Blindsided: Book 2 of the Bound Trilogy

~Devin’s POV~

Leaving Leah in the sitting room was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Ever since she was rescued and brought to my hospital room we have been inseparable.

Neither one of us wanting to be far from the other for fear of never seeing each other again.

I know it’s irrational, but it is the way we feel and didn’t fight it.

Following the Alpha and Luna of this pack, with Jack right behind me, we made our way down a hallway to an office.

Looking around I noticed several black and white photos hanging on the walls. They looked similar to the ones we had seen hanging in the sitting room. Moving closer I examined them. They were really quite breathtaking.

Some were of just woodland scenes, others were of people--I’m guessing members of the pack. Whoever took these was exceptionally talented.

Feeling a presence behind me, I looked over my shoulder. Jack was there along with the Alpha.

“My daughter took these,” the Alpha stated with a hint of pride and sadness tinging his tone.

Why would he be sad that his daughter took such wonderful and powerful photos? Before I could ask, I noticed Jack’s face. He looked pained and then he booked it out of the room before I could ask what’s wrong.

What is going on in this pack? I wondered.

Turning to face the Alpha fully, I decided to ask. “Alpha Matt, what is going on here? Why did you and Jack act like seeing these photos caused you pain?”

“Please, just call me Matt. No need for formalities,” he said on a sigh. His hand reached up and rubbed the back of his neck, as if he was trying to relieve the tension built up there. Moving towards his desk he gestured for me to take a seat and his wife went to stand behind him. I noticed her placing her hand on Matt’s shoulder and I almost smiled as that is what Leah does to me when I am feeling stressed.

I was still standing when Matt said, “Please take a seat Devin. There is something we need to talk about.” An unsettling feeling settled in the pit of my stomach, I was not going to like this conversation.

A while later I sat alone in stunned silence.

Matt told me Emily’s story and the reason for his and Jack’s pain was made abundantly clear. After his recitation, he and his wife left to find Emily and see how she was doing.

A rage soon filled me, taking over the sorrow from moments before. I wanted to rip the bastard who hurt such a sweet girl limb from limb. My wolf was in full agreement as he paced inside of me, wanting to break free and tear something apart.

Suddenly, small arms wrapped around me from behind. Instantly, I was pulled together by a wave of calm. Gripping the hands holding onto me, I breathed slowly, trying to get myself further under control.

I don’t know how she does it, but Leah could always brings me peace.

‘I know you are upset, but it will not help Emily or Jack if you go off on a killing spree,’ she whispered into my mind. I could feel her sending calming waves towards me, settling my wolf further to the point he was practically rolling to his back and exposing his sensitive belly. I would have laughed at him, if I didn’t feel like doing the same thing.

‘I know,’ I sent back, unwilling to break the calm that surrounded us with the sound of my voice. ‘I just wish there was something I could do to make things better for them. I love Jack like a brother and Emily will be like another sister to me. The thought of them suffering, even the slightest bit, is tearing holes in my heart.’

Her arms pulled me closer to her and her breath feathered along the nape of my neck, sending shivers along my spine.

‘I know, but you need to let them figure things out on their own. Just like we did. Jack will help her through this, just as you helped me get through my problems. You were there for me, are there for me. That is all any mate--or woman--could ask for.’

Turning around in her arms, I settled my chin on the top of her head. I breathed in the scent of lilacs and rain that was uniquely Leah. My nose twitched as I caught a strange scent coming form her.

Taking a deeper breath, I said, ‘Leah, honey, why do you smell different?’

She looked up at me with a her eyebrows drawn together and her lips pouted in a confused expression. ‘What are you talking about?’ she questioned.

I sniffed again, ‘You smell different,’ I reiterated. ‘You still smell the same as you normally do but there is something added to it. It’s making my nose itch.’

Her eyes became far away and I had a feeling she was talking to her wolf. She stiffened and looked at me a little warily. ‘I think we need to find Alpha Matt and ask to see the pack doctor.’

What?! Why would she need to see the pack doctor? Then I remembered what happened while I was in the hospital and my reason for waking up in the first place.

Not giving her a chance to protest, I lifted Leah into my arms and raced through the house looking for the Alpha or anyone that could get the pack doctor.

I didn’t dare to hope, but a shit-eating grin started to take over my face.

~Jack’s POV~

After Emily talked with Leah in the sitting room, she decided she wanted to lie down for a little while. I had carried her up the stairs and was now sitting next to her bed as she slept peacefully on her bed.

He parents had stopped by at some point to see how she was doing and when they saw she was asleep they left to let her rest.

I didn’t want to leave her so I had pulled her desk chair next to the bed and watched over her.

Why hadn’t she told me that she used to take pictures? Well, that was a stupid question. She just started talking to me today and we hadn’t exactly gotten into her life before her attack.

Sighing, I ran my hands through my hair, making the already messy short blond locks messier. Running them over my face I noticed that I needed to shave. The stubble was rough and scratchy. A smile twitched at the corner of my lips as I remembered Emily’s and my make-out session in the kitchen earlier. She didn’t seem to mind that I my cheeks were scruffy and could rub her skin raw.

Deciding that I should take this time to clean up, I placed a kiss on her forehead before quietly sneaking across the hallway to get my things to take to her bathroom.

Once I had my razor and shaving cream set up on her sink, I made sure the door was open so I could hear her if she woke while I was busy.

I lifted the shaving cream into my hand and squirted some into my hand. Only it wasn’t foam that came out. It was silly string. It had shot out of the can and went everywhere. I looked at my hand, Emily’s mirror, and her sink. It was all covered in neon green silly string.

I snorted. Obviously the boys were going to start pranking me now that I was considered part of the family. Oh boy, were they in for a rude awakening. They had no idea who they were messing with.

Deciding, my can was a loss I searched to see if Emily had any in her cabinet. I finally located a new can under her sink. I went to spray this one, and the same thing happened. Only this time it was fluorescent purple that came out.

Oh now they were in for it. It was one thing to prank me, but to go after my mate they were asking to get themselves pranked hard.

Just using hot water, I shaved my stubble and dried my face with a towel hanging next to the sink. Walking back into Emily’s bedroom, I noticed she was still sound asleep. Not wanting to sit in the chair anymore than I had to, I decided to lay on the bed next to her.

Pulling her back close to my chest, I relaxed with my arm over her side and resting on her baby bump.

I eventually fell asleep to the rhythmic sounds of her breathing and the gentle kicks from the child inside her womb.

I awoke to the room in complete darkness and empty arms. I reached across the bed and noticed it was completely empty. Sitting up straight, I used my senses to see if Emily was anywhere in the room.

I could sense her and a wave a panic started to over take me. Where is she?! She should have been asleep in my arms! I have to find her!

Just as I jumped out of bed the bedroom door opened. The silhouette of a female figure stood there before closing the door behind them.

The scent of lavender, dew and cinnamon invaded my lungs and my system went from hyped to calm in a second flat.

She was okay. She was here in the room with me. I don’t have to kill anyone.

I cleared my throat and she jumped at the noise.

“Dammit!” she exclaimed. “Do you have to constantly scare the crap out of me!”

A chuckle escaped as I stood and walked so I was standing directly in front of her.

“I’m sorry, love, but I wanted to let you know that I was awake. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Uh huh, sure,” she said skeptically. “Is that why you were laughing? Because you were sorry?”

“No need for sarcasm,” I joked. She looked adorable, standing in front of me with her arms crossed and her face set in an angry scowl. She was too cute for her own good. I couldn’t help myself as I pulled her into my arms and just held her to me. She didn’t hug back, but I didn’t care. She was here and that was all that mattered.

“Where did you go?” I asked.

She shifted in my arms, dropping her to her side before they lifted and wrapped around my waist. A man could get used to this.

“Oh, um, I woke up and was hungry so I went downstairs to get something to eat.”

I froze, “You went downstairs?” She nodded. “Why didn’t you wake me? I would have brought you down. You shouldn’t be on your foot.” I told her, thinking of all the things that could have happened. She could have fallen and hurt herself or the baby. Her foot could become infected because she stepped on something that was left out by her brothers.

Not giving her a chance to explain, I lifted her and placed her on the bed. I went back to the door and flipped the light switch that was next to it. Kneeling beside her on the floor, I lifted her foot to examine the damage that had been done earlier in the day.

It was hard to believe that it was only this morning.

The bandage looked dirty, so I carefully took it off not wanting to hurt her further. Emily didn’t utter a word this entire time but I could feel her body shiver in my hold.

I hope it’s not because I’m hurting her, I thought.

Once the bandage was off I examined the heel of her foot.

There was nothing there.

I ran my finger along the where the cut should have been and Emily jerked in my hand. Huh, looks like someone is ticklish. Something to keep in mind for another time.

Examining her foot for another moment, I eventually let it drop. I was confused. How could the wound heal itself that quickly? She didn’t have her wolf yet and as far as the pack doctor is concerned until she does she is completely human. Could this be part of the White Wolf thing? Or is it something else?

“Jack, what’s wrong?” Emily asked hesitantly, her soft voice cutting into my thoughts.

“Oh, um,” What am I supposed to tell her? Oh your wound is healed, have you heard any weird voices lately to suggest you are getting your wolf? She would think I was crazy. “It’s nothing,” I finally managed. “Your foot is looking better. I shouldn’t have overreacted the way I did.” I said in way of an apology.

I saw her shoulders slump in relief as she fell back on the bed. I suppressed the groan that wanted to escape at her actions. My wolf was urging me to climb on top of her and claim her as ours. Knowing this was not the time, I pushed him down and went to sit next to her.

I was about to ask her if she wanted to do something with me when my stomach let out a loud and annoying rumble. It shook the bed and caused Emily to convulse in a fit of giggles.

I was in awe. Her laugh was entrancing. Man was I hooked, and couldn’t care less.

“Come on,” she said laughingly, “Mom left some food for you in the fridge. Let’s go down and feed you before your stomach caves in.”

I laughed with her and helped her to stand. We held hands and brushed our shoulders together the entire way down to the kitchen.

We only stopped when we saw a couple in a passionate embrace against the kitchen counter.

“What’s going on?” Emily asked with a hint of concern.

My lips twitched in a small smile as I watched my best friend and his mate jump apart. “Oh nothing,” I said teasingly to Emily. “Just Devin and Leah getting hot and heavy in your kitchen.”

I burst out laughing when Emily let out an, “Ewe, gross,” and faked gagged.

Devin’s face was bright red and Leah looked between us all not understanding the joke. The look on her face made it even funnier.

I could already tell their stay here was going to make things very interesting.

Reaching the fridge to pull out the dinner that was left for me, an alarm sounded through out the house.

Emily was across the room shaking uncontrollably. Hurrying to her side, I pulled her to me. The shaking never stopped as I asked, “Em, what’s the alarm for?”

My blood ran cold, and Devin and Leah were frozen in place at her whispered, “Hunters.”