Page 26 of Lavender and Honey

I nodded, though my throat felt tight. Family. That word carried so much weight, tangled up with memories of rejection and expectations I could never meet, but it meant something entirely different coming from Elias. His family— a pack built on kindness and respect— seemed so removed from the rigid hierarchies I’d grown up with.

Elias didn’t push. He kept his distance while still grounding me with his presence, his warm hazel eyes watching me carefully like he was trying to silently soothe my nerves. "It’s okay if you change your mind," he added gently.

"I’ll be fine," I whispered, though my voice didn’t sound convincing even to myself. "It’s just... old habits."

Elias’s expression softened further, his honey-warm scent wrapping around me like a protective cocoon. "I get it," he said gently. "But trust me when I say he’s different. He won’t push or force anything on you. And if at any point you want to leave or have him leave just tell me.”

I nodded, but at the sound of approaching footsteps I couldn’t help but feel maybe this was a mistake and I should just run. But it was too late as I looked up at the footsteps and my eyes clashed with steel grey.

Chapter Seventeen

Lucian’s presence was like a thunderstorm moving into the room— controlled, powerful, and impossible to ignore. His tall frame was draped in a charcoal coat, the collar turned up against the chill of the night air. Dark red hair, perfectly disheveled in a way that spoke of effortless authority, framed a strong jawline and sharp cheekbones. But it was his eyes— those piercing steel-grey eyes— that rooted me in place. They weren’t unkind, but they were assessing, as though he could see straight through my carefully curated walls.

I gripped the menu tighter, my knuckles turning white as Lucian approached our booth. He moved with an undeniable grace despite his size, his every step deliberate and assured. Finn walked just behind him, his presence grounding yet deferential in a way that made me realize their dynamic wasn’t like any Alpha-Alpha pairing I had ever witnessed growing up.

Elias shifted beside me, his honey-warm scent spiking with a note of reassurance. "Lydia," he said gently, "this is Lucian." His tone held an undercurrent of affection.

"Hello Lydia," he said, his voice low and smooth, carrying an undercurrent of power but none of the aggression I’d been bracing for. "It’s nice to finally meet you." I swallowed hard, willing my voice not to betray me.

"H-hello," I managed. My voice came out as more of a squeak than the whisper I had intended. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as Lucian's piercing gaze seemed to look right through me. "It's nice to meet you too."

Lucian's expression softened slightly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I hope I'm not intruding on your evening," he said, his tone polite but warm. "Elias and Finn have told me a lot about you. I've been looking forward to meeting the artist who's captured their attention."

I shook my head, not trusting my voice to remain steady. Lucian slid into the booth after Finn, his movements fluid despite his imposing frame. His scent— a complex mix of leather and rain— washed over me, powerful but not overwhelming.

"We were just about to order," Elias said, his voice carrying a hint of nervous energy. "Lydia, did you decide what you wanted?

I blinked, nodding my head. I was going to go with what Elias had recommended earlier, “Yes, I have made up my mind.” Though I don’t know how much I would actually eat now that Lucian was here.

"Wonderful," Elias said warmly, his honey-sweet scent wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. "The pumpkin soup, right? It's perfect for a chilly evening like this."

I nodded, grateful for his gentle prompting. "Yes, and maybe some of that rosemary bread you mentioned?" My voice was soft, but steadier than I expected.

Lucian's eyes flickered with interest. "Excellent choice," he said, his deep voice carrying a note of approval that sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. "The rosemary bread here is exceptional. Pairs beautifully with their soups."

The waitress appeared, her smile bright as she took in our expanded group. "Ready to order?" she asked cheerfully.

As Elias, Finn, and Lucian made polite conversation with the waitress, I found myself studying Lucian from under my lashes. I didn’t want to be obvious but from the amused look on his face, I had been caught.

“You can go first Lydia.” He told me, grey eyes almost like liquid silver as he looked at me.

I quickly told her my order, before pausing at the end, “Can I have a Chamomile tea as well.” The waitress nodded, before going to the other three for their orders. They quickly put the orders in before a quiet atmosphere swept over the table.

"How are you enjoying Haven's Rest, Lydia?" Lucian asked, his voice breaking the silence with genuine interest on his face. "I understand you've been here for about a year now, haven't you?”

I hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze settle on me. It wasn’t prying, but there was an intensity to it, like he genuinely wanted to understand, to know my answer beyond just the words I gave. Slowly, I nodded, wrapping my hands around the edges of the menu even though I didn’t need it anymore.

"Yes," I said softly. "About a year." My voice felt small in comparison to his presence, but I forced myself to keep going. "It’s… different here. Quieter. It feels more like a fresh start.

Lucian nodded, leaning back slightly in the booth with a measured ease that still somehow managed to command attention. "Fresh starts can be good," he said plainly, but there was something deeper beneath his tone— an understanding that made my shoulders relax just slightly. "Sometimes removingyourself from everything you’ve known is what allows you to find who you really are."

His words struck something in me, a chord I hadn’t expected, “Yes. That is one way to put it. It does take a bit to get used to but I’ve been able to focus on my art and my store…so that helps.”

The way he was looking at me made me pause, and almost forget my nerves entirely. There was something about the way he spoke that felt deliberate, as if he meant each word, not just as polite conversation, but as something more— a quiet acknowledgment of how hard it was to start over.

Elias chimed in beside me, his honey-warm voice threading through the moment with an ease that made me relax even more, "Lydia’s done an incredible job with her store. You should definitely visit with Soren sometime.”

“Soren?” I asked, not familiar with this name.

---