Miatta POV
When sundown came, I was still skittish, watching for anyone and anything that could harm Lucas. I could have confided in Ryker so that I could have some reinforcement but I didn't trust him yet. It was up to me to be on guard. I returned to the room to have a meal with him and this time, he was not pushy. He acted like everything was fine and I tried to act likewise. He left a big portion of the meal for me and withdrew to clean himself up. My heat period was coming to an end that day and I was glad to have the pesky thing over with. However, heat period or not, Lucas’ male essence called to me, making me salivate over what I knew he could do to me if I let him. The dull ache between my legs ensured that I did not forget the power in his thrusts.
“You are asking for it, Miatta,” he warned, making long strides back to where I sat crosslegged on his bed.
“What did I do?” I asked innocently, batting my lashes as he approached me. He hunkered down beside me and dropped a quick kiss on my shoulder. I pushed him aside and took the wooden dishes away. When I returned, he was flat on his back, watching me through hooded eyes. I stopped halfway to the bed, wondering what he was up to.
“Lucas, you are being very weird.”
“What did I do?” he repeated my question, touching himself like I was not there. His big hands scouring his chest sent chills to my body and I nibbled on my lips without realizing. “See? That's what you do to me when you feel aroused.”
Immediately, I snapped out of the frenzy and aimed a projectile at him. He dodged swiftly, laughing as he rested on a different side of the bed. He later escorted me downstairs, Ryker dogging our every move. The moody warrior went everywhere we did and really hoped he could be trusted.
“Does he have a law against smiling?” I finally blurted when we were out in the open.
“Who, Ryker?”
I nodded and he smiled, probably finding my question amusing. “Ryker has been my bodyguard for almost all my life and I can number the times I have seen him smile on one hand. Perhaps, there is indeed a law against smiling among the ranks of lycan soldiers. I won't put it past my father.” His last comment put a damper on the mood and we continued on her way in silence this time. My new dress, a red cotton fabric had been gifted to me again by Lucas. It was beautiful and he said I looked dangerous in red which only resulted in reminding me of Beta Logan’s words.
Lucas stopped in his tracks all of a sudden and I ran into his back. “What gives, Lucas?”
“Ryker, why don't you escort Miatta to our booth? I will be back shortly to join you both.” Without further explanation, he ducked under a strip of decoration and got mixed with the rest of the natives. I was left with Ryker to suffer the brunt of my anger. The warrior waited for me to proceed but I stood still, wanting some answers.
“Where did he run off to, Ryker? You must know something.” I turned on him, frowning deeply as the soldier looked away. He did know something and I was the only one out of the loop. I stabbed a finger in his chest, demanding that he spilled his guts. He gestured to a cottage behind me and I saw Lucas disappear within its walls but that didn't explain anything.
“My Lord has been the defending champion for nine years straight. If he wins again tonight, it will complete his tenth year streak as our indomitable champion of all time. Every year, at the beginning of a wrestling event, the previous winner has to welcome the audience in a parade of the other participants. That is where my Lord went off to, Miatta.”
Ryker concluded and we sauntered to the booth. From all Ryker had said, it was understandable why Lucas had gone. But what was incomprehensible to me was why he had felt the need to act so secretive. He had to make a parade and it was no big deal to me. Why was he acting like he had to hide it from me?
Because you are acting all secretive for nothing too, my wolf was quick to chide me and she was right. I was hiding something from my mate but now that he had done the very same, I had gotten upset. He was probably feeling the same way when I had shut him down because he had been concerned about me. My mood soured the more and my anxiety soared.
Goddess, I prayed fervently in my heart, keep him safe.
A horn was blown like the day before and we all arose to usher the Lycan King in. There were some new faces in his parade, presumably visitors he had invited to watch the wrestling match. A huge man walked in a crowd of his followers, his face scarred and terrible looking. His lips were battered and his long hair hid a greater part of his ugly face. I shielded my gaze, unable to look upon him any longer despite how brave I considered myself.
“That is Hanjo, a warrior from Dark Path Pack. He is a terrible shifter in battle and bows only to his Alpha.” Ryker described him with curious interest, his dark eyes twinkling. It appeared that he was more talkative around me than his master. It pleased me that he was comfortable with me enough to speak freely. His wisdom would eventually come in handy: I just knew it.
“And Lu–my Lord has to fight a shifter like him?” I had to remember to call Lucas by his honourific because we were in the midst of others and eavesdropping ears could pick up on my familiarity with him. It was amusing to Ryker and he smiled, brightening up his otherwise dark looks.
“Is that a smile I see on your face, Ryker? Oh, you do know how to smile?”
He chuckled cautiously behind his palm. “I’m sorry, Miatta. You must remember to use his title for your own sake. Moving on, my Lord has fought and defeated far worse opponents than Hanjo. He might be tender and loving towards you but my Lord is fierce when the occasion arises.”
I could hear the pride in his tone, the unfailing confidence in his master. No doubt, Lucas had earned his respect and it showed. As everyone sat down, I gazed at Hanjo to memorize his face so I wouldn't have to behold him again. Coincidentally, our gazes collided and his ugly big lips widened in a leery grin. His feet were big and dirty, his long talons digging holes in the ground. I felt sick to my stomach from just looking at him and wondered how Lucas planned on defending his streak against such a mountain of a shifter.
Goddess, please protect Lucas from this monster.