Dearest Luke

Chapter One - Fighting For Nia

☽ Luke ☾

“Alright, after taking everything into consideration, we have come to a decision,” Dimitry started. I held my breath waiting to hear the verdict. Whatever it may be, I had to take responsibility for my own actions. “We, the council, and the jury have decided and agreed that you will serve six months in our new community service program,” Dimitry finished and I frowned. Stephan and Polly had explained more or less how things worked for the council. Hearing about this new community service program was a massive curveball.

“The new community service program is to be attended here at the council prison; however, you will be able to return back to your home pack over the weekends. With the renovations done to the council home and prison, you will be staying at our newly renovated prison, which is now apartments. You are not under house arrest and can go wherever you please whenever you feel like it. However, the number of hours given to the community of the neighboring packs is eight hours from Monday to Thursday. On top of this, you are required to meet with your designated council member once a week and that is Florence,” Cassandra picked up where Dimitry had ended, explaining how the new program works. I glanced over at Florence, who threw me a kind smile before I was led to my new apartment. I had no idea how the place had looked before but the newly renovated building looked quite comfortable as the guard, who had introduced himself as Roger, led me to Apartment building B, third floor, room number 124. He unlocked the door and I followed him inside. The small apartment had a warm, cozy feeling to it as I glanced around. The open plan kitchen and the sitting room looked modern and comfortable. One two-seater black couch and one matching single chair stood in the middle of the room with a large flat-screen TV. The tiled floor gleamed in the sunlight that shone through the large windows. The kitchen was small but functional and was situated on the left side of the sitting room. Roger led me to the right side and pushed open a door. Walking in, the room had the same soft cream-colored walls and white tiled floors. In the middle of the bedroom stood a three-quarter sized bed, a desktop with a desk chair and a cupboard.

“Over there is the bathroom,” Roger informed me as he pointed to a door. I pushed it open and found the bathroom to be even smaller. A toilet, basin, and a shower. Just the necessities. “Your laundry will be collected every Monday morning, groceries will be delivered every Wednesday unless you request to eat at the cafeteria, that is up to you,” Roger left the bedroom and I followed him back into the kitchen. He pointed at a large folder that was laying on the grey marbled surface and smiled. “In there you will find your schedule, rules, and information on the new program. Florence will visit you soon and you can discuss anything with her when the time comes,” he handed over a key and smiled. “This is your apartment key, don’t lose it,”

“Thank you,” I said as he nodded and left the apartment. I looked around the place and shrugged. This wasn’t so bad.

☽☽☾☾

I sat back in the truck as I looked out at the pack I was currently helping out. According to the form I held between my fingers, the Alpha had signed on to be a part of the new community service program that the council had come up with. I glanced over at the barn and sighed. The wagon stood, waiting with piles of hay that needed to be moved. I slowly got out of the car and made my way towards the barn. A tall, muscular blonde came out of the barn and threw me a welcoming smile when he spotted me.

“Morning, Luke,” he greeted, and I smiled in response. “Just the hay today,” he informed me, and I nodded as I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. For the last three days, I had been helping around the farm like pack-village and this was my last day. However, if I didn’t get the form signed by the Alpha, then I couldn’t leave.

The sun was high, and the sweat coated my face and arms and I was painfully aware that they were staring. I blushed and kept my head down as I continued to help transfer the hay to the barn. I wasn’t alone and that was alright. The blonde wolf and his son helped unload. We were almost done, and I tuned into what the two were talking about. Curiosity got the best of me.

“Do you know when he is coming back?” the son, Kenny, asked.

“I think today,” his father, Wyatt, replied. I sighed out in relief. At least he’d come back today and then I could leave.

“Where did he go anyway?” Kenny asked, and his father rolled his eyes dramatically.

“Where do you think?”

“Oh yeah,” they stopped talking and I tried not to glance over at the three females standing on the sidelines watching me.

“Um, excuse me?” I cleared my throat when I heard how soft I had spoken. “Excuse me?” I repeated louder. Wyatt stopped and turned to look at me. “S-sorry, I couldn’t help but o-overhear your conversation but where did he go?” his son also stopped working and they both stared at me with wide eyes, even the females stopped to hear what I had to say, or in this case, ask. Very dramatic. I forced myself not to roll my eyes.

“Oh, he went to fetch his daughter,” Kenny answered before his father could.

“Again,” his father mumbled before they got back to work. I nodded and followed their lead and continued working.

“She’s a trouble maker, a real runt of the litter if you catch my meaning,” Wyatt added after a while. I had no idea what to say to that, so I didn’t say anything and simply nodded. I just hoped that the Alpha would be back sooner rather than later. The three females suddenly ran off and the son stopped and tilted his head to the side.

“He is back,” he said and Wyatt visibly paled. Was this Alpha a bad one? I wasn’t sure but they started working faster and so, I too, picked up the pace. In a matter of ten minutes, the wagon was empty, and I headed to the packhouse. I was dirty, sweaty, and to be honest, irritated. Helping out different packs was my worst nightmare. It wasn’t the work that bothered me, nor helping others, no, what bothered me was the stares, the whispering. Already I had earned a weird reputation as ‘dearest Luke’ all because they thought I was sweet. I mean, I am sweet but just because I’m not loud and talkative doesn’t mean there is something wrong with me. Although the other title I had been given was ‘the strong but silent Luke’. I rolled my eyes as I wiped my sweaty hands along the sides of my blue denim and then pushed open the door and went inside. As soon as I entered, I could hear him. He was loud and sounded obnoxious. Almost immediately, I knew I wouldn’t like him.

“For the last time Nia, stop trying to run away!” I froze and started turning around, ready to leave the conflicting atmosphere when I spotted a female sitting on the dark red sofa. I blushed as I felt as if I had been an intruder in their home.

“Don’t mind them,” she said and that’s when I knew she was someone high up, her voice alone held authority. I wasn’t sure who she was, beta or Luna but I quickly bowed in respect. “Hmm, and who are you?” she asked curiously as she eyed me up and down.

“Luke,” I answered. She nodded and then slowly stood up. "From the new community service program,"

“I’m Sherie,” she said as she reached out to take my hand. I hesitated for a split second and then politely shook her hand. Sherie Ronan, Luna of The Divergent Canines. She was small and slim and I couldn’t help but notice how she looked frail with her blonde hair and soft grey eyes. “I suppose you are looking for Zion?” I nodded and she smiled. “Not much of a talker, are you?” I ignored her question, only because it would require me to talk when I didn’t want too. What I wanted was to get the hell out of dodge. I heard a door bang and then it hit me. The smell of strawberries. Or was it cherries? Well, the smell of berries hit me, and I froze, again. No, it couldn’t be possible? Could it? A second chance mate. I have heard about it, but I didn’t actually think that it would happen to me. I tried to think about who was in the house that it could possibly be. Obviously not Sherie. Could it be their daughter? Or was there someone else in the house?

“Who is this?” I glanced over at the male as he entered the sitting room. I immediately knew that he was  Zion Ronan, Alpha of The Divergent Canines. I cringed as I took in his appearance. His dark brown hair curled slightly, and the sides had started to turn grey and his piercing blue eyes were currently eyeing me out.

“This is Luke, he is here from the community service program,” Sherie informed him and he nodded as I politely bowed my head and held out my hand. He shook it and I felt his strength. Don’t get me wrong, I am not weak but this wolf, yeah, he could probably snap me in two if he wanted.

“Ah yes, Luke, I am sorry to keep you waiting,” he said apologetically, and I shrugged in response. “I had to go into town to collect my daughter from her friend,” he went on to explain and I just nodded, not really interested in the details. However, the smell of berries still lingered in the air and made my mouth water. I gulped and tried to calm my raging wolf down. Both Sherie and Zion looked over at me confused but I couldn’t pay any attention to them because the minute Nia Ronan walked into the room, the world stopped. Everything slowed down, including my heart and breathing. My mouth fell open and my eyes felt like they were going to pop out. To describe Nia as beautiful would be an insult. The female that stood with one hand on her hip and the other twirling a strand of her honey-colored hair was far from beautiful. Her velvety blue eyes scanned the room and landed on me. I watched as her soft plump lips parted and a whispered ‘oh’ left her and I took a step forward. “Woah, woah, woah, what the?” Zion’s rich, dark voice broke the spell as he stepped in front of me, blocking my view. For the first time in my life, I stood tall and faced the Alpha without fear. I didn’t even feel this way with Amanda.

“She is mine,” I growled out, although I’m surprised by my action, Nia nodded in approval as she slowly moved to stand next to her father.

“Daddy,” she looked up at the older wolf and smiled. My breathing is labored as I watch my mate. She is truly heavenly. “He is my mate,” she informed him, although it was obvious that he already knew that. I reached out for her, wanting to have her in my arms, to protect her and love her.

“NO!” Zion shouted out as he slapped my hand away. “No, no, no!” he chanted as he grabbed her arm and started to drag her away. I frowned as I don’t like the way he is touching her and her expression screams out for me to stop him, to help her.

“STOP!” I shout out loudly, causing Zion to stop and turn around to face me. “You cannot do this,” I start to say but Zion laughs.

“I can’t? Trust me, dearest Luke, I can,” he said using that silly description of me. It is then that I turn around and leave the packhouse. I want nothing more than to take my mate and leave this place, but I had a feeling Zion would be a problem. They will not keep me from my mate. I rush over to the parked white truck and open the door before pulling out my phone. I scroll through the contact list until I find her number.

“Hello? Luke? Is everything alright?” she immediately questioned me.

“He wants to keep me from my mate,” I growled out angrily.

“What?”

“I said-”

“I heard, who?” she interrupted me.

“Zion Ronan, Alpha of The Divergent Canines, his daughter, Nia, she is my mate,” I explain quickly. The soft edge of my voice has turned hard and anger drips from lips.

“I’m on my way,” she confirmed before hanging up. I throw my phone back into the car before slamming the door shut and running back to the packhouse. Sherie is standing by the door, watching me. As I approach her, she holds out her hand stopping me.

“Wait,” she whispered, and I eye her warily, before taking a step closer.

“She belongs to me,” I hiss out. Sherie nodded, her face looking grim.

“I understand, but Zion-”

“f**k Zion!” I snap, interrupting her. “She is mine and I will have her,” I don’t know what’s come over me, but I mean every word I say. Sherie nodded again and moved out of the way. As I step inside, I sniff the air and follow the scent of my mate. The closer I get to her, the clearer the voices become.

“You will reject him!” I hear Zion yell and I tense up.

“No, daddy, I won’t,” Nia argues, and I smile.

“You will and that’s finally,” he informs her, and I push open the door. Nia shoots up from the bed and makes a mad dash over to me, my arms immediately holding her close to me as Zion fails to grab her away.

“Enough of this!” he cried out. I can see the panic in his eyes, but I don’t understand it. Why is he being this way? I take a moment and glance down at the exquisite beauty in my arms. Her small frame feels vulnerable against my larger, muscular frame. She pouts her lips and pleads silently to me with her watery eyes. The overwhelming feeling of needing to protect her courses through my veins and I gently move her behind me as I face her father. I know I am out of my comfort zone, but my wolf is backing me up.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked him, I was curious to know why he would want her to reject me.

“She’s only nineteen, she has her whole life ahead of her,” he argued, and I frown. I didn’t fully understand the problem.

“The gods don’t care about age, we are fated to be together, her age, my age, her life, my life, it is all besides the point. What is the problem?” I finally ask. Zion runs his hand through his hair and sighs in frustration. I can see he wants to talk to me, to explain things but for some reason, he is hesitating. “Just say it, whatever it is just spit it out,”

“I’m not ready to step down as Alpha,” he finally admits. My eyes widen in shock.

“That’s what this is about? You think that because I am your daughter's mate, I will force you to step down?” it sounds, even more, ridicules when I say it out loud and I find myself chuckling bitterly.

“Is that not how it works?” Zion looked embarrassed as he asked this question and I shake my head.

“I have no idea if that is how it works; however, I have no desire to take over your pack and be an Alpha. As I am sure you can already tell, I am not of Alpha blood,” I paused as I turn to face Nia. “In fact, I was not born as a shifter, I was changed,” I know I need to be honest and bring up Amanda, but I don’t want to inform my mate about my first mate in front of her father.

“Wait? What?” Sherie questioned as she stood in the hallway, looking at us. I nod without taking my eyes off Nia.

“It’s true,” I muttered. I wait to see Nia’s reaction to the news, but she is still looking at me with loving puppy eyes. She doesn’t care and I feel relieved.

“So? You don’t want my pack?” Zion goes back to the issue at hand, one that he feels is problematic. I turn back to face him.

“It’s not about wanting your pack, I have no intention of telling or ordering you to step down, besides I wouldn’t be able too,” I admitted but Zion doesn’t look convinced and I realize I have the answer. “We shouldn’t worry too much about it at this point. Let’s wait for Florence to get here then we can discuss it with someone who knows,” Zion, Sherie, and even Nia pauses and gives me an odd look.

“That’s what you went to do?” Nia questioned as she moved to stand in front of me.

“Yes,” I answered her with a frown. “Why? Was that wrong of me? Your father was stopping me, stopping us,” a look of understanding crosses her features and I quickly add. “I wasn’t going to let anyone stand between us,” Nia smiled softly, her plump lips spreading into a happy grin. I watched as her pink tongue darted out and she licked her lips. I heard a low growl and I stopped, looking up as I realized it is me making that noise. Zion and Sherie have left us alone and Nia gently pulls me into the room. Looking around, I see that it is her bedroom. She leads me to her bed and sits down.

“Luke?” the sound of my name leaving her lips is so pleasurable that I twist my body to her, looking deep into her eyes.

“Yes?”

“Does it bother you that I am nineteen?” she eventually asked, and I shake my head.

“Does it bother you that I am twenty-four?” I throw back at her and she shakes her head with a soft giggle.

“No,”

“Can I kiss you?” before I can stop myself, the question leaves my lips and my cheeks turn a bright shade of pink. Nia reached out and I feel her index finger running lazily along my strong jaw. I lean in and brush my lips ever so tenderly against hers. The smell of her scent and her arousal drives me crazy as I deepen the kiss. The thought that I may be acting too fast, crosses my mind but I pull her forward until she is sitting on my lap. Nia wrapped her arms around my neck as I rest my hands on her waist, my thumbs caressing her sides. Nia pulled away from the kiss with a giggle and hides her face in the crook of my neck.

“That tickles,” she breathed out and I gently lean back so that I can look at her.

“Oh? Does it now?” I teased as I started to make her laugh loudly, tickling her. How cute, I thought.