Lucie laughed in exasperation. “This coming from the woman who dove into a coven house that was a trap. The same woman who hunted down demons on her own. You didn’t always know what you were getting yourself into.”
“I know what it’s like to almost lose your mate, though. The blood potion that was used on your father could have driven us apart. And looking down on your opponent is what opens you up to weakness. We know this firsthand.”
“Well then, don’t underestimate them. Call Uncle Levi and Xander. Ask Harley for help.” Lucie didn’t get it. They had the strongest allies around. Why couldn’t they use them?
“We may need to ask for their help in time. There’s more to worry about than just the witch. I do plan to speak to Reiya and my parents, and we will discuss all of this and plan ahead. But for now, it’s best if you come home with us,” Hunter said firmly. He watched Lucie begin to object, and his eyes darkened. “Lucie, you are not staying. You will be coming back to the Black Ice Pack with us.” He made sure there was no room for objection, his commanding tone filling the room as he gave his daughter an order. He had never used his Alpha order on her before. It was something he rarely used at all. But when he did, it was absolute.
Lucie’s jaw dropped. Her father just used his alpha king power to give her an order. She was stunned. Shocked. He had only ever used his fatherly tone, not his alpha tone on her. To be honest, she was hurt. Maybe he knew she wouldn’t come unless he ordered her, but her blood boiled at this.
“If it’s possible, I would like for Lucie to still attend the welcoming ceremony that we have planned before she moves in at the end of the summer. It’s just a formality so the other vampires can get to know her. Jasper will escort her there and she can use her pearl to return to the Black Ice Pack. You can even send her brother and a group of your soldiers with her if it’ll make you feel better. Of course, I will make sure to have myown escort of vampires as well. It’s in the opposite direction of the witch and the attacks, so I believe it’ll be safe.” Derrick could feel Lucie tense under his arm and feel strands of her irritation pouring through their bond.
Hunter nodded his head. “We need to keep up as much normalcy as we can. We don’t want to alert our enemies. Plus, this is an important moment. The vampires will be meeting their new princess. I don’t want to give them a reason to think badly of her.”
“Well I’m glad everyone is able to settle everything. Just point me in the direction of where to stand and how to act and we’ll be good.” Lucie shrugged out of Derrick’s arms and opened the door to the office. “I don’t need to hear the rest. Just be sure to give me a list of my duties and I’ll be all set.” She shut the door and walked out toward the living room. She could have at least been included in the conversation. Instead, they spoke as if she wasn’t in the room.
Yes, Lucie will not stay. Yes, Lucie will be at the ceremony.
As she headed toward the living room, she spotted something interesting. Tilting her head, she watched Chaz crawling around on all fours, looking under various objects. He had lounge pants on and no shirt. Someone was obviously very proud of his muscular physique.
“What are you doing?” Lucie quirked a brow at him.
Chaz looked up at her and gave her a sheepish grin. “I can’t find my phone charger. I know I left it plugged in out here. I bet someone took it thinking it was theirs.”
Lucie giggled at his flustered face. She had a feeling that the someone who took it was fuzzy and a known troublemaker, especially since she’d caught the little cave brownie in action earlier.
She walked up to Chaz and started looking around. “Where did you plug it in last?”
Chaz pointed at the wall. “Right there. Right next to that stand. I know that’s where I left it.”
Lucie looked around the desk carefully. If it was her brownie friend, he would have either hid it in a drawer or … She followed the wall upward and looked at the ceiling. A crooked smile rested on her lips as she spied a white dangling cord from a rafter.
“Hey, Chaz?”
He lifted his head and looked at Lucie. He saw the amusement in her eyes and followed the direction her finger was pointing … up. He glanced at the ceiling and sighed. “Are you shitting me? Who did this?”
Lucie giggled again. “I don’t think this was one of your friends but a cave brownie. It was here earlier today.”
Chaz frowned. “I’m not known to be the best jumper. I’m more the muscles of the operation,”he said, flexing his arms proudly.
Lucie rolled her eyes. Yeah, she could tell he was proud of himself. She smiled and bit her bottom lip. “I’ll help you.”
“Really, little sis?” Chaz asked with a big grin.
“Little sis?” Lucie quirked her brow at this nickname.
“I’ve decided that you’re going to be like my new little sister … is that okay?”
Lucie nodded, smiling. At least he treated her like a normal person, like she was capable of helping.“Well, muscles, how good are your throwing skills?”
“I excel, of course.”His grin widened, having already figured out what she was thinking.
“Good.” Lucie walked up to him. “Toss me up in the air and I’ll grab it.”
“Oh, she’s fun too! Awesome. That’s just what this group needs.”
Lucie smiled. It might be what the group needed, but she wasn’t going to be part of the group. He cupped his hands andlooked at her expectantly. Glancing up at her target, she stepped onto his interlocked hands, and he lifted her up effortlessly. She easily grabbed the cord that was hanging there, but that was where things went wrong. The little brownie had set up a clever trap, and when she grabbed the cord, it was attached to a rag full of dust and feathers that came crashing onto Lucie’s face. She was falling now but had no idea where, since her face was full of debris.
“Gotcha, little sis!” Chaz said, and Lucie landed gently in his large arms and against his bare chest.
