tut.”

The terrible twosome still didn’t like her. “I didn’t say I wasn’t grateful.”

“Back off.” Sebastian was clearly as fed up with their sniping as Caia was. He drew her near him protectively, a gesture Caia accepted now when she wouldn’t have weeks ago. They moved away from the others, just Jaedan, Sebastian and Caia as they walked into the school.

“You know, I wish they’d get over it already,” Sebastian said, confirming her suspicions. “You haven’t even looked at Mal twice since you got here, so what’s Dana’s problem?”

“She’s a sheep,” Jaeden chimed in. “She does whatever she thinks will make Alexa happy.”

“You know”—Alexa made them tense as she appeared suddenly, striding up to them—“that was kind of rude, Sebastian.” She moved past them, an ugly twist to her mouth. “But I forgive you. I’ll have to get used to being magnanimous. It’s what a Pack Leader does.”

Jaeden guffawed. “What?”

“Are you completely psycho?” Sebastian asked. “You are aware that you’re not Pack Leader?”

Alexa smiled evilly, her eyebrow quirking as she drew them to a halt. She turned that wicked smile on Caia. “But I will be mate to Pack Leader. The party at Lucien’s will be a perfect opportunity for me to show Lucien what a mistake it’ll be if he chooses differently.” Her eyes narrowed in calculation. “He wouldn’t want to choose someone, say, who would jeopardize the pack by foolish displays of strength in front of them.”