Chapter 7

Jocelyn cursed herself, disappointed she had thought he’d wanted her. She flushed, blushing bright red, embarrassed at how she’d moaned in pleasure when his tongue had grazed her flesh.

Earlier, she watched him tear the Malums to shreds in awe. His magnificent strength sent shivers up and down her spine. When he shifted, he was naked. His perfectly sculpted body aroused her; she was right to be attracted to him. With the same mouth he’d used to tear the enemy to pieces, he had softly licked her. She’d been way too long without a man; she needed one stat before she did something she’d regret. She shook her head and forced herself to focus on Cain.

“Let me see the rest of you,” he interrupted her thoughts.

“I’m fine, Landon. Please…”

“Did I do something wrong?” he asked as he walked over to her, his pale blue eyes somber.

“I’m just upset about tonight,” she said without looking at him. She couldn’t stand to.

“Don’t lie to me, Jocelyn,” he said, but it sounded more like a plea.

He sat next to her and took her hand in his rubbing it lightly. She snatched it away.

“Please stay away from me.”

“What did I do?”

Everything, she wanted to say, but couldn’t. It wasn’t really his fault she was attracted to him. Every time she saw him, the attraction became stronger more powerful, pulling her toward him, and every touch no matter how small affected her.

“Nothing.”

“You’re upset about Cain. It’s normal, but he’ll be fine.”

“Landon, please. Leave me alone. I want nothing to do with you.”

At hearing her words, flashes of yellow permeated his eyes. “That’s not what it sounded like earlier,” he sniped.

She glared at him, the brown in her eyes befell silver, and her power over the wind propelled him backwards, throwing him against the wall. This time, the impact cracked the wall before he fell to the floor.

Oh shit! she thought. I did it again.

Landon shook himself off and stood. “That was pretty good,” he said.

Without a word, Jocelyn stood from the bed and disappeared through the bedroom’s door.

****

As Landon took the elevator in the large apartment building to the twelfth floor, her words replayed in his mind: I want nothing to do with you. Every time, he reiterated her words, his chest constricted, his heart lurched. Did she really mean it? She was his female, his and no one else’s. He had tried to stay away from her, but couldn’t. Her intoxicating fragrance, her spellbinding beauty, her impeccably soft hair drove him wild. No, he could never stay away, not truly. He needed her, and she needed him.

The elevator stopped, and its doors parted. His mind wandered back to the task at hand. Not bothering to knock, he entered Lucas’s office. Jenna was sitting on Lucas’s lap on a large couch at the end of the room, her head buried in his chest. Lucas comforted her, lightly rubbing his hands over her back. For a moment, he allowed his mind to drift and wonder if he would ever hold Jocelyn the same way.

“Landon, I presume there is a reasonable explanation as to why you’ve intruded.” Lucas glared.

Landon ignored his remark. There was no point in knocking; immortals could sense each other approaching either way.

“I’ll be here when you start training Jocelyn tomorrow.”

Jenna quickly turned her head. “Why?” she snapped as she rubbed the tears from her face.

“Because I have a talent for aggravating her. You’ll have to repair one of the walls.” Landon tried to suppress a smirk. “I’ll be here bright and early tomorrow morning,” he said as he departed.

****

When he returned to Cain’s room, he was surprised to find not only Jocelyn kneeling beside the demon, but his sister as well.

“Liv, it’s time to go.”

She lifted her head slowly tears welling in her eyes. “I can’t go. I’ll stay here in case he wakes up.”

“Liv,” he said sternly. “They have enough people here to guard him and ensure he heals. We need to get back home. I can bring you back in the morning.”

“But I want to stay—”

“I said no,” he said loudly.

“Huff and puff all you want! I’m not leaving!” she retorted her eyes briefly sparking yellow.

Jocelyn finally turned to acknowledge him, “Landon, if you want to leave so bad, then go. Olivia is safe here with us. There are plenty of rooms.”

WTF? Jocelyn’s sticking up for her now? Are they friends? Great! All I needed is my hardheaded female influencing my sister.

Landon tried to suppress an anger filled rant as Jacob and Benjamin stifled laughter. Was he really expected to leave his sister here? He couldn’t; she’d never been apart from him before, and there were men here. Immortals he didn’t approve of for his sister. What if they made a move? He had to watch her.

“Fine. I guess I’m staying here too.”

“Oh goody!” Jocelyn said sardonically. “The more the merrier.”

The demons laughed aloud, not even attempting to restrain themselves after he launched them a hateful glare.

****

“Landon, Landon! Where are you?”

He was in his office when he heard her cries. He stiffened, sensing the alarm in her voice. Was she in trouble? Not again! Would his female ever learn to listen? He ran through a door adjacent to his room. She wasn’t there.

“Landon, help me, please!”

After he searched the third and second floors of his estate, he headed to the first floor searching the kitchen, living room, dining room, loft and game room. There was no sign of her. Where was everyone?

“Landon, they’ve got me! Please come!”

He was sweating, breathing heavily, his desperation rising. She was near; he could hear her but couldn’t find her. He fought the shift trying to overtake his body. He ran outside the large double doors leading to the backyard. Shifted and ran, ran as fast as his paws could take him.

“Landon!” she cried.

Her jasmine fragrance crept into his nose. He was close. Then she appeared, tied to a tree on his estate, her wrists bleeding. He howled a cry of distress calling his pack then shifted to human form.

“Who did this?” he demanded, reaching to touch her. She was cold. His female was dead, dead in his arms. He was too late to save her.

****

Jocelyn was partially asleep when she was startled by an anguished growl. She surveyed Cain’s bedroom. Olivia was still and asleep on Cain’s bed where she’d moved more than an hour ago. Jacob and Benjamin must have headed to their rooms because they were nowhere in sight. Did Cain make that sound? She leaned over him, placing her hand on his forehead. He was warm, too warm, but the burns looked better. He was healing, but still knocked out. It wasn’t Cain. The growl had sounded farther away.

Another piercing growl startled her; she jumped. Landon, she thought. She quickly moved toward the room he’d chosen to sleep in. She stood in the doorway and watched as the almighty alpha thrashed in bed, growling low and guttural, sounding inhuman. What was he dreaming about? What could possibly terrify the alpha to this degree?

A nightmare…she remembered hers well. They’d partially subsided once she reunited with Jenna, but hers had never been this bad.

****

Landon awoke from his horror-filled dream instantly sensing the jasmine perfume that now tortured his existence.

“Jocelyn,” he called out softly still breathing heavily as his gaze drifted over the dark room.

Calm down, he told himself. She’s here. She’s safe.

He reached over to the nightstand and turned on the lamp even though he could see just as well in the dark; he supposed she couldn’t.

“You okay? You were growling in your sleep rather loud. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

“Yeah, just a dream,” he said as he wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.

“I’m guessing it was more like a nightmare.”

“You have no idea,” he said thankful that it was a dream and that she was safe and with him.

“I do. I used to dream of my sisters. I was only one when our mom died. We didn’t have any living relatives, so we were placed in different foster homes. The few memories I had of them were a blur. I dreamt of them all the time. Over time, I didn’t know if they were real or just an illusion I’d created.”

Landon was humbled for the first time in his five hundred years. He had everything growing up: two loving parents, an entire estate to let loose, an extensive education. His female lived in foster homes for seventeen years, and until recently, she’d had no family. She’d worked for everything in her short life, until now. Lucas and Jenna provided for her and helped her in every way they could.

He should be the one providing for her, giving her everything she desired, everything she deserved, but she wasn’t like him. She wasn’t a shifter, a werewolf.

“I told you this once before, Jocelyn, and I will tell you again. If you ever need anything, I’m here for you. Anything, ever,” he said.

The memory of the night he’d made that promise surfaced clear as day. It was the night they’d rescued her from the Malums’ compound. He’d just discovered she was his female. He’d told her then he’d help her any way he could if she ever needed it. As he thought back, his blue eyes settled on hers for a moment too long troubling her and forcing her to look away.

“Where’s Liv?” he asked changing the subject.

“With Cain. She hasn’t left his side.”

“You both should get some sleep. I’ll watch him.”

Landon pulled his feet over the side of the bed and stood before her, then walked out of the room still in torment over his dream. He walked into Cain’s room where he spotted his sister lying next to the demon, Cain. His temper spiked.

“I moved her…” Jocelyn broke the silence. “She was crouched on the floor.”

He settled his gaze on his female. Could he truly be angry with her for looking after his sister? “It’s fine.”

He carefully picked Liv up and moved her to the room he’d slept in. He laid her on the bed and covered her. When he looked up, Jocelyn was standing by the doorway.

“You should really get some sleep.”

She nodded and walked away.

****

Jocelyn lay awake in a spare bedroom on Cain’s floor wondering what Landon had dreamed. His anguished cries had startled her. What could cause the alpha to lose all sense of power and become so distressed? When he awoke, he’d been drenched in sweat. He looked so tortured and defeated.

Then there was the way he looked out for his sister, moving her to his bed and covering her ever so carefully. Would he treat his fated female as lovingly?

When he looked at her, she often wondered if he could see into her soul. Could he tell he unnerved her? Could he tell she wanted nothing more than to get away from his intoxicating scent, if only so she could forget how much she desired him?

She’d never expected the wolf to have a different side to him besides the domineering one she’d witnessed time and time again. No, there were more sides to the wolf. There was a helpless and loving man inside of him.

****

Around 5 a.m., Cain croaked. His voice raspy, Landon barely understood the first few words he spoke. He leaned in and Cain finally opened his eyes, briefly widening them when Landon’s face came into view.

“Olivia…” he rasped.

“She’s fine. You saved her. I can never thank you enough. Jocelyn is safe, too.”

“I know…you’d take…care of…her,” he rasped. “Anyone…else?”

“Everyone is safe. Get some rest,” Landon advised.

****

Early the next morning, Jenna and Lucas entered Cain’s bedroom. The ballsy Elemental’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when she realized he was guarding Cain.

“How is he?” Lucas asked.

“Burns look better,” he replied.

“Has he woken at all?”

“Briefly. He asked if everyone was okay. I answered and told him to rest.”

“You slept here?” Jenna asked.

“Liv insisted on staying,” he said.

“We can take over now,” Lucas said as Olivia rushed to Cain’s side.

“Why did you move me? Did you do anything to him?” she asked him as her eyes sparked yellow.

“Liv,” he warned. Her newfound temper was disconcerting.

“Tell me now, Landon!”

“I moved you so you’d be more comfortable. I stayed here to watch him while you and Jocelyn slept.”

He grabbed her elbow and pulled her toward him, though the immortals in the room would hear either way. He whispered, “How could you think I’d hurt the man who saved the two most important women in my life?”

Her face fell, and her anger subsided. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“Now, I’m going to step out to get us some clothes and food. Jocelyn will be training soon. I’ll be helping.”

“Benjamin is making breakfast,” Jenna said.

Landon nodded in their direction implying his thanks.

“Is there anything you need?” he asked Lucas and Jenna. They shook their heads before he left the room.

****

Landon returned and was instantly relieved to scent Jocelyn nearby in the lavish Manhattan building; her sweet jasmine scent infused his senses. The hour he’d been away shopping for himself and Olivia had been too long. He pondered if he’d ever be able to distance himself from her again. He knew he had no other choice, but his reason for separation became hazy when she was near.

Landon, please. Leave me alone. I want nothing to do with you.

Her words haunted him. His dreams haunted him. Would he ever be the same? Would he ever be content again? Days ago, he’d settled for his fate, settled that he’d never truly be happy, but at least his pack would live on. Now, he doubted it. The more time he spent with her, the less resolve he felt with his decision.

He entered Cain’s room to find his sister sitting in bed with an unconscious Cain, his blood boiled. Good God! What has gotten into my sister?

Jocelyn sat at Cain’s other side, her hand firmly in his. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, tiny studs in her ears, and she wore a pair of pink leggings and white tank top, ready for training. She looked ravishing even with the distraught expression marring her face.

Jenna and Benjamin walked in with trays of food, pancakes, French toast, and an assortment of fruits. Jacob followed in after them carrying a tray of milk, coffee, orange juice, and apple juice.

Olivia finally acknowledged him. “Jenna says he woke up. What did he say?”

He was sure Jenna had already answered her question. He also knew his sister wanted to hear it from the source, him. “He asked for you, for Jocelyn. He wanted to make sure everyone was okay.” He paused. “Liv, I brought you some clothes, so you can change. Come.”

She hesitated, and he knew she was thinking he had an ulterior motive, and he did. The moment they entered the room they’d shared he broke the silence.

“Why are you so close to him? And what’s with your attitude? You’ve never treated me this way.”

She opened the bag he handed her, peeking inside to discover two pairs of panties, a bra, a pair of jeans and a shirt. Her cheeks flushed.

“Landon, I’m your sister. I’m not your female. You need to stop treating me like I’m your property.”

“This is exactly what I’m talking about. Why? What have I done to you to deserve this?”

She collapsed under the pressure of his intense blue gaze, and he saw dread in her eyes. He was losing her, and he was afraid. He’d already decided he was losing his female; he didn’t want to lose her, too.

“I...I don’t know. I’m just…I’m so confused.”

Landon reached toward her, wrapping his arms around her. “About what?”

She pulled away from him. “Why, Landon? Why have you never shared any of this life with me? You’ve lied to me about the deaths within the pack? About your fear the pack would be extinct? Why didn’t you ever let me meet the Guardians until now? Although I think I know why you did this time…You were scared. You knew Joce would be there, and you were afraid you’d lose it. Do you think I’m too weak to handle all of this?”

Landon stiffened. She wanted the truth from him, and he couldn’t lie, not any more. “I know I’ve sheltered you from a lot. I know I haven’t given you enough credit over the years. I know you can handle this and much more, but you are my baby sister. I’ve sheltered you like the princess you are because I never wanted you to worry, but you are right, I brought you to the meeting because I feared I’d lose it. For that I’m sorry.”

He finished and sat on the edge of the bed, exhausted from everything he’d hid from her, every truth she’d discovered, and from denying himself his female.

“Don’t be sorry for that, Landon. Don’t be sorry for being vulnerable and afraid. Be sorry for never trusting me enough.”

He stood towering over her as his eyes meet hers. “I’m sorry, Liv. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done it because I love you. I promise I’ll try to treat you like an…adult.” He paused. “But really, why were you so close to Cain?”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “You just said you’d treat me like an adult.”

“Fine, but…” And he let it go.

Lucas stepped inside. “We’re ready. We’ll be on the third floor.”

****

Landon was the last to walk inside the large gymnasium outfitted with state-of-the-art workout equipment. Floor mats lined the entire expanse of the gym. Jocelyn was positioned in the middle of the room. She tensed the moment he entered. Jacob, Benjamin, and Lucas surround her in attack pose. Jenna stood off to the side, observing.

“Now, that everyone is here. Let’s start. Jocelyn, we are going to attack you. Hopefully, you’ll be afraid enough to use your powers,” Lucas said.

Simultaneously, Jacob, Benjamin, Lucas, and Landon attacked, running toward her at superhuman speed. She froze.

“Joce, you need to try to use your powers,” Jenna said.

“I...I don’t know what to do.”

Jenna closed the distance between herself and Jocelyn. “Listen, you have to pretend that they actually mean you harm. Go back to how you felt when you used it. Fear, anger, whatever, use it.”

Jocelyn closed her eyes momentarily as she thought back to when she’d first used her power. Two nights ago when Aleta attacked her, she was scared, terrified. Then last night, she was angry.

I can do this. I’ve done it before.

“Attack!” Lucas yelled.

As the others ran toward her, Jacob materialized inches from her face, startling her. She flung him thirty feet backwards before Jenna used her power to hold him in the air then placed him lightly on his feet.

“That was good, Joce,” Jenna commented.

The demons nodded in approval then without word from Lucas attacked again. Benjamin materialized behind her, placing his arm around her waist. A loud menacing growl escaped Landon as he launched himself at Benjamin. Jocelyn reacted quickly hurling him backwards. Jenna did nothing to cushion his fall; she watched as the wolf landed hard on his butt.

He stood fearlessly as a smirk spread across his face. They settled back into their spots before they dashed toward Jocelyn again. Jacob appeared behind her. Jocelyn figured as much and created an impenetrable layer of wind surrounding her.

“Joce, you’re picking this up very quickly,” Lucas commented. “Much like your sister did.”

She smiled, truly excited for the first time in months. Her mind wandered briefly as she tried to think of the last time she’d been this thrilled. As she remained lost in her thoughts, Benjamin materialized behind her and wrapped his arm around her, lifting her off her feet. Landon darted toward the demon so fast he had been but a blur.

“Drop her!” Landon howled. His face fully flushed, no blue in his eyes remained. “Now! No one touches her!”

Benjamin placed her on her feet as he exchanged a glance with Lucas. “What’s up your ass today, wolf? I’m not gonna hurt her. We’re all trying to teach her.”

“I don’t give a shit! No one touches her!” he growled.

He flew across the room in one swift movement, his back hit the wall then he landed on his butt. He stood and walked calmly and slowly toward Jocelyn, her defiant stare daring him to say anything.

“I was just trying to protect you,” he barked.

“From who? My family?” she retorted.

“He is not—”

“He is too, and so is Jacob and Cain. They are my family. I live with them, eat with them, laugh with them, train with them. They stalk me twenty-four-seven, and they let me catch them doing it because they find it amusing when I come home and bitch to my brother-in-law about it.”

Benjamin and Jacob slowly moved toward the exit realizing what so many already knew—that Jocelyn was Landon’s female. Jenna lingered, only leaving when Lucas nudged her. Even then, she refused and whispered, “But she’s my sister!”

Lucas replied evenly, “He won’t hurt her. Let them settle this their own way.”

“I don’t want them touching you!” Landon shouted fully enraged.

“That’s none of your business! Why are you even here?” she retorted.

He responded, not answering her question, “What if they hurt you? I’ll have to kill them!”

“Leave! I don’t want you here!” she replied without listening to the words he’d barked.

He reached out to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “I’m never leaving you! Ever again, Jocelyn!”

“Why? Just leave me alone!”

“Because I can’t!” he yelled exasperated.

Suddenly, he leaned down against her, placing his hand on the back of her head and pushed her lips against his forcefully. She couldn’t stop him. She couldn’t resist. The thrill of the moment, fighting with him left her immobile, caving in to what she wanted so badly. He kissed her hard and passionately.

She opened for him, their tongues met, and she savored him. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer, and she felt his need for her as his shaft pressed up against her.

As their tongues entwined and battled, his woodsy scent enchanted her. For a brief moment, she thought she could die from his kiss. She let her mind roam and wonder what it would feel like if they made love.

He broke away from the kiss just briefly and waited patiently for her eyes to settle on his.

“Who wants who now?” she muttered her eyes hazy with wanting as she freed herself from his grasp and walked away.

****

Landon wanted to chase after her. He wanted to confess she was his, but his will betrayed his deepest desire. He stood motionless watching the woman he was created for walk away from the magnificent kiss they’d just shared.

He hadn’t been able to help himself, couldn’t have stopped himself from kissing her even if he’d tried. Fighting with her was a million times better than dreaming, and the fight had conjured his soul to act, to kiss her. And that kiss was nothing like anything he had ever experienced before.

He knew if he would die then, he’d die a happy man because it meant he’d savor her forever, relish her passion among his. She’d tasted so sweet, like the sweetest fruit or the sweetest dessert. Her lips were heaven on his, his heaven on Earth.

He’d promised himself he’d stay away from her. He’d tried and failed. He then promised himself he wouldn’t romance her. He told himself he couldn’t and wouldn’t give in to his wanting, but it had been no use. Her temper spiked his, and his anger only made him give in to his craving.

Nonetheless, the kiss had been a mistake. How would he ever be able to stay away from her now that he knew exactly what he was missing?

Her soft lips against his made him want to create the perfect world where they could live together regardless of breed.

He wanted to hold her until she was his forever, until she surrendered to him, surrendered to their love.

A love that destiny decided long ago.

But it couldn’t happen.

It would never happen.