“Yeah.” He nodded and stood, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets.
“Like I said, go get some sleep. Come back tomorrow morning and let me know your answer.”
Lucien held his gaze and took a deep breath. “Fine. But you already know what my answer will be. This is my home state now, and this is my Pack.” He walked toward the door. “But I’ll do what you asked and sleep on it.”
Lucien stepped out into the hallway and closed the heavy door behind him.
His heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway, matching the parading thoughts in his head.
His mind wandered as he headed toward his quarters. Some of the Guardians had places of their own, actual homes. But for the single guys who were still unmated, the barracks seemed the logical choice. State-of-the-art gym, indoor pool, hot tub, and rooms rivaling a five-star hotel. It was a pretty sweet hookup and it was free.
He never did see a need to buy a house off the base. It wasn’t like he’d ever be mated anyway. Females preferred the whole package, and he was damaged. He’d realized a long time ago that mating was not in the cards for him.
Bitterness crept up his chest and wrapped around his heart. Damon had Ava, Braxton had Kate, Jayden had Haley, and Zane had Skylar. It seemed like within the past year so many of the Guardians had partnered off and mated. Hell, Jayden was taking it a step further and marrying his female as well. He wanted to make sure Haley was his in both werewolf law and the human law.
Not him. His destiny had been stolen by his brother in Louisiana years ago.
He fought back a cruel smile as his heart pounded.
He would finally have his chance, his opportunity to find his brother and make him suffer as he’d once made Lucien suffer.
Finally, after all these years of waiting, he would get his chance to settle the score.
And he’d take his payment in blood.
Chapter Four
Catty opened the door to her cramped studio apartment and smiled when the familiar scent of jasmine candles greeted her.
When she’d first moved in, she’d noticed a stench whenever it rained. The landlord continued to give her excuses with no solutions, so in the end she’d bought as many jasmine-scented candles as she could afford to drown out the mildew smell.
She dropped her bag on the floor and shuffled into the kitchen for a hot cup of tea.
She rolled her shoulders and reached her arms over her head, stretching out the tight muscles in her back. She lifted the hem of her T-shirt and sniffed.
She normally reeked of cigarette smoke and liquor, but with the Louisiana heat at an all-time high, the overpowering smell of body odor clung to her clothes.
She stifled a gag and walked to the window and threw it open.
It wasn’t just the stench of the club that turned her stomach. Working as a stripper made her want to vomit too.
She was ashamed to admit stripping hadn’t always had that effect on her.
In the beginning, she’d liked the way men looked at her with lust and adoration when she stepped on stage. In the beginning, it had filled a void in her chest that hadn’t been filled in a very long time. In the beginning, stripping had been fun.
When Big Mike, the owner of the Triple X, had taken an interest in her, she’d been flattered and had thought he truly cared about her. He’d showered her with pretty words and pretty flowers. They’d quickly developed a sexual relationship, and she’d thought it was the real deal. But as time passed and she witnessed how he couldn’t stay faithful, she’d realized she didn’t mean anything to him.
So she’d broken it off but continued to work in the club because she couldn’t find another job. His attention had quickly turned to the newest stripper who came into the club looking for a job.
She learned the lust and adoration men felt toward her never turned to love. The men wanted her body and what she could give them. She was a fantasy.
She’d contemplated returning home to Jonesboro, Arkansas to her parents’ house, but she never followed through. She’d listened to Big Mike when he told her she was worthless and that her own parents would disown her after she’d shamed the family by taking her clothes off.
She’d believed him.
And in the end, she stayed.
Her fingers brushed the cool metal of the cross.
Jill. Before she’d left the club, Jill had given her one last hug and whispered in her ear.
“Don’t be ashamed of your story, Catty. Your mistakes will inspire others. Sometimes you have to just let go and take that first leap of faith.”
A thick heaviness settled over her heart.
Jill would go on, reach her dreams, and make a difference with her life. She’d probably find a mate, settle down, and have a family.
Unlike Catty.