417: CROSS HEART

CROSS HEART

"I don't care about that, I just want to know your true intentions." Kace cut her off in the middle of her explanation and instead gazed at her sharply.  0

If she was treated badly in her pack, it made sense why she didn't look for the other packs to take her in, for the fear they would treat her in the same way. 

That was why she was so adamant on refusing Kace when he suggested to take her to those packs earlier. 

But, that was her problem, while the only thing that concerned Kace was her true intention. If she was going to be near his mate, she had to gain his trust completely. 

"Since the attack, I have been looking for my mother, the fae." Lana let out a disgruntled grumble as she explained. "The last thing that I know about her is about her living in the northern coven."

"I will not go there." Kace stated. "But, you are free to go."

Lana let out a frustrated sigh before she spoke again. "No. That is not the point." She ran her fingers through her disheveled brown hair that tumbled down her shoulders. "I was looking for my mother just because I have no one. Despite the harsh environment in my old pack, but I have a place for me to sleep and eat."

Kace would have never thought that this stubborn and rather brutish girl has a very simple mind. She just wanted to belong to somewhere or someone or whatever…

Well, that was a pure instinct of a shifter, especially for werewolves and Lycans, because of that same reason they created a pack for them. Because of the feeling to belong to something…

But, for a rogue like Kace, he doubted that he ever wanted something like that. He didn't want that kind of feeling, a responsibility to tie him down to anything.

Because the expense of losing someone that was so dear to him was something that he couldn't handle well. 

Meanwhile, Hope was a different case. She was of a whole different reason and entity for Kace…

Someone that he would gladly cut his heart open just to ensure her safety, yet she was safe enough now; gurgling and gushing every now and then, and sleeping away most of the time.

Even only little, Kace realized that the baby had gained some weight, though for him she was still as light as a feather.

"So, my point is…" Lana straightened her back with determination on her face. "I was serious when I said that I want to pledge my loyalty to you."

It didn't matter for her if Kace wasn't an Alpha, as long as she could be a part of this little group, she didn't mind it. 

"Hm…" Kace didn't shift his attention from the baby in his arms as he nodded. "You can do anything as you please, but don't touch her."

"Don't touch her?" Lana raised an eyebrow at that statement. "But, who will take care of her after you left?"

Kace didn't need to look at the smug smile on her lips when she talked as if she knew everything. What a little brat she was…

Apparently she had eavesdropped on the conversation between him and Serefina. 

"Did I give you permission?" Kace bit back. "You have not yet gained my trust, little girl."

"I am loyal to you." Lana was adamant with her words. She even huffed exasperatedly. 

Kace didn't bother to reply to Lana as he was fascinated by the baby's gentle touch when she played with a lock of his dark hair. 

"Well, I can ensure your loyalty if you don't mind." 

All of a sudden, Serefina's voice rang inside the room that made Lana jump and go into a defensive position. It was her instinct to be alerted by this kind of surprise.

However, on the other hand, Kace didn't even flinch when he heard that, he was used to Serefina's unexpected intrusions after all.

"What do you mean?" Kace asked, but it was only a formality because he was too careless to think about any of that. "I thought you don't want her to be here."

Serefina shrugged her shoulders. "Don't get me wrong, but I have zero experience when it came to tending to small children."

"That was why, I will not leave." Kace tugged Hope's small hand away from his hair gently as he raised his head to look at the witch, who was standing against the window, so the glow from the sunrays fell on her back, making her look like an angel who radiated light in her presence.

Whether she realized it or not, but Kace was positive that Serefina did that on purpose. 

He frowned. This lunatic witch was always full of herself…

"You have to leave in order to distract your dear brother's people." Serefina didn't budge with their deal before. "The longer you are here, the easier for them to find all of us."

Regardless of everything, there was this weird connection between their kind, especially with the royal blood running down his veins. 

A hunter, though extremely difficult, would eventually catch wind of Kace whereabouts.

That was why, Serefina didn't want Kace to stay for long periods of time here. No one would guess that they would actually hide near the northern coven of all places, and she wanted to keep it that way. 

"What do you suggest?" Lana asked pompously, she was certain that she would give her all to gain Kace's trust. 

She had been living under such an environment before, thus she wouldn't let this chance slip away. 

"You will learn how to talk to me with much needed manners young girl." Serefina curled her lips dangerously while Kace could only sigh.

The lycan was able to see what kind of people that his mate would grow up with… he just hoped his little baby wouldn't take after any of these two.

"I don't follow your orders." Lana snapped. "I follow him."

"Okay girls, let's settle this." Kace put down baby Hope and crossed his thick arms in front of his sturdy chest. "What do you want to do?" He nodded at Serefina, totally ignoring the hard stare the both of them were now giving him because of the word 'girl'. 

"Cross heart." Serefina said with malice in her tone. 

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