“Liv, God, I’ve missed you,” he said then kissed her forehead before he pulled away, placing his palms on her cheeks to look into her eyes.
“I’ve missed you, too,” she said, smiling. And she had. She hadn’t realized it until she saw him—her brother, her protector.
“You look radiant, Liv…Really beautiful,” he said.
“It’s the tan.” She shrugged.
“No, it’s…” He paused, his eyes lingering over her lovingly. “Don’t know, but something’s different.”
Landon’s gaze was so soft, so comforting yet intense and different, as if seeing her with new eyes, seeing her as an adult for the very first time.
It’s because I’m not a virgin, she thought and flushed. “It’s just the tan,” she repeated.
“No, it’s not…” He pulled her toward him again. This time the hug was soft and less forceful. When he pulled away again, he said, “I didn’t think it was possible for you to look more like Mom, but you do. And you look…happy.”
It startled her when it shouldn’t have that her brother recognized she truly was happy for the first time in her life. Not that she was unhappy before, just unfulfilled. Cain had done that for her.
Brows furrowing, he said, “You’re happy, right?”
She nodded as tears threatened to spill.
“Gosh, Liv, what’s wrong?” he asked then laughed and said, “Don’t tell me you missed me that much.”
She chuckled. “No, it’s just…I don’t want you to think…I wasn’t happy…I’m just happier—”
“I’m happy if you’re happy…I know a lot’s been going on lately. You’ve been working a lot with the council, and it can be overwhelming. I did miss you though. Everyone did.”
She nodded, thankful at least Landon wasn’t hurt. She couldn’t handle her brother believing he had been nothing but great to her when he’d done everything to ensure her happiness, security and comfort.
“I can’t believe it. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? Where’s your luggage?” he asked, hugging her again.
“Cain brought me and spared me a flight and he’ll bring my luggage later.”
Landon’s gaze snapped to Cain. “Hey,” he said in greeting, then shook Cain’s hand. “Thanks for bringing her back.”
“Not a problem,” Cain responded.
“Well, come in,” Jocelyn said. “Dinner will be ready soon.”
They headed toward the high-vaulted ceiling living area on the first floor and took seats. Olivia and Cain on the love seat several feet apart and Jocelyn and Landon snuggled close opposite them.
“Liv, Cain, would you like something to drink?” Jocelyn asked.
“A glass of Chardonnay for me and Cain will have a whiskey,” Olivia said without thought.
She realized her error after she’d spoken; she’d ordered for Cain. Flushing, she turned to glance in Cain’s direction, who hid a smile. Luckily, Landon didn’t seem to notice, or regard her mistake as anything out of the ordinary.
“Baby, I’ll get the drinks,” Landon insisted when Jocelyn moved to stand. “Do you want some apple juice, love?”
Jocelyn nodded then repositioned herself. Landon headed toward the small bar at the end of the living area and prepared the drinks.
“So, how did it go? What did you do? Did you rest?” Landon asked.
“It went well. I did the usual. You know shop, eat, sunbathe…” Olivia responded.
Landon handed Jocelyn apple juice first then handed Olivia wine and Cain whiskey. He sat beside Jocelyn again, and placed his hand on her belly.
“Has anything new happened around here?” she asked.
“Yes!” Jocelyn burst. “We received the furniture for the babies’ room.”
“Yeah,” Landon added.
“I’m so sorry you missed that!” Jocelyn said sardonically. Her eyes glimmered with humor. “You should’ve seen Landon trying to put the cribs together.” She giggled.
Olivia laughed, too. She was sorry she missed it. For everything her brother was, he wasn’t handy. He’d never built anything in his life.
“I did a good job,” he insisted.
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. “Baby, there’s no need to lie. Liv knows you better than I do.”
“What would possess you to build anything?” Olivia asked her brother.
“He wants to be a part of everything relating to the babies,” Jocelyn responded for him. “Which is sweet but…” Her words fell away. “He spent four hours trying to build one crib then, finally, I recruited Ethan to help.”
“Is that why he came up?” Landon asked.
“Yes, baby, that’s why,” Jocelyn admitted, patting his knee.
Landon frowned. “I could’ve done it.”
“Sure,” Olivia chided then laughed. She hated to admit she’d missed their loving quarrels.
“Of course, you could’ve,” Jocelyn said. “But you know we want to be sure the babies will be safe while they’re sleeping. Two minds are better than one…”
Landon’s eyes flashed. “I wouldn’t endanger my kids. I would’ve climbed in the crib myself before I let—”
“I know, baby. I know,” Jocelyn said, then grazed her lips against Landon’s. Debate seemingly forgotten, he wrapped his arms around her to deepen the kiss, then Jocelyn tucked her face near his neck.
Olivia’s stomach clenched at the sight. It was exactly what she had with Cain an hour ago. Already, she missed him. Cain hadn’t spoken a word, maybe, missing her as much as she missed him.
She spared a glance in his direction. Immediately, he turned as well. Their eyes met and held for a moment speaking volumes they couldn’t reveal.
“Liv.” Landon’s voice drew her away. “One of the wolves from our pack and his mate discovered another werewolf pack.”
“What?” she asked, although she’d heard every word. Her brain scrambled at the knowledge. Another pack when they believed they were the last of their kind?
“I know. I’m meeting with their alpha soon.”
“How many…Do they know of other packs? How could we not know? The last—”
He laughed. “Yeah, I know. It’s unbelievable, huh?” He took a sip of his drink. “Their pack is two thirds the size of ours, two hundred, give or take. They’ve been reclusive for the last three hundred years…They didn’t fight in the last vamp-wolf war. I’m not sure why exactly, but maybe their alpha will tell me more when we meet.”
“I-I can’t believe it.”
“I was just as shocked when I got his call. Trust me, but I think this is good news, Liv. The alpha knows of Malums. They’ve had several murders in the last few months. When he phoned me, he wanted to meet in person to discuss an allegiance. I spoke to him briefly about the Guardians. He thought I was joking when I told him we’d allied with vamps and demons.” Landon chuckled. “But I think once he meets the Guardians, he’ll come around.”
Quirking a brow, she asked, “You think?”
Growing serious, he said, “I know. Even centuries ago, werewolf packs were reclusive, stuck to their territory and didn’t wander, but we’ve never been enemies. These are different times. The Texan alpha realizes that, too.”
“Texan?”
“Yep, Texan, and he sounds like one too, not that it makes a difference.”
“But their home is in Texas, why would an allegiance with a pack that far away help us or them?”
Cain tensed beside her. She glanced in his direction and realized his expression had grown grim.
Landon sighed heavily before he continued in a serious tone. “When the Malums strike, they will strike big—”
“They strike all the time. They’re killing every day,” she said, cutting him off.
“No, Liv,” Cain spoke for the first time.
Her gaze snapped to him.
“When they’re ready for the war, when they refuse to wait any longer, they’ll attack in big way: bombs, explosives in all the major cities and military camps. They’
ll simultaneously wipe out millions, before anyone can fight back.”
Olivia felt her face grow pale.
Cain’s hand grasped hers, his warmth radiated through her as her eyes met his. She read the pain and torment of the truth everyone had held from her, clear in his face. There would be a fight, a big one, good versus evil. The few killings and attacks were the tip of the iceberg. When he squeezed her hand, suddenly the knowledge of the possible future didn’t seem so disheartening. She’d fight alongside Cain, for immortals and for mankind.
Moments later, Cain released her hand. She wanted to reach for him again then remembered where she was.
“I want to hunt with the Guardians,” she said immediately then braced.
“No!” Cain and Landon bellowed simultaneously.
She knew they’d disagree, knew they weren’t going to make this easy on her, but she had to fight for what she thought was right, so she pointed out, “Both of you do, and I’m trained for battle.”
The room grew thick with fury and tension. Her male and brother combined were a force to reckon with, but she couldn’t let them stop her.
“Hell no!” Cain and Landon snapped as they stood, towering over her.
“Oh boy,” Jocelyn muttered under her breath.
She wouldn’t cower. She couldn’t. It meant too much. It wasn’t just about doing what was right for mankind and immortals alike, it was about her, too. She wanted to stand on her own for the first time in her life, to be something more than a sheltered princess.
She shrugged. Cain and Landon eyed each other, then hesitantly took their seats. Jocelyn rubbed her palm over her belly and took a deep breath.
“That’s fine.” She met each of their gazes then and said, “I’ll just go out on my own then.”
They spoke again simultaneously.
“You’ll go with me,” Cain said, resigned.
“You won’t,” Landon dared then shot a glare at Cain.
Olivia smiled. “Okay, Cain, I’ll go with you then.”
Jocelyn laughed loudly, muttering, “Well played, Liv.”
“Liv,” Landon warned.
“Landon,” she said, her tone mocking his. “I trust Cain. He wouldn’t let anything happen to me. I’m safe with him.”
“But—” Landon began to argue.
Standing her ground, she said, “Either I go with Cain or I go alone. What will it be?”
Landon scowled. Nonetheless he relented, but she knew it was temporary.
“Dinner’s ready,” the maid, Cristal, announced.
“Oh, great,” Jocelyn exclaimed. “I’m starved.”
Chapter 24
Fearing the red tint in his eyes, Cain angled his face away from Landon, knowing the alpha’s gaze was centered on him. He trailed Olivia instead, watched her as she stood, her thick brown hair swaying. Her tantalizing scent drifted toward him. Even as angry as he was with her, desire sparked. He held his breath because if he didn’t, he might do something he’d regret like drag her away and lock her in his room at the compound where he knew she would be safe, always.
Aroused and enraged was a bad combo. His mind debated what he should do the second they were alone, delve into her or scream at her. All because he loved her so much, his body ached without her near. Hell, he hurt more every second she was in the same room and not in his arms.
Since the moment he’d materialized them to the estate and he’d pulled away from her, a dull ache claimed him. Then the stunt she pulled insisting she hunt Malums. What the hell was she thinking? He’d never been this livid, ever. Now, he had no choice but to keep his word.
Fuck it, he thought. If there’s no Olivia, what was the point of honor? He’d break his word for the first time in his life. It’d sting, but the pain compared to the thought of Olivia in danger was nothing.
He continued to watch her patiently as she and Jocelyn headed toward the dining room before he veered his attention to Landon, who continued to eye him suspiciously.
“You aren’t taking her with you,” Landon spoke.
“I’ll do everything I can not to,” he said, honestly. “If I can’t—”
“Why in the hell did you agree?” Landon cut him off.
Not in the mood for the alpha’s temperament, his eyes narrowed. It wasn’t smart of him, considering the alpha was quick to temper, considering he didn’t need to get on the alpha’s bad side. At the moment, though, he couldn’t help it.
He spent a magnificent week with his mate. Now, he was a foot away from her scent, her skin and her lips, and he couldn’t touch her, comfort her, whisper sweet little nothings to her. His fear—that she’d leave him when she realized he wasn’t worth her—tormented him more than ever. It hadn’t been an hour, but he was sure he was in the seventh circle of hell. The worst kind of torture: the knowledge and beauty of living with something you once had, that you could no longer have. He wanted to scream, rage, and curse.
Gritting his teeth before he answered, hoping no anger resonated, although he was sure his eyes were ablaze, he said, “Did it look like I had another option?” He paused. “I know her. She threatened to go alone. You called her bluff, but she wasn’t bluffing. She’ll go. She’s a fighter who’s tired of sitting on the sidelines waiting just because she’s a princess. I wasn’t willing to take the chance. I’ll do everything I can to convince her not to hunt. I’ll even ask Jocelyn to play ill, but I won’t let her hunt alone. She’s better with me. I’m sure we both agree.”
Landon remained silent for a while, seemingly absorbing Cain’s point of view then lifting his chin, he asked, “What’s it to you?”
The sound of his bitter laugh resounded. It was a little late to play catch up. “The same it’s been to me, always,” he retorted, then stood and strode away because he was tired of explanations, but mostly because being near Olivia, whether or not he felt her skin against his, was better than being without.
****
Although barely dusk, after the steak dinner Cain had barely eaten, he bid farewell. He wasn’t in the mood to pretend he wasn’t livid just as he hadn’t been hours before.
As the dinner dragged on, his appetite diminished. His rage, on the other hand, hadn’t. It stewed so by the end, it had been at the cusp, his demon begging for release. He’d barely controlled himself, only done so not for the sake of his honor or breed or his mate’s brother, but for the sake of confronting her.
How could she? Why would she? Didn’t she realize the danger? Didn’t she realize she was no longer just herself—that she was a part of him, too? Didn’t she realize if anything happened to her, his life, too, would end?
Rage festering, by the time he bid farewell he had barely spared a glance in Olivia’s direction. He’d been too consumed with his anger to notice the somberness in her.
He dematerialized from the dining room only to appear in her room. Enraged, he waited for her to enter. It felt like eons when in fact only minutes passed.
Finally, she entered, somber and distraught. Her gaze scanned the room then landed on him, her face brightening immediately as she ran to him.
He didn’t smile, didn’t move.
Noticing, she hesitated inches from him. “You’re mad?” she whispered, so softly he’d barely heard.
He cursed then, cursed her innocence, her beauty and her. Why didn’t she know?
“I don’t—”
“You know, Olivia,” he snapped, letting his anger speak. “You know how much I love you. You know I don’t want you in the line of fire. You know I’d strike a fucking copper knife through my heart before I’d let anything happen to you.”
His body shook, shuddering uncontrollably. The change…began…The rage, he’d held back for too long. For months, he fought his need for her. He hadn’t touched her, kissed her, or loved her. For a week, he hadn’t marked her. He ignored his demon, his need to turn. Now it ended…She provoked him unconsciously, yet still there was nothing he could do.
His body morphed, tearing his shirt.
His height stretched, towering over her at over seven and a half feet tall. His back broadened. His muscles expanded, his horns elongated, his fangs lengthened. All he could do was take a step away from her.
She didn’t flinch or cower. Holding her ground, unafraid of him, or the demon that possessed him, she gazed at him with that innate innocence of hers, yet with a determined glint in her eyes. “You hunt. Why can’t I—”
“Olivia,” his voice was rough, fighting with himself to control his anger. “Are you trying to kill me?”
She shook her head. “You know I would never hurt you.”
He growled. “Doesn’t look like it!” The words laced in rage. “Do you know how worried I’ll be? You’ll be a distraction in the field. I won’t be able to think of anything but protecting you. After five months of waiting for you, how much more do you want to torture me?” he asked, taking several steps toward her, closing the distance between them.
Her eyes went wide and round. “I…would never want to torture you. I…” She angled herself away from him. When she spoke again, her voice cracked. “You think it’s been easy for me all these months? Worrying about you while you’re hunting?” Then she faced him again.
That was when he caught sight of the tears streaking her face. His heart clenched; the rage that had conquered him moments before dissipated. His demon left him as quickly as he’d come, leaving guilt in his wake.
“You can leave me if you want, Cain, so you don’t have to worry about me,” her voice broke. “But I’m hunting.”
Leave her? Was she out of her damned mind! Was that what she really wanted? For him to leave, so she’d be free to find a werewolf mate? As quickly as the thought came, his anger flowed once more.
He grabbed her elbow and pulled her toward him, his body shifting again. His demon unleashed. “My darling Olivia, I’ll never leave you. Even after there is no breath in my body, I’ll find a way to come back to you,” he said. “Is the thought of me leaving titillating? Would you prefer to be rid of your unworthy, orphan, demon male?”
Her eyes widened, welled with tears that fell, tainting her cheeks anew as deep hurt flashed across her face. That same hurt, the one he’d caused, sliced through him, her pain striking him.
Awaiting Fate Page 17
