Building Bonds
1279 Words
Lucian stood in the room like he owned the space — which, technically, he did. But that wasn’t the point. He needed to speak with her especially after how he spoke earlier.
Amara didn’t say anything right away. She just raised a brow and waited. But she couldn't deny the magnetic pull she felt towards him or how handsome he looked.
He shifted his weight and glanced around the room like he forgot something. "I’m not good at this."
"Good at what?" she asked, keeping her tone light.
"Apologizing."
‘Ah. So that was what this was.’ She thought to herself.
"I didn’t mean to blow up earlier," he muttered. "But Derrick being here just... brings out the worst in me."
His voice was gruff, the words sharp around the edges. Not the warm, gentle apology she had hoped for. Not that she had even expected one. But it was sincere, and in a clumsy way, cute.
Amara gave a half-smile. "Your worst is extremely loud, territorial, and refuses to listen. But... noted."
This was just her fifth day here, so she wasn’t really on talking terms with the brash, mocking Alpha. In addition to the fact that it was the only side of him she had gotten to see.
Lucian blinked, then laughed. He looked almost relieved.
"You really aren’t good at accepting apologies, are you?" he said.
She stepped forward and held out her hand. "Apology accepted. Want to shake on it?"
He hesitated, only for a moment, then reached out and clasped her hand.
The moment their skin touched, the bond surged. Not a spark, not a jolt, but something deeper. Like an invisible thread tightened.
She felt it thrumming under her skin, wrapping around her ribcage, pulling her in. His fingers curled slightly, not wanting to let go.
Lucian took a half-step forward, her scent engulfing him, pulling him in, making his c**k harden in want. His eyes dipped to her lips.
Amara’s heart did a somersault. She could feel everything around them go mute as he leaned in—
The door burst open.
"Ladies’ night!" Lyra announced, a mischievous grin plastered on her face. "Hope I’m not interrupting — oh wait, I totally am."
Lucian groaned, stepping back with a scowl that was more angry than embarrassed. "Seriously?"
Lyra breezed past him. "You had your moment, wolfboy. Out."
Amara tried not to laugh — but failed. She pressed a hand over her mouth as Lucian turned to her with a deadpan look.
"Don’t let her influence you," he muttered.
"Not making any promises."
He grumbled something about seers being nosy and dramatic, then pointedly walked to the door. "We’re not done, Amara."
“I’ll be here to continue the conversation," she responded.
Lucian nodded subtly before he shut the door behind him.
The lock clicked.
"So," Lyra said, flopping onto the bed with no shame. "I don’t suppose you have cups and plates in your room?"
They stayed up for hours, sharing stories, Lyra laughing without a care in the world and doing her best to make Amara happy.Amara loosened up a bit, the conversation was easy in a way nothing else had been since she got here.
It was a welcome change of pace. Lyra teased and poked fun, but there was comfort in it too, like reuniting with an old friend.
And eventually, after hours of fun and games, sleep pulled them under.
×××
By morning, Lyra was gone.
No note. No farewell. Just a carefully crafted smiley face made with the empty cans of the ale they had taken the previous night.
Amara didn’t feel abandoned. If anything, it felt exactly like what Lyra would do — slip away before the world woke up, chasing threads no one else could see. She could very well be setting up plans for a future no one else saw.
She rolled out of bed and dressed quickly, throwing her hair into a loose braid. There were herbs to collect and supplies to restock. If she was going to survive whatever mess fate was cooking, she’d need to be prepared.
Especially for the hard parts of the night. It felt nice having a night where the horrors weren’t as loud and the nightmares couldn’t affect her too much.
She could think of all the ways everything could have gone downhill. If she was considered a rogue… sure she was the mate of two Alphas but what would have happened if they were less humane?
They might have forced her to speak against her will with their Alpha command… That would have truly been scary, and equally as devastating.
She cleared those thoughts from her head, grabbed her basket — and paused.
A letter sat on her desk, folded neatly, sealed with Lucian’s name.
She opened it.
“Come to the east garden at noon. Bring an appetite.”
Lucian
Amara smiled softly. She had to admit. For someone so rude and imposing. He knew how to pique curiosity.
Staring out the window for a bit. She had to admit that Lucian made her feel things she didn't think was possible.
But at the same time, her thoughts couldn't stop drifting to Derrick. How is it possible to crave two men with such intensity at the same time?
she exhaled and made her way to the garden.
The east garden was breathtaking. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in dappled gold. Vines climbed the old stone archways, blooming with pale blue flowers.
A small table sat in the middle, set for two, and Lucian was already there, slicing into a loaf of bread like it owed him money.
He looked up when she was within view. But there was no need to, as an Alpha, he knew where she was from the second she woke, till the moment she got there.
The moment their eyes met, she felt it again. That electricity that seemed to buzz when they were in close proximity.
"You came."
"You invited… and I’m not rude."
He c****d his head in a mischievous grin, "Debatable."
She took the seat across from him. A spread of roasted vegetables, meats, and fresh fruit lined the table. Clearly, someone had put in some effort.
Lucian poured her a drink, some iced tea, and leaned back.
"I figured we should talk. Like, actually talk. Not bark and glare. As we have since you arrived. Admittedly, I haven’t been the best host."
"Is that what this is? A peace treaty over lunch?"
"Something like that."
They ate slowly, the conversation flowing more naturally than she expected. He told her about the pack when it was younger, how he’d inherited the title of Alpha before he was ready. Although he didn’t go into detail as to what really happened.
She told him bits about growing up in the Moonshine pack, how she got into herbs after her mom passed. And even how the Matriarch married her father.
Lucian’s gaze was steady, his gaze smoldering. "You’re not what I expected. There’s so much to you I didn’t even think about."
The words settled between them, warm and unhurried and they both couldn't deny the pull of the mate bond they both felt. It pulsed, itching to be satisfied
They lingered long after the plates were cleared.
Eventually, Lucian leaned forward, elbows on the table. "So. Are you ready to cooperate now?
Amara studied him. Not the Alpha. Not the warrior. Just the man.
She nodded.
"Yes."
He smiled — and this time, it reached his eyes.
And she knew that would be trouble… Because even as his fated mate. She wasn’t ready to share it all with him.
- Writer
