by Juniper Hart
“Wren, it’s going to be fine,” Chris said nervously, sensing her friend’s proximity to tears. “We’ve been through worse than this.”
“I know,” Wren agreed, but in her heart, she didn’t feel like she had been. Her chest was tight, and she felt like her life force had been depleted. Just rest. Everything will be better when you wake, she lied to herself.
Jordan sat bound to a silver-plated chair, unable to shift. The veins in his face were visible as he gasped for breath. Two Lycans stood guard nearby, and Wren watched in horror as she realized she couldn’t do anything to free her brother.
“I didn’t do it!” Jordan choked. “I swear, I was set up!”
“Save it for Landon Burke,” one of the guards intoned. “He’ll be here soon.”
“Wait!” Wren yelled, but no one seemed to hear her. She suddenly looked down at herself and realized she was invisible.
This is a dream, a nightmare. This isn’t happening, a voice in her mind told her.
“Please,” Jordan pleaded. “Just let me go. I’ll leave this place, and no one ever has to worry about seeing me again!”
Landon appeared, freezing in the doorway as he took in the scene.
“What are you doing to him?” Landon demanded. “Get him out of that chair!”
“But… what if he shifts?”
“If you can’t handle yourselves against one weakened shifter, you don’t belong in the Puget Sound Pack,” Landon bit back, stalking toward the chair. He fell back, repelled by the silver. “In a silver chair, guys?” he barked. “Really? Let him up!”
Wren’s pulse quickened as the guards hurried to release her brother and exhaled with relief, even though Jordan fell to the floor once untied.
“Get out,” Landon barked at the others. “All of you.”
“Are you sure, Landon? I mean, he’s—”
“Get. Out.”
They didn’t need to be told again, and they scurried to obey him, disappearing from Wren’s view.
“What are you going to do to me?” Jordan asked bitterly from his spot on the ground. “Just end me now. I don’t want to go in front of the Council.”
“I’m not ending you,” Landon said flatly. “Your sister has pleaded your case for you.”
Jordan’s eyes widened in fear. “Wren doesn’t know anything about anything!” he growled, ambling to his feet. “I don’t care what she said. She has nothing to do with anything.”
“That’s not true! If you’re going down, I’m going down with you!” Wren yelled out.
Oddly, both men looked up, as though the echo of her words reverberated through their ears. That, of course, was impossible—she was dreaming, wasn’t she?
“I know Wren has nothing to do with this,” Landon said, turning his attention back toward Jordan. “I’m not sure you do, either, but it doesn’t matter now. We’ve already started the process of dismantling the criminal packs. There is no room for the underworlds in the Enchanted.”
Jordan laughed mirthlessly and threw his shoulders back in defiance.
“That’s fresh coming from you,” he spat. “As if you didn’t know how this all started.”
“Stop antagonizing him!” Wren yelled. Again, they didn’t hear her.
“What are you talking about?” Landon demanded, his brow scrunched in confusion. “I have nothing to do with you or your pack.”
Jordan scoffed. “If that’s what you want to keep telling yourself.”
The Lycans stared at one another, a clash of dark eyes on green, and Wren could see the wheels turning in Landon’s mind as he considered her brother’s words.
“I’m listening,” Landon said quietly. “Enlighten me.” Jordan was silent, folding his arms over his chest. “I’m giving you an opportunity to save yourself, Jordan, for Wren’s sake. We both care about her.” Jordan’s eyes widened in shock.
“It’s true, then,” he muttered. “You really have taken up with my sister. I should kill you right now.” Landon snickered.
“You’re hardly in a position to be making threats,” he reminded Jordan. “But I don’t blame you for being upset. I wouldn’t want my business toppled, either.”
Jordan’s smile was cruel.
“You really don’t get it, do you?” he laughed. “You’re oblivious up there in your ivory tower while the minions do all your bidding. Have you ever considered why your pack is so wealthy, so strong, while the others fail?”
“Because we work for what we have!” Landon barked back, but the cocksureness of his expression was fading. “What are you implying?”
“You’re old enough to remember a time when all the packs were on equal footing, Landon, surely. A time when we all had the same, and no one was any richer or poorer than the other?”
Landon was quiet.
“What do you think changed, Burke? Why do you think that isn’t how things work anymore?”
“Just spit it out, Jordan,” Landon growled. “You’re trying my patience.”
“Your pack and others like yours enslaved us, made us do your bidding. If we’re such a criminal enterprise, where is all our money? Why are we always scrounging for food, for shelter?”
Wren’s heart was in her throat. What is he saying?
“Are you suggesting that my pack is benefitting from your dealings?” Landon gasped in disbelief.
“I am not suggesting it; I’m saying it. I’m saying that the Puget Sound Pack and others have been keeping Elliot Bay down for eons.”
“That’s impossible!” Landon barked. “I’m the Alpha! I would know if something like that was going on!”
“You’re far too consumed with the Council to pay any real mind to what’s happening right under your nose, Landon, if, in fact, you are unaware.”
Wren could feel the consternation emanating from her lover’s body, and she wanted desperately to reach out and make them both stop the insanity they were speaking. But she couldn’t, because she wasn’t there, not really. How was she watching this? Was it a dream?
“So you see, Landon,” Jordan went on, “you can do what you want with me. If bringing me before the Council will make you feel better about yourself, so be it. But you’re no better than me. You’re just a white-collar criminal. You don’t get your hands dirty, but you benefit exactly the same way.”
Landon’s breaths were short and upset as he began to pace around the small room. “Did you kill that man?”
“I didn’t. I thought you said Wren talked to you about this.”
Landon stopped moving and stared at him. “I lied. Wren has no idea I’m here. She won’t talk to me.”
“She’s a smart girl,” Jordan retorted. “She came to her senses and realized that she was tied up with a criminal, too.”
“I knew nothing about this, Jordan,” Landon hissed. “But, rest assured, I’m putting an end to this once and for all.”
Jordan smirked. “Yeah. I’m sure you’re her prince charming.”
“Get out of Seattle,” Landon said, turning toward the door. “I’ll send word for you when it’s safe to come back, but don’t you dare tell anyone where you are, including your sister. Am I clear?”
Jordan’s caustic smile faded, and he looked at Landon in disbelief. “You’re letting me go?”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Landon reminded him. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Jordan eyed him uncertainly, trying to gauge if he was being tricked or not.
“Go. Now, before I change my mind,” Landon snapped.
“What about the guards?”
“I’ll deal with them,” Landon assured him. “Now go. Don’t make me regret this, Jordan.” Wren’s brother stared at Landon for a long moment. “What? Are you dumb? Get lost!”
“Be good to my sister, Landon. She didn’t deserve the life she was born into. None of this is her fault.”
“I know that.”
“Will you tell her I’m sorry I put her in this situation?”
“You can tell her yours
elf when you see her next,” Landon promised.
Her eyes flew open, and Wren realized she was covered in a cold sweat. She fought her way out of her bedroom toward where she’d left her phone in the kitchen,
“What’s wrong?” Christiana demanded when she caught a glimpse of her face. Wren could only shake her head as she powered her phone. Instantly, a dozen notifications illuminated her screen, and she dialed out with trembling fingers, her heart threatening to leap from her chest as she waited for Landon to answer.
“Wren! Where are you?”
“Where are you? Where is my brother?”
Landon didn’t speak, and Wren sank back against the wall, knowing that it had not been a dream. She had seen something in her mind’s eye, somehow.
“He’s gone, Wren,” Landon said at last. “I sent him away until I can figure some things out.”
“I saw it,” she murmured. “In my dream.”
“Where are you?” he asked again. “I need to see you and talk to you about what you thought happened at The Quarry.”
Wren shook her head, even though she knew he couldn’t see her.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she murmured. “I need to sort some things out of my own, Landon.”
“Wren, I love you. I didn’t kiss Linda—she cornered me. I need to see you, please.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. Could she have misconstrued what she had seen? In her heart, she wanted nothing more than to believe it, but could she? Christiana was watching her expectantly, and Wren could read the hope in her eyes.
I need to let my guard down sometime. Was I just in a rush to jump the gun and expect the worst with Landon? Wren thought of her dream and how conflicted Landon had seemed when he’d heard Jordan confronting him with what he knew. The Landon Burke I’ve gotten to know is not the man I always thought he was.
“Wren, please say something to me. I will take you right to Linda. I have no interest in that woman, nor have I had any interest in any other since I met you. I’ve told you and I will continue to tell you that you are my mate. I won’t let you go, no matter how much you push me away.”
“Is my brother safe?” Wren whispered, her resolve melting away with his words. There was no denying their connection, not when she was in his head, experiencing what he was experiencing. He had set Jordan free, hadn’t he?
“Yes,” Landon assured her. “I have him under my protection. No one will touch him again for any reason.”
“I’m home,” she finally confessed, and Landon exhaled with relief.
“I’ll be there in an hour. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Okay.” Wren disconnected the call and looked at Christiana, who continued to stare at her, perplexed.
“What is going on?”
“I’m not sure,” Wren replied, a cautious smile breaking out over her face. “But I think I might be learning to trust.”
Epilogue
“How much longer are you going to be?” Landon demanded, glancing at his Rolex. “The ball starts in twenty minutes!”
There was a chorus of giggles from the upper landing, and he darted his eyes up toward the stairs. Instantly, his impatience dissipated as he watched Wren and Christiana descend from the second floor of the condo. His gaze rested on the dark-haired beauty as her long, ruffled dress slid along the surface of the stairs in a slew of red lace, her companion tripping behind her uneasily on heels too high for her small stature.
“I feel like a Regency lady,” Wren chuckled, embarrassment coloring her cheeks as she made her way toward him. “This is overkill, no?”
“You look amazing,” Landon told her huskily, a rush of arousal surging through him as he studied her face. “You were made for haute couture.”
“I’m going to practice walking around in these stilts,” Christiana muttered, trotting toward the hallway and leaving the two in the foyer. Landon barely noticed her leaving, his eyes fixed on Wren.
“This is a lot to get used to,” Wren murmured. “I feel weird still.”
“You’re exactly where you belong,” he assured her, not for the first time. Over the last month, she had proclaimed her sentiments about the opulence of her new life many times.
“Are you sure others are going to be wearing the same kinds of outfits at the gala?” Wren asked, cocking her head back to stare at him warily. “I feel like you’re dressing us up unnecessarily.”
“Trust me,” Landon told her. “You’ll blend right in. I personally saw Laurel and Jasmine’s dresses, and you might be underdressed.” He pulled her toward her, leaning forward to place a kiss on her parted mouth. She eagerly responded to his kiss, as she always did.
She sighed when he reluctantly pulled away, her eyes glittering mischievously.
“Any chance we can be late?” Wren whispered, tugging on his hand gently. “Just a few minutes?”
Landon didn’t need to be asked a second time, and before she could change her mind, he swept her up in his arms, her skirts fanning wildly around them as he hurried to the nearest door and kicked it open.
“I’ve always wanted to get it on in the library,” she teased, and he responded with another long kiss, placing her lovingly onto the faux fur rug before the fireplace, his hands sliding up the creamy skin of her legs.
Their tongues explored their mouths, and Landon’s fingers slid Wren’s delicate lace panties down along the curve of her thighs before positioning himself over her body. As he was about to enter her, his hand traced the lines of her face and stared into her eyes.
“I love you,” he told her earnestly. “I hope you know that.”
“I know that,” Wren replied, a soft, dreamy smile on her lips. “Do you know I love you?”
“I had a feeling,” Landon joked.
Wren’s palms cupped the naked skin of his rear, her body arching upward to meet his hardness, and they melded together, instantly falling into each other’s crevices as if they belonged there. Wren moaned, her nails digging into the flesh of his buttocks, her legs wrapping around his waist to pull him closer. Landon’s lips found the prickled skin of her neck to latch onto with vigor as he was brought to the same climax as hers.
“Now!” Wren breathed. On her cue, they released onto each other, relishing the quivers of the other’s body between the expensive material of their clothing. “We’re definitely late,” Wren muttered. “How much trouble will you be in?”
“Whatever it is, it’s well worth it,” Landon replied, and he meant it. He would have happily skipped the entire event to remain in her arms. For a moment, he really considered it.
“Seriously?” Christiana barked from the doorway. “I can’t leave you guys alone for ten seconds?”
“I guess that’s our cue,” Landon muttered, and Wren laughed.
“I guess it is,” she sighed wistfully. He kissed her lips once more and untangled himself from her, pulling his black tuxedo pants up over his broad hips.
“I’m nervous about tonight,” Wren told him quietly, and Landon looked at her curiously.
“I thought you were looking forward to this,” he said, worry sparking through him. Oh, please don’t back out now. Not today.
“I am,” Wren replied, accepting his hand as he guided her up from the floor. “I’m just a little nervous. I don’t think the Council really approves of me.”
Landon shook his head. “You’re wrong… Well, actually, you’re right. The Council disapproves of everyone. It’s just the way we’re bred. Ask Lane how well received she was when she came,” he told her confidently, even though his pulse was racing. “In fact, when—”
“What is that?” Wren interrupted, pointing at an object on the floor near where they were laying.
Oh, no… Landon reached down and grabbed the ring box, sheepishness coloring his face.
“Well, I guess the surprise is effectively ruined,” he sighed, looking at her hopefully. “I was going to make a big production of this in front of everyone at the ball—”
&n
bsp; “Is that an engagement ring?” Wren choked in disbelief. “For me?”
“Oh, my gods!” Christiana choked, and Landon turned to scowl at her. He hadn’t realized she was still standing there. “I-I’m going,” she stuttered, backing out of the library and almost tripping on her heels. Landon suspected she hadn’t gone very far, though. It didn’t bother him as much as he had expected—after all, Christiana had been as much part of the crazy ride as they had.
Landon dropped to his knee and reached for Wren’s trembling hand. “Wren, before I met you, I had no idea what I was missing from my life. It was like I didn’t know what I needed before you showed me. Thank you for letting me into your life.”
“Oh, Landon…” Tears filled Wren’s inky eyes, and she stared at him with adoration as he slipped the two-carat rock on her slender finger.
“I know we’re already mates,” he continued. “I know we’re bound together by immortality as it is, but I want to marry you if you’ll have me.” He stared up at her imploringly.
“Of course I will!” Wren squealed, dropping to his level and lavishing his face with kisses. “You make me happier and happier every day that passes.”
The sound of the doorbell echoed through the condo, and the couple looked at one another.
“Is that the driver?” Wren asked.
“Must be,” Landon lied. “Come on. We can still announce our engagement at the ball.” They hurried into the hall, where Christiana beamed at them slyly.
“Congratulations!” she chortled, throwing her arms around Wren. “I expect to be your maid of honor. No crappy dresses, please.”
Landon stalked toward the door and threw it open. Jordan stood, handsomely dressed in the tux Landon had sent for him a few days earlier.
“Jordan?” Wren choked, freezing. She looked at Landon in shock. “Is it safe for him to be here?”
“It is now,” Landon told her softly. “I’ve managed the illegal matters within the ranks. Your brother is no longer being hunted, and he’s back, just as I promised.”
It had been a rough couple of months of straightening out years of corruption among the classes, but it turned out that Jordan had been right—a lot had been happening right under his nose. The Elliot Bay Pack had been dismantled, and Landon had gone through members of his own crew to cleanse the degradation. It was going to be a while before the packs regarded themselves as equals, which was Landon’s ultimate goal, and he would continue to work at it until it was so.
