8. Protective Instincts

Luca

Luca could feel the pull of their bond, even from a distance. It was like a physical ache in his chest, a yearning that grew stronger with every passing moment. He wanted nothing more than to abandon his tools and rush to his mate's side, to hold him close and never let go. But he knew that he couldn't, not yet.

There was still too much to be done, too many mysteries to unravel before he could allow himself the luxury of rest and comfort.

With a sigh, Luca set down the clockwork toy and ran a hand through his hair, his fingers snagging on the tangles and knots that had formed during his restless night. He couldn't stop thinking about the Elder's words.

He shook his head, trying to banish the dark thoughts that threatened to overwhelm him. His mate needed him, and he would be damned if he let his own insecurities and fears stand in the way of saving him.

But just as Luca was beginning to lose himself in his work, his heightened senses suddenly picked up on the sound of footsteps approaching the house. He froze, his body going tense as he listened intently, trying to gauge the intentions of the intruder

Luca's protective instincts kicked into overdrive, his mind racing with possibilities as he set down his tools and made his way out of the workshop. He couldn't take any chances, not with his mate lying helpless and vulnerable in the next room.

Luca entered the main living area, his senses on high alert and his body coiled with tension, he was surprised to find his mother and Gareth standing there. Their faces were etched with concern, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and worry that radiated off of them in palpable waves.

For a moment, Luca simply stared at them, his mind racing with a thousand different thoughts and emotions. He had been so focused on protecting his mate, on keeping him safe from any potential threats, that he hadn't even considered the possibility of his family coming to check on him.

Luca let out a low, warning growl, his eyes flashing with a fierce protectiveness as he positioned himself between his family and the bedroom where his mate lay. It was an instinctive reaction, a primal need to keep his loved one safe from any potential harm.

Gareth, taken aback by Luca's uncharacteristic behavior, raised his hands in a gesture of peace and surrender. "Whoa, easy there, brother," he said, his voice low and soothing. "It's just us. We're not here to hurt anyone."

Luca blinked, his mind slowly catching up with his body as he realized how he must have looked to his family. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog of adrenaline and protectiveness that had clouded his thoughts.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I didn't mean to scare you. It's just… there's a lot of things going on."

His mother stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Luca, my love," she said, her voice soft and filled with understanding. "You know that you can tell us anything, right? No matter what it is, we will always love and support you."

Luca took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked at his mother and brother. "The man that I found a man in the forest," he began, his voice low and hesitant. "He was unconscious, trapped in some kind of enchanted slumber."

Gareth's eyes widened, his brow furrowing with concern. "What do you mean?"

Luca ran a hand through his hair, his eyes distant as he remembered the moment he first laid eyes on his mate. "The Elder said that It's a curse," he said, his voice growing stronger and more confident with every word. "A powerful, ancient magic that's keeping him locked in a deep, unnatural sleep."

His mother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "A curse? But who would do such a thing?"

Luca shook his head, his expression grim. "I don't know," he admitted. "But the Elder thinks… he thinks that the man might be the missing fae prince, the one who disappeared all those years ago."

Gareth's jaw dropped, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "The missing fae prince? Are you serious?"

Luca nodded, his heart swelling with a fierce, protective love for the man who lay sleeping in the next room. "I know it sounds crazy," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "But from the moment I saw him, I felt this connection, this pull towards him that I can't explain. The Elder said that he's my fated mate."

His mother's eyes softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Oh, Luca," she breathed, her voice filled with wonder and joy. "A fated mate? That's incredible."

Gareth stepped forward, placing a hand on Luca's shoulder in a gesture of support and understanding. "We're with you, brother," he said, his voice low and filled with conviction. "Whatever it takes, we'll help you break this curse and bring your mate back to the world of the living."

Luca looked at his brother, surprise and confusion evident in his eyes. "Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion. "I thought you'd be angry or jealous that I found my fated mate before you."

Gareth's expression softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I'm not going to lie, Luca," he said, his voice low and filled with emotion. "A part of me is jealous. I've always dreamed of finding my own fated mate, of experiencing that kind of love and connection."

He paused, his eyes distant as he gazed out the window at the forest beyond. "But more than that," he continued, his voice growing stronger and more confident with every word, "I'm happy for you. And seeing you find your mate, seeing the joy and love that it brings you… it gives me hope that maybe, someday, I'll find my own fated mate too."

Luca didn't know what to feel about this side of his brother but he took it anyway. "Thank you, Gareth," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "That means more to me than you can ever know."

His mother wrapped them both in a tight, fierce hug, her arms holding them close as if she could protect them from all the dangers and uncertainties that lay ahead. "My boys," she whispered, her voice soft and filled with a fierce, protective love. "I'm so proud of you both, and I know that whatever challenges or dangers we may face, we will face them together, as a family."

As Luca basked in the warmth of his mother's embrace, he felt a sudden pang of fear and uncertainty wash over him. He pulled back, his eyes searching his mother's face with a desperate intensity.

"Mother, Gareth," he said, his voice low and urgent. "You can't tell anyone about this, especially not Father. Not until we know more."

Gareth frowned, his brow furrowing with confusion. "Why not?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "Father's the alpha, Luca. He needs to know what's going on in his own pack."

Luca shook his head, his jaw clenching with a stubborn determination. "You know how he feels about the fae," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "He's never trusted them, not since the war. If he finds out that my mate is a fae prince, he might…"

He trailed off, unable to finish the thought. The idea of his father rejecting his mate, of turning his back on Luca when he needed him most, was too painful to even contemplate.

But Gareth seemed to understand, his expression softening with a quiet empathy. "Okay," he said, his voice low and reassuring. "We won't say anything, not until you're ready."

As his mother wiped away her tears, her expression suddenly brightened, a glimmer of hope and excitement shining in her eyes. "Luca," she said, her voice low and urgent. "I just remembered something. There's someone in Willowbrook who might be able to help us, someone who knows more about curses and fae magic than anyone else I know."

Luca's heart skipped a beat, his breath catching in his throat. "Who?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

His mother smiled, a small, secretive smile that made Luca's heart race with anticipation. She quickly scribbled a name and address on a piece of paper, her hand shaking with excitement as she pressed it into Luca's palm.

"Go to this address," she said, her voice low and urgent. "He's powerful that one. If anyone can help you break this curse and save your mate, it's him."

Luca stared down at the paper, his heart pounding with a fierce, unshakable hope.

"Thank you, Mother," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "Thank you for everything."

His mother smiled, her eyes shining with a fierce, unwavering love. "You're welcome, my darling boy,"

Gareth stepped forward, his expression serious and determined. "Do you want us to stay and help?" he asked, his voice low and urgent. "We can take shifts watching over your mate, make sure he's safe."

Luca felt a surge of gratitude and love for his brother, for the unwavering support and loyalty that he had always shown him. But he shook his head, his jaw clenching with a stubborn determination.

"No," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I appreciate the offer, but I need to do this on my own. I need to focus all of my energy on finding a way to break this curse and save my mate."

His mother nodded, her eyes shining with understanding. "Of course," she said, her voice soft and filled with pride. "We understand, Luca. But promise me that you'll keep us updated, that you'll let us know if there's anything we can do to help."

Luca swallowed hard, his throat tight with emotion. "I will," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I promise."