Ryan wrapped his arm around Lucie and looked back at Chaz in annoyance. “Lucie is mine. I’m claiming her as my mate. So from now on, I expect you to treat her as such.”
“Ryan, duuuude. You’re going against the royals? You’re more badass than I thought. But what are you going to do with the prince’s watchdog? He’s come to take her back with him.” Chaz straightened himself up as he mulled over the situation.
“I’ll have a chat with Jasper. It won’t be a problem,” Ryan said simply.
“And if he is a problem, there are a lot of places we can bury a body,” Chaz said with a laugh.
Lucie let out a low growl as her eyes flashed with the color of her animal. “Touch Jasper and see what happens to you.”
Chaz looked at her in shock while Ryan looked down at her in amusement. Sabrina, however, studied Lucie skeptically.
“You would protect Jasper and take his side over your mate?” Sabrina said as she scrunched her nose in distaste. “Do you love him or something?”
“Of course I do! Jasper is family to me. I would never allow anything to happen to him.”
“Don’t worry, Lucie. Jasper is my family too. I would never allow anything to happen to him either. Chaz here was just teasing.” Ryan squeezed her into his side and smiled at her. He admired her loyalty, especially to someone who wasn’t her pack member.
“Well, Jasper has to make it back to us first,” Sabrina said as she waved her hand in the air.
“What do you mean?” Ryan’s voice was sharp as his eyes snapped up to the girl.
“That’s what we have to report. We ran into Jasper, and when he heard about the girl you found, he shifted directions to the ones who took her. He was livid. We told him you’re formulating a plan and not to give himself away, but he went after them anyway.” Chaz rubbed the back of his head as he started feeling uncomfortable watching Ryan getting more and more agitated.
“We’re going after him. He has a hard time controlling his temper when it comes to people he considers precious.” Ryan glanced down at Lucie, then at Zach. “Get Enzo and Lenny. We’re going after Jasper. Tonya and Sabrina will stay here.”
“Hey! I don’t want to be stuck on babysitting duty. You may need my help,” Sabrina said angrily.
“You will stay behind with Tonya, and if one hair is out of sorts on Lucie’s head, it will be your necks!” Ryan curled his lips as he seethed in anger.
“Ryan, I don’t need a babysitter. I’m not fragile. I promise I won’t leave, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Lucie meant it too. She needed to know Jasper was okay, and it made sense totake their whole team since who knows what mess they could encounter.
“I know you don’t need a babysitter, but I’d feel better having people I trust around you. Don’t worry. I promise I’m coming back to you, and with Jasper in tow.” Ryan winked at her, a cocky grin on his lips.
“Fine, but if I end up having to come out there to save you guys, I won’t let you live it down.”
Ryan chuckled and he patted the top of her head. “You just stay put. I don’t want you leaving this cave.” He leaned his head down close to hers. “We will finish our talk when I get back … my Lucie.” He gave her a quick peck on the forehead and then flashed off before she could object. The other men followed suit.
Lucie quietly relished the light sparks his kiss sent down her spine … the deep pulling and yearning inside her. Her whole body screamed for her mate, so much that she felt empty now without him near her. So, this was how it felt to be apart from a piece of your soul. And the sweet warmth she felt from his quick kiss had butterflies swirling in her chest. It was so soft and sweet, yet she could feel everything he was feeling in that quick kiss, that split second. Maybe Ryan was right. Maybe they were soulmates.
CHAPTER 16
“Well, so much for that.” Sabrina sighed and poked out her bottom lip in a pout.
“So much for what?” Tonya asked.
“So much for adding Ryan to my list of conquests,” Sabrina said with a wry smile.
“Oh goodness, Sabrina. That list is disgusting. You really need to find your mate …”
“Your list of conquests?” Lucie asked, raising a brow at Sabrina.
“Have you noticed how gorgeous your mate is? Who wouldn’t want to break themselves off a piece of that?” She could see Lucie’s eyes darkening as she spoke. She quickly waved her off. “But I never go after mated males. I do have principles, after all. He’s your mate, so I can respect that.”
“Well, he is, but he isn’t. He is my mate, but I’m engaged to your prince?—”
“It seems like that doesn’t matter to Ryan.” Sabrina shrugged. “He must feel confident that the royal family will let him keep you.”
“Well, it’s more than just him making the decision here. But we haven’t been able to have a proper conversation about it yet. I did explain to him that I wasn’t going to choose him, though. I have a duty to fulfill the treaty between our species.” Lucie felt her stomach turn as she said this. The idea of parting with Ryan was making her nauseated. Obviously, her body disagreed with what she was trying to convince everyone of. She needed to convince herself as well that she would not take him as her mate, that when the time came, she would really walk away from the man that made her heart beat.
