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

even if she was, people got over heartbreak all the time. If he was truly interested in being with her, he’d have to work for it too.

She stared up into his tumultuous blue eyes once more. She’d give him a chance, but she needed to hold on to her newfound strength. If he blew it, that would be the end. No second chances. No seeing the good in someone that just didn’t exist. No attempting to fix him. Alien or not, he could either win her over or live his life as a mated man without his mate.

One thing was clear—she and Luka needed to sit down and talk it out. She rose, taking a moment to prepare herself for the backlash she might get.

When she approached him, he stood, his eyes trained on her. Whenever she’d entered his cell in the facility, his body would relax, like he’d been waiting all day just to have a glimpse of her. Now, tension rolled off him in waves, and he clenched the back of his chair as though he might crush it at any second.

“Hello, Luka,” she said quietly.

He inclined his head a fraction. “Alice.”

Over their weeks together, her attraction to him had wormed its way deep into her very marrow. He’d only spoken one word, but his familiar, deep rumbling voice made a bolt of electricity shoot up her spine.

They stared at each other for long moments. This was the first time they’d really spoken since…ever. When she glanced around, she saw everyone’s attention had turned to them.

She felt heat rising on her cheeks. “After the meeting, could we talk outside?”

“No,” he said swiftly. The knuckles of the hand still gripping his chair were white.

She nibbled her lip, unsure how to reply to the blatant refusal. He opened his mouth, but then closed it again. Was it just her, or did he look pale?

“We should really talk. I want to apologize for what happened down there,” she urged, wondering if she was causing his sickly reaction. “I know you may not remember me or what happened, but I—”

“I don’t wish to talk to you right now, Alice,” he said through gritted teeth, then sat back down, not meeting her eyes.

Alice bit the inside of her cheek and continued to stare at the side of his face. Shame and embarrassment washed over her. She could feel everyone’s eyes on her. Taking in the uncomfortable exchange.

As she shuffled back to her seat and plopped down, she could just imagine the vivid shade of red her face had turned. A small part of her relaxed when she noticed most of the eyes in the room remained angrily fixed on Luka.

A deep scowl was clear on Verakko’s face, the most emotion she’d seen from him yet, and even Rhaego, who’d been nothing but kind and sweet to everyone he’d spoken to, sneered in Luka’s direction.

It’s not his fault. He has every right to be upset with me. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t want to see me, either.

Luka kept his gaze trained on his interlaced fingers in front of him, ignoring the silent berating directed toward him.

He could’ve handled it better, though. That was very rude. Alice’s chest puffed a little, indignation mixing with her embarrassment and sympathy. A part of her reasoned she didn’t know enough about the alien culture to assume Luka’s actions were rude, but the reaction of everyone else, paired with the kind, respectful treatment she’d been given from all of the other men, told her differently.

The Queen emerged from a door to the right along with a tall, elegant woman. The new woman’s eyes met Alice’s, and she gave a courteous nod before moving to sit next to Jade and Theo.

The Queen now stood near an empty seat at the table. She turned to Metli. “Is everyone accounted for?”

Metli nodded.

Alice told herself she needed to concentrate on this meeting. Make sure the Queen didn’t regret inviting her. But no matter how hard she tried to keep her mind focused, her thoughts and eyes strayed back to Luka.

She couldn’t decide if she should be heartened or wary of the fact that he kept glancing at her too. Whenever her gaze wandered to him, she’d catch him watching her before quickly looking away. His bitchy attitude with her must’ve made him feel better at least, because he no longer looked like he wanted to throttle her.

Great! Yet another person who feels better after taking it out on me. Just what I need.

Willing her mind to forget about Luka for a few minutes, she looked around the room, eyes landing briefly on each of the attendees. They all sat at a large round table with a hollow center. Verakko and Rhaego sat on either side of her. Next to Rhaego sat Theo, then Jade, then the graceful woman who’d been speaking with the Queen. Next to her, and directly across from Alice, sat the brooding Luka.

A pale woman with a platinum-blonde pixie cut and sour expression sat on his other side, her lips pursed. She didn’t look too different from a human, but the barely visible white markings running along her neck and bare shoulders were enough to tell Alice she was a Clecanian. Next to her sat Lucy, the only person in attendance who looked excited to be here. The Queen sat on Lucy’s other side, then Metli, and finally Verakko. Eleven in all.

Alice focused her attention back on the Queen and waited.

“Thank you all for attending this meeting. I am grateful to each and every one of you for your discretion,” the Queen said, sweeping her eyes around the room. “We are here today to discuss three things. One: the immediate threat of the Insurgents. Two: the revelation that humans are a compatible species and are able to not only