Page 66 of Forever My Siren Luna

I had never set foot on it before. I’m wondering if it is much like Jack’s ships I’ve grown accustomed to.

“What a lunch, huh?” Lachlan said, bumping softly against me.

“I know. I’m sorry about that.” I was the one who invited them to eat with us. I feel bad for extending the offer in my naivety.

“You shouldn’t be sorry, Lira. Everything was calm and peaceful until he decided to change that.”

I grimaced. “I’m sorry because I feel like I shouldn’t have invited him to be there in the first place. Poor Joe. He was even left abandoned after Jack chose to leave for whatever reason.”

Lachlan scoffed. “The boy was indeed put in an awkward position. Don’t worry too much. Cherum is taking him to the warrior training grounds now and showing him the ways to become a warrior.”

“Really? I thought he would head back to the ship.”

Lachlan shrugged. “I guess he had questions of his own about pack life.”

I nodded in understanding. Joe is a lot like the older boys in the orphanage, lost and looking for guidance. He was looking to Jack for that, but maybe it would be healthier for the boy to spend time with Cherum and the other pack warriors as well. As long as they don’t try taking him to the brothels.

“So what was it you wanted to talk about? What were you curious about earlier?” Lachlan asks, getting right back to it.

How do I start?

“So, Cedric told me something today, and I was wondering if it could be true,” I frowned, thinking of lunch just now. “And then what just happened with Jack more or less confirmed a bit more of what Cedric was warning me of. I just wanted to know more from you.”

“Is this in relation to your pirate captain?” Lachlan asked and I nodded. Lachlan smirked slightly. “I can only imagine what Cedric might have said to you. He doesn’t really have a filter.”

I giggled. “No he does not.”

Lachlan rested his hand in mine, squeezing it tight. “I missed your laugh so much over the past several months. It's a compelling sound.” He lifted my hand and planted a gentle kiss on the back of it, making Val purr rather embarrassingly.

While I'm a bit dazed, Lachlan smirked and asked, “So, what did our candid friend Cedric say to you that is related to the pirate but also concerns me? You have my curiosity peaked as well.”

I stared at him as I contemplated for a moment, then looked around to make sure that we were alone.

“Cedric seemed to think that Jack sees me in a different light than I thought he did.”

Lachlan sighed. “So? Do you not think that is true? Do you want me to confirm or deny it to you?”

I grimaced. “Not exactly that per se. Cedric mentioned that things were said to you after my arrival back to the pack when the two of you were conversing on the docks.”

“Things?” Lachlan raised an eyebrow.

I’m a little annoyed that he is making me be so direct.

“Did Jack try to lay claim to me then? Cedric was under the impression that Jack, uh, was staking a claim on me, and warned me to watch myself around him if I wanted to try and work on things with you. I guess I’m just wondering what exactly was said. Before Jack spoke out at lunch I had my doubts about whether it could even be true. I’ve never thought Jack harbored lust or any such related feelings towards me.”

Lachlan snorted. “Lira. You wouldn’t notice those things coming from anyone. If you are asking if Jack sees you as a woman, the answer is yes. He did try to claim you belonged with him and not me. It pissed me off for a minute, but later I remembered it was you we were talking about. I really didn’t have much to worry about unless he tried to forcibly mark you, then I would just kill him.” Lachlan shrugged like it is no big deal, speaking of killing Jack.

“Why do you say that? What exactly do you mean?”

He stared at me pointedly, like the answer was obvious. “Lira. It used to drive me absolutely insane how oblivious you were to other men’s advances. It would make me furious at times. I thought maybe you were putting on an act, but I came to realize you really were just ignorant to such things.”

I’m gaping at him in doubt. “What on earth are you talking about?”

He rolled his eyes. “You are gorgeous, Lira. Stunning. You are absolutely the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I am not the only one who thinks so. Men stare at you all the time. If I ever saw you talking to a man, no matter how innocently, I would blow up with jealousy, but you never noticed any of the stares that came your way.

“You still don’t. Why do you think I was so upset this morning? Other men were staring at you in awe with that wanting look in their eyes, but you were too focused on proving me wrong to notice. You are just very ignorant when it comes to men’s affections.”

I grimaced. “I’m sorry. I just never noticed.”