"Can we schedule the meeting for tomorrow evening? I have another engagement today." Lucian replied, his expression a little neutral as he recalled the monthly family dinner that was scheduled for that evening.
He was excited to see his sister and his adorable two year old nieces but he wasn't eager for his father's nagging and constant meddling in his love life.
Kyle's mood darkened as he wondered whether Lucian had turned him down for a date with his mate.
His thoughts were a little unreasonable but he could not dispel the knot of jealousy at the pit of his stomach as he imagined Lucian getting closer to someone else.
"Are you going out on a date with your mate?" Kyle couldn't stop himself from inquiring and Lucian was a little thrown off by the question that he hadn't seen coming.
As much as Lucian wished that was his reality, it was not because Jace still wanted him dead.
"No." His voice was certain, not disclosing any of his plans since he didn't consider the omega close enough to open up about who he was meeting.
"Forgive my intrusive curiosity. I will see you tomorrow then. Goodbye Lucian." Kyle hung up, relieved that Lucian was not out with another man although he worried that he might have crossed a faint line with his last question.
He inwardly hoped the alpha didn't take offense.
....
Later that evening...
Lucian flashed his younger sister a big grin as he stretched out his arms and she happily ran into them, embracing him in familiar hug.
He had just arrived at his family mansion an hour before dinner and he let his sister go a few seconds later as he looked down at the two adorable babies that were hugging his legs.
"How have you been, Lana?" Lucian inquired as he effortlessly picked up his chubby nieces and followed his sister into the living room where his father and her mate were casually seated on a sofa, watching the television.
"Well enough. You?" She briefly glanced at him over her shoulder.
"Not so good am afraid. Father has made it his life's mission to meddle in my love life." Lucian sighed, his voice a little dramatic in a way that made his sister chuckle.
"It gets easier with time." She smiled comfortingly, grimacing slightly as she briefly remembered a time when she had been her dad's project.
Lana was so glad she had found her mate before she had lost her sanity trying to keep up with her father's matching making attempts.
"It doesn't feel like it." Lucian grumbled softly as they approached the duo that had just noticed his presence.
Lucian politely greeted his dad and brother in law before settling down on the sofa beside the older alpha.
"Have you looked through the photos I sent you?" His father didn't waste a second to start his matching making hobby and Lucian could feel his head start to throb mildly from frustration.
"Yes." He answered curtly.
"And?" The old man beside his probed, his voice curious.
"I don't like any of them." Lucian admitted frankly, contemplating telling his father about his mate.
"Then I will have my assistant draw up a fresh list." His father was persistent and Lucian glared at him, the last shred of his carefully woven patience snapping.
"I will not be going on anymore blind dates because I have found my mate." Lucian's announcement captured everyone attention and Lana who had comfortably snuggled into her mate's arms was the first to break the silence.
"Congratulations." Her voice was genuine and excited in a way that made Lucian really wish it was a joyous moment.
A part of him was happy that he had found Jace but an even bigger part was a little disappointed because their pairing was odd and his mate hated him.
He had not been fortunate enough to receive the smooth and cheesy love story his sister had experienced.
Lucian's declaration had rendered his old man speechless and it took a couple of minutes for the older alpha to find his voice.
"I want to see her. Your mate." His father's voice was surprised but he looked pretty convinced that Lucian was not pulling a prank to escape his meddling.
His son couldn't lie about something so serious and sacred.
"He's a man and I will bring him to meet you but remain patient. It may take a while." Lucian replied nonchalantly, an image of his fierce mate flashing before his eyes.
The romantic in him blindly hoped that Jace and him could eventually work out and he could get to introduce the alpha to his family.
His father's similar grey eyes narrowed in a scrutinizing gaze that made Lucian feel a little nervous.
"Tell me more about this mysterious mate of yours. What's his family name?" His father asked and Lucian momentarily stiffened as his mind drifted back to the five year old memory that he wished he could erase from his mind.
It had been the first time Lucian had witnessed someone being killed and he had had nightmares about that rainy night for years.
The subtle shift in his calm aura to a guarded one was noticeable and Lucian offered his sister a grateful smile when she intervened, saving him from having to reply to their father's question.
"Dinner is ready." Lana's voice was a nervous chuckle that broke the tension in the air as she tugged on her mate's arms, pulling him towards the dinning table.
Lucian and his old man followed shortly afterwards.
Lucian glad that he was no longer going to be forced to endure blind dates as he happily sat down, the nice aroma of the food that was being served lightening his mood as he prepared to dine.
Unknown to him, his father's curiosity about his mysterious mate had intensified and the older alpha was now hellbent to finding out his mate's background.
Dinner was eventful and once he was certain that his children had left, the legendary mafia lord dialed a contact he kept carefully hidden away in a notebook that he stored in private safe.
"Find out who my son's mate is. I want the information by noon tomorrow." The alpha's tone was stern and once he had received an affirmation from his contact, he hung up, his aging grey eyes protective.
His entire world mostly revolved around his children and he wasn't going to be at ease until he knew the identity of the man that held Lucian's attention.