Blindsided: Book 2 of the Bound Trilogy

~Jack’s POV~

I hated flying.

I was a wolf. I am meant to be on the ground, either running in wolf form or speeding down the road in my Aston Martin Vanquish. That’s another thing I hate about flying. I had to leave my baby at home, stored in the garage. Turning my head to look out the window, I sighed.

The loudspeaker came on and the Captain announced our decent into Greeley, Colorado. I perked up at that. The pack I would be visiting is just to the west of Greeley. They are situated around the Rocky Mountain National Park.

I had spoken to Alpha Matt before booking tickets to fly out here. Someone is supposed to meet me at the terminal to take me to the Wolf Pack main house. I always chuckle at the name of their pack. They can’t help it though. The founders were Ute Indians, who believed that the first werewolf was a spirit who could take the form of a wolf and his name was Wolf. This spirit also had a twin brother named Coyote. According to legend, Coyote would constantly get Wolf into trouble with their antics, until Wolf wised up and cut ties with his twin. Striking out on his own, he found a beautiful human woman and fell in love. They married, settled down and had children, thus started the Wolf Pack.

I just hope that I don’t have to endure some ridiculous ceremony when I reach their territory. I never know anymore when it comes to other packs.

When I first set out to find my mate, I came across some packs that had you challenge other wolves in order to mate with one of the females. Another wanted me to go on a hunt to prove my skills as a provider. One Alpha, even begged me to take his daughter off his hands, even though she was not my mate. He claimed she was going to drive him crazy with her antics if someone did not take her from his territory, and soon.

Last I heard, she had found her mate when a pack from Russia came for a visit. Now the Alpha complains every day that he misses his daughter and wants her back home where she belongs. I chuckled at this thought as I disembarked the plane and made my way through the terminal.

Spotting a sign with my name on it, I headed that way, a sandy haired teenager, who was currently arguing with a mirror image of himself, was holding the sign. Both boys wore T-shirts with band names that I have never heard of and baggy jeans. I noticed they had coats over their arms, and nodded. It was the first part of December. Being wolves we had higher body temperatures and the cold did not affect us, but to blend with the human population we had to wear cumbersome coats during the wintertime. Otherwise, people would start to ask questions.

As I got closer, I noticed the boys were identical from the haircuts to the shoes. The only way to tell them apart was they wore different band member shirts. I chuckled again, they must drive their parents and teachers crazy.

Now standing in front of the boys, I waited for them to notice me. They were too busy arguing about a prank they wanted to pull on someone named Emily. I’m assuming she is either their sister or a close female friend. Deciding to make my presence known, I cleared my throat.

The boys paused midstream and slowly turned to face me. It was kind of creepy actually. I could see they had dark blue eyes as they assessed me.

The one to my right broke the awkwardness first by sticking his hand out.

“Hi, I’m Dave, you must be Jack, the Beta we are meant to pickup.” I shook his hand and waited for his twin to say something. Dave nudged his brother with an elbow to the stomach. The boy grunted and finally broke from his reverie.

“Sorry,” he said sticking out his hand in turn. “My name is Daniel. Our father is expecting you.” He let go of my hand and turned to leave.

He walked ahead while Dave stayed by my side.

“Do you need to stop at claims for anything?” he asked.

“No,” I replied. “I traveled light. I was hoping to find my mate and take her home as soon as possible. If I need to stay longer, I’ll just buy what I need. No worries.” Dave shrugged his shoulders and swung his coat around his shoulders.

Nothing else was said until we were in a black Jeep heading towards the Pack house.

“So who’s this Emily you two were arguing about in the airport?” I asked the boys from the back seat. Daniel was driving and Dave was texting his father from his phone.

The boys’ faces split in identical grins, “She’s our sister,” they said together. Nope, nothing creepy about these two, nothing at all.

“If she’s your sister, then why do you want to prank her?” I asked. I was curious. I never had any siblings, I was abandoned by my real parents, and adopted by a nice family from the pack. My adopted Grandmother took care of me most of the time and left me with a butt load of money, along with my adopted parents, when they died in a rogue attack. I always wondered what it would be like to have a brother or sister growing up.

Seeing Devin, my Alpha, and Alia, his sister, together, you could tell they were close. I wonder if these boys are close to their sister or if they pick on her on purpose.

Dave looked back at me, “We always prank her,” he stated very matter of fact. “Besides, she’s the one that started pranking us first.” He shrugged his shoulders.

Daniel continued, “When we were little she would put soap in our toothpaste, and glue in our shampoo.” Both boys chuckled. “It’s become tradition to try to outdo each other.” I caught his eyes in the rearview mirror. “She’s been having it hard lately so we want to cheer her up, and the only way we know how is to…”

“Prank her,” I finished for him. The twins nodded.

The rest of the ride was filled with talk about girls the boys were interested in, or what they were studying in school. They never mentioned their sister again. I was fine with that, and just let them talk amongst themselves.

Sitting back, I let my thoughts wander to my mate. What would she look like? Would she be a leggy blonde? Maybe a voluptuous brunette? Or a tiny red head?

Would she be meek and quiet? Or loud and boisterous?

I didn’t care how she looked or what her personality was like, I just wanted to finally meet her.

Before I knew it, we were pulling up to the Wolf Pack main house. It was a huge structure with a cobbled sidewalk leading to a small flight of stone steps up to a massive wooden deck. The house itself was huge. Large windows ran the length of the front of the home along with a stained glass front door. I could tell that there were two floors to the main structure, but it sprawled this way and that across the land, letting others know that this was no country cabin in the woods. It looked more a hotel lodge than a home.

The Alpha and Luna were on the deck waiting for me as I exited the vehicle.

Alpha Matt and Luna Stacy shook my hands as they greeted me to their territory.

“Come, come, let’s go inside before we freeze to death in this December cold,” joked Stacy. We all laughed and followed her and her husband into the comfort of their home.

Upon entering, I noticed a staircase to the right leading to the second floor. On the left was an open area for sitting and entertaining guests. This space lead into an open kitchen and dining room. To the right of the stairs was another open area that held a huge T.V. and what looked like a very comfortable couch, chairs, and love seats. Everything had a warm and inviting feel to it.

Stacy led us to the left and we settled into the chairs. Matt was about to ask a question when we heard the sound of someone coming down the stairs. I noticed Matt, Stacy, and the twins tense and worry clouding their faces.

I smelled her then. Her wonderful intoxicating scent of lavender and morning dew hit me like a freight truck. I took a deeper breath inhaling her wonderful essence into my system. It didn’t matter I had not seen her yet. I was hooked. I felt like an addict waiting for my next fix, I couldn’t get enough of her.

Wait, there’s something off about her scent. I can smell her natural perfume, but something is enhancing it. It smelled like…cinnamon? Why would she have the scent of cinnamon?

Everyone’s heads turned towards the bottom of the stairs. I followed and there stood the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was small, about the height of Leah, she had long flowing black hair that reached the small of her back. I could not see her eyes though, thick black sunglasses covered them. I wish she would take them off so I could see what color her wonderful eyes are.

She stood there seeming to not notice us staring at her. She was wearing a baggy green T-shirt and black leggings with thick multi colored green socks.

Alpha Matt’s words broke the silence, “Emily, honey, is there something you need?” My mate turned at the sound of his voice and made her way into the room. Why won’t she take those blasted glasses off?

Wait, this was Emily? This was the girl the twins were going to prank? Oh no, Hell no. They were going to leave my mate alone or I’ll rip them to shreds. It didn’t matter they were family. No one is going to mess with my mate and get away with it.

She stopped a few feet from the Alpha and held out her hand. Matt grasped it and pulled her into the seat next to him.

“Hey Dad,” her voice was soft and melodious. I wanted to sigh and revel in her words, but kept myself under control. She had not even acknowledged anyone else in the room, yet. “Do you know where mom is? I have something to tell her.”

Didn’t she know her mom was in the room with her? What was going on?

Stacy leaned around her husband’s other side to speak to her daughter. “I’m right here honey, what did you want to tell me?”

Emily took a deep breath then said, “It kicked. I figured you would want to know.”

Stacy seemed excited by the news, but Emily sat there stone-faced, while her mother jumped up and knelt in front of her and placed her hands on her stomach.

Whoa! What the Hell is going on?!

Trying to keep my cool, I slowly stood from my seat. “Alpha Matt, may I have a word with you in private?” At my question, Emily stiffened and her face paled. Didn’t she realize her mate was sitting right in front of her? Apparently not, as she abruptly stood and made her way towards the stairs. I watched as she tripped occasionally trying to hurry up to the second floor. I’m guessing to hide in her room.

Matt sighed, rubbing his hands over his face and scalp. I took a closer look, he looked…worn out…drained. I wonder if it has something to do with Emily? He stood and motioned for me to follow him.

We made our way left towards a hallway and entered a room that faced the front of the house. I’m assuming it’s his study from the desk and shelves on the walls. He took a seat behind the desk and motioned for me to take one of the two in front.

Sitting down I asked, “Can you please explain to me what is going on?” I was trying very hard to reign my wolf in, he was upset by what had transpired in the other room, and wanted out to destroy something.

Matt sighed and seemed to age before my eyes. Seeing him like this helped me gain control of my wolf and made it easier for me to listen to what he had to say. After I hear what is going on, then I will decide if I will let my wolf out or not.

“As you know, that was Emily,” he looked down at his hands laid flat on his desk. “I will tell you what I can, but first you must answer one question for me.” He looked up, waiting for my response.

I nodded.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “Is she your mate?”

I did not hesitate and said, “Yes. Now can you please tell me what is going on? Why did she not know her own mother was in the room? How could she not know that I was in the room? Her own mate? And why was your wife touching Emily’s stomach?” I was going to go crazy if I didn’t get some answers.

Matt got up and came around the desk sitting in the chair next to me. He placed his hand on my shoulder bringing my attention to him. “What I am about to tell you is difficult, but you must remember she is your mate and you will not harm her.”

What could be so bad that he would think I would harm my own mate? I mean really, what could she have possibly done…

“She’s pregnant.”

~Emily’s POV~

I made it up to my room and slammed the door.

I felt my way to my bed and flopped on it face first, forgetting I had my sunglasses on. I hated wearing them, but I hated knowing that my face was scarred more. The glasses helped to hide them from prying eyes. Throwing them across the room, I rolled to my back and groaned.

Oh my goodness. I just made a complete fool of myself in front of my mate. My Mate! I’m sure right now, he’s demanding answers for my behavior. I just know he is going to reject me. Seriously, who wants a deformed, blind, pregnant girl for a mate?

From the sound of his voice, I bet he’s hot. No! I can’t afford to think like that. I have to keep in mind he is going to reject me. It’s his only option. I am not worthy to be anyone’s mate.

I’m a fat, disgusting, human, and not fit to be the dirt under his shoes.

I had the urge to scream out in frustration. Instead, I rolled to my side, curled around myself, and cried.

There was a knock on my door. I didn’t bother to answer, I was too busy crying my heart out. A second later, I heard the door open and felt my mother’s arms wrap around me. I turned and cried into her shoulder. I tried to stop, but the tears kept coming.

My walls had crashed around me, and everything I had kept bottled up for the past four and half months spilled out in my hiccuping sobs.

My mother must have left my door open as a thunderous growl reached my ears. I curled into her side tighter and sobbed louder. I heard feet pounding up the stairs as my heart broke inside of me.

I knew he was in my doorway. I didn’t have to see him to know that he was seething in rage and that his wolf had most likely taken control. Another growl reverberated around the room and I whimpered into my mother’s shoulder.

The growling stopped and I felt a hand graze my cheek. From the shocks the touch created, I knew it was him. I didn’t even know his name, but I knew what he was going to say. He was going to spout the dreaded phrase that will destroy whatever is left of me.

“I’m sorry,” he said. I only sobbed harder, “I didn’t mean to scare you, love. Please, please, don’t hide from me.”

Huh? Love? I could hear the anguish in his voice. My tears subsided and I was left a hiccuping mess. I still kept my face in my mother’s shoulder, as I did not want him to see my eyes. He may think he is ok with me being pregnant, but once he sees how ugly I am, he will run for the hills.

My mother shook my shoulder to gain my attention, “Emily, honey, you need to talk to him. He looks like he is about to cry because you will not look at him.” She whispered in my ear, “Please, just give him a chance. Give him the chance to love you.” With that, she disentangled herself from me and left the room.

I kept my face adverted, while trying to regain some of my composure. I felt him shift and kneel in front of me. I ducked my head so my hair could hide my face. His finger was on my chin, but I stubbornly resisted his attempts to lift my face.

“Emily, please look at me,” he pleaded, “I need to see your eyes. It’s killing me to not know what they look like.”

My heart hurt to hear him like this. Giving in, I slowly raised my head. I heard him gasp, and then growl.

I ducked my head again. I knew it. I’m a freak. He won’t want me now.