Claimed by the Alpha's Love (Tori and Lucas) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

“Let me help,” he said, reaching for the vegetables.

Our fingers brushed accidentally, and a jolt of electricity shot up my arm. jerked back instinctively, nearly dropping the knife.

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Lucas’s eyes darkened slightly.

“I’ve got it,” I said quickly, my voice higher than normal. “Really. You’re a guest.”

He studied me for a moment before nodding and returning to his seat.

I turned back to my task, willing my hands to stop trembling.

The venison sizzled as it hit the hot pan, filling the cabin with a rich aroma.

I placed the plate on the table with steadier hands.

I sat across from him, hyperaware of how small the table was, how our knees almost touched in the confined space.

The food between us seemed like the only barrier in a suddenly too-intimate setting.

“This looks excellent, Lucas said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through me.

“Thank you,” I managed. “It’s nothing special.

I couldn’t help but notice how Lucas consumed the meat with obvious appreciation. Of course-Alphas needed more protein than other wolves.

Anna, who had been quietly coloring in the corner, suddenly perked up at the smell of food. She abandoned her crayons and approached the table, her eyes fixed on Lucas’s plates.

“Brother-in-law, can I have some too?” she asked, looking hopefully at Lucas. “It smells really good.”

I nearly choked on my water. “Anna!” I spluttered, heat flooding my face.

“He’s not-that’s not- I shot a panicked look at Lucas, horrified by the munderstanding.

To my surprise, Lucas didn’t look annoyed. Instead, his lips curved into a light smile.

“Of course you can have some,” he said, his deep voice gentler than I’d ever heard it. “Tori made plenty.”

“Anna,” I asked carefully, trying to keep my voice level, who taught you to call him that?”

“Mrs. White did, Anna replied innocently. ‘She says I should practice calling Andrew that. She gives me candy when I do.”

I carefully glanced at Lucas.

As expected, his earlier smile had completely vanished, replaced by an expression I couldn’t quite read.

Just then, the doorbell rang, the sound cutting through the suddenly tense atmosphere.

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17:47 Wed, Feb 11 G D G

Chapter 71

I rose quickly, grateful for the interruption.

But when I opened it, Mrs. White stood there holding a basket of moonligt berries, with Andrew hovering awkwardly behind her.

“Tori! I thought I’d bring over some-oh!” Her eyes widened as they landed on Lucas, clearly surprised to find a visitor in my cabin.

“Who’s your guest?” Mrs. White asked, her eyes darting between us with poorly concealed curiosity.

“This is…” I hesitated, not wanting to reveal Lucas’s true identity to the town gossip, “my distant uncle. He’s just visiting for the day.”

Lucas shot me a pointed look, one eyebrow slightly raised at my hasty fab cation.

Mrs. White’s expression immediately brightened.

“Oh! From Hannah’s new family connections! How wonderful!” She extended her hand eagerly. “I’m Elaine White, a neighbor of Tori’s. We’re practically family around here.”

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I winced internally. Of course she would assume Lucas was somehow connected to my mother’s marriage into money. The assumption couldn’t be further from the truth, but it was better than her knowing who he really was.

Lucas rose slowly, his towering frame and commanding presence immediately filling the small cabin.

“Mrs. White, Lucas acknowledged with a slight nod. “And…?”

“Andrew, sir. My grandson,” Mrs. White said quickly. “He’s the one I’ve been telling Tori about. Such a good match they would make… in the future, of course.”

Lucas’s eyes flicked to Andrew, then back to me.

Something dangerous flashed in those blue depths.

‘Future,” he repeated, the single word carrying a weight.

Well, that’s the sound of trouble brewing, Tracy muttered inside me.

The atmosphere in the cabin suddenly felt charged with electricity, and Iood frozen between them all, feeling like a rabbit caught between two predators.

Only I knew which one was truly dangerous.

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