Defining Love - Chapter 3 by Missy De Graff
Cinda!" The female exclaims as she reaches view. A huge smile's plastered on her face. "Hey Mia." A sly grin curls the end of my lips. I inhale her wonderful scent of cinnamon and honey. I’ve missed her. A male says walking up behind her. My eyes twinkle with joy. "Gavin." I whisper.
"Hey Darlin'." He says pulling me into a big hug. I sniff his shoulder, relishing in the familiar scent of leather and tobacco.
"Yeah whatever. Mia says pushing Gavin aside and pulling me in for hug.
"I've missed you."
"I've missed you too." Have you found your mate yet?" I quickly look to Caiden and then shake my head no. Dylan says as he and his female leech walk through the front door, his tone challenging me. This earns me a playful smile from Dylan and a few woes from the crowd. I take a moment to look around the room, there are about a dozen people standing in the living room. A one sided smile tugs at the corner of my lip.
Caiden POV
I watch Mia and Lucinda embrace, my eyes full of question. I inhale sharply, now she really has to stay, not only is she my Beta’s mate, she saved my little sisters life.
But is she really Dylan’s mate? Those actions, against your mate, aren’t the traits of a Beta I want in my pack. You don’t turn your back on your mate. I sense a struggle between Lucinda and Dylan, both staring at each other, him with amusement and mischief in his eyes – her with pain and anger. Dylan and Sabrina, his girlfriend of a few months, are inches away from Lucinda
"Who?" Lucinda asks her lips falling into a frown.
"The girl from Mia’s stories. The one who's searching the country in hope of finding her mate." Her eyes sparkle with admiration as she speaks. I feel Lucinda’s body stiffen and go rigid.
“Come on, I’ll show you to your room.” I say tugging at Lucinda’s hand.
“Room?” Dylan asks letting go of Sabrina.
“We’ll go shopping tomorrow, okay?” Mia says, pulling Lucinda into another embrace. I see her nod, knowing her voice will betray her feelings. I pull her upstairs and into the guest room that will now be hers.
Lucinda POV
“Thank you.” I whisper into Caiden’s chest. “Now, get some sleep. I bite my lower lip and snicker.
“What? Your sister?” “Mia? I say, offering a small smile. Forcing a smile I change the subject. It’s a gentle sound, relaxing and peaceful. The bed is huge! There is a bay window above the bed, I smile. Splashing my face with water I tense. I catch his sweet scent, quickly turning around my eyes meet his. I take in his body lying casually on my bed with his arms behind his head. Dylan asks, his face void of all emotion, but I see it in his eyes -sadness. He sits up as I walk closer. My eyes well up with tears.
“He’s…he’s not Alpha anymore.” Dylan's arms open wide, reaching for me. I crash into his chest, sobbing.
“I’m sorry. No one survived.” His body stiffens. He wraps his arms around me tighter, pulling me closer. He’s shorter than Caiden so his chin rests on my forehead. My entire body's inflamed with sharp tingles rolling over my skin.
“Lux,” he whispers, his smooth, sweet voice music to my ears. I look at him with hopeful eyes, blinking away any remaining tears. He rests his forehead against mine, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath inhaling my scent. Opening his eyes again, he places his hands on my shoulders, gently pushing me away. My head falls in defeat.
“I know.” my pained voice says at a tone barely audible. My shoulders roll forward as I fight to hold back hysteria. People change.”
“Are you really staying here?”
“If I stay, are you leaving?” I close my eyes and hang my head lower. “But do you mind if I stay a few days?”
“Why?” I turn to lean against the bed.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a friend. Mia wants to go shopping tomorrow.”
“Fine.” He says with a strained tone.
I wake with a start, searching the room for any sign of danger. I cover my head with a pillow, only for his lovely sweet scent to fill my nostrils. Throwing the pillow across the room I look for another. Taking a deep breath, I stand and walk toward the door.
Quietly opening my door, I peer down the dimly lit hall. Quickly taking a few steps across the hall I lightly tap on Caiden's door. I shake my head at how silly I’m being and turn back to my room. As I turn to close my door, his door opens and Caiden peers across the hall, looking at me questioningly.
“Lucinda, is everything okay?” he asks rubbing his eyes and running his hand through his disheveled hair. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and exhale. My voice is calm and steady. I open my eyes and they roam up his body taking in his attire –plaid pajama pants that hang low on his hips, accentuating his well defined v-shaped six pack abs. I swallow and quickly move my eyes up further flitting over his bare chest and finally resting on his face.
“Ahh…Oooo….Dylan!” I flinch at the moans and growls that break the silence of the night. I flash Caiden a weak smile and start to close the door.
“Lucinda,” he says swiftly crossing the hall, pushing my door open, “come on.” Grabbing my hand, he pulls me into his room.
I warily look around, expecting to see a wide-eyed female wondering who I am walking into the Alpha’s room in the middle of the night, but the room is empty. A soft light glows on the night stand, looking closer I realize it’s an oil lamp. I raise an eye brow at Caiden in question. Shrugging his shoulders he leads me to the bed. I lie down turning on my side, unsure exactly the sleeping arrangements.
A warm rush spreads over my skin calming my anxious nerves as his arm drapes over my body, protectively spooning me. I quickly fall asleep engulfed in a security blanket that smells of bergamot.
Chapter One Hare
Chapter Two Next here
Chapter Three next here
Chapter Four next here
Capter Five next here
