Chapter 20

Her mind was buzzing with aftershocks of pleasure. She could barely hear her own thoughts. Landon. All she wanted to do was scream his name louder and louder until her voice was hoarse. She wanted to keep him wrapped around her like he was right now, the heat of his body warming hers. She wanted him to stay there with her, next to her, and make love to her again.

Will it always feel this amazing? She hoped so. Would she ever be able to let him go? She didn’t think so. Fear crept inside her. Had she just made a mistake? They had unresolved issues. Had she forgiven him for abandoning her? Could one insanely hot lovemaking session make her forget he had forsaken her? No.

What? He had just whispered, but she couldn’t make out what he’d said. She waited as fear continued to creep inside her.

“Joce,” he said concerned as he freed his head from the crook of her neck to look at her. “What’s wrong?”

She stared at him blankly.

“Did I hurt you? Tell me.”

“No, you didn’t,” she replied when she found her voice.

“Tell me why you’re afraid then? ’Cause of what I said? Because I asked you to stay here?”

“What? When did you say that?” she asked as she wondered if that was what he’d said.

“Right after…we…I asked you to stay with me, that I promise to take care of you.”

Had she heard him correctly, or was her mind still jumbled with insatiable pleasure? He wanted her to stay with him. Why? For how long?

“What?” she asked again.

“Stay with me here in our home. It’s where you belong,” he pleaded.

Our home? His words replayed in her mind, and a spark of contentment immersed through her, muddling her fear. A knock on the door startled her. He cursed.

“Stay here,” he whispered.

“No. I need to check on Jenna.”

He nodded and climbed out of bed and retrieved his shorts from the floor then pulled them on.

“There are clothes on the vanity for you,” he said then slowly opened the door and walked outside.

Jocelyn climbed out of bed and grabbed the clothes on the vanity: a yellow cotton dress. As she was dressing, she heard Landon speaking to someone outside his door.

“We haven’t found anything yet,” a male voice announced.

“That’s impossible. There must be a scent to go on,” Landon said sounding upset.

Chills ran up and down her spine as she continued to listen.

“I’m sorry. There’s nothing, Landon.”

“Where are the Guardians?”

“They’re waiting for you in the conference room.”

“The council should be there as well. I’ll be right down,” Landon replied.

“But—”

“But you don’t want to associate with demons?” Landon said. “I don’t care. We are all immortals; we should be working together instead of apart, and I’ll take help from the Devil himself if he offers it because this involves my female. Got it?”

****

After his frustrating conversation with Cameron, Landon hesitated, feeling hopeless. His female had been attacked in his home, and no one had been captured. He sighed, then opened the door to his room and peered at her. She was dressed in the yellow dress he’d borrowed from his sister. It was too short, even compared to what she usually wore and barely supported her plump bosom. His eyes flared to life. He cursed again. Now that he’d had her, he wanted her again, but there was no time.

He made a mental note to buy her clothes, then said, “Come, we should meet with the Guardians.”

Landon led Jocelyn into the conference room on the first floor of his estate. Inside sat all four demons and Jenna on one side of the long conference table, and his council on the other side with Olivia at the end of the table.

“Kingston, Sophia, Cameron, this is Jocelyn. I figured you’d be meeting under different circumstances, but…” Landon said as he placed his hand on the small of her back and led her to the seat next to Jenna and himself. He pulled it out for her, urging her to sit. “I trust you’ve introduced the others, Liv.”

She nodded.

“Let’s proceed. Cameron tells me nothing was found. What about the cameras?” Landon asked.

“There was no sign of any trespasser on the cameras,” Sophia said.

“It could have been Aleta or David,” Cain said as he exchanged a somber glance with Lucas.

“If Jocelyn was in fact the target, how would Aleta or David have known where to find her?” Benjamin asked. “Unless they’ve been watching her, but in that case, I would like to think we would have known.”

“Either way, the person responsible knew that Jocelyn was unguarded,” Jacob added.

“She was with me!” Landon snapped. “I can care for her just fine.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant usually she has at least two people guarding her who are able to materialize.”

Landon’s gaze bore into the demon; they burned yellow with fury as the demon’s words replayed in his mind. He heard, but all he understood was that he wasn’t strong enough to protect his female because she had been attacked while in his company because he couldn’t materialize. His body started to convulse as fury simmered deeper into his psyche. His wolf wanted out; he fought his shift. He glanced at Jocelyn, who stood and reached toward him placing her hand on his chest, soothing his wolf and him.

“Landon, with all due respect,” Lucas said. “We should consider the possibility that one of your pack is involved. I picked up no scent but that of a wolf,” Lucas announced. “It’s highly unlikely anyone—vampire or demon—could disguise their scent that effectively.”

“I did as well,” Cain added.

“That doesn’t mean anything. There are many wolves parading around the estate grounds. Most of them are guards and servants,” Sophia retorted.

“Fairies, elves, and witches can create such spells or anyone else who is working with them,” Cameron added.

“Whoever is responsible must have masked his scent somehow and materialized,” Kingston advised. “Otherwise, we would have seen someone on the cameras.”

“Perhaps, unless that person is still here,” Cain uttered.

“How dare you?” Cameron screamed as he stood. “Nothing like this has ever happened here until you people came along!” His eyes betrayed him, demonstrating the rage rumbling deep within.

Lucas stood and blocked Jenna as red rage flooded through his veins and into his gaze. Cain, who sat next to Olivia, swiftly pulled her out of her chair and behind him as Jacob and Benjamin stood in fighting pose.

“That’s enough!” Landon shouted as he pushed Jocelyn behind himself. “These are our allies now, Cameron, as are the other Guardians.”

“The council should have voted before you began parading around with other breeds!” Cameron snapped as his hands begin to quake, his shift rearing its head.

“I’m the alpha, and you’ll bow down to me!” Landon yelled.

He spoke too late. Cameron shifted, his wolf lunged at Landon, but before Cameron struck him, he was propelled backward slamming against the wall then hitting the floor. Jocelyn had created a wind barrier holding back the wolf. Landon turned to face his female confirming she was in fact the one responsible for preventing Cameron’s attack. Jocelyn finally allowed the wind barricade to collapse when Cameron’s anger subsided, and he was in human form again. Kingston and Sophia stared at her dumbfounded.

“I’m sorry,” Jocelyn blurted. “It was instinctual. I thought he was going to hurt—” Landon kissed her forehead and smiled.

“It’s fine,” Kingston said then addressed Cameron, “Your behavior is unacceptable. You are on probation; your duties with the council are suspended indefinitely.”

“I’m sorry...I…” Cameron said.

“Jocelyn saved you from execution. Had you struck your alpha, you could kiss your immortal life good bye. Leave,” Kingston said firmly.

Cameron stood and excused himself. No one spoke for moments after his departure. Landon glanced in Cain’s direction and noticed Olivia nestled behind him. Cain had shielded Olivia from what could have been a disastrous situation. He nodded toward him showing his gratitude.

“Where were we?” Landon asked.

“We were discussing who the culprit could have been,” Jacob said.

“The point is that it could be anyone, and that we cannot exclude anyone yet,” Jenna said, the voice of reason. “Now, I would like to take my sister home. We can discuss this tomorrow.”

Landon’s arm tightened around Jocelyn. He didn’t want to let her go. He wanted her to stay with him. If only they hadn’t been disturbed, he would now know how she felt and what she wanted. Did she want to stay with him or did she prefer the demon compound?

“Jenna, can we talk in private,” Jocelyn asked. Jenna nodded and together they left the room.

Jocelyn led her sister toward the dining room then said, “Landon asked me to stay here with him.”

“And?” Jenna asked. “Do you want to stay?”

Jocelyn hesitated as she folded her hands into each other repeatedly. “I don’t know. I think so, but it’s just…”

“There’s something you aren’t telling me, Jocelyn Elizabeth.”

“Oh…You know I hate it when you use my middle name!” she said. “It’s just these wolves, I get the feeling they don’t like outsiders.”

“Uh huh…So you think one of them attacked you?”

“No.”

“You’re worried they won’t like you?”

Jocelyn nodded.

“You are his female, and he is your male. Everything else will fall into place. I don’t feel comfortable with you staying here though.”

“What? Why?”

“Because less than two hours ago someone tried to kill you here,” Jenna said sternly.

“But…What if someone attacks, and I’m not here, and Landon gets hurt or Olivia. It would be my fault.”

“So you want to stay here so the culprit attacks you instead of them? And you are telling me this because you think I’ll let you stay now?” Jenna asked sarcastically.

“Well no, but—”

“Listen, this is your life. I have no authority over you. You are after all almost twenty-two, which is nothing by immortal standards, but by mortal standards you are over the legal age, so I’m not going to stop you, but if you aren’t leaving this estate, neither am I.”

“Jenna, no. I can take care of myself.”

“I know, sweetie, and I also know that Landon would die before anything happens to you, but I don’t want him to die to save you. It would be pointless, Joce, because then without your mate, you’d die too.”

“How do you even know that?” Jocelyn asked flustered.

“Many immortals die after their mates do because they can’t fathom an eternity alone. I think it would be worse for us because our powers evolve when we find our mates. What do you think would happen if we lost them?”

“I’ve never really thought about it,” she replied then recalled Landon telling her his mother had died shortly after his father had died.

“Come on. I have to tell my brother-in-law we’re crashing.”

Landon was pacing incessantly when Jocelyn and Jenna reentered the conference room. Kingston and Sophia were gone, only the demons and Olivia remained. Jenna defiantly stepped toward Landon. She paused and waited for his pacing to cease.

“I think it’s best if we stay here tonight in case there is another threat to my sister,” Jenna advised him.

Landon nodded and his shoulders slumped as if relieved. “I’d appreciate that. Thank you. I’ll show you to the spare bedrooms,” he said then led the way.

After Landon, Jenna, and the demons departed, Jocelyn lingered in the conference room. Turmoil coiling through her as her mind wandered; she sat and set her head down. She wondered again why Landon would risk his life for her when he had duties and responsibilities with his pack that no one could fulfill as effectively as their sole alpha and leader.

Cameron’s attempt to attack Landon flashed in her mind. She had been startled by her ability to deter and prevent it so efficiently. Until the earlier attack at the estate, she hadn’t known she possessed such skills. She had now twice used her power over the wind to prevent a catastrophe in a split second. It’s all she had to save him, but how had she acted so quickly? Perhaps, destiny had ingrained it in her as it had embedded Landon in her soul.

Only an hour before, they’d made love. She had let it happen although she’d told herself she could never forgive him for deserting her. Now, she couldn’t fathom surviving a day without the werewolf near. It was, in fact, the real reason she wanted to stay, but didn’t want to admit it to herself or Jenna. Could their relationship work despite the fact that he had abandoned her?

Then there was his pack, who had never associated with other breeds, yet she was part of not just another breed, but a new breed that was prophesied to be the destruction or salvation of mankind. Would they ever accept her as their queen, as their alpha’s female? If they couldn’t, why would he risk being hated by his own people for her?

Because you are his female, the voice inside her reminded her.

“Jocelyn, are you okay?”

Jocelyn’s head snapped up to find a pair of blue eyes staring at her closely. Olivia, with frown lines on her forehead.

“Yes, just tired,” she replied.

“I know. It’s been a long day. Thank you for saving my brother.”

“What do you mean? He saved me.”

“If you hadn’t used your power, one of the other four arrows they found could have struck him. If they had pierced his heart, he would be...never mind,” she said after noticing the panicked expression on Jocelyn’s face.

“No tell me. He would be dead, right? That’s what you were going to say?” Jocelyn asked as fear returned.

Olivia nodded.

“Why would he do that, Liv? Why would he risk himself for me when his pack depends on him?”

Olivia sat next to Jocelyn and placed her hand on her shoulder, a poor attempt to soothe her. “You are his life now. He’ll risk his pack and more for you.”

“I was afraid of that,” Jocelyn replied.

“Afraid? You shouldn’t be afraid. You should be happy. I know my brother is...whatever he is, but he’ll take care of you.”

“I know he will, but I don’t want him to sacrifice his pack for me. It feels…wrong.”

“It’s the way it works. I’m sure Lucas would sacrifice himself for Jenna. He’s king. It’s the same thing.”

“I guess.”

“Joce.” Landon’s voice resonated startling her. She turned to face him. “Are you hungry? Cain is cooking.”

“Actually, I’m exhausted. I think I’ll go to bed. I have an early class tomorrow,” she replied and walked out of the room. Landon followed Jocelyn up the stairs. “Where can I stay?” she asked avoiding his gaze.

“You can stay with me,” he replied.

“I’d rather not.”

“Why?” he asked as he climbed several steps ahead of her and stopped in her path.

“Because…” she said without returning his gaze.

“What did I do wrong this time?”

She remained silent pondering how to answer his question as she sidestepped to pass him.

“Tell me,” he begged following behind her. “Jocelyn, tell me so I can fix it.”

“You did nothing wrong,” she said as she reached the top of the staircase on the second floor and continued to the third.

He stepped directly in her path again, used his hand to lift her chin toward him. “Then why are you running away?”

Her eyes met his, finally, and she lied, “I’m not,” while admitting to herself it was all she knew how to do. She flipped her hair out of her face.

“Baby, please, tell me what I did. I’ll fix it.” His eyes begged her for an answer that she couldn’t provide.

“You didn’t do anything.”

His stare grew passion and fury as she continued to deny him a response. “I know I may do everything wrong, but at least I try. All you do is run away. Why aren’t you willing to fight for us, for you? Why aren’t you willing to give this a try? Why are you denying yourself a chance for true happiness with me?”

“I’m fine just the way I am, and so are you. We don’t need each other to be happy,” she said then skirted around him and continued up the staircase.

“Speak for yourself,” he said as he followed her.

Silence and tension mingled around them until they reached the third floor. He paused at the top of the staircase and forced her to gaze into his eyes infusing with yellow.

“I suppose you would prefer to sleep in a room where my scent doesn’t linger and where the remnants of our lovemaking doesn’t remind you of what we shared as well, right? Well, follow me then.”

He escorted her toward the other end of the estate and opened a door leading into a bedroom next to Olivia’s. She walked inside and thanked him, then closed the door behind her.

****

Once his female was no longer in sight, his heart shattered as his wolf howled: she’s rejected us; she doesn’t want us! His heart was breaking and tearing into a million pieces. The hope he had filled it with was now gone like the arrow that no longer pierced his chest. For a moment, he entertained the thought that the arrow had in fact punctured his heart rendering him dead, only then would he not know a pain such as this. A gut-wrenching, blazing, suffocating pain he couldn’t fathom sustaining for much longer. He fell to his knees powerless to hold his weight any longer as his wolf continued to torment him: we’ve lost her!

He had tried so hard to make their date special. Everything would have been if it hadn’t been for the attack, but then they had made love, and his hopes for the future had flared to life anew. Did what they shared mean nothing to her? She had soothed his wolf, his shift with a mere touch. She defended him from Cameron’s attack, and he’d never been more proud of her, so quickly defusing the situation, using her powers so swiftly and proficiently. Why the sudden change? Maybe she felt safer with the demons, who, as Jacob had pointed out, could materialize at will, ensuring she was always safe.

She doesn’t want us! We’ve lost her! She’s gone forever!

Landon leaned his back and head against the door. She may not want him, he may have lost her, and she may be gone forever, but his duty resided with her. If anything happened to her, he’d be too far away in his room to reach her in time because he was a wolf and he could not materialize, so he decided to remain outside her door until the pain in his chest killed him or she left. He waited and waited until his eyelids were too heavy from sleep. They shut and the nightmare began.