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"Not yet." I took a fry myself and chewed on it. "But fingers crossed, I'll get a call soon."
“Don’t worry, you are a perfect fit. I’m sure.”
I held a fry out to him, and as he opened his mouth to take it, I pulled back and put it in my mouth instead. He just smiled. "I hope so. Uhhh . . . I wanted to ask you something. You've been to the other cities, right?"
"I have. Why?"
I offered him another fry, this time letting him have it. "I’d like to visit them at some point. What are they like?"
“Esavale, the city to the north, is known for its exotic creatures. Urgron City, to the south, has the best nightlife and beaches.” He picked up one of the burgers, and took a bite, groaning in appreciation. In minutes, it was gone. “And then, of course, there is The City of Souls, the golden place where most of the gods live.”
He picked up the other burger and held it out to me. I shook my head. "I already ate."
"One bite," he insisted, and I gave in. He watched me as I chewed, and I began to grow hot under his unwavering stare. “I’m sorry I’m not as affectionate as Rumir.”
I frowned. “What?”
"I'm not like him. I won't always say the right things or make you feel the way he does. I may not touch you as often as he does, either. But I don't want you to think for a second that I don't want you, Natalie.”
He took a breath, then let it out slowly. “In the beginning, it might have seemed that way—and it partly was. I’d been alone for a long time, and I was fine with it. But you’ve changed the way I think and the things I believe. You’ve made me question the rules I’d set up for myself.” He smiled. “I just wanted you to know that I do want you, Natalie. I don’t want there to be any questions about that.”
I was a little confused by this sudden confession, but my wolf was whining in approval. Still, I think I understood where Lucian was coming from, and I didn’t mind that he was a bit reserved.
I’d learned last night that Rumir was an outrageous flirt, but it was a part of who he was. I'd enjoyed the time we'd spent together, and it had given me a chance to get to know the funny, caring man he kept hidden behind his bad attitude.
Lucian, on the other hand, was sweet. And our bond was strong enough that it was ignited within seconds of seeing each other or even if we simply brushed against each other. He was someone that valued self-control, as he’d displayed when we’d first met, and I didn't mind because whenever he showed me a glimpse of his need, like the kiss we'd just shared, it meant so much more.
“Where is this coming from?” I asked.
"The night of the ball, I complimented you, and you teased me about it. The compliment wasn't difficult to say. But it just felt alien to finally be telling my mate how beautiful she is."
So that’s what happened
I placed the container with the fries behind me and shuffled closer to him. “Lucian, I don’t mind that. I like the way we are with each other. I like who you are, how you treat me, how you look at me everything.”
“Good. I don’t want you to ever want for anything when I’m around.” He moved my hair over my shoulder. “And I’ll take you to see each city, whenever you’re ready to go.”
“Ummm, what if Rumir wants to go as well?”
He looked away. "I'd rather have you to myself, but if that is the way things have to be, then fine." His eyes darkened and I placed a hand over his.
“Howdy!” A thick Southern drawl drew our attention, stopping me from telling Lucian what Rumir and I had spoken about.
Telling Lucian about the way Rumir felt wouldn't resolve things, but it would be a start. Especially if I could get Rumir to listen to Lucian’s side of the story. At the very least, there would be no more speculation about what each of them believed.
“Hey,” Lucian called out. “Are you finished with the caves?”
As the werewolf approached us, I stood up so I could see him better. His red beard was almost thick enough to cover his lips. And he wasn't as tall as Lucian, which meant he probably wasn’t anywhere near as old as him, either. “I did. I'll be leaving after I clean the Goddess's statue. You must be Natalie. I'm Fletcher.”
“Hi.” I placed my fist over my heart and bowed.
He returned the gesture. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” He removed the brown glove from his right hand and placed it under his arm. “The rumors are true after all.”
I laughed nervously. “I have a feeling there are a lot of them going around.”
Lucian growled, and Fletcher's blue eyes drifted to him. "Don't get your panties in a twist now, Lucian. The rumors aren’t as bad as you might think. You'll be at the festival, won't you?"
“Festival?” I turned to Lucian, who'd stood up. "What festival?"
