Alpha Initiation (Alpha Blood #1) (Werewolf Romance) (26 page)

"That's good, but you're helping the enemy by crushing us," Stacy gasped.

"Oh, I am sorry." Burnbaum released us and I peeled myself off of Luke. Alistair chuckled in the background.

"Well, now that the hugging session is over, what now?" I asked them.

"With the voting over we go home," Luke replied. He glanced over to Burnbaum and Stacy. "We'll be counting on you two to tell us any news from your regions, and we'll do likewise."

"I will do my best," Burnbaum agreed.

"And I'll try to convince my father that he's a stubborn ass, but I don't think I'll make much progress," Stacy replied.

Luke smiled. "That's all we can ask." He turned to Brier. "And you'll be our eyes and ears here. Keep us up to date on the investigation into this attack-"

"-if there is one," I spoke up.

"-if there is one," Luke agreed.

Brier bowed his head. "I'll be glad to help."

I clapped my hands together and glanced around at the dire faces. "So now that we've agreed to get ourselves collectively killed can we go home now?" My plea got a laugh out of Stacy and a chuckle out of Burnbaum.

Luke smiled and nodded his head. "Yes, and this time I won't lock you in your room."

"Not even if I'm naughty?" I teased him.

Luke raised an eyebrow. "In that case I might change my mind."

Brier's face flushed and he coughed into his hand. "Well, I must be getting back to my men."

"And I'm sure Burnbaum and I have some planning to do with our allies before they leave Sanctuary," Stacy spoke up with a knowing glint in her eye.

Burnbaum smiled and bowed. "I will send word when my train car is ready," he told us. The three of them walked away, though Stacy paused and grabbed Alistair's stiff arm. He intended to stay with us, but she didn't need her wolf senses to know we wanted to be alone and dragged him along with them up to Sanctuary's entrance.

I waited for them to be out of hearing and stepped up to Luke so I could run my hand in circles across his chest. "There never seems to be a dull moment around you," I mused.

Luke's teasing face fell and he pursed his lips. "And I can't apologize enough for bringing you into this world when all this chaos-" I put my finger to his lips and shook my head.

"It's not your fault, or at least according to Stacy it's not your fault. Your Beast wanted me, and that's that. Besides, who wants a boring life as an office worker when I could have werewolves chasing me and people threatening me with guns?" I teased.

Luke frowned and glanced around us. "Speaking of those, this may not be the safest place to continue our sweet talking."

"Becky!" a familiar voice yelled.

I rolled my eyes and looked up the path to see Abby and her parents hurrying toward us after their energetic charge. The parents had their bags in their hands. "Or the most private," I added.

Abby ran up and grabbed my hand. "Papa said you helped get the bad guys!" She looked at me and reminded me that I was still clothed in only a dirty blanket. "Did you lose your clothes?" she wondered.

I smiled and knelt down in front of her. "Just a little accident when I was helping beat the bad guys so they won't be bothering you any time soon." Or at least that's what I hoped.

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart reached us and bowed their heads to Luke. "We heard the results of the vote, and we're sorry you didn't get the High Lordship," Mr. Stewart apologized.

Luke shook his head. "I have a feeling the outcome would have been less desirable without your help."

"Yes, Lance himself may have won," Mrs. Stewart agreed.

"We're heading back to our town, but if you ever need us here's our address and number," Mr. Stewart offered as he handed Luke a slip of paper.

"I'll be sure to do that," Luke promised.

"Come, Abby, we need to go," her mother called her.

"Will I see you soon?" Abby asked me.

I smiled and squeezed her hands. "As soon as I can."

Abby smile and allowed her parents to lead her away. I stood and sighed. "There's a lot of mischief in that small frame, but I'm going to miss her."

Luke came up to stand beside me and set a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure we'll see her again. We can only hope it'll be under better circumstances."

I set my hand atop his, leaned against his strong body, and smiled up at him. "So what do we do now?"

"We go back home, and plan and wait."

"Doesn't sound like a very fun time," I teased.

Luke smiled, and the expression was full of pleasurable promises. "I'll make sure to keep you occupied."

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