LUKA
“I take it you didn’t work through your shit?” Nico and his family sat around the smoldering fire at the center of the Elsher pack’s compound. None of them talked, Nico sat straight-backed next to Luciana, looking everywhere but at his family.
“That would be a big fat no,” Luce said quietly, her face sayingget me the fuck out of here.
I didn’t blame her. The environment was stars damned uncomfortable and we had just arrived. “Luka, Declan.” Diedra appeared from the mouth of a den to the right, her brown eyes bright. “It’s so good to see you both again; it’s been too long.” She embraced us both. “I hear you’re a married male now,” she said as she let me go.
“I am.” I gestured a hand to Lennox. “Diedra, this is my wife, my mate, Lennox. Lennox, this is Nico’s grandmother.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you.” Lennox shook the elder wolf’s hand.
“And I you.”
“Nico has become a great friend of mine,” she continued. Diedra looked over ourshoulders toward Nico.
“I’m sure he has been.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Majesties,” Nico corrected, coming up beside us as Nico’s parents approached us. “Luka is High King now.”
“My apologies, Your Majesties,” Isadora, Nico’s mother stammered.
I gave her a warm smile. You, lot of all people, call me Luka, please.” Isadora’s eyes were tired, but she smiled before throwing her arms around me.
“Luka is like a second son to me,” she said to Lennox as she patted my cheek. “I hope he’s been treating you well.”
“Isa,” Nico’s father scolded.
Lennox laughed, looping her arms around my waist. “He treats me better than I deserve.”
“No such thing,” I said, kissing her forehead.
“You do remember me stabbing you, once upon a time? Don’t you?”
I waved a hand. “That was ages ago, before you knew me. I forgave you on the spot.” I leaned down and whispered in her ear so only she could hear me. “And I thought it was hot.” Light pink rushed to her cheeks as I turned my attention back to Nico’s family.
“Introductions,” Nico cut in.
He gestured to our party as he spoke. “High Queen Lennox Adair, her sister, Kara, and brother, Nol. Surprise! He’s alive!” Nico shook his hands dramatically, smiling widely before letting his face slip back to impassive. “You all know Declan and Luka. Zienna obviously.” He continued, turning his attention to his family.
“My grandmother, my mother’s mom, Diedra. My mother, Isadora, father, Ketan, and my asshole older brother, Stellan.”
“Fuck you,” Stellan spat.
“If things weren’t already touchy between us, we got into a fight shortly before you arrived.” I eyed Stellan’sbruised and swollen face. Of course, he and Nico got into a fight, the two had always been close, but it didn’t take much to rile either of them.
“Good thing I’ve got a witch with healing magic on my side,” Nico crooned as he rubbed a hand down his unmarred face.
“All the reason to punch you again.”
“Enough,” Ketan snapped. “You know better than to argue in front of guests, albeit the High King and Queen. Fucking idiots.” He shook his head, his dark, ashy hair swishing against his chin. “I apologize. Nico tells us you’re here on business?”
Lennox and I nodded.
“Please, have a seat.” Isadora gestured to the empty logs by the fire. We all gathered around, and once we were all settled, we started telling our story.
“So what do you want from us exactly?” Stellan asked when we were finished. His dark blonde hair fell across his face as he leaned forward, bracing his arms on his knees.
