Lucas: #3 (Luna Lodge: Hunters of Atlas) Read Free Page A

water from the faucet dripped into the sink. The house was so quiet she could hear the droplets of water as they hit the surface.
    “You won’t regret this,” her father said, his relief evident in his voice.
    Taylor let out the breath she had been holding. For now, they still had a ranch, and every day they did was just another day for things to turn around for them.

Chapter Three
     
     
    The truck bumped along the beaten road as Lucas, Nyx and Marcus drove into town. The morning air was still cool, and Lucas had rolled down the window to let the fresh cut grass smell fill his nose. He’d made a decision about Taylor, and his plans were now in action.
    “You are not fucking going to the girls’ night,” Nyx said, glaring at Lucas from the other side of Marcus.
    He turned to her and gave a grin. Lucas knew she’d say something like that. They all likely would, but he’d already talked to Rem, and it was clear he was the best choice to go.
    “Fine then. Marcus can go.”
    Marcus turned and glared at him. “Fuck off. I’m not going to babysit a bunch of weak women.”
    Nyx, without blinking, slammed her fist into Marcus’s ribs. He grunted in pain.
    She turned and raised a brow behind her sunglasses. Despite the new contacts they had all been issued to conceal the noticeably striking color of their eyes, most still chose to wear the sunglasses just in case their eyes started glowing.
    “What were you saying?” Nyx said.
    Marcus grunted but chose to stare straight ahead rather than totally piss her off.
    His adjustment to life outside of the Horatius Group had been a little bumpier than most. They assumed he had been in cryo longer than some of the others despite being one of the younger hybrids. His age, coupled with his confusion about life, made the transition harder.
    Which was exactly why Rem made him go on extra runs. The more they forced him into society, the more likely he was to learn by example.
    So far as Lucas could tell, Marcus hadn’t learned a whole lot besides how much he hated non-hybrids, and that was bound to bring trouble down on all of them at some point.
    “Look,” Lucas said and sighed. “It’s the only option. Rem isn’t going to let Jenna go in her state, and Magnus keeps threatening to follow anyways.”
    Nyx snorted. “I’m sure Lara is thrilled with that.”
    Lucas raised a brow. “He and Nero are the ringleaders behind this plan.”
    Her face paled a little. Although the defector hybrid had more than proven himself to be a vital part of their team and that he’d do anything for Nyx, he still posed a risk.
    Nero was still adjusting to his new life as a normal hybrid, instead of a bestial monster, and because of that, they had kept him mostly at home. He hadn’t been frozen like Marcus, but the man still didn’t fully understand normal society.
    “Fuck,” Nyx grunted. “Fine, but stay out of sight. This is a girls’ night.”
    Lucas grinned to himself. “Sure thing.”
    “You know there are easier ways to get her,” Marcus said. “Instead of this ridiculous bullshit you’re trying.”
    Lucas turned to look at the younger man. He wanted to laugh but kept only a faint smile on his face. Since when had Marcus become a master of women? Let alone women raised in the outside world?
    “Oh?” he said, curious what kind of insight Marcus might offer.
    Marcus turned to him. “Just tell her she’s yours, and you were designed for each other by the gods. She’ll understand she has to be yours then.”
    Nyx laughed hard from her seat as Lucas sat in stunned silence, not really sure what to say back. He’d expected something less than useful, but the complete cluelessness of Marcus still took him by surprise.
    “Yeah,” Nyx said, snorting between a laugh, “and then tell her you’re a thief, there to steal her heart!” She only laughed harder at her joke.
    Lucas watched as embarrassment washed over Marcus. The other hybrid turned to stare at the window, his face