Alpha Ascending Read online

  “What? How the hell—”

  “I can smell you.” His nostrils flared. “I can always smell you when you get wet.”

  “You do not!” She sat up, grabbed a pillow and slammed it against his head. He laughed as he batted it away and then grabbed her wrists to pull her on top of him. “Oh, my God, you really can, can’t you?”

  “I can.” He licked at her neck. “And you smell delicious.”

  “Hmmm … and so do—”

  There was a knock on the door, and they both froze, as if they were teenagers being caught in the act.

  “Breakfast!” Astrid’s muffled voice sounded cheery, even through the thick wood paneling. “You know Lily doesn’t like late risers.”

  “We’ll come down in a minute,” Lucas called. He turned to her. “She’s not kidding. Lily will put the food away in an hour, and then we’ll be hungry till lunch.”

  They quickly dressed and then made their way down. She didn’t bring any clothes with her, though it seemed someone had been kind enough to leave her a shirt and a pair of sweats in the room for her to use. She was a bit apprehensive as they entered the dining room, though Lucas’s hand squeezing hers made her relax. When they entered, however, the room was already filled with people, and all heads turned to them.

  A woman entered through another doorway, carrying a plate of eggs. “Good morning, you two. Glad to see you’re both up.” She put the tray down and then walked over to them. “Come and sit down, Lucas, Sofia.”

  Sofia remembered the younger of the two women she met last night. Jordan. According to Astrid, she was the “Lupa” or head female of this group of wolves. “Thank you, Jordan,” she said as they were led to the two empty chairs near the head of the table. Her head snapped toward the man sitting at the end, his intense green eyes boring straight into her.

  “You didn’t meet everyone else,” Jordan began. “You already know Lily, and Zac, and Astrid of course. But that man scowling at you is my husband, Jackson Forrest, Alpha of the Shenandoah clan.”

  “Jordan,” Jackson warned. “You—”

  “Don’t worry, he doesn’t bite.” A corner of her mouth quirked up. “Much.”

  Sofia smothered a nervous laugh.

  “That’s Austin, my son,” she nodded at the man sitting on Jackson’s right. He was the spitting image of his father, except for the platinum blond hair. He grinned at her then shot a knowing smile to Lucas.

  Jordan continued. “That’s Jack, my youngest daughter,” she gestured to the young woman at the end of the table, who smiled and waved at her. “We have a middle daughter, Katie, but she lives in California. She won’t mind you borrowing her clothes.”

  Lucas placed a hand on the shoulder of the older white-haired man next to the two empty chairs Jordan led them to. “And this is my grandfather. Noah.”

  “Nice to meet you, sir.”

  “Call me Noah,” he said in a gruff voice. He didn’t look like what a grandfather would look like, certainly not like her Pappoús. He was probably Giorgios’s age, but he was much bulkier, with wide shoulders and thickly-muscled arms that was covered in tattoos. He looked nothing like Lucas, though he had the same confident air.

  “Noah.” She repeated, then sat down next to him. The older man gave her a nod, but didn’t say anything.

  “Well, dig in,” Lily said, breaking the silence. “Before the food goes cold.”

  Breakfast was a surprisingly lively affair. Everyone praised Lily’s cooking, and Sofia devoured an embarrassing amount of food, at least for her. But, apparently, Lycans ate their body weight in food, and they demolished the meal in no time.

  “Lucas,” Jackson began as the plates were being cleared. “Your father and I have been talking about the mages. And the preparations we need to do to stop them.”

  “Daric’s already strengthened the protection wards and spells around the property,” Lily said.

  “And you know we will be ready, wherever the fight happens.”

  Sofia frowned. What were they talking about?

  As if sensing her confusion, Lucas took her hand and squeezed it. “Remember what I said about enemies? Mages are like witches and warlocks.”

  “But evil,” Astrid added. “Very, very evil. They can do all sorts of things, like control people and make spells that can harm us.”

  She gasped. “Harm you? Why?”

  “Because they want us dead and they want to rule the world,” Zac said. “We, and the witches and warlocks, are the only ones in their way.”

  “Do you remember that first night in Blood Moon?”

  “You mean, your stag party?” she asked in a teasing voice.

  He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Right. They attacked that night and tried to kidnap me and Adrianna.”

  She sucked in a breath. “That’s what you were hiding in the other room? Not some bachelor party debauchery?”

  Zac shook his head. “Yeah, sorry. That was the best I could come up with.”

  Jackson cleared his throat, then turned to Lucas. “Did you decide on what you want to do yet? Like I said, you’re welcome to stay until you … feel better.”

  “I’d like to go back to New York,” he said. “As soon as possible.”

  The other man’s eyes narrowed. “Like I said, you’re a grown man, and I can’t stop you.”

  “Can’t you stay one more day?” Lily asked.

  “I have to check with the security office,” Astrid piped up. “And make the arrangements.”

  “One more day won’t make a difference.”

  Lucas’s head whipped to the man beside Sofia. He seemed surprised at his grandfather’s words.

  Noah grunted. “It’s been a while, Lucas. And I could use some help. Fences are almost done, and hopefully we’re done with the snow and they’ll stay up until the next winter storm knocks them down.”

  Sofia looked up at Lucas. He seemed conflicted, so she squeezed his hand. “Noah’s right. One more day won’t make a difference.”

  “Okay. One more day,” he said. “We really do need to mend that fence.”

  After breakfast, she and Lucas followed Jackson, Austin, Jordan, Jack, and Noah outside. They walked far out to the edges of the property, where the half-constructed fencing was. Sofia wanted to help too, and Jordan came along because she said she was tired of being cooped up in her home office in the attic. Apparently, the Lupa of Shenandoah was also a respected scientist in the field of biochemistry and worked as a consultant for a number of companies, including Fenrir. As the others set out to finish the work, she and Jordan sat on the sidelines.

  “I wanted to help,” Sofia huffed.

  “I know it seems easy,” Jordan said. “But it’s not. There’s much more to it than just pounding sticks in the ground. Believe me, you’re helping by keeping out of the way.”

  “And what are we supposed to do?”

  “I don’t know. Admire the view?” Jordan’s hazel eyes immediately went to her husband. Jackson had taken off his shirt, showing off his lean, muscled frame.

  With the exception of Jack, all of them had shucked off their shirts. Her mouth went dry as she watched Lucas, his arms raised as he brought the mallet down on a post. She wanted to lick every inch of Lucas’s exposed, sweaty skin and bury her nose in the crook of his neck so she could take in his scent. Jesus, were all Lycan men hot and built? Even Noah was hot, a silver fox, as they say. She found herself admiring the way the muscles on Austin’s naked back bunched as he moved, which earned her a disapproving, audible growl from Lucas. She quickly averted her eyes, but not before she saw Lucas toss a shirt toward Austin.

  A few hours later, when Jackson called for a break, Lucas strode to her, giving her a possessive kiss before sitting down next to her. They sat in silent contemplation, admiring the rolling hills of the countryside.

  “I can see why you like it here.” It was so beautiful and quiet. She could imagine that in the spring it would be even more lovely. Out here, she could forget e
verything. Forget about the grittiness of the city and what was waiting for them. She didn’t have to think about her life, about Bianchi and— “Lucas!” She turned to him. “I almost forgot why I called you that night. Back in New York. I have to talk to you about—”

  “Shhh.” Lucas was frowning at her. “Can we just wait until we get to New York?” He sighed. “I just … I just need this time.”

  She stopped. Someone was trying to frame him, and she needed to protect him. But he’d also gone through a traumatic experience shifting in bloodlust, so she wanted to make sure he was better. She decided it could wait. In any case, by now, Bushnell would have checked out Lucas’s alibi and then there was nothing to worry about. “All right. We won’t talk about it.”

  They worked along the property line finishing up the fence. By late afternoon it was all done, and they all went back to the house for some leisure time. Sofia and Lucas joined Lily in the kitchen to help prepare for dinner, and they ate another huge meal. Even though she didn’t really do any work, Sofia found herself eating a lot of food, almost as much as the hungry Lycans.

  Lily and Astrid offered to do cleanup in the kitchen, shooing everyone away as they needed their privacy to catch up and gossip about family matters. They all went to the living room, where there was a nice, warm fire waiting for them.

  Sofia cuddled up on the couch with Lucas while Noah and Jackson sat on the recliners, talking softly about what work was left to be done. Jordan, Austin, Jack, and Zac played cards. Austin was grinning maniacally as he kept winning round after round, and Jack kept accusing him of cheating.

  “All right, kids,” Jordan declared, rolling her eyes. “I think it’s about time for bed.”

  “Fine,” Jack grumbled. “But I’m not mucking out the stall tomorrow because you cheated.” She stuck her tongue out at her brother, then stomped away.

  “You’re a card cheat,” Lucas said to Austin. “I don’t know how you do it, but you are.”

  “What, me?” Austin said innocently, but the sparkle in his eyes told otherwise.

  They all said their goodnights, even Noah. He lived in a cabin not far from the house, and before he got on his bike to drive home, promised he’d be here to say goodbye in the morning. Soon, Sofia and Lucas were all alone in the living room, the flames burning down to embers in the fireplace.

  “Cold?” he asked, cuddling her closer.

  “You’re like a furnace,” she declared.

  “I could keep you warm.” His mouth turned up at the corners. “You won’t even need a coat next year.”

  His words were teasing, but she stiffened in his arms at the implication of his words. “Lucas, I—”

  “Sofia, I’ve never felt this way about anyone,” he began.

  Her heart thudded in her chest. “You’re going to be leader of your clan, right?”

  “Yes. I’m going to be Alpha of New York.”

  She swallowed the growing lump in her throat. “And you need … I mean, you’ll need a Lupa. Like Jordan.” Who was a Lycan.

  “It’s not a requirement for the position,” he said. “Though it’s preferable.”

  She’d always thought that if she and Lucas ever had to part ways, it would be because things would just fizzle out. But she never guessed it would be because she simply wasn’t compatible with him, biologically. Both Jackson and Zac had called their respective wives “mates”, and she guessed that was a Lycan thing. It was something she could never be to Lucas, because she was human. “But you need a Lupa, so you could also have children who are—”

  “Sofia, I love you.”

  His words made her freeze, and the dry tightness in her throat made her it hard to speak. More than that though, she didn’t really know what to say.

  “You don’t have to say it back, not if you don’t feel the same way.” His tone was patient, but tinged with disappointment.

  “Lucas.” She placed her hands on his chest. “I do care about you.” That’s why she was here, wasn’t she? “I just … I just don’t know if … I’ve never felt that for anyone before and I don’t know what it’s like.” God, why was it so hard? She couldn’t even say the word out loud. This man had bared himself to her, his feelings and what he was. But she couldn’t say it back or admit it. Not when she knew how this would end. She could never be his mate or give him Lycan children. And that felt like a knife stabbing at her chest.

  “It’s okay,” he soothed, pulling her to him. “We’ll take things as they go, okay?”

  “Okay.” She let his scent and presence calm her and pushed all those ugly thoughts away. Like he said earlier, just for now, while they were in this beautiful place, they could forget about the reality that awaited them in New York.

  Sofia wished they didn’t have to go back to New York. During dinner, Astrid had announced that the plane would be picking them up the next day, and so Austin and Jackson offered to drive them to meet the jet.

  There was a dreaded feeling in her chest as they made their way to the private airstrip. Lucas didn’t say anything after last night’s conversation in the living room. In fact, he hardly said anything at all. Sure, they had sex the night before, but there was something different about him. He was almost primal and ruthless about it. How he held on to her a little tighter, moving tirelessly as he coaxed orgasm after orgasm from her before he eventually let go and found his own release.

  They had said their goodbyes to everyone and were soon on their way back to New York. In no time at all, they were landing in the small airstrip outside Jersey City. Zac and Astrid took their own car back to Manhattan, while Lucas led her to the waiting town car on the tarmac.

  “Hello, Reyes,” she greeted the bodyguard as he opened the door for them.

  “Hello, Detective. Sorry about the other night,” he said sheepishly.

  “It’s okay, you were only doing your job.” She flashed him a smile as she slid into the car, Lucas following her. He moved closer to her and threaded his fingers through hers, though they remained silent even as the car began to move. He didn’t feel mad to her, but he certainly had a lot on his mind. She was about to open her mouth when a series of beeps stopped her.

  “Sorry,” Lucas said, taking his phone out of his pocket. “I just turned it on. I must have a hundred messages.” He unlocked his phone and began to scroll through them.

  Sofia sat quietly, looking out the window. Lucas was busy tapping out messages on his phone and making short calls. However, he didn’t let go of her hand the entire time. That’s why, when his fingers suddenly squeezed tight, she let out a pained yelp and yanked her hand away.

  “Lucas?” She rubbed her fingers. “What’s wrong?”

  He had his phone held up to his ear, his face a stony mask. A tick in his jaw pulsed and he slowly put the phone down to his lap. “You talked to Caroline.”

  The words hung between them like a precarious tightrope walker. What could she say except the truth? “I did.”

  “How long ago?”

  “That night I came to apologize.”

  “And you didn’t think to tell me since then?”

  She flinched inwardly but didn’t show it on her face. “Does it matter now?”

  “You shouldn’t have done that.” His tone was barely restrained.

  “Shouldn’t have—” She grit her teeth. “I was doing my job, my due diligence.” She sucked in a deep breath, but it didn’t calm her. “I already know what happened now, so does it matter? Is there a reason why you didn’t want me to talk to your beautiful, perfect Caroline? Was what you told me really the truth?” Yes, Lucas had said he loved her, but in Sofia’s mind, he loved Caroline first. And that made jealousy burn through her, despite her logical brain telling her it was unwarranted.

  His brows snapped together. “It doesn’t matter what I felt for her before. I—” He stopped suddenly. “We’re here,” he said, nodding at the window. They were outside his townhouse. His eyes darted to Reyes and the driver. “We should continue this inside.
”

  “I will not—”

  But he turned toward his door, yanked on the handle, and pushed it open. She should have known. Part of her realized she should have told him about calling Caroline, but so many things had happened since then; that insignificant call seemed like a million years ago. “Lucas!” she called after him as she slid across the leather seats. She scrambled to her feet. He was already halfway to his door. “Lucas! Will you—”

  “Lucas Anderson, you’re under arrest for the murder of Alfie Fraser.”

  She froze, unwilling to believe what was happening was real. It was like a horror movie, one she couldn’t turn away from. A cop car had pulled in behind them, along with two other unmarked cars. Two uniformed officers were approaching Lucas as he stood on the sidewalk. One of them was already taking out his handcuffs. “Stop!” She rushed over to them, but they blocked her way. “What are you doing?

  She turned around and saw Captain Bushnell and Henry Sharpe walking toward her. “Captain! Thank God you’re here. Please tell the officers they’ve made a mistake.”

  “Detective Selinofoto!” Bushnell’s brown eyes were almost gleeful. “Good job on this one.”

  “Good job?” She looked at Sharpe. His face was drawn into a serious expression. “Detective?”

  “Your work was exceptional, as always.” Bushnell patted her on the back. “If it wasn’t for the way you put all the pieces of the puzzle together, we wouldn’t have figured out that Anderson killed Fraser.”

  It was at that moment, the officers turned Lucas around to face them, his hands cuffed behind him. His mismatched eyes burned with fury and were directed at her.

  “No!” she cried. “Lucas, I—”

  “No need to be modest,” Bushnell said.

  Helplessness overwhelmed her as she watched the officers put Lucas in the back of the cop car. “Sir, I told you, I suspected someone is trying to frame him. He has an alibi.”

  “Not for the night of Frazer’s murder.”

  “What? He was with me.”

  “Frazer wasn’t killed that night,” the captain said. “But the night before.”

  No. She looked at Sharpe. “Detective?”