Ethan shook his head.
Nikolas gestured to Ethan. "He turns him then lets him go without even a little bit of guidance? The only way Ethan didn't turn out like Jake is because of the man Ethan was before he was turned. It's pure fucking luck Ethan didn't turn rogue and go on a killing spree."
Noah nodded in agreement. "Ethan still doesn't know how to hunt."
"I'm still in the room, you know," Ethan grumbled.
"They have to know," Noah said sympathetically. "We can't come in here with any secrets."
We had enough secrets around this place without adding more.
"Noah's right: I can't hunt. I don't know how a pack works. I'm pretty much scared of other wolves because I've never known any that weren't trying to hurt me or kill me." Ethan sighed and sat on the edge of the couch they'd been sitting on before. "And I've hated what I am for every moment of every day since I was turned . until I met Noah a few days ago."
I blinked. "A few days?"
"It's like we've known each other our entire lives, though." Noah laughed and sat beside Ethan, taking his hand. "Instinct just took over."
Nikolas' expression softened when his eyes met mine. "A wolf knows his mate the moment they meet."
I held his gaze for a long while, unable to say anything. Nikolas had never even hinted that there was more between us other than an insatiable desire to fuck . well and often . but I knew that he was referring to us.
I didn't know what to think about that. It was difficult to wrap my mind around something that felt so right, yet so wrong at the same time.
The door to the study flew open and Sabaan came in, grinning, the yellow of his eyes just glowing. "Lucien's just a few miles out. His flight came in early!"
"Lovely," Nikolas' gaze hardened again. "I can go kill this Jake fucker, right?"
I shook my head. "Let the Council take care of it."
"The Council can kiss my hairy ass. This is fucking personal and I want to take care of it."
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that."
"Let me?" He laughed, and the intensity of anger behind it made me shudder. "Last time I checked, we were equals, princess."
Sabaan glanced around the room. "I'm interrupting something, right?"
"No," Nikolas growled and headed for the door. "I was just leaving."
I gestured to Nikolas. "Follow him, Sabaan. Talk some sense into him?"
"Sense about what?"
"He wants to go off on a revenge kill and put himself in danger, that's what."
"Ah! Gotcha."
Sabaan hurried out, hot on Nikolas' heels. If anyone could talk sense into that hard-headed fucking wolf, it was Sabaan. I turned my attention back to Ethan and Noah.
"I think we're going to cut this short tonight, guys. Why don't you both relax and get some rest. Get acquainted with the house staff if you like and don't hesitate to ask if you need something. As soon as Lucien is settled, I know he'll want to meet with you as well."
They both thanked me and bowed before leaving the room. I took a few moments to settle my thoughts and try to throw some shields into place. Too much had happened in Lucien's absence, and the last thing I needed was him plugging in and attempting to download a replay.
Satisfied that Lucien wasn't going to get any more information than necessary, I headed out of the study and down the hall. Nikolas and Sabaan were at the corner just near the end, and it looked like Sabaan was raking Nikolas over the coals.
Good for him.
I moved past them without a word and when the front door opened, I looked over to see Lucien as he walked in. He was gorgeous, all decked out in a pale blue silk shirt that nearly matched his eyes and his customary black leather pants. The boots he wore were new and I paused to admire them. They rose to just below his knee and were laced through a number of silver grommets and d-rings.
"I love the boots."
"I thought you might," Lucien said with a grin and opened his arms wide. "Hello, lover."
"Oh, Lucien." I threw myself into his arms and hugged him tight, burying my face in the long, loose, dark brown hair at his neck. He returned the gesture, turning so that my back was against the wall. I pulled back to look at him. God, he was so beautiful. "I've missed you."
"And I you." He bent and pressed his lips to mine in a tender, sweet kiss. "Everything okay here?"
"Well&mostly." I couldn't help but laugh. I felt like a child answering to his father after being in charge of the house in his absence. "I mean, I didn't kill anyone and the coven is still ours."