A Heartfelt Greeting {Lucas/Azuki}

[Âłíșōñ]

Larysa Andreadis had been a Validus wolf for a long while. She had always been loyal and respectful and obedient to Lucas Storm. Maybe it was because she had a huge crush on him--or maybe it was just because he was her Alpha. Probably not though. She wasn't this respectful to just anyone. She walked through the park at a brisk pace. Her daily exercise. She groaned and decided to take a water break. She stood next to a bench and leaned on the ligh pole behind her. She took her water bottle from her black nylon exercise belt and drank.

Larysa was wearing really short, spandex, blue shorts and a tight black sports bra. She was breathing heavily, but yet she was not even sweating and she surely didn't smell like body odor. She was perfect but yet imperfect in so many ways. What man wouldn't want to get with this? She swallowed her last mouthful of water and looked around. There was no one around.

Deciding she needed more water she walked to a water fountain. Ew. Oh well. Larysa was never one to bitch about things. No matter how horrible. Even when her sorry ass ex-boyfriend dumped her she didn't bitch. She just simply lost her mind. Standing here now, S.A.E.B. didn't seem like a thing that deserved to make her depressed. She decided that now she was going to sit. She sat on a bench and looked around. That was when she heard footsteps. And shortly after, a familiar scent drifted into her nostrils. Lucas.

[Azuki Navaaha]

Being Alpha to a pack would seem quite easy to anyone else, but sometimes it was a complete pain in the ass for Lucas. Firstly, he has his very protective sister to deal with and that was hard enough. Ice was very...stubborn in many ways and made it w challenge for Lucas sometimes to keep her under control. Then he had pups that were always running off or getting into trouble...that was even more of a pain in the ass. At times like those Lucas wanted to just back away and take off, but he wouldn't..couldn't..he had formed Validus for a reason and he was going keep that his pack together through everything.

Today was one of those days that Lucas just needed to relax. Walkng through the pack, the Alpha let the lug breeze brush against his skin and clothes, he was wearing a black muscle shirt and he's famous red jacket that everyone would know it was him once the saw the jacket, and then he was wearing jeans with tennis shoes. It was a casual look but most people would think he was nuts for wearing a jacket and pants during the day, but it was just Lucas for ya. As he walked though he caught a scent that was familiar to him, and instantly stopped to find where it was coming from.

He spotted her sitting on a bench, and walked over to Larysa. He had known Larysa since she joined Validus, and had been loyal since. She was the type of girl any guy would want, human, hunter or werewolf alike. But he had noticed that she hadn't really shown any interest to anyone, but him. Of course, he had grown a small crush on her but wouldn't tell her...he'd go shy before he could. Sitting down on the bench next to her, he smiled and waved, "Hey Larysa, I didn't think I'd catch anyone out here."

[Âłíșōñ]

Larysa smiled a little when Lucas came into view. Her heart started freaking out and she had to yell at it internally to knock it off. It didn't. It just got faster as he got closer, and despite the subtle chill of the day she became really warm. Especially when he sat next to her. When he said her name she couldn't help but smile. Hi Lucas. Yea, me either. I was just getting my daily work out done so I can stay in shape for hunting. She turned her head slightly and pursed her lips. Wow, she must sound retarded. Sighing, she looked back at him. So. Whatcha doing out here? Got the day off? She teased with a slight smile. She still sounded retarded.

She started pursing her lips again and she looked at the ground. Awkward. That's defenitally what this was. No doubt. He obviously didn't like her. Well not the way she liked him at least. And that made her upset. It made her want to crawl back to the black abyss that was drugs and alcohol. But she knew she couldn't. She wouldn't. She had to be strong. Otherwise, that money she had spent on rehab would be down the drain. She was just glad that no-one knew about her history. Well, at least she didn't think anyone knew....

[Azuki Navaaha]

Lucas couldn't help but chuckle a bit at her, then he put a hand to his chin thoughtfully, "Honestly, I don't think you really need to work out to stay in shape, Larysa." A smile formed on his lips, he was just speaking the honest truth. His gray eyes looked over at her when she turned her head towards him. Stretching, he laid back against the bench, "Nah, just decided to come out a see what I could find. I think I've made a good catch." he said, winking at her playfully. Of course, he didn't know that she had a crush on him literally, and he didn't think she knew he had one on her.

When she went silent, Lucas couldn't help but feel a tad bit worried and sat up. When he sat up, his jacket opened up a bit and he leaned forward before looking at Larysa. "Hey, you alright?" he asked, is curiosity and how worried he felt seeping into his voice as he spoke.

[Âłíșōñ]

Larysa blushed when he complimented her and it turned deeper when he told her he had made a pretty good catch. Then when he asked her if everything was okay, she nodded and smiled halfheartedly. Yea, I'm fine. The same as always. She sighed and touched her ponytail. Pulling it to the side so it rested on her shoulder, she continued to purse her lips. She had a habit of doing that when she was in deep thought. She zoned out for a moment and had one of her usual daydreams about Lucas. Swoon.

When she came back to reality she shook her head and smiled for real. She looked at Lucas and turned so that her whole body was facing him. It suddenly occured to her what she was wearing in front of him. Really tight, spandex, short shorts and a really, really tight, black, nylon sports bra. She suddenly felt exposed. She didn't know why, as she had been expecting to be seeing the occasional person and she had been okay with that. But she hadn't been expecting Lucas to be one of the occasional people.

[Azuki Navaaha]

Lucas saw her blush and instantly thought it was cute that he had made her blush so easily. Then she answered his question, saying that she was alright even though he could tell something was on her mind. It was one of the many things that Lucas was able to tell with people. He couldn't read their minds of course but he could tell that something was distracting them. He shrugged though, "Alright if you say so sweet pea." He had a habit of calling people that, especially Ice just because he knew it bothered her when he did.

When she turned towards him he couldn't help but notice what she was wearing and the instant she felt exposed. He shrugged off his red jacket and handed it to her, "Here wear this if you feel exposed." He said a small smile forming on his lips. He always was the nice Guy.

[Âłíșōñ]

Larysa blushed again when he offered her his jacket. She took it tentatively. He loved this jacket. He'd never let anyone else wear it before. She put it on and zipped it up three quarters of the way. Smiling, she looked at him, her head lowered with shyness. Thank you. She spoke softly. Something she usually didn't do as she was usually being a smart ass.

She fingered the hem of the jacket and started thinking again. He was always so kind to her. Did that mean he felt the same way? Should she ask him? What if he didn't like her back? What if it didn't work out since she was a hunter and he was an Alpha? Well, wouldn't being with him make her Alpha Female? Well yea, actually it did. She didn't care though. She still felt like she wouldn't be good enough for him. She was about to ask if he liked her when he started to ask her something.

[Azuki Navaaha]

Lucas thought itwas so adorable when she becme shy when he gave his jacket to her. Yes, of course he loved that jacket, his mother had given it to him before the car accident but at the moment he felt like letting Larysa wear it. Which left him with just is black muscle shirt on. "You're welcome Larysa." He said feeling a bit shy himself.

At first he watched her mess with the hem of his jacket but then he looked away. What could he say to her? What would she say? He couldn't think of anything but his stomach growled. "You want to go and get something to eat. I'm a bit hungry as my stomach speaks." He said laughing a bit.

[Âłíșōñ]

Larysa smiled and nodded. Of course. Her heart started singing in her chest and her breath caught in her throat. She crossed her long, sleek legs and leaned back, relaxed. Where shall we go? Her smile never faded and she looked at him with curious eyes. She still wanted to ask the question. Maybe when they were walking there? Or maybe if they drove? Or maybe when they were eating...? It didn't matter. She was determined to ask. She would find out.

Larysa flared her nostrils slightly. Wow, he smelled amazing. Masculine and tough, woodsy and fresh. Entoxicating too. She smiled and leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees and leaning her head in her hands. She listened to his heart beating and his breath coming and going. She was a flirt, so she winked at him and chuckled softly.

[Azuki Navaaha]

He smiled when she did, and he felt his heart speed up just a bit, but he quickly brought it under control. "Anywhere you want to go, Sweet Pea. I'll pay for it." he said, still smiling over at her and a little spark in his gray eyes shown slightly. He leaned forward slightly, before he relaxed back against the bench they were on. He wanted to know what she was thinking...if she had the same crush he had on her...or did she just like him because he was the Alpha of Validus.

Seeing her wink at him and then chuckle, made a smile appear on his face. For some reason, he couldn't help it, "You know...your little chuckle is really cute." he said, before getting up off of the bench. "Let's go, you can decided while we walk a bit." Stretching out a hand, he waited for her to take it. Lucas was a gentleman no matter what his sister thought. And he was going to find out what Larysa thought of him.

[Âłíșōñ]

Larysa smiled shyly and slipped her hand into his. When he called her chuckle cute, she couldn't help chuckling again. Thank you. She stared walking with him and she held his hand. Her ears were starting to get cold so she reached back and took out her barette. She shook her head, letting her hair fall free. When she shook her head, her sweet, earthy scent flooded the area around her.

She looked up at Lucas and pursed her lips. She was going to do it. She was going to ask if he liked her. Um....it doesn't matter to me where we go. I would like it if you took me to your favorite place. She had chickened out. Damn it. Clearing her throat she tried again. Uh....Lucas....I was wondering....do you like me? Like, like like me? Wow. She had just said 'like' three times in a row. Geez, she was loosing her mind.

[Azuki Navaaha]

When she took his hand, a small blush formed on his face, but it faded before someone would be able to register it. "Anytime." he said, winking at her playfully again. As soon as her scent flooded his nostrils, Lucas let out a small sigh, and his hand tightened around hers ever so slightly. For once, he actually like someone else being around him other than Ice. At the thought of Ice, he stayed silent. What would she say? What would she do? Why am I asking these questions to myself? I'm old enough to make my own decisions. he thought.

Blinking, he looked over at Larysa and smiled, "Alright then." he said, and led the way to his favorite place. He was a small place, not to crowed not to empty, just right for anyone to have something to eat. When they got there, Lucas stopped and opened the door for her. "Ladies first." After she had gone in, he followed shortly and led her over to a booth not far from the bar inside the building.

The waiter came over to them and asked what Larysa wanted to drink and then looked at Lucas. "The usual please." He had been here so many times, just about everyone knew who he was..but not what he was. Lucas heard Larysa clear her throat, so his attention went to her as she spoke. His heart nearly stopped when she asked him if he liked her, but then a smile formed on her lips. Lucas took her hands and kissed them softly, "I wouldn't let just anyone wear my jacket, Larysa."

[Âłíșōñ]

Larysa just asked the waiter for water. She had to stay far away from alcohol if she wanted to stay active and alive in this world. She blushed deeply and giggled giddily. He had just kissed her hands. Her breathing became erratic and she was having a harder time breathing than usual. She smiled widely and leaned forward toward him. Well, guess what hotshot? I like you too. She smiled and leaned across the table, taking a huge risk, and kissed his cheek lightly.

Leaning back into her chair she smiled again. This was a good day. She looked at his jacket on her. It was a little big, but she really liked it. It was very nice. She looked back at him again. So this jacket meant that he liked her? Wow. She grinned to herself and sighed aloud. Well now they got that all cleared up she had no idea what else to say. Wow. Really not like her. She usually couldn't stop talking, but now she couldn't start.

[Azuki Navaaha]

Lucas smiled at her and chuckled a bit. Her giggle really was cute to him, but he couldn't explain why though. A light red formed on his cheeks when she leaned over and kissed cheek, letting him know that she liked him to. A huge smile formed on his lips and he moved over so that he was sitting next to her. "Good. I'd fell heart broken otherwise." he whispered, before wrapping an arm around her and pulling her into a hug. Lucas let her go slightly, but his arm was still around her as the waiter came back with their drinks. He glanced down at Larysa, "What anything to eat, Sweet Pea? It's on me tonight." he told her with a smile.

When he looked back at the waiter, Lucas told him that he wanted a steak with BBQ sauce on the side. Lucas took a drink from his Dr. Pepper and glanced over at Larysa. Wow...he really did have nothing to say for once. But...there was one thing he wanted to know. "So, how long have you had this crush on me?" he asked, out of plain curiosity.

[Âłíșōñ]

Larysa asked for a plate of ribs with mashed potatoes and honey barbeque sauce. She was hungry. She chuckled and blushed again when he asked her how long she had had this crush on him. Leaning into his side she wiggled a little bit to get comfortable. Ever since the first time I saw you. She answered truthfully. She remembered it too. Larysa had been wandering about in her wolf form in Carol Park when he stumbled upon her and asked if she would join his pack. Instantly she had liked him even though she hadn't even seen the way he looked in his human form.

When she had seen him in human form though she instantly fell in love. She wondered if he remembered that day just as clearly. Then she became curious. When had he started liking her? How long had she been oblivious for? But now I'm curious. How long have YOU liked ME? She looked up at him and smiled slightly. She couldn't help it this time. She kissed him on the cheek again. He was just so close. And they were touching. She rested her head on his chest.