His Stray

Chapter 27

Present Day

Lucas jogged across the clearing towards the training field, rolling his shoulders to shake off the leftover haze of sleep and s*x. He had only managed to change into clean clothes, black workout pants and a gray shirt, before hurrying out. It hadn’t even crossed his mind to shower.

The warriors were already at work. Pairs moved in tight, practiced motions under Landon’s watchful eye. His brother stood off to the side with arms folded, barking commands that had even the more seasoned fighters straightening up.

Lucas slowed his steps. He recognized that look on Landon’s face. It was the same hard mask he wore when he was waiting to tear someone apart.

“Look who decided to show up,” Landon called, voice ringing across the field.

Lucas ignored the curious glances of the warriors. He stopped in front of Landon, forcing a calm he didn’t feel. “Morning to you too.”

Landon’s eyes flicked over him, narrowing slightly. “You’re late. And you stink like…” He wrinkled his nose. “f**k, Lucas. Try not to reek of s*x when you’re about to lead the pack’s warriors.”

Heat crawled up Lucas’s neck. His fists tightened. “Maybe you should mind your own damn business.”

“This is my business,” Landon snapped. “Everything you do is the pack’s concern. You’re the heir. They look to you for leadership, for standards. And here you are, crawling out of your little stray’s bed like a…”

“Watch your mouth.”

Landon’s eyes lit up with something dangerous. “Or what? You’ll prove that everyone’s always known? That you’re just a spoiled coward who hides behind Daddy’s rank? You couldn’t even stand up for her in the dining hall the other day. You’re pathetic.”

Lucas shoved him, hard. Landon staggered back a step, shock flashing across his face before it twisted into fury.

“You want to throw hands now, Lucas? Finally found a pair because she spread her legs for you again?”

Rage snapped through Lucas. He lunged, grabbing Landon by the collar and driving him back. They crashed to the ground, rolling through the dust and grass as fists started flying. Lucas caught Landon across the jaw. The crack of knuckles on bone echoed through the suddenly silent field.

Landon snarled, hooking an arm around Lucas’s neck and dragging him sideways. They tumbled, Landon ending on top and driving a punch into Lucas’s ribs that knocked the breath out of him. Lucas twisted, throwing an elbow that clipped Landon’s cheek.

“Enough!”

The roar sliced through them. Hands wrenched them apart. Warriors poured in to pull them back just as Alpha Marcus stormed into the field. His eyes were sharp with fury, teeth bared in barely restrained rage.

“What the hell is this?” The alpha’s voice was like a whip crack. “You two want to tear each other apart like rogues in front of the entire pack? Lucas, you’re the future alpha. And you…” His gaze sliced to Landon, who stood with a smear of blood on his lip, chest heaving. “You’re supposed to be teaching discipline, not brawling like pups.

“He started it,” Landon spat.

Marcus’s glare hardened. “I don’t give a damn who started it. I care who’s going to finish it. And I’ll be damned if it happens here.”

He pointed a sharp finger at Landon. “You’re done for the day. Get off my training field. Now.”

Landon’s jaw flexed. For a heartbeat Lucas thought he might argue. Then he spun on his heel and stalked away, wiping blood from his lip with a bitter laugh.

Marcus turned back to Lucas, eyes narrowed. “Clean yourself up. And try not to embarrass me again today.”

Lucas stood there, chest still heaving, watching his brother disappear across the field. Around him, the warriors went back to their sparring, though many cast wary looks his way.

His side ached. His knuckles stung. But what burned worse was knowing Landon’s words had hit a mark, deep and raw.

Lucas swiped sweat from his brow, squaring his shoulders. He was done being that kid who cared more about appearances than protecting what mattered. If Landon wanted to doubt him, fine. He would prove them all wrong.

**

Celia was never late, but clearly there was a first time for everything. She hurried into the kitchen, breathless. Darcy turned, raising an eyebrow but not saying a word as Celia quickly twisted her still damp hair into a bun and grabbed her hat and apron.

“Late night?” Darcy asked, stirring the pancake batter.

“Overslept,” Celia muttered. “Where are Hazel and Brady?”

“Hazel’s getting the warming trays set up,” Darcy said as she began portioning batter onto the griddle. “Brady’s late… as usual.”

Brady was never an early riser, something the rest of them had learned to accept. He always worked hard once he was here, so Celia saw no reason to hound him. He’d probably roll in within the next ten minutes.

“Hazel and I got most everything started out there,” Darcy added as Celia began pulling vegetables from the fridge. “Just haven’t had time to start on lunch yet.”

“If you’ve got breakfast covered, I’ll start prep for lunch,” Celia said, stacking vegetables on the island and mentally sorting out her plan.

Darcy glanced over her shoulder. “Can I ask you something before Hazel gets back?”

“Sure,” Celia muttered, not looking up.

“Why did I see Lucas walking from your house this morning?”

Celia froze, heat flooding her neck. “What?”

“I was on my way in and saw him coming from your place,” Darcy said, flipping the pancakes. “There’s nothing else down that road. It had to be your house.”

Celia stared at the vegetables, struggling for words. “Maybe he’d gone for a run?”

Her voice sounded thin, even to her own ears.

“Right,” Darcy snorted. “In jeans and boots, with hair that definitely hadn’t seen a brush. Come on. Are you messing around with the alpha heir?”

Celia’s face went hot. Darcy let out a disbelieving laugh.

“You are, aren’t you?” She shook her head. “Can’t say I blame you. Lucas is fine.”

Celia sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Darce, could you… not say anything? To anyone?”

Darcy considered her for a moment. “Yeah, of course. Not my business to spread. But can I ask why?”

“It’s complicated,” Celia muttered as she began sorting the vegetables into piles for washing and peeling.

“You want to talk about it?” Darcy’s forehead creased, her eyes soft with concern.

Celia shook her head. “Not right now.”

There was a short silence.

“He should count himself lucky,” Darcy said finally, turning back to the pancakes. “And I’m here if you change your mind.”

Celia smiled, warmth blooming in her chest. “Thanks, Darce.”

Just then the back door banged open. Celia jumped and dropped a handful of carrots. Landon stood in the doorway, his lip split and a bruise darkening on his cheek.

“What the hell, Landon?” Celia exclaimed, crouching to pick up the fallen carrots.

“I need to talk to you,” he half-growled.

“Girl, you and the alpha’s sons,” Darcy whispered, shooting her a wide-eyed look.

“I’m busy, Landon,” Celia said sharply as she stood, refusing to meet his eyes.

The door to the dining hall swung open and Hazel rushed in, empty juice container in hand. She froze, her gaze darting to Landon and the obvious injuries on his face.

“Come out here or I will drag you,” Landon snarled. His eyes were nearly black.

Celia slammed the carrots onto the counter. Her anger flared hot and quick. She pushed past him, shoving her hand against his chest to force him backward out the door into the cool morning air. When the door shut behind her, she spun on him.

“What do you want now?”

“You said you weren’t going to get involved with him again,” Landon snapped, his eyes dark and accusing.

“Landon,” she said, pinching the bridge of her nose. “What I do with Lucas isn’t your business.”

“He’s going to hurt you. Again.” His words came out tight, like he was fighting to keep his voice steady.

“Then that’s my problem,” she shot back. “Not yours. Let it go.”

Landon let out a hard breath, his jaw working. A muscle ticked along his cheek.

Without thinking, Celia reached up and touched the bruise on his face. “Did Lucas do this?”

Landon turned his face slightly, leaning into her hand before he caught himself. “Yeah.”

“What happened to you two?” she whispered, pulling her hand back.

His eyes sparked with something sharp. “He got everything I wanted.” Then he turned and stalked off, leaving her staring after him in stunned silence.