The Plan
1317 Words
Lucas POV
I could listen to her talk for hours.
Her voice is soft but full of energy—passion, warmth, excitement. She talks about animals the way warriors talk about honor. She talks with her hands, her eyes, her whole heart. Every sentence pulls me deeper in.
At some point Eric mind linked me, asking if everything was alright.
I told him to stay out.
To keep everyone out.
To not disturb us for anything short of a supernatural disaster.
Eventually, her voice slowed. Her eyelids dipped. And now… she’s asleep—peacefully curled up beside me on the office floor.
One small hand rests on the mutt.
The other… lies across my thigh.
My chest tightens painfully.
I didn’t know touch could feel like this.
I brush a fingertip along her cheek. Soft. Warm. Fragile.
Mine.
What the hell am I supposed to do now? Wake her? Leave her on the floor? Carry her to the couch? I’ve led armies, fought battles, bled for this pack—and yet this is the moment that has me unsure.
I hate this feeling.
“Eric,” I mind link him. “Is that stupid vampire movie done yet?”
“Yes,” he sighs dramatically, then adds, “I’m glad. Though… it wasn’t terrible.”
He lies. I can feel it.
He enjoyed it.
Idiot.
I can also sense that Steven guy is still here.
My jaw tightens. My temper has always been a problem—but since meeting my mate? It’s like the fuse got shorter, the fire hotter. Every emotion hits harder. Every instinct screams louder.
What is he to her?
Roxy said friend.
What kind of friend?
Is it the kind I need to rip limbs off?
Lex snarls, ready to attack the thought.
No. No. I can’t go there. Not unless I want to commit murder tonight.
She shifts slightly, still asleep.
Peaceful.
Completely unaware of the storm she has triggered inside me.
I don’t think I’ve ever been peaceful—not even as a child. Not even in sleep. But just looking at her… something inside me settles. Quietens. Like she is the breath I didn’t know I needed.
“What she doesn’t know…” I whisper to myself, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. “She’s already mine.”
She’ll never leave me.
I won’t allow it.
Not when rogues are this close.
Not when the mate bond is clawing at my insides.
“Eric,” I mind link again. “Get Roxy to entertain that guy. The rest of you—come to my office. Lara isn’t leaving tonight.”
She will never leave again—but I keep that part to myself.
“We need to discuss the Lara situation.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Five minutes later, the office door cracks open and Jacqui, Liam, Eric, and Ethan step inside.
Four wolves. Four dropped jaws.
I imagine I might look strange—Alpha of the largest pack in the region, feared by tribes and rogues alike… sitting cross-legged on the floor with a tiny puppy sleeping on my lap and a small human-girl curled against me like she belongs nowhere else.
But I couldn’t care less.
She’s here.
She’s touching me.
And every cell in my body hums with the need to protect her.
“Guys,” I say in a low voice, “by now you must have guessed Lara is my mate. I’ve known since the night at the club.”
Jacqui’s entire face lights up. She is seconds from squealing. One sharp Alpha stare shuts her up instantly.
“I haven’t told anyone besides Eric. We need to keep this quiet. Rogues are getting closer. If word gets out that I have a mate…”
My voice hardens.
“She’ll become a target.”
Jacqui wriggles with excitement anyway.
“I’m so happy you found your mate, Lucas! I can’t wait to be an aunt!”
Aunt—
Pups—
My heart stops.
“Jacqui,” I whisper sternly. “Relax. Let’s get structured first. No one said anything about pups. She doesn’t even know what we are. And she’s not fully human—I can tell that much. We need her comfortable with me—with us—before you plan her entire future.”
Lara stirs beside me.
I freeze.
“We need to talk softer,” I hiss. “I don’t want to wake my mate.”
I feel like I’m scolding toddlers.
Moments later, Roxy steps in. Her eyes sparkle with suppressed laughter, and she exchanges a look with Jacqui. I can practically hear their internal screaming.
“Sorry I’m late,” Roxy says. “I had trouble getting Steven to leave. He didn’t want to leave Lara here…”
Lex lunges inside me.
What. Does. He. Want. With. My. Mate?
I’ll kill him. Now.
I start to rise.
Roxy yelps, “Alpha! He’s only a friend. He’s gay. Really gay. Like glitter-gay. Please don’t kill him!”
I pause mid-rise.
He’s gay.
Relief crashes into me so hard I have to sit again. I’ve never been so grateful for anyone’s sexuality in my life.
But then Roxy adds softly, “She doesn’t have many friends. Just me and him. She’s… very alone.”
Something sharp twists in my chest.
My mate shouldn’t be alone.
Not ever.
“Why have I never met her before?” I demand. “Why didn’t you tell me about her? Why hasn’t she been brought to pack grounds?”
Roxy winces.
“You’re intimidating, sir. I never thought she’d be your mate. And yes, I know she’s different, but I can’t place what she is. She’s a good person, Alpha. She has a kind heart.”
Of course she does.
She has the kindest heart.
“Of course she’s a good person!” I snap, Alpha power lacing my voice. “Do you think I don’t know that?!”
Roxy flinches.
“Sorry, sir.”
Eric steps in calmly. “Let’s focus on what’s important. How do we keep Lara safe?”
My eyes glow bright green.
“What do you mean try? We do not try.”
The floor hums with my power.
“We will keep her safe. Even if it is the last thing I ever do.”
All four wolves drop to their knees immediately.
Then—
Lara shifts beside me.
Shit.
My power drops instantly.
I force myself to breathe, to pull back the Alpha presence, to return to the man she knows—not the monster that commands armies.
I look at my wolves.
My pack.
My family.
And the words come out before I can stop them.
“…Sorry. Everyone.”
They freeze.
Absolutely stunned.
Alpha’s don’t apologize.
Not ever.
She is already changing me.
This is why I never wanted a mate. They soften us. Make us vulnerable. Make us weak. But for her… I don’t care.
The bond is already too strong.
I won’t last much longer without claiming her.
The thought of her unclaimed—unmarked—around other wolves—
I growl softly.
Lex whines.
“Focus,” I mutter. “We need a schedule. Twenty-four-seven protection. Only the seven of us know the truth.”
“Six,” Roxy corrects. “Who’s the seventh?”
“Dr. V,” I answer. “She works for him. Before I forget—”
I mind link the doctor.
Doctor, Lara will be off tomorrow.
I don’t wait for an answer.
I slip my hand into her hair, stroking it without realizing I’m doing it. Her breathing stays steady.
“So,” I murmur, looking at my officers, my sister, my Beta…
“Let’s plan. Tonight, we figure out how to protect my mate.”
This is going to be a long night.
A long night—
and the start of a war.
- Writer
