19. Blossoming Bond

Luca

Luca rummaged through his closet, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He wanted everything to be perfect for Rowan, to make him feel as comfortable and cared for as possible in this strange new world he had woken up to.

With a critical eye, he selected a soft, worn pair of jeans and a cozy blue sweater that he thought would complement Rowan's stunning purple eyes. As he laid the clothes out on the bed, he couldn't help but let his mind wander to the breathtaking beauty of his mate, to the sweet, gentle demeanor that had captured his heart from the very first moment he had laid eyes on him.

"Get it together, Luca," he muttered to himself, shaking his head to clear the distracting thoughts. "The last thing Rowan needs right now is you drooling all over him like a lovesick puppy."

But even as he tried to focus on the task at hand, Luca couldn't ignore the powerful desire that thrummed through his veins, the primal urge to claim his mate and make him his own in every way possible. He wanted nothing more than to join Rowan in the shower, to feel the heat of his skin and the crush of his lips against his own.

With a groan of frustration, Luca forced himself to take a step back, to remember the confusion and uncertainty that still lingered in Rowan's eyes. He knew that he had to be patient, to give his mate the time and space he needed to adjust to this new reality, no matter how much it might kill him to do so.

"Patience, Luca," he reminded himself, his jaw clenching with the effort of holding back. "Rowan needs you to be strong for him right now, not a horny mess."

With that thought firmly in mind, Luca placed the clothes on the bed and made his way out of the room, his heart heavy with the weight of his own desires, but determined to put Rowan's needs first, no matter what.

As he entered the kitchen, he was immediately enveloped in a warm cloud of laughter and chatter, the sound of his pack mates enjoying each other's company a welcome balm to his frayed nerves. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of them all gathered together, a mismatched family of misfits and outcasts who had somehow found a way to make a home with each other.

"Luca!" Benjamin called out, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he waved him over to the table. "How's our sleeping beauty doing? Has he gotten his first taste of life in the modern century yet?"

Luca rolled his eyes, but he couldn't quite suppress the grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. "He's fine, Ben. Just taking a shower and getting cleaned up a bit. It's a lot for him to take in all at once, you know?"

Benjamin nodded, his expression softening with understanding. "I can only imagine. Waking up in a strange place, with no memory of how you got there, and a mate you never even knew you had? That's got to be tough."

Luca sighed, running a hand through his hair as he sank down into the chair next to Benjamin. "You have no idea. He's so confused, so lost. I just want to wrap him up in my arms and never let him go, but I know that's not what he needs right now."

Adrian reached out and placed a comforting hand on Luca's shoulder, his eyes filled with a quiet kind of sympathy. "It's going to take time, Luca. He's been through a lot, and he's going to need your patience and understanding as he navigates this new world he's found himself in."

Luca nodded, his throat tight with emotion. He knew that Adrian was right, that he had to be the rock that Rowan could cling to in the midst of the storm. But it was hard, so hard, to keep his distance when every fiber of his being was screaming at him to claim his mate, to make him his in every way possible.

"I just don't want to overwhelm him," he admitted, his voice rough and low. "I know that he's my fated mate, that we're meant to be together. But I also know that he's not ready for that yet, that he needs time to process everything that's happened."

Luca's mother, who had been listening quietly from her place at the stove, turned to face him, her eyes filled with a warm kind of understanding. "What's his name, love? And how did he take the news about you being fated mates?"

Luca felt a flicker of pride and protectiveness wash over him at the mention of Rowan, a fierce desire to keep him safe and cherished burning in his chest. "His name is Rowan. And he's not just any fae. He's the prince of the Seelie Court."

A collective gasp went up from the gathered pack members, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief. Luca couldn't blame them. The Seelie Court was the stuff of legend, a mythical realm that few had ever seen or experienced firsthand.

"A fae prince?" Benjamin repeated, his voice filled with a mix of awe and apprehension. "Luca, do you have any idea what that means? The kind of power and influence he must wield?"

Luca shook his head, his jaw clenching with a stubborn kind of determination. "I don't care about any of that, Ben. All I care about is Rowan, and making sure that he's safe and happy and loved."

His mother smiled, her eyes shining with a fierce kind of pride. "And that's exactly as it should be, love. Rowan is your mate, your other half. And no matter what challenges or obstacles you may face, you will face them together, with the strength and courage of your bond to guide you." She smiled, reaching out to pull him into a tight, fierce hug.

As Luca melted into his mother's embrace, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope and determination kindling in his chest. He knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, that there would be challenges and obstacles at every turn.

"So, tell us more about Rowan," Benjamin said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over the room. "What's he like? Aside from being drop-dead gorgeous, of course."

Luca felt a flicker of amusement and exasperation wash over him at Benjamin's teasing words, but he couldn't deny the truth of them. Rowan was beautiful, inside and out, with a kind and gentle soul that shone through in every word and gesture.

"He's amazing, Ben," he said, his voice filled with a quiet kind of awe. "He's sweet and kind and funny, with a heart so big and open that it takes my breath away. And he's been through so much, but he still has this light inside him, this hope and optimism that nothing seems to be able to dim."

Benjamin grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Sounds like someone's already head over heels in love," he teased, his voice filled with a warm kind of affection.

Luca felt his cheeks heat with a sudden, unexpected blush, but he couldn't bring himself to deny the truth of Benjamin's words.

As Luca was about to delve further into the mysteries surrounding Rowan's past, the door to the room opened, and Rowan emerged, looking adorably shy and uncertain. Luca's heart skipped a beat at the sight of his mate, his breath catching in his throat as he took in the way the soft, worn jeans and cozy blue sweater hugged Rowan's slender frame.

Without even realizing what he was doing, Luca found himself moving towards Rowan, his arms opening wide in a silent invitation. Rowan hesitated for a moment, his violet eyes flickering with a mix of uncertainty and longing. But then, with a soft, shuddering sigh, he stepped into Luca's embrace, his body melting against Luca's chest as if it had always belonged there.

Luca felt a wave of relief wash over him as he held Rowan close, his nose buried in the soft, golden strands of his mate's hair. He breathed in the sweet, intoxicating scent of him, a mix of wildflowers and sunshine that made his heart ache with a fierce, protective love.

"You okay?" he murmured, his voice low and rough with emotion.

Rowan nodded, his face still hidden in the crook of Luca's neck. "Yeah," he whispered, his breath warm and soft against Luca's skin. "Just… overwhelmed, I guess. It's a lot to take in all at once."

Luca tightened his arms around Rowan, a silent promise of comfort and support. "I know, baby. But I'm here for you, okay? We'll figure this out together, one step at a time."

Rowan pulled back slightly, his violet eyes shining with unshed tears as he gazed up at Luca. "Thank you," he said softly, his voice filled with a quiet kind of awe.

For a moment, they simply stood there, lost in each other's eyes, content to let the rest of the world fade away to nothing. But then, with a small, mischievous smile, Rowan pulled back, his gaze drifting to the gathered pack members who were watching them with a mix of amusement, curiosity, and downright mirth.

"Are you going to introduce me to your friends?" he asked, his voice light and teasing.

Luca felt his cheeks heat with a sudden, unexpected blush, but he grinned back at Rowan, his eyes sparkling with joy and affection. "Of course," he said, his hand finding Rowan's and twining their fingers together. "Everyone, this is Rowan, my mate."

A chorus of hellos and welcomes filled the air as the pack members crowded around them, eager to meet the man who had captured their fierce, stubborn alpha's heart. Luca watched with pride and joy as Rowan greeted each of them in turn, his smile growing wider and more genuine with each passing moment.

"It's so nice to meet all of you," Rowan said, his voice filled with a quiet kind of wonder. "I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me, for taking me in and caring for me while I was… asleep."

Luca's mother stepped forward, her eyes shining with warmth and affection as she pulled Rowan into a tight, fierce hug. "You're family now, Rowan," she said softly, her voice filled with a quiet kind of conviction. "And we take care of our own, no matter what."

Rowan's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat as he returned the hug, his slender frame trembling slightly in Luca's mother's embrace. Luca could see the emotion welling up in his mate's eyes, the gratitude and the love that he couldn't quite put into words.

"Speaking of taking care of our own," Benjamin chimed in, his voice light and teasing. "How about we get some food in you, Rowan? I don't know about you, but being cursed and unconscious for who knows how long would leave me absolutely ravenous."

Rowan laughed, the sound of it bright and joyful, filling the room with a warm, golden light. "Food sounds amazing," he admitted, his hand finding Luca's once again and squeezing tight. "I don't even remember the last time I ate."

A flicker of sadness and guilt washed over Luca at Rowan's words, a sharp reminder of how much his mate had suffered, how much he had lost to the curse that had held him captive for so long. But he pushed those feelings aside, determined to focus on the here and now, on the fact that Rowan was awake and alive and by his side, where he belonged.

"Well then, let's get you fed," he said, his voice rough with emotion as he led Rowan to the table, his hand never leaving his mate's. "And while we eat, we can start figuring out where we go from here, how we break this curse once and for all."

As they sat down at the table, Luca's mother placed a steaming mug of tea in front of Rowan, her eyes soft with understanding and compassion. "Here, love," she said gently. "This will help warm you up and give you some strength."

Rowan took a tentative sip, his eyes widening in amazement at the rich, fragrant flavor that burst across his tongue. "This is incredible," he said softly, his voice filled with a quiet kind of reverence. "I've never tasted anything like it before."

"There's so much more for you to experience, baby," he said softly, his hand finding Rowan's under the table and twining their fingers together. "And I can't wait to show you all of it, to watch you discover everything this world has to offer."

Rowan's smile was soft and sweet, his violet eyes shining with a love and trust that took Luca's breath away. "I can't wait either," he said, his voice filled with a quiet kind of excitement.

As the conversation lulled, Adrian leaned forward, his eyes filled with a gentle curiosity as he studied Rowan's face. "If you don't mind me asking," he said softly, his voice low and soothing, "do you remember anything about what happened to you? About how you ended up cursed and trapped in that eternal slumber?"

Luca felt Rowan stiffen beside him, his mate's hand tightening around his own as a flicker of pain and sorrow washed over his face. "I don't remember everything," Rowan admitted, his voice small and uncertain. "But I do remember my father, and the way he changed in the months leading up to my curse."

Luca's heart clenched at the pain in Rowan's voice, the raw, aching vulnerability that he could hear in every word. He wanted nothing more than to gather his mate into his arms, to shield him from the memories that were clearly causing him so much distress.

But he knew that Rowan needed to talk about this, needed to unburden himself of the secrets and the sorrows that had weighed him down for so long. And so, with a deep, steadying breath, Luca forced himself to remain silent, to listen and to support his mate in whatever way he could.

"My father was a good man," Rowan continued, his voice soft and distant, as if he were lost in the depths of his own memories. "A kind and just ruler, beloved by all who knew him. But then, something changed. He became distant, paranoid, prone to fits of rage and violence that none of us could understand."

Adrian nodded, his expression thoughtful as he listened to Rowan's words. "And you think that this change in your father's behavior was somehow connected to your curse?" he asked, his voice gentle and probing.

Rowan shrugged, his shoulders slumping with a heavy, weary kind of defeat. "I don't know for sure," he admitted, his voice small and lost. "But I do know that my brother Aedan was trying to find a cure for our father's madness, trying to figure out what had caused this sudden shift in his personality."

"And did he find anything?" Luca asked, his voice low and urgent. "Any clues or leads that might help us figure out what happened to you?"

Rowan's expression grew troubled, his brow furrowing as he tried to piece together the fragmented memories that swirled through his mind. "I think so," he said slowly, his voice hesitant and unsure. "I remember Aedan telling me that he had discovered something,but I can't remember what it was."

Luca felt a surge of anger and protectiveness wash over him at the thought of someone trying to hurt his mate, trying to use him as a pawn in their twisted games of power and control. He tightened his arm around Rowan's shoulders, pulling him closer and pressing a soft, reassuring kiss to his temple.

Rowan shuddered in Luca's arms, his slender frame trembling with a mix of fear and relief. "I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me," he whispered, his voice small and broken. "I can't bear the thought of anyone else suffering the way I have."

Luca's heart ached at the pain and the selflessness in Rowan's words, the way his mate was always thinking of others, even in the midst of his own struggles and sorrows. "You don't have to worry about that, baby," he said softly, his voice filled with a quiet kind of conviction. "We're in this together, all of us. And we'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Benjamin, who had been listening to the conversation with a keen, assessing gaze, leaned forward, his expression thoughtful as he studied Rowan's face. "You know," he said slowly, his voice filled with a quiet kind of excitement, "We might know someone who can help us with that."

Luca's head snapped up, his eyes widening with surprise and hope. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice low and urgent. "Who are you talking about?"

Benjamin grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief and anticipation. "There's a fae that's a close friend of ours," he said, his voice filled with a quiet kind of reverence. "A wise and powerful fae who had helped us in various situations. He might know more about the history and the magic of the fae than anyone else alive."

Rowan's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat as he stared at Benjamin with a mix of hope and disbelief. "You think this person could help me?" he asked, his voice small and uncertain.

Benjamin's smile softened, his eyes filled with a quiet kind of understanding and compassion. "I think it's worth a shot," he said gently, his hand reaching out to rest on Rowan's arm in a gesture of comfort and support. "At the very least, they might be able to give us some insight into the kind of magic that was used to trap you."

Luca felt a flicker of hope and determination kindle in his chest, a fierce, unwavering belief that they could do this, that they could find a way to save his mate and bring him back to the world of the living. "Then that's what we'll do," he said, his voice low and steady with resolve. "We'll go see this person, and we'll find out everything we can about what happened."

He turned to Rowan, his eyes searching his mate's face for any sign of hesitation or fear. "Is that okay with you, baby?" he asked softly, his hand coming up to cup Rowan's cheek in a gesture of tender affection. "I know this is a lot to take in, and I don't want to push you into anything you're not ready for."

Rowan leaned into Luca's touch, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment as he savored the warmth and the comfort of his mate's presence. "I'm ready," he said, his voice soft but filled with a quiet kind of determination. "I want to know the truth, Luca. I want to understand what happened to me, and why. And if this person can help me do that, then I'm willing to take the risk."

The door to the room burst open, and Gareth strode in, his expression grim and his jaw set with a tense kind of determination.

"Luca," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Father needs to see you. Now."

Luca felt a flicker of irritation and frustration wash over him at the interruption, a sudden, irrational anger at the way his duties and responsibilities always seemed to pull him away from Rowan's side. But he pushed those feelings down, knowing that he couldn't ignore his father's summons, no matter how much he might want to.

"Can't it wait?" he asked, his voice tight with barely suppressed impatience. "We're kind of in the middle of something here."

Gareth's expression softened, his eyes flickering to Rowan with a look of sympathy and understanding. "I know, brother. And I'm sorry to interrupt. But you know how Father gets when he's kept waiting. It's best not to test his patience, not now."

Luca sighed, his shoulders slumping with a heavy, weary kind of defeat. He knew that Gareth was right, that he couldn't afford to defy his father's wishes, not when there was so much at stake. But that didn't make it any easier to tear himself away from Rowan's side, to leave his mate alone and vulnerable in the midst of so much uncertainty and fear.

"I'm sorry, baby," he murmured, his voice low and rough with emotion as he turned to Rowan, his hand finding his mate's and twining their fingers together. "I have to go. But I won't be gone long, I promise. And I'll be thinking of you every second that we're apart."

Rowan's smile was soft and sad, his eyes shining with a mix of love and understanding. "I know, Luca. And it's okay. I know you have responsibilities, duties that you can't ignore. I would never ask you to choose between me and your pack."

Luca's heart clenched at the selflessness in Rowan's words, the way his mate was always putting others before himself, even in the midst of his own struggles and fears. "You are my pack, Rowan," he said fiercely, his free hand coming up to cup his mate's cheek in a gesture of tender possessiveness. "I'll be back soon," he promised, his voice low and rough with emotion as he glanced back at Rowan over his shoulder.