Chasing The Rogue

-15- 🌻 Come Back

^Alpha Thomas, Luna Charlotte, and Evelyn

"But as the sun goes down, I get that empty feeling again. How I wish to God that you were here. Baby come back, yeah, any kind of fool could see, there was something in everything about you."
~Player, 'Baby Come Back'

~~~

*Kai's POV*

I wake with a groan, feeling a deep ache spreading through my entire body. The muscles in my body scream in protest as I sit up slowly, looking around my room. Wait, this isn't my bedroom...

Like a freight train, memories from last night slam into my mind. Showing up at Lucca's house, trying and failing to talk to Lucca, feeling Lucca's hands on me... I gasp, covering my mouth with my palm. Blood rushes to my cheeks as images of Lucca fucking me replay in my mind.

Oop. Guess I'm not a virgin anymore.

Blushing like a madman, I scratch the back of my neck shyly. My fingertips brush over harsh ridges on the crook of my neck, making me pause. The contact of my fingers on my skin send electric tingles through my body. Lucca's mark.

Praise the fucking Moon, we mated! Does this mean Lucca has accepted me as his mate?? He's not going to run away from me anymore, right? He's... wait, where is he?

The smile on my face slips away when I glance around the room, unable to detect Lucca's presence close by. From what I've learned about mates from Landon and Ryland, and Ronnie and Lia, our mate bond should allow me to sense my mate's presence. But... I can't feel him.

Panic sets in. I scramble out of bed, ignoring the painful aches throughout my body as I rush out of the bedroom.

"Lucca?" I call out, but only silence answers. "Lucca!"

To my horror, I realize I'm the only person in the house. Lucca is... he's gone.

Sinking down into a crouch, I cover my head with my hands. No, no, no, no. He couldn't have left me behind like this. Not when our bond is so fresh, so new and delicate. Not when... when Lucca's touched me in a way no one else has, being my first time. He didn't actually leave after taking my virginity and marking me. He couldn't have.

Okay. Okay, calm down. Maybe he's just gone out for a bit to get something. Maybe he's on his way back right now. Even as I try to convince myself, my body begins to tremble with fear.

Drawing in a deep breath, I close my eyes and try to focus. Lucca and I should have a mind link now that we've mated. And I pray to the Moon he hasn't blocked me out.

With deep concentration, I picture Lucca in my mind and try to reach him. 'Lucca.' When I don't hear anything in response, I try again. 'Where are you?'

Even over the mind link, my voice comes off as shaky as it would've been if I was speaking out loud.

I'm met with more silence, and my panic begins to boil over. Pushing as hard as I can, I scream out, 'Lucca!'

'Do you mind? I haven't had my coffee yet and your screaming is giving me a headache.' I finally hear Lucca's snarky voice. Even though he can't see me, his nonchalant response makes my eyes squint in a glare.

'Where are you?' I demand. 'I-I woke up and you weren't here and... and your mark is on me. Lucca... Lucca we mated!'

'I know,' Lucca responds softly. 'I'm so fucking sorry, Kai.'