The Alpha's Soul

17

Luke woke up in pain and let out a whimper before he could stop himself. He immediately shut his mouth, terrified that his enemy would hear him and make his life even worse and more painful than it currently was.

Then, he smelled the most amazing, comforting scent in the world. Luke opened his eyes and shifted his body, making Tan turn around and let out a comforting, purring sound.

Tan gently touched their noses together and scooted closer to his mate, sharing their body heat.

"Good morning," Tan said in a soft voice, knowing he had to be gentle and calm when it came to his scared mate. "Calix and Tali will be returning with a car soon."

Luke let out a gentle snort of agreement and laid his head back down. He wanted to believe being beside Tan was calming him down, but his whole body was tense and his heart was throbbing against his chest.

"You okay?" Tan asked, even if he knew it was a stupid question.

A whine escaped Luke and he shoved his nose into Tan's side and tried to burrow under him. It was a common thing for young wolves to do with their parents or protector, as it made them feel safe and covered, so Tan didn't mind and knew that Luke needed the comfort.

Tan turned himself so he was at a better angle to cover his mate. He licked along Luke's scruff and let out small, content hums to assure Luke that they were safe and he'd protect his mate no matter what.

"I love you," Luke mind linked suddenly. "Kai drove me to the city to get you gifts because I wanted to show you that I want to shower you with everything I couldn't have as a pup and I was going to tell you that I fell in love with you when I got back... that never happened so I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell you."

Tan watched Luke sit up and shift back to his human form, not caring that he was naked and that it wasn't the warmest of spots where they were.

Luke waited for Tan to shift back and then grabbed his mate, pulling him to his chest.

"I am in love you with, Tan. You're my perfect mate and I love you so much. My biggest fear growing up was that my enemies would get their hands on my mate, but after yesterday... seeing you attempting to murder others for me... well, it kind of showed me that maybe I'm the one who needs to be protected and that I don't have to worry that I'll lose you because we're mates and we'll look out for each other. All I want is to show you that I love you and I want you with me forever, Tan."

Tan surged forward and kissed him, making Luke jump before he relaxed. It wasn't a deep, passionate kiss that they often shared before sex. No, it was a quick, chaste kiss, that shared the words that neither of them could say.

Tan's was a kiss of pain and apology, telling Luke how much he loved him and how he blamed himself for Luke's disappearance.

Luke's had pain in it as well, but his was a promise that they were safe and that he'd try to heal so he didn't end up bringing them more pain.

"I love you, too," Tan murmured, closing his eyes as Luke pressed his face to Tan's chest. "And you're never going with Kai to a store without me again. Or going anywhere in a car without me."

That made Luke laugh. "I won't, don't worry," he murmured. "I want to have our mating ceremony. Soon."

Tan smiled. "My dad will be stoked."

"Who uses the word 'stoked'?"

"Me."

Luke rolled his eyes. "Nerd," he whispered. "Um... what is Calix planning on doing with the guys that... took me?"