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“Hell?” Lucien asked, picking up a scent much like Hellen’s on the child from all the way across the room.

She looked so much like Hellen that the child could be hers, and he was not aware that Hellen had a child already.

He was a little freaked out that he may be a father by proxy and didn’t even know it.

“She’s my niece. Harley, that’s Lucien, Lucien, that’s Harley. My brother’s daughter.”

“Ahhh, makes sense. The twin brother.”

“So, where did Hellen find you?” Daisy asked quietly.

“Left for dead in a swamp,” Lucien said, his usual blunt self.

“Oh, so she saved you,” Everly exclaimed.

“Yep. And here I am.”

“And that’s why you chose her as your mate. It’s so sweet,” Everly said.

“No. Not at all. I wish it was that easy to understand,” Lucien said. He looked directly into Everly’s eyes. “She’s kind of mean. Have you noticed?”

“Boy, I think I’m about to whip your ass!

” Maverik threatened. “Do not be talking about my daughter like that!” Maverik turned his attention back to Hellen after he’d finished speaking to Lucien.

“And why you gotta always be so damn difficult? The male protected your ass from your own Alpha, and you gotta be mean to him.”

“I’m not difficult! You just don’t understand!”

“I raised your ass. I understand perfectly.”

“Why didn’t you tell anybody you were pregnant?” Delilah demanded, walking over to stand next to Tempest.

“I have reasons,” Tempest said. “Valid reasons!”

“You’re golden,” Bam said, smiling at Lucien.

“Oh, he is!” Daisy said.

“No, I’m a gator,” Lucien said, not understanding Bam at all.

“Yeah, and you’re golden. So is Hell. It means you’re mates,” Bam said.

“Yeah, I’m not arguing with that one. Though I question the golden part,” Lucien said.

“He sees auras. He’s a healer. If you have a golden aura, it means that you’ve met your mate,” Everly explained. “Daisy can see it, too.”

“Really, a healer? Cool. Could have used you a few months back, when Hell left me to die alone after she tried to bury me alive!” Lucien called out, his voice rising to cut through the din of everyone trying to speak over each other about either Tempest and Brandt’s pregnancy or Lucien and Hellen’s brand new relationship.

“Hellen!” Valerie chided.

“I did not! I told him I’d be back as soon as I could. And I only tried to bury him until I realized he was still alive, then I dragged his big, ungrateful ass out of the hole I put him in!”

Kaid couldn’t help it, he started laughing.

Bam joined in.

Even Everly giggled a little.

Lucien grinned at all of them laughing, then looked at Daisy, to find her trying her best to fake a smile, while nothing but sadness had suddenly taken over her eyes.

“You alright?” he asked.

Daisy nodded. “Yeah. I’m good.”

He watched her suspiciously, until Valerie walked over to him. “Hello, Lucien. I’m Valerie. I’m Hellen’s mother.”

Lucien stood up slowly, the soreness of his body keeping him from displaying the strength he so clearly possessed. “Ma’am. I’m Lucien. I’m pleased to meet you.”

“I’m pleased to meet you as well. Would you like something to eat or drink?”

“I don’t want to impose. Just came to see Hell. I mean, Hellen.”

“Is there anything you don’t eat?” Valerie asked as she moved back across the living room toward the kitchen while looking back at him.

“No, ma’am. Can’t say there is.”

“I’ll be right back,” Valerie said, pausing beside Hellen to whisper. “I like him. He’s respectful. And can clearly handle you if necessary.”

“You act like I’m not the good child! Havoc is the trouble — remember? Not me!”

“You done your share,” Maverik said. He strode directly up to Lucien while everybody else was grilling Tempest and Brandt. “I’m Maverik.”

“I figured you were,” Lucien said.

“What gave it away?” Maverik asked.

“The calling me boy, and threating to whip my ass. Which, if you’re going to do it, I suggest you do it now, because in a few more weeks, I’ll be healed enough that it wouldn’t be a good idea.”

Maverik grinned coldly. “I’ll wait ‘til then just to show I can, smart-ass.”

“Uncle Maverik, he’s not being a smart ass. He’s just got no filter and doesn’t know how to be anything but blunt,” Brandt called out.

“Not so sure I like that,” Maverik said.

“Oh, for God’s sake. He’s just like you!” Hellen said.

“I beg to differ!” Maverik demanded.

“Fine. He’s not just like you. He’s got no sense of humor,” Hellen said.

“Told you he’s not just like me,” Maverik said haughtily. He turned back to Lucien. “So, what are your intentions with my daughter?”

“I have no clue,” Lucien answered truthfully.

“Didn’t you just say you’re her mate?” Maverik demanded.

“Just because you’re somebody’s mate, doesn’t mean you have to mate them. It’s not always the best choice.”

Maverik looked down his nose at the male who’d declared himself Hellen’s mate, and broke out into a wide smile. “Let me just say, there ain’t no better than my Hellen. But for the record, I get you. Come on, son. Let’s go get a beer.”

“I’m sorry?” Lucien asked.

“You get it. Not everybody does, so you already have one up on everybody else. But let me make it clear to you. If she does want you and you hurt her, I’ll have to kill you. But until then, I like you. Kaid! You got some beer in the kitchen?”

“It’s 10:00 A. M., Daddy!” Hellen exclaimed.

“So?” Maverik asked.

“Maverik, Lucien doesn’t want beer this early. I’ve got him some things to snack on,” Valerie said, walking past Maverik and handing Lucien a paper plate loaded with donuts and muffins, two breakfast sandwiches, and a cup of coffee.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Lucien said.

“Val, you said there wasn’t any more muffins!” Harley complained.

“You ate three already. That’s enough sugar,” Valerie said.

The door opened and another male and female walked in. “Sorry we’re late,” Bane said.

“I’m just moving slow this morning,” Janie said. “I don’t get to sleep in very often.”

“That’s my brother Bane and his mate, Janie.

They’re Daisy’s parents. And Brandt’s, too,” Bam explained to Lucien.

Looks like you’re going to meet most everybody except Goldie and Sadie and their son Jobe and his wife and kids.

They’re all on a cruise. They’re retired now, so they travel a lot.

Jobe finally took some time off work to travel with them for a little while. ”

Lucien nodded as he chewed, trying to log in all the names and explanations Bam offered.

“Oh, my. You’re new,” Janie said to Lucien as she walked over and leaned in to kiss her daughter.

“I’m Lucien. Hellen’s mate.”

“Since when?” Bane asked.

“About fifteen minutes ago,” Bam answered.

“It’s longer than that, he’s been staying at her house,” Brandt said petulantly, still peeved that Hellen threw them under the bus.

“Do not touch my daughter until she’s married, you hear me?!” Maverik ordered.

“I thought you just called me son?” Lucien asked.

“That can change in a minute! Don’t get comfortable, now,” Maverik said.

“Daddy!”

“Don’t ‘daddy’ me!” Maverik yelled.

“Ma, please!” Hellen begged.

“Maverik, if you don’t stop embarrassing her, we’re leaving.”

Maverik stuck his tongue out at his mate, then grinned at Lucien. “You love them even more when they irritate you. You’ll figure that out soon enough.”

But Lucien wasn’t looking at Maverik. His focus was on Harley, who was now standing right in front of him with a huge orange and white iguana riding on her shoulder.

“I would like a muffin, please.”

“I heard you already had three,” Lucien said.

“It’s not for me. It’s for Gerald,” Harley explained. “I pick the blueberries out of them and give them to Gerald.”

“And Gerald would be the orange lizard clinging to your back,” Lucien said.

“Yep. He’s my best friend.”

“I see. He thinks you’re his best friend, too,” Lucien said.

“How do you know?”

“Because I speak his language. He’s trying to puff up to make himself look bigger to protect you from me.”

“I don’t think you’re so scary.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Do you really know he thinks that?” Harley asked.

“I do.”

“How?”

“Well, you know how you’re a wolf shifter?”

“Yep.”

“I’m an alligator shifter. And lizards are kind of related to us.”

Harley nodded, then smiled at him, the same exact smile Maverik and Havoc used when they wanted something particularly badly. “Does that mean I can have your blueberry muffin for Gerald since he’s related to you. It would be rude not to share with him since he’s family.”

Lucien laughed, that deep, rich velvety laugh that did all kinds of unspeakable things to Hellen — and every female in the room stopped whatever they were doing and turned to look at him, almost like they were in a trance— pheromones floating all around the damn room.

“Stop laughing!” Hellen ordered irritatedly as she shot warning looks at each of her female family members.

“You know what, little girl? You can have whatever you want,” Lucien said, holding out his plate to Harley while completely ignoring Hellen.

Harley snatched up a blueberry muffin and ran back toward the kitchen with Gerald looking back and hissing at him the whole way.

Conversation started picking up again, but Lucien couldn’t help but notice that Daisy wasn’t really into it. She kept herself separate. She was quiet and sad. He just couldn’t leave it alone.

“Daisy, right?” he asked.

She looked into his one good eye and nodded at him. “That’s me.”

“You okay?”

“Sure. I’m fine.”

“You really sure about that? You seemed better when you got here.”

“I’m sorry?” Daisy asked.

“You seemed happier when you got here. But now I can see that you’re hurting. Not hiding it so well now.”

“You’re wrong.”

“No, I’m not. I can feel it.”

“I’m a healer. If I was hurting that bad, I’d have healed myself already.”

“Not if you can’t find your way around it. And it’s been my understanding that healers can heal everyone but themselves.”

“I’m fine.”

“You know, if you tell me who hurt you, I’ll kill them for you. Won’t take but a second or two.”

For just a split second, the name Daisy wanted so badly to give him was on the tip of her tongue. But at the last minute, she clamped her mouth closed and shook her head. She was too embarrassed for her family to know how foolish she’d been.

“Alright. Have it your way for now, but the offer stands.” Lucien stopped asking her, but he watched her quietly.

He leaned over closer to her and winked at her.

“We’ll talk about it later when we don’t have so many listening.

Maybe then you’ll decide to tell me the truth.

If not, I’ll just follow you around killing everybody it might have been until you don’t seem sad anymore. ”

“I like him! He can stay!” Delilah announced pointing dramatically at Lucien.

“I agree,” Bane said, looking critically at his daughter. “What’s going on, baby?”

“Hellen!” Daisy exclaimed.

“Don’t look at me. Brandt said he could stay. I told him to leave. Talk to your brother. And your Aunt Delilah, and your daddy. I’m going to find some peace and quiet,” Hellen said as she reached in her back pocket, took out her keys and marched right out the front door.