Hunted (War of the Covens 1)

“What was he talking about?”

Lucien snorted. “Who knows? Just the ramblings of an inexperienced, underage drinker. You guys were supposed to be sticking to soda.”

Caia was unconvinced; his reprimand sounded like a tactic to throw her off the scent. “This whole ‘different’ thing keeps coming up in conversation.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She was so sick of feeling like they were all deliberately keeping things from her. “I’m talking about secrets. There are secrets here.”

“What kind of secrets?”

“I …” She threw her hands up. “I don’t know.”

“Caia—”

“No.” She shook her head, annoyed. “Don’t use that patient tone with me like I’m a child, Lucien.”

The man had the audacity to smirk. “Stop acting like one.”

“I’m not.”

“Are too.” He grinned.

She felt her stomach twist at his smile. Damn it, did he have to be so sexy and so … so. The only way to not fall for his charm was to remember that he was hiding something from her. She could feel it in her gut.

She placed her hands on her hips, straightening to her full height, not that it did any good standing next to this guy. “Why don’t you want me asking about the war? I mean, really, not the phony answer you gave me when I first asked. Why does no one speak about the war?”

Lucien ran his hand through his hair. “Caia, this is a party. Why can’t you just enjoy it?”

“Because I’m asking you a question, oh chosen one.”

“Caia,” he started toward her. Not wanting to succumb to the effect of his proximity, she retreated and tripped on her heel, falling against the wall of the house. “Caia, there is no big secret.” He reached out to steady her. His gaze moved from her face to sweep the backyard and the woods. “The war is such a part of our daily existence that we just don’t talk about it. It’s like breathing. You do it. It’s there. But you don’t talk about it.”

“Well that’s ridiculous. I’ve been a part of the war. I was a target and may still be. Which means the pack could still be targeted. I’m just saying, maybe it’s something we should talk about.”

He nodded, understanding. “I get it. I really do. But the Daylight Coven do all they can to track down the targets of the Midnights. We have an extra-close relationship with them through Marion so … I think we’re good.”

“If you say so.”

Irritation flittered across his face. He took another step toward her, close enough that she had to crane her neck again to look up at him.

“Caia …” His tone was a warning.

She pretending she wasn’t intimidated. “I guess it’s easier to worry about the war when you were once the target of it.”

“You weren’t a target of the war.”

“No. But I was the target of a war. Makes a person nervous.”

“Caia,” Lucien growled softly, “I will protect you. You have nothing to fear. I won’t let anything happen to you. And all these questions insinuate you don’t think I’m capable of doing that. And it’s pissing me off.”

“I didn’t insinuate that. Or all lykan males as touchy as you?”

“Touchy?” he asked with menacing softness.

Really? She was baiting her Alpha? “You can’t deny that you’re a little touchy.”

“Touchy,” he repeated again, his eyes lowering to her mouth. “I’ll show you touchy.”

Suddenly she was hauled against him, her gasp lost between his lips as he kissed her with a hunger that electrified her. But she was also probably the last eighteen year old on earth who had never been kissed before and her sudden insecurity made her pull away.

He chased her.

With a half growl/groan that might have translated to “oh no you don’t” his mouth sought hers again and Caia’s knees began to tremble. As if he felt it, Lucien guided them both to their knees without breaking the kiss and she melted into his embrace and began kissing him back. Still, she shook with excitement and nervousness.

Lucien made a soothing noise in the back of his throat and left her lips to brush soft kisses across her cheek. Then he whispered against her ear for her to open her mouth.

Caia shivered.

And when he returned to her mouth she obediently complied.

At the feel of his tongue against hers, another wave of rippling shivers cascaded over her. Instinct took over and she kissed him back, in love with the feel of his mouth on hers. Lucien’s strong arms tightened in response as she slid her hands over his arms and entwined her fingers around his neck.

Forever, they seemed locked in that kiss, each moment building something new in Caia. It was like a spring tightening, all these feelings she didn’t know what to do with. Her skin grew hotter and hotter, her body losing her usual rigid control one burning step at a time.