Chapter 320: Just be here
Everyone except Luke and Terek were on their feet, their attention fixed on the man who ruled the village.
Baldon remained sitting across from him while the guard and Gary remained standing.
Baldon wore his usual easygoing smile as he spoke. "I heard about the trip. It didn’t exactly go the way you planned."
Naturally, Thea had already filled him in, complaints included.
"I also wanted to thank you for protecting my mates." Baldon inclined his head in genuine appreciation.
Luke’s brows tightened almost imperceptibly.
The way Baldon referred to Roxanne as his mate grated on him more than he allowed to show. Even so, he kept his thoughts to himself. She needed time to untangle the situation on her own.
He had already made his feelings clear. He didn’t want her to belong to anyone but him.
This time, he hoped she would find the resolve to make the choice that truly mattered.
"I’ve heard your guests are arriving tomorrow," Luke said, getting straight to the point. "I assume that’s why you’re here?"
Baldon let out a weary sigh. "You’re right. Never thought someone taking an interest in our little village would end up becoming a headache."
Luke highly doubted those people cared about the village itself. They simply had no desire to camp inside the forest, so they settled for the next best thing before venturing into the wilderness.
This village just happened to be convenient.
Still, there was no reason to shatter Baldon’s illusion.
"I don’t believe there are any magical beasts roaming near the village anymore," Luke replied. "The Hunter Killer is dead as well. As for any other threat, our combined forces should be more than enough to deal with it, shouldn’t they?"
Gary finally spoke. "I’ve already spent a fair amount convincing more villagers, including your brother, to join the patrols."
Lex let out a groan, clearly wishing the matter hadn’t been brought up.
Luke chuckled. "Kruger wasn’t wrong about you. No matter the situation, Gary’s mind always circles back to toras."
"Kruger?" Gary’s eyes widened in surprise. "Where did you meet him?"
Of course he recognized the name. Kruger wasn’t just his mentor, but the man who had changed the course of his life.
"The Head Chief came there with Kruger," Luke replied. "He even rewarded me for helping save the village."
He had planned to tell Gary about it later anyway. The special coins Kruger had given him couldn’t be spent in the village unless Gary exchanged them for toras.
"You’ve left quite an impression on the Head Chief," Baldon said, forcing a faint smile. "That’s why he requested to meet you."
Luke couldn’t tell whether Baldon was bitter or simply uncomfortable.
Either way, he steered the conversation back to what actually mattered.
"I won’t be joining the patrol tomorrow."
Gustav gave a slight start at the blunt refusal.
Luke, however, spoke without the slightest trace of hesitation.
Baldon nodded. "I understand. You must be exhausted after the journey." He sounded satisfied with the explanation, but after a brief pause, he added, "Still, if it isn’t anything urgent, I’d appreciate it if you stayed in the village tomorrow."
Luke immediately understood the reason behind the request.
Fortunately, it wasn’t much of one. He had no intention of going hunting for the next few days anyway.
"That’s fine," he replied with a nod. "I’ll stay in the village. But I’d rather not accompany your guests anywhere. I’m genuinely exhausted."
Baldon smiled. "Don’t worry. I’ve already arranged a group to escort them."
Luke gave a small nod, and the conversation drifted to lighter topics for a while.
Eventually, Baldon announced he would be heading back.
Before he could leave, Gustav stepped forward.
"Stay for a meal, Chief."
Baldon laughed warmly. "Roxanne and Thea have finally returned after so many days. I’d like to have a meal with them."
Gustav answered with an awkward smile. "Right... they must have missed you."
Every passing exchange made Luke’s irritation grow.
He needed to settle things with Baldon sooner rather than later.
Not yet, though.
First, he needed to know where Roxanne truly stood.
The last thing he wanted was to come across as a man trying to tear apart two bonded partners through force.
Only after hearing her answer would he confront Baldon.
Until then, all he could do was bury the irritation simmering inside him.
....
*Thud*
After Baldon left, Luke rose from his seat and said, "I will go and check on Zuri."
Terek briefly flinched but didn’t say anything.
Luke made his way to the room next to Dalia’s and pushed the door open without knocking.
"Ah..." Zuri yelped in surprise, caught mid-change.
She froze the instant her eyes met his.
Luke’s gaze locked onto her. She wore nothing but a thin scrap of fabric stretched tight around her hips, the short cloth barely covering the soft mound between her strong thighs, the fabric riding up just enough to tease the curve of her ass.
Above, a thick white wrap strained across her heavy breasts, the material clinging so tightly that the deep valley between them and the full, rounded weight of each one were impossible to ignore.
Every shallow breath made them rise and press harder against the cloth.
His eyes traveled lower, lingering on the hard, defined ridges of her abs, the lean muscle shifting under smooth skin, the powerful lines of her waist and the tight strength in her arms and shoulders.
Heat rolled through him at the sight of all that raw power wrapped around such soft, full curves.
He stepped fully inside, slowly closed the door behind him, and locked it with a soft click.
Damn. She was fucking hot.
"I was just about to..." She let out a soft sigh before correcting herself. "...I heard about the trip. I’m glad you made it back safely."
Luke gave a casual shrug. "You know I can take care of myself." He closed the distance between them, never once looking away from her. "What about you? I thought our last conversation helped."
Zuri averted her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper.
"We... didn’t just talk."
A hint of surprise crossed Luke’s face.
"You’re still thinking about that?"
Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson.
"How could I not?" she muttered, unable to meet his eyes. "It was the first time I’d ever experienced... something like that."
Luke gently rested his hands on her shoulders and drew her a little closer.
A startled yelp escaped her lips, but she made no attempt to pull away.
Leaning in until only a breath separated them, he murmured, "Would you like to experience it again?"
His hand slowly slipped from her shoulder to the curve of her waist, where it came to rest with quiet confidence.
"I could show you there’s even more waiting for you."
Zuri’s heart trembled when he touched her.
She felt quite weak in his arms, and under that heated gaze.
She was reminded of that day...which had left her dazed and wondering.
She glanced at the door before whispering. "Please don’t tell Terek about this."
Luke grinned. "Of course, not."
And with that, he led his dear aunt to the bed.