Free Southern Shifters: Finding Luke (Kindle Worlds Novella) by V. Vaughn Page A

I’ve got a few ideas of how to play doctor.”
    “Do you?”
    I sit up. “Yes. But let’s try this on the bed.”
    Luke stands and holds out a hand to help me up. His grip is strong and is one more indication my mate is just fine. I gaze at his burned hair, and he rubs his hand over his scalp as he says, “I think I need a trim.”
    I frown. “That’s beyond help. How do you feel about a complete shave?”
    Luke tugs me against his body, and his thickening cock twitches on my belly. “Later. I’ve got a naked woman in my arms and have more important things to do.”
    I push him onto the bed, and the springs squeak as he lands. I lock my gaze with his as I move between his thighs and lower myself to my knees again. “So do I.”
    Luke and I spend our time pleasuring each other before the alarm clock on the bedside table goes off at four to remind me that I’ll need to leave in a half hour.
    I say, “As much as I don’t want to talk about this, we need to figure out what we’re going to do.” Luke is up on his arm and leaning over me as he traces my jawline with his finger. I realize that I’ll probably have to make a choice between life in my clan or life with my mate, and I wonder if we should try. “I think we should petition the council.”
    Luke shakes his head. “From what Jim and Mitch have told me, that’s only going to make sure you’re cast out. I can’t let you do that, Xena. You’ll lose your family and the people who matter to you.”
    He’s right, and I think it’s best if we just leave so I’m able to come back if I ever want to. I push Luke onto his back to hover over him. “Then we leave, because if we don’t, I lose you. You’ve felt what it’s like to be away from me. How would that be living?”
    He shakes his head. “I can’t be why you leave your life. I’m sure being without me would get better with time.”
    What is he saying? I think about how being with Luke has eased the discomfort I’ve been experiencing the last few weeks. I don’t belong in North Carolina any longer. I tense up at the thought of being apart as tears burn in my eyes.
    “No.” I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Don’t you understand that you are my life now? Do you really want to be without me?”
    “Of course not, but—”
    “There is no but. I won’t live without you, Luke. I waited all these years for my mate, and now that I’ve found you, there’s no way I’m going to give you up.”
    Luke’s love burns in his eyes as he stares at me. I wonder if he’s imagining life apart from his mate. He nods slightly as he says, “If you’re sure, baby. Come here.”
    He pulls my head down to his chest, and I place a kiss over his heart. “I love you, Luke.”
    “I love you, Xena. With all my heart.”
    We make plans for me to return this afternoon so we can embark on the journey of the rest of our life. I leave with the sense that I’ve found my purpose, and I can’t wait to begin the adventure with my mate and my love, Luke Robichaux.

Chapter 13
    I sneak back into my bedroom with minutes to spare before the sun will rise, and it gives Gigi enough time to get home before anyone will be up to notice. The moment she leaves, I jump in the shower. As much as I’d love to keep the scent of Luke on my skin, I can’t tip off Zander. Hot steam rises from the scalding water as I scrub any trace of my mate and what we did from my body. I’m not sure if I’m punishing myself because I should have stayed with Luke, or if I’m preparing myself for the pain I’m sure awaits me as I break the ties with the people who have been important in my life.
    I’m certain I need to have an exit plan in place. While I toyed with the idea of approaching the council, I know I can’t. Even if they allowed Luke and me to mate, I don’t think it would be fair to him to live where he’ll never truly be accepted. One way or the other, I’m leaving.
    When I emerge from my room, Zander sits up to stretch.