Freeing Luka: The Clecanian Series Book 2 by Victoria Aveline (readict books TXT) 📕

one implanted. The earnestness in which she stared at the time made it clear that it was important to her.

Frustration made his shoulders bunch. It was obvious from her pretty pout and scrunched brows that she couldn’t read the clock. He’d need to remedy that soon. If there was anything he could do to make her happy, whether it be imparting knowledge or commissioning the most beautiful clock she’d ever seen that displayed Earthling symbols, he needed to do it.

Luka pulled at a large clump of moss, snapping an attached twig as he did so. The sound echoed over the water, and he froze, watching to see if she’d heard. Sure enough, her head snapped in his direction, and her eyes scanned the area near where he was hiding. How would she react if she found him here?

A figure lurking in the darkness of her house had Luka’s protective instincts firing, forcing him to rise and dash toward the lake. He was only a few feet from the edge of the tree line, about to reveal himself, when the figure emerged into the light. He skidded to a halt and retreated into the shadows, recognizing the small girl named Daisy whom Izzo would not shut up about.

When the two females retreated into the darkened house, Luka began to pace. In a few minutes, he’d be attending a vital meeting. There were many reasons this gathering would be important, but the one that weighed the most heavily on him was that he’d have the opportunity to speak with Alice for the first time. He’d gone back and forth in his mind endlessly about whether he should request a meeting with her alone or wait. Ultimately, he decided it’d be better if she were around other people. That way, if she didn’t wish to speak to him, she wouldn’t feel cornered.

Outside of the terrible conditions in which they’d met, they hadn’t had any interactions. What would she think of him? Did she hate him? Would she want to be anywhere near him?

Insecurity was a new feeling for Luka. Whenever he set out to do something new, he made sure he was prepared, that he did all of the necessary research to be successful. But now, there were so many unknown variables.

He couldn’t begin to hypothesize about what her feelings would be or how she’d act around him. Even with the information he’d learned, she was still a human. There was a whole lifetime of experiences from a different world that would shape her personality and reactions, and he could only begin to guess at what those might be.

The fact that she didn’t have a mating bond of her own was also problematic. If she did, she’d understand his need to be near her. To make sure she was protected and safe.

The distance that separated them now felt like hundreds of miles. If she was within his reach, he didn’t know if he’d be able to stop himself from simply grabbing her.

Nodding, he decided that taking control of this mating instinct was of paramount importance. If he could do enough research about mates, maybe he could figure out how to suppress his instinct long enough to charm her properly. In his present condition, where most coherent thoughts were interrupted with daydreams of ripping off her clothes and devouring her golden flesh, civilized seduction would be impossible.

Looking down, he found he’d worn a path through the moss with his pacing. Movement near Alice’s house drew his attention again. Auzed, his brother, was striding toward her home. His mind argued Zed was likely escorting her to the meeting, but his instincts urged him to throw his brother in the lake and escort her himself. Clenching and unclenching his fists, he stood simmering.

He watched as Alice emerged from her home and followed Zed. Luka dashed along the tree line, needing to move quickly to keep them in view as they weaved around floating houses. Unable to tear his gaze away, he continued to trip over fallen branches. Slippery moss and pebbles seemed to place themselves underfoot. Luka couldn’t recall the last time he’d tripped. He wasn’t a clumsy person, but her outfit and the fact that she was walking with another male made it impossible to focus.

The clothing she’d picked had her bare legs on full display. Shapely, tanned legs. He could just imagine running his hands up her thighs until they disappeared under the hem. The wind whipped, fluttering the light fabric higher and causing his mind to blank.

A large rock hidden by moss made him slip yet again. His ankle rolled unnaturally, followed by a sickening crack. He cursed, falling to a knee. When he peered up again, both Alice and Zed were staring at the tree line.

The pain in his ankle shot up his shin, but he attempted to freeze.

I have to control this!

He had to figure out a way to dampen his attraction, or he’d make an utter fool of himself when he finally talked to her.

In order to replace the image of a crazed, chained, horny male she’d grown accustomed to, he needed to be charming when they spoke. Delicate. How was he supposed to sweep her off her feet if he was sporting a bum foot and an ever-present erection?

Out of his four brothers, Luka had always been the one to keep a level head. When Theo and Zed would lose their temper and get into bloody fist fights, he’d been the one to have arguments using reason and logic. That wasn’t to say his brothers had responded in kind. He’d had to learn how to defend himself from an early age, and he supposed he should be grateful for that. Protecting his mate would be much more difficult if he didn’t know how to fight.

He rose, favoring his good ankle. From this distance and from the research he’d done