Chapter 17

It had been post marking day four and I was starting to grow hopeful that Kaelyn and Clint were wrong about the side effects of it. Yes, there was some longing between us, but nothing that would warrant being locked up over, thankfully. Other than Kieran being more Alpha than human, we were fine and I felt confident it would stay that way.

I woke with a smile remembering that Jennifer was staying with us now and I couldn’t wait to run next door and see her again. We had a lot of time to make up for. We had never been separated as long as we had been this time. It was unsettling and I was overjoyed to have her back.

I took a shower and got dressed all before ten A.M and I was proud. I was doing well if I willingly got out of been before noon. Perhaps it was all the excitement of Jennifer being here. The news of a new pack member joining from Night Shadow had spread like wildfire since yesterday according to Kieran and the pack was eager to meet with her. Jennifer was less enthused though. She was nervous they would like her. After spending the remainder f the morning assuring her that she was worrying her for nothing we prepared to go meet the pack in the conference room next to Kieran’s office. It was the first time I had been there and apparently they often held important meetings there; this being an important one.

I was excited to give her the lay of the land and house today. I desperately wanted my new pack to meet her and accepter her just as easily as I had when we became friends. I knew they wouldn’t disappoint. They were my family now and they most supporting pack I ever had.

“Well, that was…interesting,” Jennifer said as we all poured out from the room. “I’ve never been in a pack meeting like that before. Everything here just seems more…important. You must feel right at home. You’re finally part of a pack. I mean really part of it.”

I smiled. “I am. I’m very happy here.”

“I think I will be too. Except…” She let the word hang for a moment was she decided how to go on.

“Except what?” I asked.

She shrugged taking a look around the large hallway when were traveling through. “I don’t know. It’s like something is missing. I can’t really explain it, but it saddens me.” Her serious expression soon turned playful. “Crazy much?”

I laughed at her. “No, just you.”

It was nice seeing her a little more at ease.

As we walked in silence my mind traveled back to the very professional and spacious conference room when Kieran’s eyes never left mine the entire time. He seemed more intense than usual and it caused a stirring somewhere deep within me. Every time his eyes met mine I wanted to shiver in delight. He was changing me.

“What would you like to see first? The house? The land? Oh, I know! How about the pond? You’ll love it. Just being there will relax you. It’s so peaceful.”

“Yeah. That actually sounds kind of perfect.”

After all she had been through she could use some peace. I still didn’t know how she was holding it together after something so traumatic. She was strong. That was for sure.

“Claire,” a voice called after us. We came to a halt and spun around to see who had spoken and was surprised.

“Yes,” I said slowly with an eyebrow raised.

Dorian came to a stop in front of Jennifer and I, but kept his eyes trained on me. “Kieran wants to see you. He sent me to get you. He’s in the office.”

“Okay, but I was getting ready to show Jennifer around. Can it wait?”

He shook his head. “It was an order. He told me not to come back without you. I’ll arrange for Leland to keep her company until you’re available.”

Well if I couldn’t show her around, I’d want Leland to do it. She’d like him. He was a very easy going, fun person; just her type. I wonder if they would have hooked up if they met under different circumstances.

Jennifer looked at me with a smile and nodded her in assurance that she would be fine and sent me on my way. I was a bit frustrated that Kieran and to pull me away a one of the most inconvenient times, but it could be important so I pushed away my annoyance and agreed to not let it bother me.

At the office door I met Wyatt walking out wearing the same annoying features mirroring how I had been previously feeling. He closed the door behind him just as I was about to enter.

“Be careful in there,” he joked, but I could hear the slight warning mixed in his tone.

“It can’t be that bad. You’re the big, bad beta Wyatt. Surely he couldn’t have gotten to you,” I teased not being able to keep the silly grin off my face.

“Alpha Mode,” he said making me instantly understand.

I nodded but frowned. He seemed alright during the meeting. I mean he was all business, but he didn’t seem upset or uptight about anything. What could have changed so soon?

“Got it. Well, I’ll be on guard.”

Placing my hand on the door handle Wyatt placed his on top of mine stopping me. “He’s a little high-strung. Just make it easy on yourself and just agree with him.”

His smile made me smile. “I will. Jeez. Calm down, will you? It’s just Kieran.”

His smile dropped taking his hand back and nodded. “Oh it’s him alright.” Then in a creepy sing song back he said, “He’s back.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Back?”

“Yes,” he confirmed. “The Kieran I know. Good luck.”

He offered me a light smile before turning on his heel and walking away, leaving me at the door to fend for myself. For a moment I thought over possible escape options and finding him when he was a little more himself…or less himself I guess I should say. After all, I guess I didn’t really know him as well as I’d though. Wyatt knew him very well though.

All thoughts were brought to a sudden stop when the door came open almost dragging me to the floor with my hand still firmly clasped around the handle. Kieran wrapped his arms around me pulling me back against his chest before I could hit the ground.

“Thanks,” I muttered steadying my breath.

His breathing was heaving, his chest moving rapidly against my back. I turned in his arms to face him. I gasped when his dark, almost black, eyes stared back at me.

“It took you long enough,” he said eerily clam for his breathing. 

“I stopped to talk to Wyatt at the door. What’s wrong? Jennifer and I were about to tour the grounds and then get some furniture for her room.”

He release one of his arms around me and reached out to close the door, giving us some privacy, then wrapped it tightly back around me again.

“I sent Wyatt to show her around. She’ll be fine.”

I backed up from our closeness and gazed into the dark depths he watched me with. “Yeah, except she doesn’t know them very well.”

“Now is as good a time as any. They’re her pack now too.”

He pulled me back into him and tightened his grip around my waist nearly cutting off my air. He buried his nose in my hair and deeply inhaled my scent. He didn’t move for minutes making the time in his arms seem longer than what it really was. Not that I minded, but his actions had me worried. He was acting beyond strange.

When he finally released me I caught my breath making up for my lack of air from his hold. I leaned back into his desk and steadied myself.

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong or continue to freak me out a little more?”

He didn’t speak and rounded me and the desk. My eyes followed him when he picked up something and handed it to me.

I reached out for it and gasped when I saw what it was. A picture of Jennifer and I was grasped between my fingers and it was only from yesterday. We were on the balcony in her room talking. The picture had to be taken sometime yesterday evening from the woods. It was a good distance away but it still freaked me out that someone had taken it.

“Where did you get this?” I asked warily looking up at him from the photograph.

Why did Kieran have this picture? Was he having me watched? No, that doesn’t make sense. I’m on his land. He has eyes and ears everywhere. He didn’t need pictures. But why was he showing it to me then?

“This was sent to me this morning. That’s not all. Read the back of it.”

Hesitantly I flipped it over and examined the white background with a message written in black ink. In beautiful, perfect calligraphy it said: This is how easy it was for me to get to her. Release Tobias or the next time it won’t be a warning.

I felt my throat constrict and I released the photo letting it fall easily onto his desk. He was there the entire time. He was just watching us. Did he hear us too? The thoughts of him being so close to me sent unwelcome shivers up my spine.

“What do we do?” I asked shakily.

Kieran rounded the desk and grasped my shoulders. “We don’t do anything. I’ll handle it.”

“Handle it? Handle it how?”

“Let me worry about that. The less you know the better,” he said hoping to ward me off the subject.

“You said you wouldn’t keep things from me and I’d like to know.”

He just stared back at me unmoving and silent.

I placed my arms on his and walked into them leaving our faces only inches apart. “What are you going to do? Please tell me it’s not killing Tobias. That will only make things worse. Axel will only seek retribution.”

He continued to remain unmoving as he spoke. “But this is only the start of mine. He threatened you and killed my parents. He has it coming to him.”

I ran my hands through my blonde lengths letting out a sigh of frustration. He was acting out in anger from the threat. He wasn’t thinking logically. He was letting whatever he was feeling for me cloud his judgment.

Gently placed my hands on Kieran’s face and brought our heads together. Living with my parent for all of my life I had learned a few things about mates. Calming my dad down was something that I had witnessed my mom do multiple times over the years and it shouldn’t be hard to mimic it. It always seemed to work for her. Though, they were true mates. I wasn’t sure if that made a difference or not, but I knew I had to try.

“Find another way,” I said gently stroking his face. “You’re acting in the heat of the moment. Don’t make it worse by doing something you may regret later. The last thing we need to do is act prematurely in this situation. We’ll figure this out together. And if it makes you feel any better I won’t leave today. I’ll stay here.”

He did little to mask his surprise at my words. “You won’t?”

“No. Not after a threat like that. He could just be waiting on me. Besides I don’t think your wolf could handle it.”

Nor could I. A familiar voice said.

I froze. My wolf. I could feel her again. She was coming back.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Kieran questioned with worry. His eyes roamed over my face looking for any sign of what could be wrong.

I shook my head and smiled. “No. It’s not- It’s nothing. I just- I think I heard my wolf.”

I had felt her another time before, but this time she had spoken to me so clearly. It had been weeks since I heard anything from her.

Kieran looked surprised then pleased. “You think she’s back?”

I couldn’t even begin to explain how happy I was.

“I don’t know, maybe.” I threw my arms around Kieran and grinned before placing a kiss on his lips. “Thank you.”

He chuckled, his eyes slowly turning back to it familiar color. “For what?”

“Everything. It’s because of you that she’s coming back. I couldn’t have done it alone.”

His hands traveled through my hair and he smiled back at me. “You have more strength than you think you do. Give yourself more credit. You’re the one who didn’t give up on yourself.”

Hmm. I hadn’t ever thought of it like that. I guess he was right in a way. He still helped me though. I may have come out of my depression, but he was the one who brought me out. Since then I’ve just been taking it a day at a time.

“She likes you, you know. My wolf. She’s grateful. I could feel it in her words and presence however brief.”

“She’s not alone. My wolf likes her too. He likes all of you.”

I blushed. I could tell.

“Every day he pushes me to mate you. That’s why I had to leave so early this morning. I couldn’t bear to be in the room when you got ready. I’m not sure I could control myself. It gets harder every day. He’s had a taste of you and now he wants more. I’ve thought about leaving you for a while to give us some space, but I know it would only make it worse.”

I heart clenched. He’d leave me? His confession sent a pain through me. I’d experienced worse, but the panic was unsettling. I didn’t want him to leave me. It was the bond that was making him this way. It was driving us both crazy. Him more than me though. He had his wolf back. I didn’t.

“What should we do?”

I knew that was a dumb question. I knew what had to do; I just hoped that he could offer up a better alternative. I still wanted to know him better before taking that next step in our relationship. I didn’t want to give that up to him just yet.

“I’ve actually been thinking about that,” he admitted. “I know you’re still not ready to do what in expected of us so I’ve came up with an idea.”

“What?” I was all too eager to hear.

“I don’t know if it will work or not, but we could try it.”

I nodded. “Sure. Anything.”

“Well, it my wolf who wants more. He wants a better claim on you. He feels like you might try reject us like Jasmine did and he can’t have that. Mating you is the only thing that will ensure that.”

I sighed. Are we back to that again? “I’m not going anywhere. I’ve told you this.”

“I know,” he explained. “My wolf isn’t as trusting though. I’m sure you can understand why.”

I did actually. Jasmine had done irreparable damage and that’s enough to mess up anyone. I would know firsthand. I had seen it in Kieran and myself. No one comes out of a rejection completely unscathed.

“So what do you suggest?”

He lifted his index finger to my neck and traced the claimed he had placed on me and caused my whole body to shiver. “Another marking.”

It was hard to focus on anything when he was touching the mark so he pulled is hand away. I didn’t like the emptiness I felt at that, but tried to ignore it the best that I could.

“So you’ll just bite me again. But won’t that send me emotion into overdrive again?” I worried.

“It shouldn’t. Your body should have fully adjusted to change by now. You’re familiar with it. It’ll just make my claim on you a little stronger. Though there’s just one possible downside to it.”

I tensed. Of course. There is always something bad that comes with the good.

“What?”

“It may cause us to be more- well… more hormonal. It could increase the want between us that came with the marking the first time and have then opposite effect. There is no way to be certain. We’ll just have to see. But on a positive note, it could calm our wolves. Or more specifically mine. It might give us more time.”

Well that was certainly a good thing, but was it worth the risk? This really gave me something to think about. “Could” was not a very certain or comforting term in our situation. I just wish I had something more concrete to go on.

“I don’t know. It all just seems a little risky.”

He nodded in understanding and gently grabbed my shoulders. “It’s your choice, but just remember every day is a risk for us. We never know what will happen. The bond can be unpredictable.”

“Okay. I’ll think about it,” I agreed. “Can I go find Jennifer now?”

“Yeah, but don’t be out past dark. It’s not safe with Axel on the loose. You and Jennifer can hang out inside.”

I agreed with him, not putting up any argument because I ultimately he was right. He was just trying to protect me and he knew what was best. I had to learn to choose my battles and this wasn’t one. I wouldn’t lie, that picture Axel sent still hand me freaking out inside. Kieran was reacting rationally here.

I joined Wyatt, Leland and Jennifer on the pack grounds near the holding cells. I wasn’t sure if they had told her that Tobias was inside so I didn’t bring it up. Perhaps the less she knew about him the better. I was happy to see my new friends keeping her company. They seemed to get along well despite her still not being her usual self. I’m sure they’d still like her when she returned to her more natural state too.

When dusk began to settle in we did too. We made it back to the house before the night completely consumed us and joined the pack for dinner. I took my usual seat next to Kieran on the end and Jennifer on my opposite side. She and Wyatt automatically dove into conversation.

“I think, Wyatt is taken with Jennifer,” Kieran teased watching them laugh as they talked. Well, Wyatt laugh, Jennifer just smiled and giggled a little bit. She had not completely let go of what happened to her yet, and I didn’t know if she ever could.

“Yeah. They seem to have a lot in common.” After all he was her opposite sex personality twin. They were both completely the same in how they viewed having a good time without any risk. It was a surprise they were not mates. Maybe she would end up finding hers here.

“Felix is returning from his brothers pack tomorrow night. We’ll leave for Night Shadow as soon he’s back. I’ve arranged for our best fighters to come with us along with my third in command Dorian.”

“Great,” I mumbled under my breath before placing a piece of chicken in my mouth.

Kieran quickly noticed my poorly hidden sarcasm and frowned. “What?”

“Nothing,” I lied.

He crossed his arms over my chest deepening his frown. “I detect a problem. Tell me.”

I sighed and dropped my fork taking a look around the table where Dorian sat midway down. I turned my attention back to Kieran. I did not want to have this conversation here. “Later. Okay? I promise.”

He studied me a moment before forcing himself to nod his head and dropped the subject. Thankfully the rest of dinner went by pleasantly, and soon Kieran and I found ourselves inside our room while Wyatt escorted Jennifer to hers. He was certainly being extremely hospitable this evening and It didn’t go unnoticed.

“Care to tell me what’s up?” he asked once we were both ready for bed.

I crawled into bed placing the red sheets over my legs and plugged up my phone to change. “What do you mean?”

“Earlier at dinner. You’re not happy with who I’ve chosen to take with us tomorrow?”

Oh.

“No,” I clarified. “I think you chose well. Taking the best fighters is the way I would have gone.”

“But?” He urged me to go on.

I suppose I’d have to get this out sooner or later. I had just hoped I could avoid it.

“It’s just…”

He stood in front of me in a pair of loose comfortable looking shorts and a t-shirt with his arms crossed waiting expectantly. “Yes…”

“I don’t think Dorian likes me very much,” I confessed. “He just seems so…I don’t know….aloof.”

I silently hoped Kieran wouldn’t be offended of what I thought about his third in command. I didn’t mean to cause strife, I was just being honest.

An unexpected smile spread across his face and he chuckled. “Aloof?”

I frowned. Did he find me amusing? He’s the one who wanted to know.

“Yes,” I confirmed. “He’s always so serious, distant and standoffish. I just feel like he doesn’t like me very much.”

“He doesn’t know you.”

“So. That’s not a reason. I don’t know him either, but I still remain polite.”  

“He’s never been rude to you,” he argued finally getting into bed next to me.

It was shocking at how comfortable I was becoming sharing the same bed with him. I supposed that was also because of the growing bond.

“How about I try to fix your differences?” he asked.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Not that I think that’s possible, but how?”

“You’ll just have to spend some time together and get to know each other.”

Somehow I doubt Dorian would be to keen on that idea. Maybe if he thought it was an assignment for Kieran he’d agree. For someone who seems to be all business that seemed logical.

“I don’t know.” My apprehension was palpable.

“I’ll arrange it. Just give it a chance, at least for me. If it doesn’t work then I promise I’ll butt out and let you handle it however you’d like. Just try. He’s my third in command and you’re my mate. Okay?”

His emerald green eyes bored into mine silently persuading me with his impossibly good looks and our growing bond. It wasn’t fair. I wanted to give into him so easily. With the gentle trace of his finger tip up my arm I crumble before him just like I knew I would. It was so unfair.

“Alright, fine. You can arrange it. I’ll spend some time with Dorian. Just don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t go as well as you hope.”

“Good.” He smiled at me and reached over my body as he turned the lamp off next to us. Planting a soft gentle kiss on my lips then followed it by one on my nose I scrunched it up at him. “I knew you’d eventually see it my way. Good night, baby. I’ll see you in the morning.”

When I felt his arms around my waist pulling my body to him my mouth fell open. He knew all along he could persuade me to do what he wanted. He just played me like a fiddle. How could I have been so blind to his tactics? I swear, if he wasn’t so good looking and I wasn’t so drawn to him I’d be a little more upset right now. Lucky for him he hand that advantage.

I yawned and closed my eyes resting my back against his heaving chest and let his breathing be my lullaby to get to sleep. As the sparks between us continued I drifted off into a peaceful and dreamless sleep for the first time in nearly a month.

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A/N

I know you all want to kill me for the delayed update and I’m sorry. Through a series of unfortunate events I was hindered in updating, but now I’m back again so hopefully it won’t take nearly as long for the next chapter.

 This one was kind of filler and I know you deserve more conserving my prolonged disappearance, so I’ll try to make my next few chapters a little longer. Thanks for continuing to read and support me, it mean more to me than you know.

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P.S: This chapter is unedited.