Hunted (War of the Covens 1)

Lucien ran a hand through his hair in aggravation. He hoped Sebastian wouldn’t take too long to get over it. The pack had enough to deal with as it was.

He wandered back into the house, dreading the return. Dimitri was almost unbearable to be around, his anger and pain so thick it was contagious, and Lucien needed to keep a level head. He found Caia in the kitchen with the others as Aidan and Ryder packed what appeared to be the last of their supplies. Dimitri gulped down the dregs of his coffee and clambered off his stool. Lucien noticed how Caia watched the Elder’s every move, as if waiting to catch him when he finally broke.

Dimitri grabbed his rucksack. “We’re heading out.”

Lucien merely nodded and placed a hand on Dimitri’s shoulder as he passed. The Elder stopped, touched his calloused fingers to Lucien’s in acknowledgement, and then left. His son followed him, Aidan striding behind. Only Ryder stayed back.

He, like Lucien, was watching Caia’s face. His eyes met Lucien’s over the top of her head, and he read what he was thinking. She was never going to stop blaming herself for Jaeden’s disappearance.

“I’ll watch out for him,” Ryder promised, and Lucien knew he meant Dimitri. He squeezed Caia’s shoulder, and she smiled gratefully as he passed.

Lucien jerked his chin up at his friend. “Be careful.”

“Always am.”

When they were gone, Lucien slid into the seat across from Caia. “Where’s my mother?”

Caia blushed. “Upstairs with Magnus.”

Lucien laughed at her red cheeks. “You’ll need to get used to how open we are around here.”

“It doesn’t bother you?”

“It’s my mother. It bothers me a little.”

“Well yeah that but also that they’re doing that while all of this …” she shrugged sadly.

“Caia, when emotions run high sometimes closeness with someone, expelling it through them, is the way we deal with things. It’s not intended to be disrespectful.”

She nodded, understanding. “Where are Marion and Saffron?”

“They had to report to the coven, but they’ll be back.”

“For my training?”

“Partly. Marion says you’re doing fine, though.”

Caia looked anywhere but at him. “Is Sebastian okay?”

“Do you want to practice with me?”

The questions were asked in unison. Lucien’s tone had a little bite to it. “Sebastian’s fine. Pack business.”

“I was just asking.”

“I was just answering.”

“Practice what with you?”

He smiled, trying to shake off his jealousy. “Your magik.”

“What could I do?”

“Marion said you still need to practice telekinesis.”

She sat back in her chair. Her green eyes washed over his face with a perceptiveness that made him want to squirm. But he was Alpha. So he remained stoic.

“It sounds like you’re receiving daily reports.”

“Of course.”

Dropping her gaze, she fiddled with a frayed edge on Ella’s tablecloth. She was quiet for so long Lucien began to worry. Had he said something wrong? Without thinking, he leaned across and pulled her hand gently away from the thread she was pulling at and laid it palm down on the table.

“What’s up?” he asked, drawing back.

She shrugged her delicate shoulders, her hair falling across her face. “Nothing.”

“You are a terrible liar.”

“Good to know in times of war I can’t bluff for shit.”

He chuckled. “With great powers comes great attitude, apparently.”

Her lips twisted in petulance but at least she was looking at him again. “I don’t think that’s how the saying goes.”

“I don’t think a Spider-Man quote counts as an actual saying.”

“Pop culture reference. Ryder would be proud.”

Lucien smiled but leaned toward her. “Stop avoiding my question.”

She rolled her eyes and sighed.

“You know, you keep doing that and your eyeballs are going to be permanently stuck facing the wrong way.”

She laughed, and he relaxed at the sound. “I’m being a teenager again, aren’t I?”

“You are a teenager.”

She shuddered and sat back. “No, I’m a hybrid. There should be a difference. No rolling my eyes, for a start.”

“I’ll try not to say anything that makes you want to roll your eyes.”

They smiled at each other. Their gazes caught, and suddenly they were back where they’d been before he’d kissed her that Saturday night. The moment stretched, twisting tighter with tension. He was a second away from launching across the table at her like some uncontrolled pubescent male when suddenly the back door flew open, leaves scuttling in with the wind.

He shot out of his chair, sending it flying behind him.

“Sorry.” Caia smiled sheepishly, standing. “You said I could test out my telekinesis on you.”

Lucien narrowed his eyes. “A little warning first, perhaps.”

That night Caia fell into bed, her emotions shredded. She’d spent most of the day with Lucien, showing him what she could do so far. For hours they stood together in the backyard as she moved things with her magik and created water from nothing. In all that time, her heart had ached in panic for Jaeden, and ached for the male standing next to her. She’d never wanted to feel anything for anyone and now her heart was breaking for two lykans.