chapter 87
Lucas's POV:
I noticed Tori's cheeks flush pink as Dylan's teasing comment hung in the air.
She quickly lowered her gaze to her barely-touched plate, but not before I caught the embarrassment in her silver eyes.
Dylan leaned closer to me, his voice dropping to a whisper only my ears could detect.
"So that's why you wouldn't let me near her last time. You already had plans for the little silver-eyed beauty."
He cast an appreciative glance toward Tori before turning back with a smirk that made Duke bristle beneath my skin. "Is it too late to compete for her attention, or have you already staked your claim?"
I knew he was just teasing, but something primal and possessive surged through me at his words.
The rational part of my brain recognized his harmless banter, yet Duke was already snarling, demanding I put the other Alpha in his place.
My hand shot out, gripping his wrist with precisely calculated force—enough to make him wince but not enough to draw attention.
"She's off-limits," I said quietly, allowing a hint of Alpha command to seep into my voice.
Dylan's playful demeanor faltered as he met my gaze. The silver-blue of my eyes would be glowing now—Duke was dangerously close to the surface.
"Message received," Dylan said carefully, raising his free hand in surrender. When I released his wrist, he rubbed it thoughtfully. "You're serious about this one."
It wasn't a question, but I answered with a slight nod anyway.
Across the room, I noticed Tori glance our way, a flicker of concern crossing her
I cast a final glance at Tori, who quickly averted her eyes. She'd been avoiding me since the gathering, and my patience was wearing thin.
Tori, I sent through our mind-link, watching her shoulders stiffen at the intrusion. Come to the terrace in five minutes.
Her head snapped up, eyes widening before she controlled her expression.
I could sense her conflict through our nascent bond.
I'm staying with Morgan, came her hesitant reply.
Five minutes, I repeated, injecting Alpha authority into the command. Or would you prefer I come get you in front of everyone?
At exactly four minutes, I excused myself and made my way to the private terrace overlooking the city.
I'd barely lit a cigarette when the door opened.
Tori stepped out, moonlight catching in her silver-gray eyes. Before she could speak, I reached out and pulled her to me.
"Little wolf," I murmured, my free hand tilting her chin up. "You've been avoiding me these past few days, haven't you?"
She refused to meet my gaze, her pulse racing beneath my fingertips.
"I haven't," she lied, voice barely a whisper.
"Four days without answering my calls," I said, studying the delicate features I'd memorized. "And now pretending not to see me across the room."
I leaned closer, inhaling her unique scent of moonflowers and winter frost.
"Have dinner with me at Grayson estate next week," I said, the words coming out more like a command than a request.
Her eyes widened, genuine surprise replacing the guarded expression she usually wore around me.
"Isn't that... a bit fast?" she asked hesitantly.
I couldn't help the small smile that formed on my lips. "What are you afraid of, little wolf? You've been to my home several times already."
"That was different," she murmured, but didn't pull away when my hand moved to brush a strand of hair from her face.
"You have nothing to fear when you're with me," I assured her, my voice dropping lower. "I'll make sure of that."
The terrace door suddenly opened, and I caught Morgan's scent before I saw her.
I turned my head slightly, not releasing Tori from my hold. Morgan stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock at our proximity, mouth slightly open as if she'd forgotten whatever she'd come to say.
"I—I'm sorry," she stammered, clearly uncertain whether to advance or retreat. "I was just... Tori, I was looking for you, but I can come back..."
I felt Tori stiffen in my arms, embarrassment rolling off her in waves.
The moment was broken, but I'd made my point. Reluctantly, I stepped back, allowing Tori some space while keeping a possessive hand at the small of her back.
"We have some matters to attend to elsewhere, so we'll take our leave," I announced, maintaining my composure despite the interruption.
Morgan nodded dumbly, her eyes darting between us with undisguised curiosity. Tori shot her an apologetic glance that promised explanations later.
In the car, Tori pressed herself against the passenger door, as far from me as the confined space allowed. "This is bad," she muttered. "Morgan's going to have a million questions."
I turned the key in the ignition, amused by her concern. "She was bound to find out sooner or later, little wolf. It's hardly a state secret."
"Find out what exactly?" Tori challenged, though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her nervousness.
I chose not to answer, keeping my eyes on the road as we moved through the city.
"Wait—where are we going?" she asked, then recognition dawned on her face as we turned onto the familiar private road. "Your residence? No, I should go back to the dorms. "
"Not negotiable," I interrupted smoothly, pulling into the circular driveway. "The arrangements will be the same as your last visit. You'll take the master bedroom, I'll use the secondary suite."
Tori sighed in resignation, her shoulders slumping slightly as she reluctantly reached for the door handle.
The moment we stepped inside and the door closed behind us, I made my move.
In one fluid motion, I turned Tori and pressed her gently against the door, my body caging hers without crushing her. Her silver eyes widened, pupils dilating as her breath caught.
"This time," I murmured, my voice dropping to a husky tone, "you won't be running away from me, little wolf."