Page 31 of Lucius

“Everyone is so nice! I can’t believe there’s a nail salon underground here, plus a makeup store and a market too, not to mention the food. Which was amazing. This place is awesome.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he said. “The alphas want to make sure we have everything we need here.” He used the code to unlock the door that would lead to the maintenance shed in the lions’ paddock.

The door to the shed was open and Jupiter was staring down at him with a smile.

“I wondered when you were going to show up.”

“I had to finish her pancakes. She only ate three.”

“They were huge!” Sidney said. “But so good. And he showed me the nail salon, market, and makeup shop too.”

Lucius lowered the door into the floor and said, “Sidney, this is my brother’s mate Celeste.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Sidney said.

Celeste gave her a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you too. Welcome to the family.”

“Lucius said you’re having a baby, congrats.”

Celeste settled her hand on her bump and grinned. “Thank you. We’re excited even though I’ve got swollen ankles and an insane craving for steak.”

“I don’t mind that part,” Jupiter said with a smile. “Steak for every meal is right up my lion’s alley.”

“Dad reminded me to be back in here by eleven when everyone else will come out to get ready for the tours today,” Lucius said. “Can you keep an eye on the time for me?”

“Sure thing,” Jupiter said.

Lucius held out his hand to his mate. “Come on, sweetheart. They’ll stay in here until I’m in my shift. Jupiter doesn’t want Celeste to see anyone else’s junk.”

“Damn straight,” his brother said with a growl.

Celeste hugged her mate with a chuckle. “Yours is the only junk I want to see.”

Lucius pushed the heavy doors of the shed open, let his mate out, and then closed it behind them.

“Now remember that I’m still me.”

“Okay?”

“I mean, even in my lion shift, I can understand you, but I won’t be able to speak to you and I can’t change back right away. I just don’t want you to get scared.”

“I think waking up with your paw on my stomach was enough scaring to last a lifetime. This is going to be a cakewalk.”

He grimaced at the reminder that she’d been terrified. He undid the button of his jeans and paused. “Are you going to be okay sleeping with me tonight?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? Did you want me to sleep on the couch or something?”

“No, I just don’t want you to be scared to wake up like that again.”

“You’re not going to eat me, right?”

His mind blanked out for a moment.What?

Her cheeks pinked. “I mean, as a lion you’re not going to hurt me?”

“Absolutely not,” he said. “My lion would kill to keep you safe and wouldn’t dream of hurting a hair on your head. I’m still me and still in control of everything, I’m just a lion.”

“Okay, good. Then yes, I will happily sleep with you tonight, especially if you’re interested in a repeat of last night.”

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