Chapter 10

Lucian sighed as he walked up to the other end of the plane. Granted it wasn't that far, but he hoped that symbolically it was far enough that she would feel he was giving her space. It was times like this he was grateful for the tenuous link between them. It allowed him to get at least an inkling of what was going on in her head.

She felt trapped, and that was understandable from her point of view, but the bond between them wasn't only one way. He had feelings, too. When she was still in her teens, it had been easy to tell himself that she wasn't ready, and he could wait. However, as he'd watched her blossom into the beautiful, self-assured woman that sat at the other end of the plane, it was more difficult. He knew she wasn't ready to accept what he could offer her—not just financially but physically and emotionally.

Hadn't she said in her commencement speech that she believed she would live in interesting times? Perhaps that was the key to making her surrender. Perhaps instead of persuading her to accept that her destiny lay with him, he should challenge her. Maybe his patience was now being used against him.

He figured at this point she was already planning her escape. He would need to cut her off from the world outside the Baihu Clan. Reynolds had refused to bargain Zenya's freedom for the support of the clan. Perhaps there were others within the Resistance leadership who would be more amenable. After all, Deke Campbell was a cave lion shifter, and he was the head of the Resistance. Primitive pretty much covered Deke's taking of his own fated mate. He would understand.

That was the way to go. Make a deal with Deke. After all, Deke's mate was involved with the Shadow Sisters, and Hayden North, the leader of the hellhounds, had a younger sister that was one of them. Surely between the two, they would be willing to make a deal. They wouldn't have to hand Zenya over to him, they would only have to ensure that the Shadow Sisters were kept at bay. In exchange, he would commit the Baihu Clan and all of its resources to their cause.

Tenting his index fingers in front of his face, he knew his smile was hidden. He couldn't read her mind, but he could feel the confusion she felt every time he purred down the link to her. She should feel the soothing sound as it wove itself around her jangled nerves, but she was quick to throw it off. He wondered if she realized she had admitted to knowing and feeling they were fated mates. That was a start, and the rest would come in time.

Lucian stood and headed into the cockpit.

"Alpha?" Charlie said, looking up.

"Are we at a place you can put the plane on autopilot?"

"Absolutely. There was some rough air below, so I took us a little higher."

"I'm assuming the food I ordered was delivered."

"It was."

"Good. I want you to put the autopilot on, but I'll remain up here in the cockpit. Zenya is none too pleased with me at the moment and has refused to eat. I know for a fact she likes lobster rolls. I picked a couple up before I rendezvoused with her. Would you mind taking her one and a bottle of water? Ask her if there is anything else she'd like. There's a fettuccini alfredo that can be reheated, a spinach and strawberry salad, and several other things."

"I'll take a look at what's there and see if she's interested. Can I bring you something?"

"There's a couple of pasta dishes. I'll take whatever she doesn't want and some water."

"No problem. I'll see if I can't entice her to eat something."

"Thanks, Charlie. I appreciate it."

Charlie disappeared down the aisle, and Lucian closed the door. The last thing he needed was for her to get sick. He knew that he had her brother's support, but also expected it would be harder on Zaiden than he might want to admit. Knowing what was right and remaining loyal to his alpha might be more difficult than his beta expected. They had been close as children, and it was partly because of their bond that Lucian had returned home and challenged Zion for leadership of the clan.

At the time he had planned to wait for Zenya to grow up before taking her to mate. He'd thought by this time to have at least one or two children with her. He knew he should be thinking of his heirs, but what he wanted was for her to be happy. If that meant not having children with him, so be it. He shook his head. They needed children, preferably a male heir to take on the mantle of leadership when Lucian was gone. If for no other reason than to ensure Zenya's safety.

He could hear soft laughter coming from the other end of the plane. When he reached down the link, he could feel her anger and turmoil edging away. When Charlie came back, Lucian planned to remain at this end of the plane. Perhaps with food in her belly and feeling that at least she was safe for the moment, she might sleep. He could feel the emotional toll being brought back had taken on her. Sleep would help.

It was another hour before Charlie, somewhat sheepishly, entered the cockpit, bearing a plate with spaghetti, bacon and pesto. It wouldn't have been his first choice, but Lucian was grateful to Charlie for coaxing his mate to relax and eat.

"I can get you something else," offered Charlie.

"No, this is fine," Lucian said, expertly twirling the spaghetti around his fork and taking it into his mouth. It was delicious. "This is a lot better than I thought green goo on noodles would be."

Charlie laughed. "I just grabbed one. I wasn't sure how you felt about pesto. Personally, I like it a lot."

"I can see why. She seemed calmer after you went down there. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I don't think she's as frazzled, but I also don't think she's as calm as you'd like her to be."

"That doesn't surprise me, but at least you got her to eat."

"Yes. She seemed to enjoy the lobster roll and drank one bottle of water and was starting on a second when I left."

"How long until we're at Ice Storm?"

"We've got a couple of hours. Why don't you get some sleep? I know she feels like you kidnapped her, but I suspect this is almost as hard on you as it is on her."

"I am in the right. She is my fated mate."

"No one doubts that, Alpha. But I have always believed that the bond between fated mates has an emotional component as deep as that of the physical one. Your giving her space and sending me to see if she would eat says a great deal about how you care for your mate. Shifter history is littered with romantic tales of fated mates brought together against their will, forming an unbreakable union and founding a dynasty. I have no doubt I am witness to the beginning of such a pairing."

"From your lips to the gods' ears," Lucian chuckled as he stood, stepped out of the cramped cockpit, and stretched. "I think I'll close my eyes for a bit. If you get fatigued, wake me and let me know when we're an hour out."

"Will do," said Charlie. "For what it's worth, Lucian, I don't believe there are many who do not believe you are right. I think most, if not all, of us have always believed she is your fated mate, and her place was at your side."

"I hope you are right. I would prefer if matters between my mate and I can be kept from upsetting the rest of the clan."

"Your people are loyal to you. Even if we didn't agree with you, there are none that I know of who would question or try to thwart your authority."

"Thank you, Charlie. That means a lot to me."

Lucian left him and then settled into the first row of seats, propping his legs up on the seat opposite him. Closing his eyes, he drifted off to sleep. Sometime later, Charlie woke him.

"We should be at Ice Storm in about forty-five minutes. I went to check on Zenya and told her the same."

"Thanks, Charlie. I didn't think I'd sleep that long."

"I suspect having your mate close at hand helped."

"As do I."

Charlie smiled at him before heading into the cockpit. Lucian stood, stretched, and headed down to Zenya. She was looking out the window, the moonlight casting an ethereal glow on her features. As he approached, he could feel the disquiet begin.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, but wanted to let you know there's a small shower in the bedroom behind this bulkhead if you want to freshen up."

"No, thank you. I'll wait until I am back at Ice Storm."

Lucian inclined his head and withdrew, all but wincing at the feeling of anger and resentment that came down the link. That wouldn't get any better once they were home. He was certain she thought she would be returning to the home she and her brother had occupied after their father was defeated and Lucian had assumed the main manor house.

He was inclined to believe the fact that he had installed her in the main house in the room adjoining his would not be welcome. But he was done letting her have her way. Oh, he intended to be an indulgent mate, but he also meant to make it clear to her and everyone else in the clan that she was his and would be treated as such.

The plane landed smoothly and taxied to where Zaiden was waiting with an SUV to take them down to the house. Once again, she allowed him to carry her bag but insisted on carrying the crate herself.

She reached into her pocket and removed some kind of slip lead. "Lucky needs to take a walk to relieve himself and to stretch his legs. I'll put the crate in the SUV, but I prefer to walk to the house."

"I'll walk with you," said Lucian. "Zenya, the least you can do is greet your brother."

"Why? He has chosen to be your beta and not my brother. There are always consequences for those kinds of decisions."

"That's not fair, Zenya," said Zaiden.

"Zaiden, enough. Your sister is vexed…"

"Vexed? You think I'm vexed? I'm not vexed Lucian, I'm pissed."

"Duly noted, my sweet mate." He turned to Zaiden. "If you'll take your sister's things, including the crate, and put them in her room, I'd appreciate it."

"As you wish, Alpha. Zenya, no one at Ice Storm is your enemy, and I am glad you are home."

"This is not my home," she said, bending down and slipping the lead over Lucky's head, and missing the pained look that crossed her brother's face. Without saying another word, she began to walk the bobcat.

"You do realize that's a bobcat, right?"

Lucian laughed. "Yes. They've become quite attached to each other."

"Does she know she's in the main house with you?"

"Not yet, but I'm sure you'll hear her screech when I tell her."

"She could stay in our home."

"No. That home is now yours and yours alone. Zenya is my mate, and she will stay in the first lady's rooms."

"You can't mean to tell me you plan to sleep in separate beds…"

"Not for long, but she is tired and angry right now. Of course, should she turn to me for comfort or decide I have been right all along…"

"Don't kid yourself. If my sister comes to you whispering sweet nothings in your ear, she's more than likely got a knife with which to end you," Zaiden said, laughing. "She has never been one to give in easily."

"Of that, I am well aware. We'll be fine. Of that there can be no doubt." Seeing that Zenya looked as if she might take advantage of his lapse in focus on her whereabouts, "I'd best go catch up with her. She seems to have lost her way."

Zaiden laughed out loud. "Yes. That must be it. She's been gone so long that she thinks the house lies in the dark forest instead of the brightly lit compound below."

Lucian jogged to catch up with Zenya and took her arm to gently steer her in the right direction. They didn't say a word as she walked Lucky, letting him investigate his new surroundings. Once they were inside the great stone walls of the stronghold, she turned as if to head to the home she had shared with her brother.

Again, Lucian took her by the elbow. "You are first lady of the clan, or soon will be. Your room is next to mine—at least for now."

She stopped and looked up at him. "And if I refuse?"

"I will insist. I am willing to indulge your ill temper at the moment, but come morning, I expect you to apologize to your brother. Your words cut him deeply, and he didn't deserve it. You are to save your vitriol and viper's tongue for me when we are alone."

"What if I don't want to be alone with you?"

"That is not a choice you will be allowed to make."

Zenya clamped her lips together and tightened her fist around the bobcat's leash but said nothing. He waited for her outburst, and when none was forthcoming, put a hand to the small of her back and pressed her gently forward. He was under no delusions that her storm was merely delayed, not avoided. "This way," he said, ushering her toward the main door.

He was glad to see no one was waiting for them. He'd instructed Zaiden to tell the staff and the rest of the clan they were to carry on as usual. He didn't want anyone putting any undue pressure on his mate. Lucian knew she had a lot on her mind and a lot to adjust to.

The following day, he escorted a stonily silent Zenya to breakfast. With the exception of him and Zaiden, she greeted and accepted the felicitations of the clan, who all seemed genuinely glad to see her. When the three of them were seated at their table, Zenya turned to Zaiden.

"The alpha tells me I must apologize to you for my sharp tongue last evening. So, I'm sorry if my words hurt you."

"But you meant them," said Zaiden.

Lucian realized he was going to have to play referee and peacemaker between his mate and her brother.

"Zaiden, accept her apology and be done with it."

"My apologies, Alpha. Your apology is accepted, dear sister."

Zenya ate in silence. Not one word did she mutter to either of them. When she was finished and had complimented the cook, she announced, "I need to take Lucky for a walk."

"I've got some of our people working on an indoor/outdoor enclosure for your pet. Lucian said he was recuperating so I thought somewhere he could be indoors or outdoors, but contained, might suit him better than a crate."

Zenya looked at her brother in absolute surprise. "Thank you, Zaiden. I think Lucky would like that very much."

"It's adjacent to the house and uses part of the women's locker room. The inside space is pretty much finished, and the outside area will extend up to the balcony of your room. I wasn't sure what you'd want for flooring, but if you'll take a look while you're walking him, I'll see that it gets taken care of. We'll have the interior space done this afternoon and depending on what you want within the outdoor space, we should be done with it tomorrow."

She nodded, her posture stiff. "That's really kind of you Zaiden. Thank you. While I am not happy about any of this, I do appreciate your kindness."

Lucian escorted her to the stairs but let her go to her room without him. Zaiden joined him.

"Well, I'm not sure about you, but I think you still breathing and Zenya actually being halfway nice to me is better than I thought it would be."

"Give her space, Zaiden. She's home; she's safe. As you were always trying to tell me, she needs time to adjust."

"Who are you, and what have you done with my surly alpha?"

"Oh, he's here. He's just finding that having her close and feeling her unease is making him far more patient and temperate than he's ever been in his life. Is the clinic set up?"

Zaiden nodded. "As far as we could get it without knowing exactly what she wants. Would you care to see the bill?"

"No. I think I'll remain happy in my ignorance."

Zaiden grinned at him but said nothing. Lucian knew he'd spent a small fortune on her clinic, but he'd done it not just for her, but for the clan.

"If you'd like I can have an enclosure built for her pet off her office as well," added Zaiden.

"Good thinking. And thank you for doing what you've done so far. I think reminding your sister that she was happy here once and that we are her people could make all of this easier for her."

Zaiden chuckled and Lucian growled at him. Zaiden left him as Zenya came down the stairs with Lucky.

"I'm going to need to make up some food for him."

"If you'll give me a list of what you need, I'll see that it's brought to your clinic."

"My clinic? What clinic?"

"The clinic that I'm going to take you to see while you walk Lucky. He seems fairly tame. Is he dangerous?"

"To a bunch of tiger shifters? Probably not, but I wouldn't advise others trying to handle him at the moment. He's used to me."

They walked down to one of the old carriage houses within the fortress. It had been a favorite place of Zenya's as a child—a place she would go when she was upset. Lucian had had the building restored, leaving the outer shell close to what it had been. On the inside, they had created a modern veterinary practice. Oftentimes it was easier to treat an injured shifter in their animal form. There was a surgery, x-ray and CAT scan area, a lab, several rooms for beds and any number of crates, a records room, a waiting area, an office and a kind of staff lounge and kitchen.

"You did all of this for me?"

He nodded. "I never expected you to follow the traditional role of first lady. There are some responsibilities that you and you alone will have to fulfill, but you put in a lot of hard work to become a vet, and we can use one. I suspect the upcoming fight with the Shadow League will require even more of your services. If we've left anything out, or you want something different or additional, just let me know."

"This is really too much. I haven't changed my mind about staying but thank you. As you said, you'll probably have need of it."

Lucian chose to ignore the mild threat. "Your brother thought he could build an outdoor enclosure off your office with a door leading back inside so you can have Lucky with you."

"Again, I think you're going to a lot of trouble for a woman who is only here because you gave her no choice, and not because she has changed her mind about you or believes there is anything of substance between us."

He'd finally had enough. She could tell him she didn't want to be here and be angry he had forced her to return with him, but he would make her admit, at least to herself, that there was something of ‘substance' between them.

"Substance be damned," he said, hauling her close and pressing her back against the wall.

He pulled her arms behind her back, holding her wrists with one hand. Lowering his head, he brushed her lips with his and she moaned and instead of fighting him and trying to push him away, she arched into him, pressing her body into his and lighting his up with a fiery passion.

He traced the seam of her lips with his tongue as he tangled his fingers in her hair and gave it a gentle tug. She gasped, giving him all the opening he needed to let his tongue surge past her lips, stroking hers. He released her hands and smiled inwardly as her hands came up to grasp his waist. His now free hand roamed down her body, tracing the curve of her ass before cupping it and pulling her close. He could feel the heat radiating between them and the bonding link beginning to blossom.

"No," she growled. Her growl was echoed by her pet. Zenya broke away from him and turned away. "Don't. Just don't."

He turned and walked away, leaving her and Lucky in the clinic. The stronghold was well-fortified and guarded. She wasn't going anywhere. He could leave her to stew in her own juices, and his sense of smell—and everything else—had told him she was wildly aroused. He could feel his whole body shaking. He wanted to roar, put that damn bobcat someplace safe so he could toss the beast's mistress over his shoulder and take her to their bed where she belonged.

One step at a time, Lucian. One step at a time.At least he knew the passion wasn't one-sided. In fact, it wasn't even lopsided. For some reason that made him far happier than he should have been, and he was inclined to see it as a step forward and go with it.

Taking a deep breath, he didn't look back as he continued to make his way up to the house.

Zenya Hale was working on borrowed time…she just didn't realize it.