Chapter 0349

"That arrogant prick who thinks he's above everyone else worries me more." Alexander mutters under his breath.

I shrug casually. "Don't waste your energy. We've got plenty of protection here already."

Athena's eyes narrow with suspicion. "What if he's already among us? Lycans have been arriving in groups for days. Some claim they met on the journey here. What if that's exactly what he did?"

"Nobody by the name of Levi Bennett is on the list." Zachary states firmly, holding his checklist.

"You heard her earlier - 'if that was even his real name'." Athena scowls in frustration.

"Relax. Every bastard reveals themselves eventually." I turn to leave but Zachary blocks my path.

"Where were you this morning?"

"Do I really need to explain myself?"

"Charlotte was searching for you."

"I was observing."

"She didn't need observation. She needed your presence."

"I saw you, Zachary. You wanted to pound Caleb into the ground. How do you think I would've reacted? You already know the answer. Now excuse me, I have matters to attend to."

I stride across the grounds, vanishing behind Brianna's charred home and slipping into the forest.

Soon I hear Hannah speaking with someone.

"I don't know. It's always been this way." Her voice carries a heavy sigh, as if she's repeated this many times.

"I don't believe it. Lycans always have their wolves. You don't just wake up without one." A male voice challenges.

"I didn't! I told you, this is how it's always been. Not that it's any of your concern."

I move silently through the trees.

"Sorry." The guy backtracks. "I'm just curious. Didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Did you hear our Alpha didn't have her Lycan most of her life?"

"I did, but that's her business. She's still our Alpha. Keep asking and people will think you have issues with her leadership."

"You're right. Sorry. I thought... you seem different. Maybe you could help me understand why we're here, what she wants from us."

I roll my eyes and deliberately make noise approaching them.

"Someone's coming." The guy warns.

"I know. I'm neither stupid nor deaf." Hannah retorts sharply.

She has this habit of sarcastic comebacks while missing what's happening around her. He was clearly fishing for information.

"Luc." she murmurs when she sees me, lowering her chestnut eyes.

"We weren't doing anything." The guy claims quickly.

"Right. Just following a woman into the forest alone." His eyes are strange - green with blue speckles. "I didn't catch your name." I remember his arrival yesterday. He was hard to read. Not necessarily untrustworthy, but not open either. Charlotte had given him one of her stickers, and I trust my daughter's judgment. That doesn't mean I won't watch him.

"I was just taking a walk." Hannah explains.

"And I was ensuring her safety." The guy flashes perfect white teeth. "Lots happening around here. Can't be too careful." He looks me over. He knows exactly who I am. And he's implying Hannah needs protection from me.

"Your name?"

"Owen. Owen Carter."

"Right."

Hannah smiles nervously. "Owen was just leaving."

"Are you certain? I mean..." He gestures toward me.

"I've been here awhile, Owen. If he wanted to shoot me, he would've done it already."

Owen nods, weighing his options.

"I suggest you go." I make the choice for him.

He glances back at Hannah. "You're sure?"

"I'm fine. Like I said, Luc won't hurt me."

He nods and retreats. Hannah starts to speak but I cover her mouth, listening to his fading footsteps.

After several minutes, she pulls my hand away. "What was that for?"

"I don't trust him."

"Couldn't tell." She says sarcastically.

"Was this for my benefit, Hannah? Having someone follow you so I'd come running?"

"No. How did you even know I was here?" She rises on her toes and kisses my cheek.

"I know many things. If you want him to stay alive, don't let him touch you."

"You can't keep me hidden forever, Luc."

She begins unbuttoning her shirt, leaning against a tree. My fingers trace her stomach, my tanned skin contrasting sharply with her paleness. She shudders under my touch, her arousal quickly filling the air.

It was wrong, but I found myself increasingly unable to refuse her, especially when she tasted so perfect.

Her body trembles as my tongue circles her navel, her hands tangling in my dark curls. I'm just loosening her jeans when the guy calls out.

"Hey Hannah, I forgot to ask..."