Would a simple touch prove to him? Or would it have to be something more personal than that?
Tears roll down my cheeks as Mason takes me away from my newly found mate.
No matter what it takes, I will prove to him that what I say is true. I will take away his pain and show him what it is to love again. I promise you this, my mate.
Chapter 2
Lana
February 18, 2014
Blondie, or Mason, leads me down a hallway in the west wing of the pack house, opposite of where my mate will be sleeping. I am accustomed to this, however. I have lived in the Omega quarters all my life. The rooms are typically small, adorned with a bed, dresser, and closet. There was nothing else we needed, only clothes on our backs and a bed to sleep in.
However, when Blondie opens the door to the room I believe will be mine, I stare in awe. Instead of white, plain walls, they are decorated with elegant silver wallpaper that is accented with thin golden swirls. The bed is a small twin bed, yet it has plush pillows and a thick blue comforter. The dresser seems brand new, stained white to go with the room. It looked like the closet was a walk-in, I’m not sure… I’ve never even seen a walk-in closet before. Lastly, there is a desk. My heart swells at the sight of a desk. I always find a peaceful escape when the pen touches paper.
I know how lame I sound. The room is mediocre compared to the Alpha suite. But to me, this room is a taste of heaven compared to my old room.
“This will be your room,” Blondie says. I look over at him, wondering who he was. His voice is kind, soft. He has a gentleness in his eyes. I believe that if it were up to him, he’d let me go. I can tell by how uncomfortable he looks. “Alpha wants to know your name.”
Alpha Landon, my mate, he wants to know my name. I’ll give him anything he wants. “Lana Marie Pierce,” I answer. Blondie nods, and we’re silent for a moment. I watch as his eyes slip out of focus as he communicates with his Alpha.
“You are to be up at five. You will be in the kitchen at five fifteen. You will report to Meggy.” With that, Blondie turns and walks away, leaving me standing in the middle of the hall.
Fabulous.
I sling my bag over my shoulder and look around, wondering who the Omegas were for this pack. Were they weaklings? Or maybe criminals…
A door to my right opens, and I see a girl around my age pop her head out. Her fiery red curly hair falls into her eyes as she grins and steps out. “Hello, Lana. I’m Jenny! Welcome to Shadow Pack.” She slips past me and walks into my room. I follow in after her, crossing my arms as she takes a seat on my bed. “Must be scary for you… Being captured and thrown into a new pack.”
I don’t respond. I only stare at her, wondering what she was doing in my room and why.
“Look, it’s a smart idea to make friends quickly. Mason asked me to help you with anything you need,” Jenny says, giving the bed a good bounce before getting to her feet. “So, why were you on the run? Crazy ex-boyfriend? Psychotic serial killer?”
“Abusive Alpha,” I admit. I had nothing to hide from her. If what she says is true, then I will be here for a long time. And it’s best to make friends. Might as well tell the truth. “He wasn’t always so bad, you know. We used to be happy. I was an Omega back then as well, but I was still happy. My brother was a pack warrior. He would always come home at night and tell me about his day. We would then go into our parents’ room. We would play cards, watch movies, or simply just read.” I sit on my bed, noting how comfortable it is beneath me. Why is this room so high class compared to my old one?
“Alpha Castor’s mate went into labor. They were going to have a baby girl. The mom and daughter both died in childbirth, and Castor went off the rails. He began beating all the women, raping them. It was crazed madness. He finally eased up, slipping into a cocoon. He took a special liking to me, however. No, he didn’t enjoy raping me. He enjoyed hitting me.”
“Sick bastard,” I hear Jenny mumble. A small smile plays on my lips at that.
“Anyway, long story short, my parents never tried to stop him, so I took matters into my own hands. When I turned eighteen, I fled and stumbled across the Shadow Pack… Were you here during the—” I cut off, not sure if bringing up the suicide mission would trouble her.
Jenny nods, walking over to take a seat next to me. “I was fourteen. We were placed in the cells below the Pack House. The women and children, that is. Alpha Landon sent his little sister Natalie with Tasha, our female Beta, and her daughter Sarah to a cabin in the woods. Landon was always so good with his sister especially after his mother died. Anyway, when the fight was looking down for us, Landon gave an order for Cole to gather as many men and flee. It is because of Landon that we are a pack again.”
I feel my eyes widen at this. It was told that Cole fled on his own, that it is because of him that this pack was able to reform. I guess the stories were told so that we have the mindset that Landon is a monster.
“How did their mother die?” I ask. I knew the basics. She was taken by the Prowler Pack and murdered. But why?
“The Prowlers asked for a treaty, an alliance. Alpha Caleb refused, and the pack retaliated. They attacked Amy Matthews when she was out in the woods. They murdered her guards and took her back to the Prowler pack. There they raped, beat, and eventually killed her. The worst part is they videotaped it, all of it. And they sent the video along with the body to Caleb’s front door.”
My mouth is wide with horror. All of this because of a refusal of a stupid alliance? It made me sick to think those monsters did that to my mate. He deserves so much better.
I debated on telling Jenny my secret—that the Alpha is my mate and that he doesn’t know. But as I see her watery eyes, I know the only thing I should do is wrap an arm around her shoulder.
***
Landon
As Mason escorts the rogue out of my office, I get a nagging feeling in my heart. I dismiss it, convincing myself that it is only my disgust for outsiders.
She had the audacity to gasp at my face. Doesn’t she know that offending an Alpha can get her killed? And then she spoke without permission. I’m not sure who she thinks she is, but I will not have that in my pack. She will work as an Omega, punishment for her bluntness and intrusion. Mason is soft when it comes to women. If it weren’t for him, she’d be in the cells or, perhaps, killed.
I shake my head and move to walk back to my seat, bumping into the corner of the desk. I let out a loud hiss as the sharp edge breaks skin. “Damn it!” I scream, slamming a fist down on the table. It rumbles under the impact, threatening to break. I let out a growl and plop down in my seat, dropping my head in my hands.
Four long years and there has barely been any progress. I have no sense of where I am. It is hard when my wolf has abandoned me. After the attack and losing my sight, my wolf retreated into the darkest parts of my soul. I haven’t been able to shift since that night. Now, I am weak and clumsy.
I heard the only way to get your wolf back is to find your mate. When you find her, the wolf will resurface for we gain power when we are together.
So, when the rogue said she was my mate, despite the flutter of hope, I knew she was wrong. My wolf would have made an appearance. He would have come back to me, but instead, that is not the case. I am yet again left mateless.
Mason, what is the rogue’s name? I grumble. I need to know, to jot her down in our registry. I grasp the paper to my left, my thumb running over the Braille on the bottom indicating it was the list of pack members. I run my hand down, feeling the indents of all the handwritten names. When they end, I bring my pen up to write, Lana Marie Pierce.
My stomach churns as I write her name, but I ignore the feeling, dropping the pen down.
Why can’t the Moon Goddess grant me some sort of happiness? Haven’t I suffered enough? What more do I need to do until I can have my beautiful mate? A mate I will never be able to see…
I feel tears roll down my cheeks as I cry for my family. I cry for my murdered moth
er, my mad, deceased father, my struggling sister. I cry for my mate who, if she ever comes, will have to deal with a monster and abomination like me.
Chapter 3
Lana
February 19, 2014
As the annoying beeping of the alarm beside my bed blares through my room, all I want to do is deliver a silver dagger into my heart. Who wakes up at five o’clock? It’s pure torture!
I moan and slap my hand on the clock, hoping to break it in the process. I roll out of bed and place my feet on the cool wooden floors. I drop my head into my hands and can’t help but wonder if Landon is awake yet.
Landon… My beautiful mate is so pained and troubled. Why can’t you sense that I am here? I’m here, and I’m never going to leave you. I’ll wait for you for as long as it takes. I promise.
I dress in casual clothes, pulling on dark blue skinny jeans and a plain black t-shirt. I throw my hair up in a messy ponytail and finish with a pair of sneakers. This was my everyday attire. I have never had anything nicer than a floral blouse.
Leaving my room, I see Jenny leaning against the wall across from my door. She smiles at me, and I am thankful she is wearing clothes similar to mine. I don’t want to be the odd one out. Jenny links her arm with me and pulls me back the way Blondie led me until we reach the kitchen.
The house is silent apart from soft clatters in the kitchen. Everyone is still asleep.
Landon is asleep.
I wonder what he looks like…
Does he sleep shirtless? In his boxers? My wolf purrs with passion and lust, wanting nothing more than to drag me into his room. I almost rip my arm from Jenny and go to do just that, but a soft, assertive voice stops me.
“You must be Lana. I’m Meggy.” Meggy is a short, thin, elegant lady. From the looks of it, she is in her forties. She has choppy, shoulder-length, black hair, and bright hazel eyes. Her skin is a beautiful olive color. She gives me a soft smile and pats my arm like a loving grandmother would. “Don’t worry. It’s your first day. We’ll go slow.”
I wanted to tell her not to bother. I have been making breakfast for a pack since I was seven. I know how this works. But I just offer her a smile and a nod of my head. “Thank you.”
Meggy and Jenny lead me into the kitchen where I see two other girls working, making what looks like pancakes. What time does the pack wake up? If they’re making pancakes now, it will only take a few minutes for them to be cold.
“Lana, this is Rachel.” Meggy motions to a short-haired brunette who was flipping a pancake. She looks over her shoulder to offer a smile before she gets back to work. “And this is Tami.” Tami has auburn hair and hazel eyes. She has a fragile look to her, and I’m not offended when she doesn’t welcome me. “Can you set the pancakes on the kitchen table, sweetheart?” Meggy hands me a plate stacked high with pancakes, and I fight back the urge to devour them all.
I take the plate back out to the kitchen table, placing it in the center. I see someone enter from the corner of my eye, and Blondie comes to stand beside me. He grabs my arm, and I flinch. His touch is soft as he skims the bruise he left there.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers. I look up at him with shock. He’s sorry? Why? He had every right to grab my arm like that.
I nod my head as he offers me a small smile. Two girls, around the age of ten, walk in from coming down the stairs. They are giggling, pushing each other.
“Good morning, miss!” The dark-haired one says. She smiles up at me, her baby blue eyes shining. Her cheeks have a tint of pink in them. She was nothing but a doll. “I’m Natalie.” Natalie… Landon’s baby sister.
“Good morning, young lady.” I bend over, so I am more to her eye level. “My name is Lana.” She smiles wider and then bumps the other girl’s shoulder.
“I’m Sarah,” Sarah replies in a quiet voice. She must be shy. Her long golden hair covers most of her face as she ducks her head down. I smile. She is definitely Blondie’s sister. The resemblance is uncanny.
I stand up straight to look at Blondie watching us. His eyes are intense as if he is waiting for me to attack them. My back goes rigid as I turn and stalk into the kitchen. Meggy is waiting for me. “Careful with Natalie. She will talk your ear off and get you in trouble in the process.” Omegas are always working. We hardly have time for a break. Spending time with Natalie will be taking time away from my duties and will call for a punishment.
I grab the plate of sausage and bacon, taking it back out into the dining area. I stop cold when I see Landon now sitting at the table with Natalie telling him a story. All he does is smile, his attention fully on her. My heart swells with pride. There is nothing more attractive than seeing a man’s easy rapport with a child. Before I could get in trouble, I walk over and set the plate of bacon down.
“Thank you, Lana!” Natalie chirps. I look at her with a shocked expression. This little girl has such kindness in her heart. I hope nothing takes it away from her.
I nod my head and turn to leave.
“Lana.” I stop cold at the voice of my mate, containing my low growl that wants to slip out. Hearing him say my name sends chills down my spine. Say it again...
“Yes, Alpha?”
“I apologize for my behavior yesterday.” I open my mouth to speak, but when I see that he is about to continue, I bite my tongue. “Natalie seems to take a liking towards you. You will be her Omega, you will answer when she calls, and you will do whatever she pleases. No questions asked. Understood?” His voice is thick, final. The raw power that seeps from him has me swelling with pride. My mate is strong.
“Understood, Alpha.”
Landon waves me off, and I hurry back into the kitchen where I lean against the counter and let out a sigh. I was so close to jumping his bones right then and there!
***
Landon
As Lana leaves the room, I catch a whiff of her scent—lilacs and cedar wood. The scent has my head spinning; I’ve never smelled something so lovely. Why is this woman causing my mind to wander? All I can think about is what she looks like. Is she tall or short? Does she have blonde hair or is it dark? Is it long, curly? What color are her eyes?
I sigh, no matter how much I wonder, I will never be able to see for myself.
“Blonde,” Natalie whispers over to me. “Green eyes. About five feet, eight inches. Her smile lights up the room.” I hear Mason stop eating, and I feel his eyes on me. But I ignore him, turning to my sister.
“She sounds lovely.”
“She’s an angel, Landon,” Natalie says, her voice soft and sweet. Natalie always thought the best of people. She always sees the good, never has anything bad to say.
Why are you interested in the rogue? Mason shoots to me. I tense, not liking his tone. For some reason, it angered me with how he spoke about her.
“It angers me when I can’t see the people I talk to. I wish to know what they look like.” I snap. The room falls silent, and I push away from the table, getting to my feet.
“Landon…” Natalie calls, placing a hand on my arm. I pull away from her and leave the kitchen table. I don’t understand why I am angry. Why do I care what Mason says about Lana? She is nothing but a rogue, an outsider.
I walk outside and breathe in the fresh air. I wish I could summon my wolf, morph and run until my heart explodes. I am done living in this cruel world. I am done walking around, fearful of the next object I am to run into. I am sick and tired of being weak, of feeling helpless.
I am not the Alpha this pack needs. I am not the Alpha I wanted to be. The day will come when this pack is attacked, and I will be helpless to stop it.
Chapter 4
Lana
February 23, 2014
I whisk the eggs together quickly, glancing at the clock to see that everyone will be up and ready to eat in five minutes. Tami is flipping pancakes while Jenny and Meggy are setting up the plates and cups. Rachel has her day off, and I’m sure she is sleeping in her fill.
I lay a portion of the eggs onto the
skillet and then sprinkle cheese, cut ham and bacon of the egg mix. Once it sets, I flip half of the omelet, waiting for the eggs to cook fully. I then plate it and move on to the next one, adding peppers for Mason.
Mason likes peppers with his omelet, Landon gets onions and peppers and the two girls like them plain, with cheese, ham, and bacon.
Tami puts two pancakes on Mason’s and Landon’s plate and one on Natalie’s and Sarah’s. I balance all four on my arms and walk out to the dining area where they are patiently waiting. I only hope they haven’t been sitting for long.
I place the appropriate plates in front of everyone, sparing a glance at Landon. He is wearing loose pajama pants and a baggy hoodie. His hair is disheveled with patterns from his pillow on his cheeks. He has just woken up and looks insanely beautiful.
“Thank you, Lana.” I direct my attention to Natalie, hoping she didn’t catch me checking out her brother.
“You’re welcome. Enjoy.” I bow my head slightly and walk back into the kitchen, my pulse racing. I take a few calming breaths and lean against the counter.
Meggy walks up to me with a plate of the spare food. I nibble on the pancakes, but my appetite seems lost to me. My stomach is churning. I still haven’t come up with an idea of how to approach Landon and tell him who I am.
I am also scared that he won’t believe me, that he will either cast me out or even kill me. I can’t help but be frustrated with the situation I am in.
While they are eating their breakfast, I rush up the stairs to put Natalie’s room back together. I make her bed, toss her dirty clothes into a basket, and even clean her bathroom. Once I am done, I lay out a cute outfit that consists of jeans, a hunter green long sleeve shirt, and a blazer.
As I gather her basket full of dirty clothes, Natalie enters and smiles at me. “Hey, Lana.” I return her smile and nod my head.
“How are you doing this morning?” I ask her, propping the basket on my hip as I turn my full attention to her. In the safety of her bedroom, we are free to talk… as we do every morning. I always keep in mind to leave the conversations short; I have duties to attend to.
Blind Alpha: A Dark Fantasy Page 2