Chapter 417 - CROSS HEART

"I don't care about that, I just want to know your true intention." Kace cut her off in the middle of her explanation and instead gazed at her sharply. 

If she was treated badly in her pack, it made sense why she didn't look for the other pack to take her in for the fear they would treat her the same. 

That was why she was so adamant to refuse Kace from taking her to those pack earlier. 

But, that was her problem, while the only thing that concern Kace was her true intention now. If she was going to be near his mate, she had to gain his trust completely. 

"Since the attack, I have been looking for my mother, the fae." Lana let out disgruntled voice as she explain. "The last thing that I know about her that she is living in the northern coven."

"I will not go there." Kace stated. "But, you free to go."

Lana let out a frustration sigh before she spoke again. "No. That is not the point." She ran her fingers through her disheveled brown hair that tumbled on her shoulder. "I was looking for my mother just because I have no one. Despite the harsh environment in my old pack, but I have a place for me to sleep and eat."

Kace would have never thought that this stubborn and rather brutish girl has a very simple mind. She just wanted to belong to something or someone or whatever…

Well, that was a pure instinct of shifter, especially werewolf and Lycan, because of that same reason they created a pack for them. Because of the feeling to belong to something…

But, for a rogue like Kace, he doubted he wanted something like that. He didn't want that kind of feeling, the responsibility to tie him.

Because the expanse of losing someone that was so dear to him was something that he couldn't handle well. 

Meanwhile, Hope was different case. She was different reason and entity for Kace…

Someone that he would gladly laid his heart open just to ensure her safety, yet she was safe enough now; gurgling and gushing every now and then, and slept away most of time.

Even only little, Kace realized that the baby had gained some weight, though for him she was as light as a feather.

"So, my point is…" Lana straightened her back with determination on her face. "I was serious when I said that I pledged my loyalty to you."

It didn't matter for her if Kace wasn't an Alpha, as long as she could be part of this little group, she didn't mind it. 

"Hm…" Kace didn't shift his attention from the baby in his arms as he nodded. "You can do anything as you please, but don't touch her."

"Don't touch her?" Lana raised an eyebrow at that statement. "But, who will take care of her when you left?"

Kace didn't need to look at the smug smile on her lips when she talked as if she had known everything. What a little brat she was…

Apparently she had eavesdropped the conversation between him and Serefina. 

"Do I give you permission?" Kace bit back. "You have not yet gained my trust, little girl."

"I am loyal to you." Lana was adamant with her words. She even huffed exasperatedly. 

Kace didn't bother to reply to Lana as he was fascinated by the baby gentle touch when she played with a lock of his dark hair. 

"Well, I can ensure your loyalty if you don't mind." 

All of sudden, Serefina's voice rang inside the room that made Lana jumped and was in defense position, it was her instinct to be alerted by this kind of surprise.

However, on the other hand, Kace didn't even flinch when he heard that, he was used by Serefina's intrusion after all.

"What do you mean?" Kace asked, but it was only a formality because he was so careless about any of that. "I thought you don't want her to be here."

Serefina shrugged her shoulder. "Don't get me wrong, but I have zero experience when it came about children."

"That was why, I will not leave." Kace tugged Hope's small hand away from him as he raised his head to look at the witch, who was standing against the window, so the glow from the sunrays fell on her background, making her looked like an angel who radiated a light in her presence.

Whether she realized it or not, but Kace was positive that Serefina did that on purpose. 

He frowned. This lunatic witch was always full of herself…

"You have to leave in order to distract your dear brother's people." Serefina didn't budge with their deal before. "The longer you are here, the easier for them to find all of this."

Regardless of everything, there was weird connection between their kind, especially with royal blood that ran down their veins. 

A hunter, though extremely difficult, would eventually catch a wind about Kace whereabouts.

That was why, Serefina didn't want Kace to stay for long time here. Before, no one would have thought that they would hide near the northern coven, hence she wanted to keep it that way. 

"What do you suggest?" Lana asked pompously, she was certain that she would give her all to gain Kace's trust. 

She had been living under such environment before, thus she wouldn't let this chance slipped away. 

"You will learn how to talk to me with much manner young girl." Serefina curled her lips dangerously while Kace could only sigh.

The lycan was able to see what kind of people that his mate would grow up with… he just hopped his little baby wouldn't take after any of the two.

"I don't follow your order." Lana snapped. "I follow him."

"Okay girls, let's settle this." Kace put down baby Hope and crossed his thick arms in front of his sturdy chest. "What do you want to do?" he nodded at Serefina, totally ignoring the hard stare that both of them gave him because of the word 'girl'. 

"Cross heart." Serefina said with malice in her tone.