Picture Perfect Love

Chapter 18- Just my Luck

The next morning, Lucian had surprised Kennedy with not only breakfast in bed, but a clean house as well. All the destroyed furniture had been tossed in a pile to burn and he told Kennedy she had free reign to design the living room as she saw fit. While she was undeniably awful when it came to things like color swatches and themes, she was excited to have a project; and maybe get a few of the local she-wolves involved to help.

"Are you sure, Lucian? I mean, I'm not going to do hot pink polka dots or anything, but I don't have any ideas," Kennedy rambled, not sure she could create something to his liking.

Lucian kissed the top of her head affectionately and easily replied, "It wouldn't matter to me if you did, love. Maybe we can go into town and pick up some magazines or you can always use my computer in the den."

"Do you think some of the girls would help? It might be good to get to know some friends," she suggested hopefully.

Losing Mina was a lot to accept initially, but she found herself already lonely and in desperate need of friendly faces to keep her mind off the events of that day. Lucian was ecstatic to hear the love of his life wanting to associate with the women he considered family. If she was going to be a well respected Luna, she would need the support of fellow pack members. Too many times nowadays the women inherited their title and put themselves on pedestals, distancing themselves from the rest of the pack with some superiority complex Lucian never seemed to understand. They weren't meant to be slave-drivers, but an idol of sorts; someone everyone counts on for help.

"I think that's the best idea I've heard in a long time," Lucian announced, kissing her again, unable to resist.

The urges to complete the mating became stronger everyday and he hoped he could reign in his wolf long enough to get approval from her. The last thing he wanted to do was take her against her will, but as it were, he already couldn't keep himself from touching her every chance he got. She was just too damn irresistible! It was like telling a teenager, 'Now, here's a Playboy; don't like anything you see in it.'

Unheard of!

"I hate to do this, but I've got some stuff to get done today; a few meetings with members complaining about petty things and a video conference with Nightshade the state over. I've called the twins over; thought you might want to explore and get back to your unsolved case," Lucian admitted solemnly.

"Nightshade? Is everything okay? The name sounds intimidating."

Lucian had tried to avoid the full discussion, but knew there would be no way of getting around the topic now. He scratched his head nervously and wearily replied, "Nothing for you to worry about. They're an ally of sorts; very powerful ally, and we are trying to work together in solving the death toll problem. They've been affected also."

The next state was experiencing the same problem? Was this spreading; an epidemic of some sort?

"Well," Kennedy began. "How many pack members have they lost?"

Damn, the biggest part of the equation he didn't want to have to fill Kennedy in on.

"Not pack members, love; thirteen members of their coven. They're vampires."

---

Kennedy's whole world had just gotten turned upside down for what felt like the millionth time this week, and where was Lucian? Discussing property lines with selfish pack mates. Didn't they know he had more important things to worry about? Didn't he know he shouldn't just drop a bomb on her like that and rush off for a meeting he was late for?

Her day that had started off splendidly, had taken a drastic turn in the span of five minutes. Vampires? This had to be some sick, twisted nightmare she couldn't seem to wake up from. How was the world not aware of any of this?