Freeing Luka: The Clecanian Series Book 2 Victoria Aveline (story read aloud TXT) 📖

on humans, he knew Alice wouldn’t be able to see him, but Zed, with his perfect eyesight and extensive guard training, would.

Luka saw the moment Zed spotted him. His scowl remained in place but became annoyed rather than alert. He turned and almost touched Alice before lowering his hand again.

Luka let out a relieved breath. At least his brother was aware of the effect the mating bond was having on him.

A spark of urgency and embarrassment tugged at him as he hobbled along the shoreline. He couldn’t show up like this. He’d look weak in front of her. She couldn’t see him like that.

Luka waited until Alice had been escorted into the building then made himself visible to Zed, who was glaring in his direction.

Zed began to jog toward him, the clear platforms rising to meet his feet with each long stride. He wished he had the clearance to call those platforms to the surface. Then he could go see Alice in her home whenever he wanted.

No, stop! No more stalking her! he scolded, even as he ached to snatch the small token giving Zed access to the lake.

“What the fuck are you doing, Luka? Is this where you’ve been disappearing to?” Zed barked. Glancing over his shoulder, he lowered his voice. “Do you know what would happen if you were to be caught here? I’m head guard, for Goddess’ sake! I should be—”

Ignoring his brother’s lecturing, he asked, “Do you have a healer on you? I hurt my ankle.”

Zed slammed his mouth shut, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “No,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Where is the closest one?” He glanced around Zed, eyes drawn back to the meeting house, even knowing he wouldn’t be able to see inside.

“You’ll just have to suck it up. You’re late as it is.”

Luka’s eyes flashed to meet his brother’s amused smirk. He knows where a healer is, but he’s not telling me. Punishing me for my behavior.

Zed turned and began walking along the shore, forcing Luka to limp behind him. “I can’t go in there like this.”

Zed shrugged. “You don’t have a choice. They’re going to be submerging as soon as the Queen is ready. That’ll barely give you enough time to get there and get settled.”

“If you escort me across the lake, I’d have time,” Luka argued through clenched teeth.

Zed rounded on him, annoyance splashed across his face. “You need to be escorted by Metli, like all of the other attendees.”

Luka reached out to smack his brother, but even with his mated-enhanced speed, his ankle slowed him down. Zed stepped back until he was standing on a platform in the water, just out of reach. Zed lifted his hand, displaying his hand clock for Luka to see.

Being late to something like this wasn’t an option. The Queen always did things on time, and if he arrived too late, they’d submerge without him, and he’d lose his chance to speak with Alice in a non-threatening group setting. Luka cursed and began hobbling the long way around the lake toward the main entrance.

When he reached a waiting Metli, precious minutes later, he was covered in sweat, and a sharp pain stabbed through his ankle with every step. Already foul, his mood darkened further when he thought about the first impression he’d be making on his new mate.

“What happened to you?” Metli asked, eyeing him up and down with a quirked brow. “And where is your paint? The Queen made it very clear that both you and Theo need to cover your marks when in public.”

I don’t have time for this. “Can you please escort me to the meeting, Metli?” His words were polite, but his tone was biting.

Pursing her lips, Metli shoved a large ball into his hands, then hurried off over the water without a word.

Luka groaned, taking a few quick breaths to prepare himself for the pain, then staggered after her. He’d need to apologize to her later.

Peering at the red ball in his hands, he wondered if he could somehow take it with him. The object was chosen as a guest pass, allowing visitors to cross the water, because it was unlikely to be stolen. Bright red and large, it’d be difficult to smuggle unnoticed.

When he reached the other side of the lake, he found Metli waiting with arms outstretched. Lips pursed in a tight line and eyes aimed upward, she tapped her foot impatiently.

The females of this world were not used to being spoken to so curtly. Metli, a respected employee of the Queen, was especially not used to it.

“I’m sorry, Metli. Would you mind if I kept this with me so I can visit the medbay after the meeting?” He lifted the leg of his pants, exposing his swollen ankle. Angry red bruises were already beginning to spread over the engorged skin.

She crinkled her nose, grimacing. “Fine, but only because Flen is already aware of your matehood. Keep your hands in your pockets and talk to no one else.” Eyeing him then the pass with suspicion, she added, “If you keep it for too long, I’ll have it deactivated.” Without another word, she walked into the dim room.

The door to the meeting space was only a few feet in front of him, but it may as well have been a mile. Once inside, he’d be able to sit, but until then, he had to make a good impression. Metli had just reminded him that females didn’t take kindly to weakness.

He needed to stride in and be seen as a strong, attractive male Alice might be proud to call her own, while also keeping his distance. Already, it was difficult to concentrate on anything other than the pain. Carrying on a conversation would be impossible.

It was unfortunate he wouldn’t be able to talk to her, but he decided