Wrapped in the arms of a woman who actually stood on the same height as him, Luke felt both warm and a little excited.

Well, his aunt was quite hot to say the least.

His eyes traced down her body as she pressed close. She had short, fiery red hair framing her mature, alluring face, with strands tickling his chest.

Her toned stomach, firm and smooth from years of discipline, brushed warmly against him.

Her thick, tight bottom filled his hands perfectly as he hugged her back tighter.

The plush cheeks yielded softly under his grip yet stayed firm, hugging his hips with heated pressure.

He felt the heat radiating from her core, her curves molding against him like they were made to fit.

"Ahaha... it feels like ages since I’ve seen you. And..." She slowly pulled away from the hug before adding, "you’ve grown so much. Hasn’t he, Terek?" she asked, turning toward her mate.

Luke followed her gaze.

Only then did his attention settle on the burly man sitting across the room.

His father was nearby, yet beside that man, Gustav and every other male present seemed insignificant.

The sheer size of him demanded attention.

Even seated, he looked enormous. Judging by the length of his torso alone, he had to be well over six and a half feet tall. A thick beard covered his jaw, blending into a wild mane of brown hair. Heavy eyebrows shadowed a pair of dark, raven-like eyes.

He wasn’t doing anything.

He wasn’t speaking.

And yet his presence dominated the room.

The air itself seemed heavier around him.

When Luke met the man’s gaze, an old memory flashed through his mind.

A giant bear.

The same overwhelming sense of mass.

The same instinctive warning that this was not a creature to be challenged lightly.

For a brief moment, it felt as though he wasn’t looking at a man at all, but at the monstrous beast that had once ended his life during a raid.

Silence settled between them.

The older man sat comfortably in his place, a faint grin resting beneath his beard.

Luke remained expressionless.

Neither looked away.

One radiated the confidence of a predator that knew its own strength.

The other revealed nothing.

The room’s chatter gradually died down as the two continued to stare at each other.

Then the grin on Terek’s face widened ever so slightly.

"So... it’s true. You’re a gifted one now."

With those words, Terek rose from the ground.

Luke instinctively tensed as the larger man approached.

The movement was subtle, but it was there.

For a moment, both Gustav and Lex grew concerned. The atmosphere had become so rigid and silent that it genuinely looked as though the two might clash.

Terek kept walking.

Luke stood his ground.

Then, the moment Terek reached him, the older man hooked an arm around his neck and dragged him against his side.

"Look at this brat," Terek laughed, grinding his knuckles against Luke’s head. "Glaring at me the moment he sees me."

Luke let out a chuckle and easily slipped free from the hold.

"You started it," he shot back. "Who told you to bare your fangs at a kid the first thing?"

Terek barked out a laugh.

"Alright, my bad."

He immediately raised both hands in surrender.

The gesture only earned him a pair of sharp glares from his mate and Monica.

Terek glanced between the two women and coughed awkwardly.

"Okay, okay. Definitely my bad."

Luke shook his head before saying, "Well, it’s good to have you two back. I heard you got involved in a pretty fierce battle or something?"

The expedition sent to eliminate the magical beast lurking near the head tribe had included both of them.

In fact, Terek and Zuri were members of the head tribe themselves, serving directly under the head chief.

The reason was simple.

Not only Terek, but Zuri had awakened as well.

There was a reason she was permitted to hunt and fight alongside the men while most women remained focused on responsibilities within the home.

She had received the gift.

Letting that talent go unused simply because of her gender would have been foolish from any perspective.

And since she had chosen a mate who fully supported her decision, she had flourished in that role.

Luke studied her for a moment.

Compared to the last time he had seen her, she seemed stronger.

Not just physically.

There was a confidence about her now, a quiet sharpness that came from experience earned through real battles rather than training grounds.

"Bah, forget about that," Terek said, waving a hand dismissively. "I’m sick of talking about that damned expedition."

The frustration in his voice was obvious.

Luke could hardly blame him. Anyone who had crossed paths with the couple since their return had probably brought it up at least once.

Terek leaned back and looked Luke over.

"What I’m more interested in is what the hell changed in you." He pointed a finger at him. "Last time I was here, Laila was chewing your ears off for never leaving the house."

The jab made a certain brunette stiffen.

Laila shot a quick, nervous glance toward Luke, only to find him completely unbothered.

Luke merely shrugged.

"I think you two understand better than anyone. Having power gives you confidence. Makes it easier to step outside and get a little physical."

Zuri snorted.

"That’s a load of crap, kid."

She crossed her arms and shook her head.

"When I awakened, I spent ages hiding indoors. Didn’t matter that I had power. I still didn’t want to leave."

Her grin faded slightly.

"The only reason I started hunting was because life grabbed me by the throat and shoved me out there. Even then, every trip outside felt like a fight."

Terek nodded.

"Aye. Powers don’t magically grow a spine for you."

He jabbed a thick finger into Luke’s shoulder.

"You awakened, sure. Good for you. But don’t cheapen what you’ve done by acting like it was all because of some gift."

The large hunter folded his arms.

"Stepping out of your hole, facing beasts, blood, and all the ugly things waiting out there? That takes guts."

"And from what I’ve heard," Zuri added with a smirk, "you’ve been showing plenty of those lately."

Terek grunted in agreement.

"The gift gave you claws, boy. You’re the one who decided to use them."

Luke parted his lips, intending to respond, but no words came.

What was he supposed to say to that?

His gaze drifted toward his mate.

Monica was already looking at him.

There was only a single emotion in her eyes.

Pride.

Pure, unmistakable pride.

Luke looked away and rubbed the back of his head.

"Well..." he muttered, "I had to change something."

Terek’s grin widened.

"Good for ya, boy."

Then he slapped his hands together.

"Now then, I’ve been gone for far too long. Let’s have ourselves a proper feast!"

"Aye!" Gustav immediately agreed. "My brother’s finally back!" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The room instantly grew livelier.

Smiles appeared all around, and even Lex seemed to be in a good mood.

Terek looked around before flashing a familiar grin.

"So, as tradition demands..." His eyebrows bounced mischievously. "Before a feast, we ought to give the women something to work with, eh?"

A few chuckles spread through the room.

Luke grinned.

"So... we go hunting?"

"Now you’re talking!" Terek barked out a laugh. "Yeah! Let’s go hunting!"

••••••••

A/N:- I hope you liked the Chapter. Her character art would be on discord.