Page 17 of Luka

Then Luka rocked slowly inside of Spencer, kissing and nibbling Spencer’s jaw, neck, and shoulder. “I didn’t want it to end.”

“Me, either.” But Spencer was done. He was boneless and couldn’t go on if his life depended on it. Luka had rocked his world, and all Spencer wanted to do now was cuddle.

Luka laid him down gently, spooning Spencer until he had drifted off to sleep. As Spencer drifted away, he felt something he hadn't expected. Pure happiness and a contentment that made him sigh.

Chapter Five

Luka got up early and swept the perimeter just to make sure they were safe. Over the years he’d made a lot of enemies, and although he was sure no one knew about his cabin, he didn’t want to take any chances.

Unfortunately, soon they would be making the trip back to the city. Luka had enjoyed his time out here, loved spending time with Spencer, but the guy had a job, a life, and a problem Luka planned on solving.

The uncle’s debt didn’t belong to Spencer, and Luka planned on making that clear.

Once Spencer was up and they’d had breakfast, Luka packed Spencer’s bag and strapped it on the back of his hog. “Ready?” he asked as Spencer stood on the porch, looking around.

“No,” Spencer said. “I’ve never been so relaxed in my life. I hate to leave here.”

“We can come back.” Luka strode over to Spencer and pulled him into his arms.

“Are we mates now?”

That was the first thing Luka had checked when he’d woken up. His palm. No intricate design had burned into it. He was disappointed, but that didn’t mean he would let Spencer go. “No.”

Spencer’s shoulders sagged. “I was kind of hoping we were.”

So was Luka. He’d never felt this close to anyone, so protective, ready to fight for someone he barely knew. “We should get going. It’s a long ride back.”

Spencer nodded but didn’t move from his spot. “This could’ve been my home. I could’ve been happy here.”

Luka smiled. “You can still be happy. We can come back.”

Spencer was quiet for a moment before looking up at Luka. “Then let’s go. Let’s go solve my problem and come back here. I don’t want to leave.” Then he gave a humorless chuckle. “I wish… It was a wonderful thought, but I don’t have the luxury of not working.”

Luka could have offered to take care of Spencer. He was wealthy from his line of work, but they had other things to take care of. Luka wasn’t going to be impulsive. He was practical, levelheaded, and needed to think this through.

“It’s okay,” he said. “We can tackle the problems first, and when everything is taken care of, we can come back and enjoy the peace and quiet. I’ll make sure of that.”

Spencer looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you. I like that idea. Maybe we can when I have another day off.”

The two of them got on the bike, and Luka revved his engine, zooming off in the direction of the city, Spencer tightly tucked against his body.

They were an hour into their journey when Luka’s palm began to burn. He swerved, nearly laying his bike down. Behind him, Spencer cried, and Luka pulled over to the side of the deserted road.

Spencer hopped off the back, waving his hand around as if that would make it feel better. Luka looked down at his own and saw the mating mark. Spencer was his mate.

“Look at my hand!” Spencer held it up, his eyes wide. “What on earth is this?”

“The mating mark.” Luka’s head was spinning. Spencer was his mate. The thought kept circling in his mind as Spencer gaped at him. It was one thing to want it to happen, another for it to actually happen. Luka was in shock.

“We’re mates?”

Luka nodded. His wolf snarled, and a deep protectiveness, more intense than before, overwhelmed him. This changed everything. Spencer was his, and he would protect his mate without hesitation. Luka had used his skills for others, but no one had ever witnessed what he could unleash and lived. He would unleash it again if anyone hurt his human.

He looked down at the intricate mark, a wolf in the middle of a circle. It was beautiful, and it was a permanent mark on his palm. It would never fade or disappear.

“I…I don’t know what to think,” Spencer said. “I mean I knew this could happen, but my mind is blown.”

So was Luka’s.

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