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“I had no idea that she was capable of any feelings,” Clara said. “But she actually seemed like she was sad that Luke had left. Of course, if he hadn’t, it wouldn’t have mattered, because he was in love with Jamie, anyway, but still.”
“People will surprise you, sometimes,” Lucy said. “Or, she might be changing. She might have learned to have feelings.”
“I don’t know,” Clara said. “I’m not sure that a leopard can change his spots for stripes and turn purple, because that is how extreme it is to think that Alexis might be capable of thinking of anything but herself.”
“Well, either she really did feel something genuine for Luke, or she is simply sad because he was something that she wanted but couldn’t have.”
“I vote for the second,” Clara said. “Although she was also super nice today. That’s not like her. And Dillon said that she went to his store to buy some gifts for a couple of kids who were staying at the resort.”
Lucy shrugged her shoulders and raised her hands, palms up as if to say, “I don’t know.”
Sitting down after the lunch rush felt so good. The bottoms of her feet ached, and she wanted nothing more than to soak them in a hot tub. Her back hurt and she really needed a nap.
The bowl of baked potato soup and piece of French bread were delicious. Lucy wondered if she had enough time for a second bowl when her phone rang. She had turned it back on after Dean and Micah showed up, since everyone already knew where she was.
“Dad,” she said.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m good,” Lucy said. “Enjoying the change in scenery.”
“That’s good. We heard you had a scare the other day. Are you okay?”
Dean,Lucy thought.
“I’m fine. Micah saved my life and took care of me.”
“Speaking of Micah, you need to think about scooping him up and coming home. The elders have decided that they aren’t going to wait around for you to make up your mind. They are already going through the list of eligible women they think would be suitable as his mate.”
Lucy’s heart sank as she thought about another woman in Micah’s arms and in his bed. She pictured that beautiful red-head in his bed, and a bit of anger flared up.
“Don’t they think that he should have a say in whether he goes through the mating ceremony and who he goes through the ceremony with?”
“It is the custom that the alpha takes a mate after he is anointed,” her father said. “I know that you care about Micah and it’s obvious that he has feelings for you or he wouldn’t have gone after you.”
“I do care about him, Dad. I do love him, but I want to go through the mating ceremony with someone I am in love with and who feels that kind of love for me.”
“Love will grow. Frankly though, you don’t have a lot of time. The ceremony making him alpha is coming up quickly.”
“I know.”
“You need to get your head on straight, girl. You going through the mating ceremony and becoming the alpha’s queen would do a lot for this family’s status. It is your responsibility.”
“Dad, I need to go,” Lucy said, hanging up the phone.
All of the positive feelings that she had been having toward Micah and the thought that maybe they could go through with the mating ceremony instantly dissolved. She wasn’t going to be a pawn in anyone’s game.
A huge bouquetof red roses were on the counter when Lucy got to work the next morning.
Clara smiled and said, “The delivery guy brought them right after I got here.”
Lucy rolled her eyes when she looked at the tag.
With each delicate petal and gentle fragrance, this bouquet carries the essence of my feelings for you. In every blossom, I see the reflection of your captivating smile and tenderness in your eyes. These flowers convey the depths of my affection which grows stronger with each passing day.
“He’s poetic and romantic if nothing else,” Clara said.
“Ugh. I know,” Lucy said. “He’s a great guy, even if he doesn’t know that my favorite flowers are carnations.”
