Chapter Five

Lucas left Aria with Gabriel and Autumn long enough to take her bags to the apartment and prepare it for her. If he’d known he was bringing home a mate, he might have cleaned up a lot sooner. The apartment looked completely trashed, not because he didn’t care, but because he’d been so busy. He’d worked as many shifts as he could, and hung out with the pack at night. And now he was paying the price.

It took nearly an hour just to do laundry and wash dishes. He’d vacuumed and wiped down every surface, scrubbed the bathroom a little extra. Lucas changed the sheets on the bed and then stood with his hands on his hips as he surveyed the area. Everything looked spotless, and while the space was small—only about five hundred square feet—he thought it was a place that Aria wouldn’t mind calling home.

He needed to claim her as quickly as possible, just in case things didn’t go well between the council and her uncle. But he didn’t want to bring her home, throw her on the bed and just get it done. After everything Aria had been through, she deserved to be romanced a little. Maybe a lot. He wasn’t the richest guy in the pack, but he could afford to make the night special for her.

Lucas grabbed his keys and hit the closest store that would carry the items he needed. He picked up a lighter, a handful of scented candles, and two bouquets of roses. Back at the apartment, he took one bouquet and pulled off the petals, spreading them across the fresh sheets, then he placed the candles around the bedroom. Once he’d set the scene, he took a shower and dressed in one of his nicer shirts and a pair of dark wash jeans. Hopefully, it would be dressy enough for the restaurant he planned to take Aria to, once he picked her up.

Lucas snatched the second bouquet on his way out the door and jogged down the steps to the parking lot. One of the wolves hanging out nearby whistled, and Lucas flipped him off.

“Quit being an asshole, Flynn.”

The wolf smirked as Lucas got into his truck and pulled out of the parking lot. The Victorian where the alpha lived was only fifteen minutes away. Thankfully, Aria had selected a knit dress to wear today with her flip flops, which wasn’t enough for a fancy restaurant, but it was good enough for Red Ruby, a burger place where you could throw peanuts on the floor.  And on the off chance she didn’t eat burgers anymore, they had chicken sandwiches and salads as well.

He pulled into the alpha’s driveway and got out. Before he’d even made it up the steps, the door flew open and Aria raced out to meet him. Lucas swept her into his arms and hugged her tight. Her lips met his in a fierce kiss, and he couldn’t help but smile as he pulled away.

“You must have missed me,” he said, handing her the roses.

“These are beautiful. Thank you, Lucas.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I did miss you. You look nice. Are we going somewhere?”

“I thought I’d take you out to eat. I know it’s too late for lunch and too early for dinner…are you even hungry? I didn’t really think this through very well.”

“I’m starving,” she said. “I didn’t have much of an appetite during lunch.”

“We should probably let the alpha know you’re leaving.”

She nodded and took his hand, leading him inside the house. Gabriel and Autumn were at the kitchen table, a sales flyer for baby things lying between them. Gabriel stood as they entered the room, giving them a friendly smile.

“Get everything taken care of?” the alpha asked.

“Yes. I was just picking up Aria, but we didn’t want to leave without seeing you first. I’m taking her out to eat and then we’ll head home.”

“Oh, that sounds like fun,” Autumn said. “Do you know where you’re going?”

“I thought we’d go to Red Ruby’s,” Lucas said. “I didn’t think either of us owned anything fancy enough for some of the more upscale places. Besides, the food there is really good.”

“I’d be fine with anything, Lucas,” Aria said. “Even fast food would be okay.”

“It’s a special night,” Lucas said. “We’re not getting fast food. It’s not every day my mate moves in with me.”

Her cheeks flushed, but her smile lit up her eyes.

“You two have fun,” Gabriel said. “Just be careful while you’re out. Text me when you get home, so I’ll know the two of you are safe. I don’t think her uncle would strike at the apartments, not with so many shifters around at all hours.”

“We’ll be careful,” Lucas promised. He herded Aria out of the Victorian and to his truck. Once they were buckled, he pulled out of the driveway and headed for the other side of town and Red Ruby.

Aria laughed when they walked through the doors and she crunched on peanut shells. They were seated at a table away from the windows, which Lucas was thankful for. He didn’t want Aria on display to the outside world making it easier for someone to locate her. They perused the menu, and he answered any questions she had, mostly about what he’d tried and liked previously. After they placed their order and the waiter brought their drinks over, silence fell over the table.

Aria picked a peanut out of the bucket on the table, cracked it, and dropped the shell on the floor before tossing the nuts into her mouth. Lucas felt nervous, like he had on his first date. Except this date was with Aria, and was far more important to him. She was important to him. He’d been with other women, but knowing that he was going to be with his mate tonight made everything else pale. As far as he was concerned, those other women didn’t exist, and he wished he’d never slept with them.

“You’re thinking too hard,” she said.

“Just worried tonight won’t be special enough for you.”

She smiled a little. “Lucas, I’m with you. It doesn’t get more special than that. You’re the one I’ve always wanted, and now, I finally have you.”

“I’m yours, for now, and always,” he vowed. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever truly wanted, Aria. I won’t lie though. I’ve been with other women over the years. None of them meant anything to me though. Mostly one-night stands when the loneliness got too much to bear.”

“Lucas, you don’t have to tell me anything about the years we were apart. I’m not exactly a virgin either. It doesn’t matter how many people we’ve been with in the past, what matters is that we’re together now. It’s going to be special because I’ll finally get to be with my mate. Nothing else can ever compare to that.”

He reached across the table and took her hand. “You’re pretty incredible; you know that?”

“I’m ordinary, Lucas. Just one of millions of rabbit shifters. The only thing that makes me special is that I belong to you.”

“Not true,” he said. “The way you smile makes you special. The way your eyes light up and your face glows when you’re happy makes you special. That endearing way you have of tucking your hair behind your ear when you’re nervous or bashful makes you special. Don’t you get it Aria? You’re you, and that’s as special as anyone can get.”

Her cheeks flushed. “I love you.”

His breath froze in his lungs at her confession, and his throat grew tight from the emotions nearly choking him.

“I love you too,” he said.

“You really mean that?” she asked.

“Aria, I’ve loved you since the day we met. That love changed over the years, but it’s never going to burn out or fade. If anything, my love for you will grow stronger with every passing day.”

She blinked back tears and squeezed his hand.

Their food arrived. A double, deluxe cheeseburger for him, and the grilled chicken club for her. The waiter put a huge platter of bacon cheddar fries in between them. After topping off their drinks, the server left them in peace to enjoy their meal. Aria closed her eyes, an expression of bliss on her face, as she chewed the first bite of her sandwich.

“It’s awesome, isn’t it?” he asked with a smile.

“Definitely. Best thing I think I’ve ever eaten, but don’t tell Autumn that. She’s a great cook, but this sandwich is divine.”

He laughed a little and took a bite of his burger. Their conversation hit a lull as they enjoyed their meal. Lucas had to admit the night was going well. He just hoped the rest of the night would go as smoothly as their date. While he’d never had a woman complain before, he felt pressured to make tonight incredible for Aria. He wanted it to be a night she would remember forever.

Their meal came to an end, and Lucas paid the check. The ride to the apartment was a little tense, and he wondered if she was as nervous as he was. He cast a glance her way and saw she was looking out the window, watching the scenery pass. Lucas tightened his grip on the steering wheel and focused on getting them home in one piece. He checked several times to make sure they weren’t being followed, even though he doubted it was likely her uncle would ever find her in Ashton Grove. It wasn’t the logical choice for a hiding place, unless the man knew she’d been in contact with Amber.

Lucas pulled into a parking space near the stairs to the apartment and looked around before getting out of the truck. A few wolves were sitting on a patio not too far away, playing a hand of cards. One of them waved, and Lucas waved back before helping Aria out of the truck.

“We’re on the second floor,” he told her before taking her hand and leading the way.

When he pushed open the apartment door, he wondered what she would think of the place. Compared to her childhood home, it was cramped. She deserved so much better than what he could offer her.

Aria explored the area and paused in the bedroom doorway. She turned to face him, her cheeks flushed, and he knew she’d seen the rose petals. Aria held out her hand and beckoned him to come closer. Lucas locked the door before joining her in the bedroom doorway. She gazed up at him with complete trust in her eyes, and it humbled him.

She guided him into the bedroom and motioned to the candles. “Would you light them?”

Lucas picked up the lighter he’d bought earlier and lit the candles he’d scattered around the room. The flickering flames lent a romantic atmosphere to the bedroom. Aria licked her lips, looking uncertain. Slowly, she lifted her dress over her head and let it fall to the floor. Lucas was fairly certain his heart was going to beat out of his chest as he took in her gorgeous curves. The lacy cups of her bra cradled her breasts in an enticing manner. They weren’t overly large, but to him, they were perfect, just like her.

He stripped his shirt over his head and tossed it in a pile with her dress, before kicking off his shoes and socks, and shoving his jeans down his legs. He knew his underwear couldn’t conceal how much he wanted her, and he hoped his excitement wouldn’t scare her. He still wasn’t certain about everything she’d endured at the hands of her uncle, and he wanted to move slow.

Aria stepped closer and lifted her hands, placing them on his shoulders. Her touch was light and soft. Lucas kissed her, needing to feel her lips against his, to have her taste explode in his mouth. He needed to breathe her in, wrap his arms around her, and just feel that curvy body pressed close to him. Aria leaned into him, making Lucas lose his balance, and they toppled to the bed. She giggled as she broke the kiss.

“Guess I’m stronger than I thought,” she said.

Lucas leaned back and folded his hands behind his head. “So, now that you’ve conquered me, what do you plan to do with me?”

Her smile turned bashful as she leaned back and took in the lines of his body. Her fingers skimmed over his pecs and abs, stopping at the waistband of his boxers. Lucas remained as relaxed as possible, giving her time to explore. As much as he wanted to feel her hands on him everywhere, he wasn’t going to rush her or make demands. She’d claimed to have been with other guys, but he didn’t know how much experience she had. She was almost shy in her exploration, which made him think she was still damn near virginal, despite what she’d said at dinner.

“Do whatever you want to me, Aria,” he said softly. “I’m yours, and you’re mine. I can promise that I’ll enjoy whatever you have in mind. I’ve wanted you for so damn long.”

His words seemed to embolden her, and she skimmed his hard cock, making it jerk in response. When she tugged at the waistband, he lifted his hips and let her remove the boxers. She seemed to have a permanent blush on her cheeks as she studied his body. It was damn hard to hold still, but he was determined to give her whatever she needed, and it likely wasn’t him tossing her on the bed and having his way with her.

Slowly, she reached out and wrapped her fingers around his shaft, giving it an experimental stroke. He groaned at the feel of her silky hand on his skin. Aria slid off the bed, onto her knees. His head jerked up, his eyes wide, as he wondered if she was about to do what he thought she was. Aria licked her lips, her focus solely on his cock, and before he could utter a word of protest, she wrapped her lips around him and stroked his shaft with her tongue.

Lucas nearly ground his teeth to dust to keep from shouting and startling her. Her mouth felt like heaven as she sucked and licked, bringing him close to the edge. His control nearly snapped when she deep throated him, and with a growl, he pulled away from her. Aria looked surprised when he reached for her, rolling her beneath him.

“You deserve the world and then some, but I don’t think I have enough control left for that,” he said.

“Just make me yours, Lucas. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

He helped her out of her bra and panties, taking in her beauty. As much as he wanted to bury himself in her, Lucas took a breath and kissed and caressed Aria from her toes to her lips. The curls between her legs were damp with her arousal and he vowed to make love to her properly, after the claiming was over. His wolf was fighting for control already, and he knew he didn’t have much time before the beast would win.

“I’ll try to go slow,” he told her, but she shook her head.

“Don’t hold back.”

With a growl he thrust deep, feeling her silken walls close around him. It was heaven and hell as he thrust into her sweet body, a joining, unlike anything he’d experienced before. As his wolf rose inside, his fangs lengthened and dented his lower lip. Aria kissed him hard before turning her head.

“Do it,” she said.

He snarled as he fought his beast for control, and bit into her shoulder. She cried out, and he hated that he’d caused her pain, but as the tang of her blood hit his tongue, he felt her body tighten. Aria called out his name as she milked his cock dry, both of them coming together in a magical moment that he wanted to last forever.

His hips stilled against hers and then he tossed back his head and howled. Scrambling off Aria, he’d barely hit the floor before his wolf took over. White fur sprouted along his limbs and then his body contorted into that of his beast. He howled again once the transformation was complete.

Aria beckoned to him, and Lucas bounded onto the bed. He sniffed every inch of her, giving her soft licks here and there. Her fingers brushed along his fur, making him shiver in delight. The beast was thrilled that their mate accepted both his wolf and human forms.

He finished exploring her body, and she twitched and trembled before shifting into her rabbit form. Despite his wolf-y tendency to give chase to anything small and fluffy, he nuzzled the rabbit and gave it a lick. Aria hopped off the bed and went racing around the room before coming back to him.

They shifted together and fell onto the bed. Lucas wrapped his arms around her and placed a gentle kiss over the bite he’d given her.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he said.

“It only hurt for a second, then it felt really good.” Her cheeks flushed. “But I guess you knew that already.”

“I love you, Aria, and I’m so glad you’re my mate.”

“I love you too. Always have and always will.” She smiled. “Thank you for claiming me, Lucas. I know you probably wanted a bonding ceremony, or even a wedding, but I think tonight was absolutely perfect.”

“Every night with you will be perfect,” he said, kissing her softly.

He’d always known that claiming Aria would make him feel complete, but he hadn’t been prepared for the emotions that came with it. He felt full to bursting and hoped that every day would be just as intense as this one. But first, he had to make sure she was safe.