Page 12 of Undesirable (Devilish #3)

The rage was massive. His fear was even bigger.

Riku was the only thing that could kill Lucifer, and he just might.

No matter how hard they pushed against the mirror, it wouldn’t budge.

When they finally gave up, they all stood with their hands on their hips looking equal amounts of angry.

It was possibly for different reasons, though.

Riku couldn’t imagine Frost, Gemini, or Yuri were too happy about finding themselves trapped in Hell .

“This used to be a quiet town. There weren’t any gods showing up, dangling people over fires.”

At Gemini’s enraged words, Frost’s shoulders fell. “I know. Your life was fine before me. I’m sorry.”

Gemini growled. It sounded very large cat-like. “It isn’t you. You’re the only reason I stay. You didn’t choose this healer position.”

Riku couldn’t breathe. Truth be told, he was the reason they were here. He could have chosen any town to rest. Riku could have kept his distance from the people. Everything he did felt like one big fuck-up. He’d put these people in danger.

Lucifer’s arms encircled him from behind. No one noticed. They were too busy staring at the mirror. Riku didn’t startle. He had smelled him the moment he appeared. His heart had known its other half had arrived.

Frost spun, as if he too felt Lucifer’s presence. He opened his mouth, as if to blast him.

Brownie beat him to the punch. He turned human. “How fucking dare you lock me away? It’s my job to protect you. You insult my abilities. It’s my job,” he repeated, sounding like the demon dog he was.

Lucifer didn’t feel guilty. It was all there in his mind. He had known none of them stood a chance against a god.

Still, he placated him. “I needed you here to protect my mate. He’s my weak spot and my enemies will always know it. You did your job. You protected my back.”

Brownie sniffed. He seemed somewhat appeased. “Okay. I know you didn’t have time to say that. He’s too important.”

Riku bit back a smile. Now wasn’t the time.

Thankfully, Lucifer kept the focus on himself. “You should be safe to go home now. Celeste took care of things. You’re, unfortunately, down a guard now, Frost. But I’m sure my sister will have him back in no time… hopefully in one piece.”

“What? Who? ”

“Fen.”

“Oh.” Frost didn’t look as upset as Riku would’ve thought.

Then he remembered Fen had been one of the vampires that had been used against Wulfe’s pack leader when his relationship went south.

Riku would keep it to himself that he had been the one to suggest Audor take Fen on a date.

Oops. He genuinely hoped the guy was okay.

Riku felt certain Jormungandr wouldn’t challenge Celeste by actually killing one of her creations.

He was childish and spoiled, but he wasn’t stupid.

Frost made a helpless motion. “Thank you for coming when I called. I wasn’t sure if you’d hear me, but I didn’t know what else to do. ”

Lucifer’s affection for Frost rolled off him in waves. Riku tried not to be jealous. Lucifer deserved at least one real friend. He had been denied that for too long.

“Of course. I’ll always come when you call. Don’t let that get you killed.”

Frost ran his hand down Gemini’s arm. “It’s not me I’m worried about. I don’t know why he chose to torture Gemini instead of me, but I can’t have that. My heart can’t take it.”

Gemini wrapped his arms around Frost and kissed his temple. “I’m okay, baby. Luckily, I didn’t lose any fur the way Yuri did.”

I’m perfectly fine with the way that worked out.

A huge smile spread across Riku’s lips as Yuri’s words brushed his mind.

Brownie flashed a smile Yuri’s way too, as if he heard.

“We should head home. Our house is a mess from our intruder. I’m glad everyone is okay.” He hesitated. “Except Fen, of course. Hopefully, that works out.”

To be fair, Jormungandr was a god. There really wasn’t anything they could do. Frost wasn’t being heartless. He just put his faith in Celeste, as he should.

“A leg up, Brownie.”

At Lucifer’s command, Brownie turned back into a hellhound and let the pair use his back to climb through the mirror .

I should probably go help. Yuri sounded like he didn’t really want to go, but he felt obligated. Frost had done his best to heal his burns.

“I think you should stay. Frost and Gemini probably need some time alone.”

Okay. That’s true. His chipper tone died a swift death. What about the house, though? It’s my duty to protect it. Is it okay after Jormungandr got ahold of it?

Lucifer didn’t respond.

Riku looked his way, expecting he would answer. He merely looked as if he waited for Riku to finish his conversation.

“Oh no. That’s a bad sign. Did he level the house?”

Lucifer blinked. “Why did you ask like that? I’m not keeping anything from you. It looked okay from the outside. I don’t know about the inside.”

A thought occurred to him. “Can you not hear Yuri in this form?”

Lucifer shook his head. “He isn’t my companion. He’s yours. I can only hear Brownie. That’s how it works.”

Wait. What? Yuri sounded as confused as Riku felt.

“What do you mean? Are you saying he’s like my pet?”

Hey, now. I’m no one’s pet. I love you and all, but I’m a free wolf .

Riku couldn’t blame Yuri for his outage. “I love you too. Don’t worry about my feelings. I’d feel the same in your place.”

Lucifer and Brownie exchanged glances. It wasn’t really fair for them to think of him as ignorant.

Wolves were Odin’s creation. Riku didn’t get in Odin’s business.

Lucifer took on an exaggerated, patient expression.

“Yuri saved your life. At least, that was his full intent. He truly believed you were in danger when he leapt into that fire. He’s a creation of Odin.

That type of act always comes with a high reward.

In Yuri’s case, he’s been promoted to a guardian wolf. Your guardian.”

Whoa. Really? Odin sees me? Me? I’m no one. Is that how you became a guard? Yuri asked, focusing on Brownie.

Oh.

At Yuri’s ‘oh,’ Riku realized Brownie had answered, but Riku couldn’t hear.

He says—again—he’s not a creation of Odin. He earned his position through violence and blood.

Lucifer didn’t roll his eyes, but Riku felt it. It wasn’t quite that dramatic, but I’ll let him keep his pride.

At Lucifer’s words, Riku realized he could tell when Lucifer kept his thoughts between them. It was nice having a private line.

I thought you couldn’t hear Yuri.

I didn’t. I heard Brownie’s answer. He’s named Brownie, for fuck’s sake .

Riku turned his head so Brownie wouldn’t see the way he fought not to laugh.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s pretty badass, but he has a very soft and gooey center—like a Brownie. He’ll be a good mate to Yuri.

Riku’s eyebrows tried crawling into his hairline. They’re mates?

Of course, they can speak just like us. Brownie is an alpha.

He can speak telepathically to any lesser animal, but Yuri isn’t my creation, and Yuri isn’t lesser.

If anything, a guardian wolf is the highest a wolf can hope to climb, especially guardian to a godling.

If it makes you feel better, neither of them realizes it either.

I’m kind of looking forward to watching the drama unfold.

Riku shook his head. He waved away the hounds. “You two should go do something. I want to check my man for injuries.”

He never touched me , Lucifer reminded him.

“Don’t ruin my fun.”

I should check on the house.

“Yuri wants to check on the house. Is it okay if Brownie gives him a leg up?”

Lucifer made a shooing motion. “Go with him. Keep him safe. A guardian wolf is a high prize for anyone looking to lash out at us.”

Riku focused on Yuri. He knows you can take care of yourself. He’s just getting Brownie out of the house so we can be as loud as we want.

Ew.

Riku laughed as Yuri used Brownie’s back to leap through the mirror. Brownie followed without looking back.

Riku focused on Lucifer the second they were alone. “Tell me what happened. Every detail. I was cut off from you, which better never happen again. It felt like you’d died.”

A sexy smile touched Lucifer’s lips. “I appreciate you waiting until we’re alone to scold me.” He swept Riku from his feet. “You can wait a little longer for answers.”

Riku wanted to be aggravated, but it was impossible in Lucifer’s arms. This was his mate. They were together. Literally, nothing else mattered.

While Lucifer knew Riku deserved answers, he couldn’t deal right now.

He felt too raw from seeing his sister and it was exhausting trying to keep that from Riku.

Every day, it got a little harder to keep Riku from penetrating deeper and deeper into his mind.

Soon there would be nowhere he could hide.

“Oh, baby. It’s okay to totally understand her reasoning and still feel bitter. You can love her and still feel hurt over her decisions. It’s completely valid to feel torn.”

Well, shit. It didn’t seem he hid as well as he thought.

He shook his head as he settled on the bed with his back against the headboard and Riku across his lap.

“You do realize I’m still Lucifer, right?

I’m still the same evil, dangerous, and powerful god I was before we met.

I’m still undesirable number one—the great deceiver.

Whatever else people say. It’s all valid.

Just because that doesn’t extend to you doesn’t mean anything has changed.

When you were constantly rejecting me, I could’ve killed you. I wanted to most days. ”