His Stray

Chapter 10

Eleven years Prior

Lucas stood in the hallway, fists balled tight at his sides, listening to them argue. Then came the sharp crack of flesh on flesh. A choked cry followed. His stomach twisted so hard it hurt.

He edged forward and peeked around the corner. His mother was crumpled on the floor, one hand pressed to her cheek. His father loomed over her, face red, eyes wild, spit flying from his mouth as he shouted.

Lucas’s heart thudded painfully. He couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. He wanted to help her, but he felt frozen, too horrified to do anything but stare.

A hand grabbed his shoulder, yanking him back so hard he nearly tripped. Landon’s face appeared, older and sharper than his own, eyes blazing.

“Go,” Landon whispered urgently. “Go hide. Before he sees you.”

“But Mom…”

“Go!” Landon gave him a hard shove. Then he was gone, storming into the living room. Lucas heard him shout, “Leave her alone!” right before another crash rattled the wall.

Lucas turned and ran.

He didn’t stop to put on shoes. Didn’t stop for his coat. He burst out the back door into the freezing night, snow biting at his bare feet as he pelted across the yard. Cold air sliced into his chest, his breath puffing white and ragged.

He didn’t slow until he reached the little house at the edge of the woods. He scrambled to the familiar window, fingers numb as he smacked at the latch. It took four hits before it gave. He pushed it open and tumbled inside, landing in a heap on Celia’s floor.

She sat up instantly, her eyes wide. “Lucas?”

He didn’t answer. Just crawled over and climbed into her bed, pressing close until his frozen feet touched her warm legs. She flinched at the cold but didn’t complain, only tugged her blanket tighter around them.

He clutched her like she was the only solid thing in his world.

“I hate him,” Lucas whispered, voice shaking. “I hate him so much.”

Celia’s hand found his, small and warm. “Your dad?”

He nodded against her shoulder. “He was hurting my mom. Landon told me to run. He went to help her.” His voice cracked. “I wish I was brave like him.”

“You are brave,” Celia said softly, her breath stirring his hair.

“No, I’m not,” he croaked. “I ran away. Landon stayed. Landon always stands up to Dad. He’s the bravest person I know.”

She was quiet for a long moment. Then she nudged his face up so he’d look at her. “I think you’re brave too, Lucas.”

His chest squeezed painfully. “I’m not, Celia. I’m really not.”

She wrapped her arms around him, heat slowly returning to his frozen body. She laid back down, pulling him with her. He curled up close, cold toes tucked against her legs, her hand still gripping his tightly.

He didn’t want to let go. Not ever.

**

Lucas woke to the sound of voices. For a moment he couldn’t remember where he was, until he felt Celia’s hair against his cheek. He shifted onto his back and his hand brushed something soft. His fingers closed around the little stuffed wolf, pulling it to his chest.

“Are you sure he’s here?” Celia’s mother was saying.

“Where else would he go?” That was his own mother’s voice, strained and tired. “He always goes to her.”

“Are you okay, Luna?” Lenore’s words were barely above a whisper, but they still floated through the quiet.

“I’m… I’m fine. I just need my son.” His mother was trying to keep her voice calm, but he heard the tremble.

“Ophelia,” Lenore said softly, “it’s not okay that he’s hurting you. Or those boys.”

“Stop.” His mother’s voice rose, shaking.

Celia shifted beside him. Lucas risked a glance. Her hair was a mess on the pillow, but her eyes were still closed, breathing even.

“I’m just trying to say…”

“It doesn’t matter,” his mother cut her off. There was a heavy pause. “What would I do, Lenore? Where would I go? No one in this pack will protect me from him. He’s the alpha.”

“We could try to figure something out.”

“Lenore, that’s kind, really. But this is my lot in life.”

“But what about your boys, Ophelia? Is this their lot too?”

There was a long silence. Then Lenore’s voice, quiet and sad. “I’ve seen bruises on Lucas. I hear Landon has it worse.”

“He’s their father.”

“That’s no excuse.”

His mother let out a small, bitter laugh. “Are you going to stand up to the Alpha? Or Harold? You don’t understand. My parents pushed for this mate bond. I had a fated mate. Someone I loved. They made me reject him to secure an alliance, strengthen my father’s pack. There’s nowhere for me to go, Lenore. No family who would help me. And I can’t take the boys away. They’re his heirs. You really think he would ever let them go?”

Lenore’s voice was small. “I hear you, Ophelia, I do. I just wish…”

“Me too.” Another long beat. “I need to get Lucas home before Marcus realizes he’s missing.”

The door opened and Lucas snapped his eyes shut, pretending to sleep. Footsteps crossed the room. Then gentle fingers trailed down his cheek.

“Lukey,” his mother whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Lukey-duck, we need to go home.”

He opened his eyes slowly, blinking like he was just waking up. “Mom?”

“Hey, sweetie.” She tried to smile, but he could see the bruise blooming on her cheek. “You’re not supposed to be sneaking over here, remember? We talked about this.”

“I don’t mind,” Celia said from behind him.

He turned. Celia was sitting up, watching them. He wondered how long she had been awake.

“That’s because you’re a sweetheart,” his mother said gently to her. “But Lucas needs to stay in the pack house. He knows that.”

She helped him out of bed, glancing around. “Where are your shoes?”

“I didn’t wear any,” he admitted.

She frowned. “Lucas Orien Watts, there’s an inch of snow on the ground.”

He just shrugged.

“I’ll help,” Harold called from the hall. “The boy can climb on my back. I’ll carry him to the porch.”

His mother smiled faintly. “Thank you, Harold.”

Lucas started to leave, but Celia caught his wrist. She pressed Rusty into his hand, giving him a small, hopeful smile.

“I think he needs you tonight.”

Lucas swallowed the lump in his throat. He squeezed Rusty to his chest and nodded, before following his mother out the door.