Claimed by His Beta Read online

  ****

  Luke woke up thinking of Dane. They’d spent the entire day together, and Luke hadn’t made it to bed until after midnight. Dane had come up on his tiptoes and kissed Luke softly on the cheek when they parted, but Luke had walked away feeling as if they’d shared a heated embrace. Dane’s eyes had seemed to be issuing an invitation, but Luke feared moving too fast. He rose from the bed and stretched as his gaze flicked to the door that connected his room with Gregor’s. The Alpha hadn’t come back last night, so they were probably in Jared’s bedroom, or perhaps still out in the forest.

  Luke smiled at the thought of his friend’s happiness. That smile broadened as he began thinking about the time he’d spent with Dane. But then he heard a clicking sound and voices coming from the next room. Footsteps sounded, and he soon recognized Gregor’s soft laughter. The connecting door swung open a moment later, and Gregor came sauntering through, a grin on his face.

  “You forgotten how to knock?” Luke asked, one eyebrow raised.

  “I didn’t smell anyone but you,” Gregor said. “Much to my disappointment.”

  Luke didn’t know how close Jared might be, so he lowered his voice as he said, “You heard what the king said. Did you really expect me to lure him to my bed right away?”

  “Lure? He looked more than ready to come to it. I saw you two wander off together.”

  “We were looking for some privacy so I could shift.”

  Gregor’s grin broadened. “So he got you naked, at least.”

  “Don’t you have a mate to get back to?”

  Gregor looked back to the partially closed door. “He’s a bit worn out, but we came back to my room so I could get fresh clothes. Will we see you at breakfast?”

  “I’m just going to grab some fruit or something and then take a walk.”

  “With Dane?”

  Luke saw no reason to lie. “If I see him, I’ll certainly ask him to join me. Now that the treaty is consummated, I doubt I really need to patrol.”

  “Of course not. Enjoy your time with him. We’ll probably go home in a week or maybe a bit less. You can always stay longer if he’s not ready to come back with you by then.”

  Luke sighed but hesitated before speaking. “Look, we’ve known each other one day. He’s beautiful enough to have any man or woman he wants. He might not be looking to tie himself to someone like me.”

  “Someone like you?”

  “Boring. Workaholic. Damaged.”

  Gregor frowned. “Damaged? Just because you experienced loss?”

  “All right, maybe that’s not the best word.” He paused. “Broody. That better?”

  His frown fading, Gregor shook his head slowly at his friend. “Just pull him into your lap and kiss him. He won’t find you boring.”

  Luke headed for the bathroom, grabbing a few things from his bag on the way. “I’m not an Alpha. And Dane isn’t a fiery half-shifter like your mate.”

  “Well, I am an Alpha, and I know a good match for my right-hand man when I see it.” He turned without another word and left the room.

  Luke slid into the bathroom and closed the door. Despite his frustration with Gregor, he smiled as he hoped his Alpha was right.

  Chapter Two

  Dane sat by a window in the library, trying to keep an eye on the two students as they made up the test they’d missed two days ago. The girls had been more interested in trying to meet Gregor and Luke than in showing up for class and taking their history test. Most fae had been tutored privately for centuries, but King Asmund’s father, Malkolm, had started an academy in the valley near the palace just over thirty years ago. The former king had encouraged parents to send their children there so they would have an experience more akin to what human children had, as well as a broader, more modern education. It had taken a while, but currently over eighty percent of fae children attended in some capacity. History wasn’t a favorite subject for many of them, and Asmund had asked Dane to try to help him change that by working with some students outside of classes. After over two years of working as a tutor, Dane found it rewarding, even though he often wasn’t sure how successful he was.

  He held in a sigh as he looked out the window again. Luke had invited him to go for a walk, but he’d already had this appointment lined up. Running off with Luke and either canceling the test or getting someone to fill in wouldn’t have been setting a very good example for the girls, or any of the other students.

  Caden, the librarian, came over and sat on the windowsill beside him, gazing outside as well. “Very nice day,” he said softly, pushing his long blond hair over his shoulder.

  Dane nodded. “It is.”

  Caden eyed him. “Shouldn’t you be out there enjoying it?”

  Dane looked to the girls, who were watching them but both looked down immediately when he turned their way. “It’s not even noon yet. Plenty of time.”

  “But how much longer will the wolves be here? Now that the Alpha has claimed Jared, won’t they leave soon?” Caden asked.

  Dane tried not to sound exasperated as he said, “I wonder if it’s as hard to maintain one’s privacy among wolf packs.”

  Caden smiled. “Go home with Luke and find out. I’d love to know as well.”

  The girls both giggled, and Selena said, “We promise we’ll listen to Caden. Go talk to him! Practically everyone saw you two together yesterday.”

  Abigail nodded her agreement. “I saw you in the morning, and just after lunch, and last night as well.” She closed her eyes and smiled. “He’s so handsome. Strong, silent type.” She opened her eyes and looked to Selena, and then they both giggled again.

  Dane rose and said, “I’m going to leave you two with Caden just to get away from that noise.”

  And that only made them giggle louder. Dane threw Caden a sympathetic look, but regretted it when the man winked at him. Dane felt his cheeks redden as he left the library. He didn’t really mind everyone knowing, but it would make things hard if Luke lost interest. Dane felt sure he’d made his attraction clear yesterday, yet the Beta had walked away almost immediately after Dane had kissed him on the cheek. Dane had been expecting a very different reaction—something much more along the lines of the larger man crushing Dane to him and claiming a real kiss.

  Jared and Gregor couldn’t keep their hands off each other, even when they were arguing about Gregor being too highhanded. Why is Luke so different?

  “Only one way to find out,” he said under his breath as he went in search of the shifter. They’d spent the entire previous day talking. How much more could Luke want to know about him? Was the Beta only passing the time with Dane because his Alpha had no immediate need for him? That didn’t seem likely. Luke’s eyes had spoken of need and desire all day long, and Dane had certainly expected to spend the previous night fulfilling those two things with the handsome wolf.

  Dane found Luke about ten minutes later. The wolf sat on the lip of a large fountain at the edge of the rose garden, surrounded by five fae. Dane took in the two men and three women, wondering if Luke would still say that Dane surpassed all fae in terms of beauty.

  Conversation faltered as he approached, and he realized he’d been so busy watching the other fae he hadn’t notice Luke’s gaze fixing on him. The other fae looked between the two men, each of them seeming disappointed at the interruption.

  “Good morning, again,” Luke said, rising.

  “Morning, everyone,” Dane said. He nodded at the others. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  Luke shrugged. “I was answering questions about my pack. About the humans we interact with.”

  “Oh,” Dane said. He wanted to drag Luke away with him but wasn’t sure how to do it.

  “We’re supposed to meet with the king now, aren’t we?” Luke said, taking a step forward.

  “Uh … yes. I’m done with my work, and yes, that’s what I needed you for.”

  “You’ll have to excuse me for now.” Luke smiled at everyone else. “My Alpha says we’re
staying a few days. I’m sure we’ll all get to talk again.” He took Dane by the arm and led him away rather quickly.

  “You just lied to get away from them,” Dane said, a teasing lilt to his voice.

  Luke tightened the grip on his arm and smiled down at him. “No, I asked you a question. You’re the one who lied.”

  Dane laughed. “A question you made up on the spot. I was playing along. I wasn’t about to leave you with them.”

  “And what do you think they were planning?”

  Dane pulled Luke behind a tree and then drew the man up against him. “I think they all wanted to get you alone.” He leaned back against the tree so he was trapped between it and Luke’s hard body. “So something like this could happen.”

  Luke’s brown eyes darkened as he bent his head. “It’s all right for me to kiss you?”

  Dane laughed before he could stop himself. “All right? I lay awake half the night thinking about it.”

  Still, Luke didn’t bring their lips together. He ran two fingers down Dane’s cheek. “Did you?”

  “Yes. And that was only the beginning.”

  A smile tugged at Luke’s lips. “I thought of you, too, as I fell asleep. Slept very well.”

  “I hardly slept at all.”

  Luke frowned. “Really? I’m sorry to hear that.”

  I couldn’t be more obvious. What’s wrong with him? “Are you teasing me?”

  With a sigh, Luke moved in. “No, little one. I only want to be sure you’re ready.”

  “When a man says he hardly slept because he was thinking of you, you don’t politely tell him you’re sorry to hear it. You kiss him.” He reached up and put his hand behind Luke’s head, caressing his neck. “Like this.”

  Though he had to pull Luke’s head down to his, Dane didn’t have to insist any more once their lips met. The Beta’s arms slid around him and cradled him close as the embrace deepened. Luke’s tongue swept in and claimed his mouth, the kiss hungry and searching. Dane rubbed his body against Luke’s as he gripped the man’s neck and shoulders.

  When they parted, both men were panting. Luke cupped his cheek and said, “Your eyes. They’re even brighter now.”

  “Imagine how they’ll look when you slide into me,” Dane said before brushing their lips together again.

  Luke’s hands tightened on his waist. “You want that? Or do you think it’s the only way to keep my attention?”

  I thought we both wanted it. “Yes, I want to be with you.” He tried to understand why Luke hesitated. “I’m not asking for a promise or commitment of any kind, if that’s what you mean.”

  “No. I only mean that … well, lots of assumptions are made about shifters. People think we’re driven by lust, by the animal side. But I’m willing to wait for that part.”

  “Yesterday was one of the best days I’ve had in a long time. We’re both old enough to know what we want, I’d say. Are you worried because I’m so much smaller than you?” He ran his hands up Luke’s biceps. “I promise you won’t hurt me.”

  Luke’s expression clouded, concern filling his eyes, and Dane pushed further. “What’s holding you back? The fact someone said I’m shy?”

  “No, not that. I just want you to understand that I’m not like … some men.”

  Something in his tone made Dane wary. When he looked into Luke’s eyes, the concern once again shone through. Dane fought back a sigh as he realized what must’ve happened. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time. “You know, don’t you?” he said.

  Luke’s eyes told him the truth even as he said, “Know what?”

  “About the human who raped and nearly killed me.” Dane pulled away and walked until he was out of the shadow of the tree’s limbs. Turning back, he asked, “Who told you?”

  Luke walked over to look down into his eyes. “The king. He saw me watching you. You watching me. Perhaps he was only being protective. Worried I might come on too strong the way Gregor had with Jared.”

  Dane tried to calm his mind. “He had no right.” He looked up at Luke. “So you knew the whole time? Since the first words we spoke to each other?”

  “Yes, and I’m sorry.” Luke shifted his stance. “But my interest began before I knew. Can’t you see it didn’t change my desire to meet you? To know you better? I was drawn to you from the first time our eyes met, the night before I found out about what happened to you.”

  Though it was nice to hear it, the statement didn’t help much. “It’s been almost a decade. I’m tired of being defined by it!” Dane turned away, wanting to run. Why couldn’t everyone else move beyond it the way he had? Why did they treat him as if he was still a fragile and scared teenager? His chest ached as he struggled with what to say next. He didn’t want pity, especially not from this man. The sting of betrayal ran deep as he considered running into the palace and confronting the king. Others had gossiped about him, but he had never imagined Asmund repeating a word about the incident to anyone.

  ****

  Luke wanted to pull Dane into his arms but didn’t dare. “Nothing defines you by itself. Certainly not something like that. Something out of your power.” He hesitated before saying, “You mentioned the king saving your life. I take it that’s when this happened?”

  “Yes,” Dane said, the word clipped.

  “What can I do to make this right?” Luke asked. “Whatever it takes.”

  Dane turned back. “It’s not your place to make it right. It’s mine.”

  Luke frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “I shouldn’t be angry at you. It’s not your fault someone told you something, just as it wasn’t my fault that man hurt me.” Dane took a deep breath and pushed it out slowly. “I wanted to tell you when I thought it was right. When I felt you needed to know.”

  Luke didn’t hide his relief as he sighed. “You scared me there. I thought I was about to lose you.”

  “Lose me?” Dane moved closer. “So I’m not wrong about feeling connected to you, even though I’m not your mate?”

  “No, you’re not wrong.” Luke thought over his words before he went on, wanting to be clear. “A minute ago, you reassured me you weren’t looking for a promise. It seems only fair to tell you that I am. In a way.”

  “You are?” Dane said, his eyes wide.

  “Yes. Since my mate’s death, I’ve only satisfied my lust briefly with others. One or two nights at most with a partner. What happened to you gave me an excuse to go slow. To control those urges.” He swallowed. “Because I’m afraid of having the one I cherish snatched away again. And you seem like the kind of man I could feel that way about very quickly. Especially if we touch the way I want us to.”

  Silence settled between them for almost a minute. Then Dane said, “Aren’t we quite the pair? Somehow, I’m the ravenous, lusty beast while you’re the romantic.” He gave a little chuckle before sobering again.

  “Oh, I’m ravenous. Just good at controlling it.” He put one finger under Dane’s chin and made him look up. “I’m no different than Gregor. My wolf and I want to claim you. To protect you and keep you close. And the beast is practically pacing inside, wishing it could rip out the throat of the man who hurt you.” He let his hand drop. “I hope that doesn’t frighten you.”

  “Is it always like that with wolves? Possessive and protective?”

  “When it’s the wolf’s mate or there’s a strong connection, yes.”

  “Why me?”

  Luke took a step forward, a smile tugging at his lips as he admired Dane’s handsome face and took in the genuine bafflement in his eyes. “That’s a hard question. Your eyes? Your smile? The way I feel talking to you? I can’t pin down one thing, and I don’t think I could put the more abstract parts into words.” He tilted his head as he asked, “You’re attracted to more than my looks, right? More than the fact I’m different and more masculine than other lovers you might’ve had?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then I say we don’t have to worry about defining it.
I’d rather focus on feeling it. See where it leads, like I said.”

  Dane wet his lips. “Before we start talking about this promise you say you’re looking for, I need to go find Asmund. It was impossible to keep what happened a secret, but to my knowledge he’s never told others anything about it before.” He reached out and grasped Luke’s fingers briefly. “I want to stay here with you, but I can’t focus until I talk to him.”

  Luke couldn’t help feeling worried, and he only let Dane take his hand back reluctantly. “He gave no details. Only said you’d been attacked. I wasn’t even sure you’d been raped until you said the actual words a few minutes ago. Please, I don’t want to be responsible for any problems between you two.”

  “You aren’t. He’s the one who told you.” Dane hesitated. “Was anyone else around?”

  “Gregor. He asked the question I didn’t dare to.”

  Dane frowned. “What?”

  “If the man was still alive.”

  His eyes wide again, Dane asked, “Still alive?”

  “Yes. The king said he was, but that some days he might wish for death.”

  Dane’s mouth fell open. “The king … he did something to the man?”

  “Yes.” Luke wanted to bite his tongue. “You didn’t know that?”

  Dane shook his head. “I was panicked and tried to reach out to Jared. I was still young and inept with my powers. He was with Asmund and told him something seemed to be wrong. The king appeared in the room about thirty seconds after I’d reached out to Jared. He yanked the man off me and picked me up. Brought me straight to the healers and stayed with me. All night even.” He chewed on his lower lip. “It must’ve been the next day when he said he had something to do. He was gone about an hour and seemed calmer when he came back.” He ran both hands through his hair. “I’m sorry. I have to see him now.”

  “I understand. I never would’ve said anything if I’d known.”

  Dane shook his head. “Not your fault. None of it. You couldn’t have known.” He looked to the palace and then back at Luke. “I’ll be back in a bit. All right? And then we can talk about all this.”