Chapter 57

57 Moving On

“Are you alright?” Kinnon Youngshaper asked his future Luna as soon as they got into the car.

Lucien had gone silent for the remainder of the night, and Kinnon knew why. Although Lucien did not openly show his dislike in front of everyone to preserve their faces, he must be angry that Kinnon kissed him like that in public. It was their first kiss as a couple, too.

To make matters worse, Lucien had to watch as Ronan Silverback fell upon Lillian Woodland like a hungry beast the whole night long. It was like stumbling upon a scene of a tragic car accident. He wanted to look away, but the picture was already carved into his skull. He was forced to watch the same display again and again. It was not possible to erase it.

“Mm,” was Lucien’s answer. He leaned against the car window with an elbow resting against the window frame. The other arm was draped around Ralph who had his head lying on Lucien’s lap.

Kinnon pursed his lips in displeasure as Ralph stretched himself between them, acting like a bridge to separate Kinnon and Lucien. Although Kinnon loved Ralph dearly, sometimes he wanted to leave Ralph with his nanny for long enough time so that he could do intimate things with Lucien. Unfortunately, Ralph believed that he had more claim on Lucien’s time because Lucien was going to become his mommy.

The Alpha took Lucien’s hand and pressed a kiss on top of the knuckles. Lucien turned his head and gave him a quizzical look.

“Are you sure that you are not angry?” Kinnon queried.

Lucien sighed. “No, I am not. I just don’t feel too well tonight.”

There were times when Lucien hated himself for being weak, and tonight was one of those times. Ever since he was young, Lucien was able to spout the harshest words, but he often failed to live up to his words. Unlike Ronan.

.....

Ronan could talk about his feelings all he wanted and he would still be unable to move Lucien’s heart. It was not because Lucien was heartless. It was because he knew better. Ronan gave him a speech about disappointment and heartbreak tonight, only to hook up with Lillian Woodland not even an hour later. Between the two of them, Ronan was always the first person to move on and Lucien the last.

No.

In fact, Ronan had moved on a few times while Lucien was still stuck in the past.

The Moon Goddess bestowed two alpha werewolves with a fated mate connection. One of them was naive and innocent. He fell in love as easily as he fell out of love. The other one was serious and thoughtful. Once he fell in love, he was unable to crawl out. Not even to save his life.

Lucien heaved a deep sigh. He was so mentally exhausted that he did not even bother hiding it anymore.

Kinnon’s hand traveled to Lucien’s neck and gently massaged the back of his neck. Lucien sighed contentedly when Kinnon’s strong fingers hit the sore points at his neck skillfully.

“Are you tired?”

“Yes,” Lucien replied while rubbing the spot between his brows to alleviate an incoming headache. “I don’t like being in the company of too many people.”

Kinnon was relieved to hear Lucien’s words. Maybe he really was just foul-mooded because he had to socialize with too many people that night.

The North Ridge Forest was located in a remote place — far from all Pack Houses, including the Night Prowler Pack House. Most werewolves did not go back home straight but spent a night in the nearby Hapsborough City instead.

Just as the Silverback Corporation owned the Carlton Bay Hotel chain, the Youngshaper Corporation owned the Seaside View Hotel chain.

A presidential suite in Seaside View Hotel was booked for Kinnon and Lucien for that night. Ralph shared the suite next door with his nanny. If Ralph had not been so tired, he would have protested loudly. Kinnon thought that a night alone with Lucien was long overdue.

Intent on impressing the Alpha and his future Luna, the hotel manager waited for their arrival and personally showed them the suites. After ensuring them that the hotel personnel were only one phone call away in case they needed anything, the hotel manager wished them a good night and left.

The door fell shut with a soft click.

“I need to wash my face,” Lucien announced before going into the bathroom.

“Okay,” Kinnon said in response.

The Alpha took his robe off, leaving only a white undershirt and pants underneath. Lucien took a while inside the bathroom. When the man did not come out after thirty minutes, Kinnon became concerned. He knocked on the bathroom door three times and asked, “Lucien, everything alright?”

“Yes,” came the reply right away.

The bathroom door opened and a red-eyed Lucien came out.

“...”

Lucien wiped at his face with a towel that he draped around his neck.

“I had some dust in my eyes,” he lied.

Both eyes? Lucien is such a lousy liar.

“You can use the bathroom now. I will go to sleep.”

Lucien went past Kinnon. He did not make it far before his hand was caught by Kinnon. The man hugged him from behind. He pressed a kiss on Lucien’s neck, his warm breath trailing from the base of his neck to his ear.

Lucien looked up at Kinnon, and the latter leaned in closer to him.

“Lucien,” he whispered in a magnetic voice. “do you mind if we establish our mating bond tonight?”

Lucien’s eyelashes trembled slightly in hesitation.

“I thought you would want to wait until we are married.”

“I don’t think I can wait that long.”

Kinnon pressed a kiss on Lucien’s forehead, and then his lips went down the bridge of Lucien’s nose and settled on his lips. It was only a slight brushing between two pairs of lips at first, but it slowly turned into a gentle kiss. Kinnon was quickly aroused when Lucien responded to his kiss. He put both hands inside Lucien’s robe and took it off with one smooth movement.