“Yeah,” I admitted with a little sigh. “And I already hadn’t eaten. Guess it’s going to take me awhile to recharge.”
“Let me get you some food,” Lakin said, standing up. “You need the fuel.”
My stomach twisted at the idea of eating, but I knew I wasn’t in any position to turn down food. My fridge was empty, and I wasn’t going to make it to the Palace tonight to raid their kitchens. Eating while I was already there was one thing, but I’d never live it down if Iannis discovered I was making trips to the Palace just for a meal.
Lakin came back with a huge stainless steel bowl filled with steaks, and my stomach growled at the scent of raw meat. My beast half took over, pouncing on the bowl as Lakin set it down on the ground, and I ripped into the meat with savage intensity. Lakin said nothing, simply sat on the couch and watched as I devoured the steaks, and I kept my own gaze focused on my food, not wanting to see the pity in his eyes.
“Feeling better?” he asked after I’d finished and laid myself down on the floor.
“Yes.” Not completely of course – my heart was still a roiling mass of emotion – but the weight of food in my belly helped calm me a little. I raised my eyes to Lakin’s. “Thank you. I’m sorry for intruding like this.”
“It’s not a problem,” Lakin said gently. “You’ve had a rough day.”
He didn’t know how rough. And I wasn’t going to tell him – the phone call from Rylan wasn’t really Lakin’s business, and there was nothing Lakin could do about it anyway. I was just going to have to tell Iannis when I saw him next, and as Rylan said, watch my back.
“So have you found anything?” I asked. “Any clue as to who might’ve taken Mika?”
“The only clue is that phone call you received yesterday,” Lakin said, his lips thinning. “I canvassed the neighborhood, but nobody saw who took Mika. The only lead we have right now is that fighting ring you’ve dug up.”
“Got it. You’re coming with us to the Shifter Royale tomorrow, right?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss out on the chance to investigate such an important lead.”
I got to my feet, then turned my mind inward and reached for the human half of me so I could shift back. I had enough food in my belly, but mentally I was so exhausted that by the time I finished I collapsed onto the couch next to Lakin.
“Do you need a place to crash?” Lakin asked, studying me with concern. “Sometimes it can be tough to be alone in situations like this.”
“Thanks, but it’s not necessary.” I shook my head, smiling a little. “I’ve been alone long enough that I’ve figured out how to deal.”
“Just because you’ve figured out how to be alone doesn’t mean you have to be,” Lakin said softly. He cupped my cheek with his hand, and my heart started beating faster at the tender look in his eyes.
“Lakin –”
“My name is Boon,” he murmured, and then he closed the distance between us. I drew a sharp breath in through my nostrils as he kissed me, softly, slowly, his lips a gentle caress against mine. Warmth stole through me, softening me up, and I closed my eyes, leaning into him. Cupping my face with both hands, he deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue in my mouth. He tasted dark and smoky, like a hot fire on a cold night, and he warmed me from the inside out.
“I can smell your need,” he murmured against my mouth, hot gaze boring deeply into mine. “I know you’re going to need a male soon.”
“Yes.” I licked my lips, tasting the desire on my own tongue. It slowly built with each passing day as my heat approached, and though I still had a few weeks until that day came, that didn’t necessarily mean my body wanted to be celibate in the meantime. But as I stared into Lakin’s reddish-yellow eyes, a pair of iridescent violet irises flashed in my mind’s eye, and heat for a different individual rushed through me.
“Boon,” I said as Lakin leaned into me. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this.” I was being stupid, I knew – Lakin was an obvious choice, both as a lover and a potential mate, and I already knew I could never have Iannis. But I was conflicted all the same, and I wasn’t going to get involved with someone I worked with while my heart was still tangled up.
“Alright.” Lakin drew back, disappointment in his gaze, but he gave me a small smile all the same. “I won’t push you. Just know that I’m here.”
“I do know.” I squeezed his hand, then stood up. “I'd better get back home.”
“Are you sure?” Lakin asked, rising to his feet as well. “I’ve got a couch now, you know.” He gave me a crooked grin, and I knew he was also telling me without words that his bed was available too.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I gave him a grin of my own. “But my bed gets lonely when I’m not in it. You’ll be at the Enforcer’s Guild at six o’clock tomorrow afternoon?”
“That’s the plan.” His gaze darkened. “It’s going to be tough to just stand there at the Royale and observe.”
“Tell me about it.” I bit my lip as I left, turning the idea over in my mind. Reconnaissance was not my strong suit, not when innocent people were being hurt, but if I was going to get to the mastermind behind this I was going to have to hold back. I just hoped I could keep my mouth shut long enough to get through the Royale, or we were all going to be in deep trouble.