Blindsided: Book 2 of the Bound Trilogy

~Jack’s POV~

Is she serious? She just unintentionally seduced me with eating ice cream, and she expects me to remember what I needed to talk to her about?

Okay Jack, you can do this. Think of something besides Emily licking ice cream from a spoon. Oh goddess, that is not helping. Okay, okay, grandma in a bikini, grandma in a bikini…

Oh man, now I’ll be scarred for life!

I may have that image branded in my mind for the rest of my life but at least I’ll be able to talk without letting my lust cloud my judgment.

“Well, you see, we never did talk about my position in my pack, and there are some things I need to tell you.” I start out.

“Okay,” she says uncertainly. “What exactly is your position?”

“Well, I’m the Beta of my pack and I’m also the Chief of Police in our town. Basically, I’m in charge of keeping everyone safe and make sure the rules are followed.” I paused making sure she understood what I was telling her.

Her eyebrows drew together in confusion, “All right, what does that have to do with anything? I always knew that I would either be a Beta or my mate would, so this isn’t news to me. What’s really on your mind Jack?”

A shiver ran through me when she said my name. I could listen to her say it over and over and over…Get a hold of yourself Jack! Grandma in a bikini, grandma in a bikini…

Gah, I had to come up with another image to think of.

“Well, my Alpha found his mate. That’s why I didn’t come here sooner. I should have actually met you several weeks ago, but I was needed by my pack because something had happened to our Luna.” I let out a pent up breath before continuing. “The day I arrived here, she was taken by Hunters and my Alpha was injured in the process. During the time she was gone, they found some things out about her and the men who took her.” I paused again, wondering how I was going to explain this to her without her freaking out on me.

“Jack, just tell me what’s going on. I’m getting a little nervous with all the starting and stopping you are doing. Just spit it out.”

A breath escaped as I said, “Okay, but I need you to promise to hear me out and not freak out on me okay?”

I can see the confusion written on her face but she gives me a nod anyway.

“Okay, well it turns out that she had been kidnapped when she was only a few months old. Hunters had raided her pack, and her Mother tried to save her and her siblings. She and her Mother were captured, and their Father found only one of her siblings.

At some point, the Mother tried to escape with her but was killed in the process. She grew up in a cell for nineteen years before she finally managed to escape and find her mate in my Alpha.”

“What does this have to do with me?” she questions. I could see she was tense, waiting for my answer.

I gripped her hands in mine, using our connection to keep her calm and in her seat.

“My Luna believes that you may be one of her siblings, the one that was never found by her Father.”

Emily sat so still, I was afraid she had stopped breathing. Her face was drained of any color and her eyes were wide in shock.

“Emily, honey, please say something to me.” I begged. I didn’t like seeing her like this and neither did my wolf, judging by the whines coming from him.

A shaky breath escaped her as her chest finally rose and fell in a fast rhythm.

If she kept this up she would start to hyperventilate and I did not want that happening.

I grabbed the back of her neck and shoved her head down towards her knees, being mindful of her growing baby bump.

“Emily, honey, breathe, sweetheart, breath.”

~Emily’s POV~

My head was shoved between my knees, as I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.

Everything my father and the elders have told me was true? I had siblings out there that I didn’t know about? And one of them had been held captive for 19 years!

Worse yet, her and her mate—an Alpha—were coming out here to meet me!? What am I supposed to say to her?

Hey sis, sorry you were locked up and I got the best family in the world?

Oh man, she is going to hate me!

“Emily, honey, breathe. Everything is going to be all right, there is nothing to worry about. Leah is a great girl and is looking forward to meeting you. Please calm down. I can’t stand seeing you upset like this.”

Jack’s voice penetrated the haze clouding my mind. I could feel his hands massaging the back of my neck and shoulders to try to get me to relax.

I finally, allowed the connection between us to calm me and was able to sit up after a few minutes.

My voice was strong but shaky when I spoke, “I’m okay Jack. I just don’t know how she is going to react to seeing me. I mean, she was held captive all of our lives and I’ve had the best family life possible. Apart from recent events, she has every right to despise me.”

Jack lifted me and pulled me onto his lap. As upset as I was, it didn’t escape me that Jack’s lap was strong, firm, and oh so comfortable.

I relaxed into his chest as he rubbed my back and arms.

“Emily, Leah is not going to hate you,” he said with a kiss to the side of my head. “She was actually the one to persuade my Alpha to come out here to see you. She just found out about her family a few days ago and is excited to finally meet you.”

I gulped, and said in a small voice, “Will she be okay with the fact that I’m not pregnant with your baby?”

Jack stilled and the tension coming off him was making me want to squirm. Suddenly, his arms tightened around me and he buried his head in my neck, taking a deep breath of my scent.

“Emily, let me make one thing clear to you,” he said in a low voice. I couldn’t move, so I waited for him to continue.

“No matter what happened to you a few months ago, there is no way I cannot think of this child as not being mine. When I saw her tiny form on the screen during the ultrasound, I instantly fell in love with her. Just as when I first saw you, I fell hard. Your mother told me your feelings about the baby, and I can understand where you are coming from.” I made a sound to try to interrupt him, but he talked over me. “We’ll talk about that some other time. As for Leah, she has only been around one other pup, my Alpha’s niece and my Goddaughter, Ehren. I honestly do not know how she will react to seeing you pregnant. But we will deal with it if it becomes an issue.” He kissed the side of my head again.

“For now, all you need to know is that they are coming to see you and for you to give them a chance to get to know you.”

Letting my breath out slowly, I nodded. “Okay. When are they coming?”

Jack started to fidget underneath me at my question. What was he not telling me?

“Jack…” I dragged his name out.

“Theyarecomingtoday.” He mumbled.

I froze. They were coming today!

I swung my hand, making contact with something solid. It may have been Jack’s chest, or his brick of a head.

“They are coming today! And you are only telling me this now!” I shoved at his chest trying to get out of his lap.

“Where do you think you are going?”

“I need to get cleaned up you idiot!” I shouted at him. “Let me go so I can change. I’m sure I look like a bloated hobo.”

He wouldn’t let me out of his lap. Instead, he lifted me in his arms and carried me from the kitchen.

“You do not look like a hobo,” he stated. “You look very cute in an oversized ‘Addams Family’ shirt and black stretch pants. Your fuzzy Owl socks set the whole thing off perfectly.”

I tried to scowl at him—I don’t think I pulled it off—while internally, I was cringing at the clothes he described. Now I definitely had to change. There was no way I was going to meet my supposed twin and her mate looking like a fashion reject.

“Jack,” I growled at him. “Take me upstairs and help me find something decent to wear or so help me I won’t speak to you for a week.” I threatened.

His footsteps picked up pace, but as we reached the base of the stairs the sound of front door opening reached my ears.

“It’s really nice to have you visiting Alpha Devin,” I heard my dad say. Wait, did he say Alpha Devin?

Jack and I were frozen as my father brought his guests into the house.

Please, oh please, don’t let this be who I think it is…

My father’s voice continued, “It is such a pleasure that you brought your mate with you too. I can’t wait to introduce you to Jack’s mate. My daughter is a wonderful girl.”

I groaned internally. Geez Dad, could you be any more obvious in trying to embarrass me?

My father’s rambling stopped. He must have noticed us frozen at the base of the stairs.

“Jack,” my father queried, “why are you holding Emily? Did something happen?”

His tone went from curious to concerned in a heartbeat.

I felt my face flame in embarrassment as a rumbling chuckle escaped Jack. Man, his laugh was so sexy.

Stop it Emily! Control yourself!

“Everything’s fine. Emily had a little accident upstairs with some glass so I’m carrying her to keep her off her foot.”

My father must have nodded, as he didn’t pursue the conversation further.

“Hey Jack!” a new voice intervened. “Who is this cradled in your arms?”

Gah, shoot me now! I thought.

I did not want to be introduced to my twin and her mate like this. I wanted nicer clothes and my sunglasses on to hide my face.

I never moved my face from Jack’s chest for this very reason. I didn’t want them seeing my scars. It was one thing for Jack to see them. I didn’t feel self-conscious with him, but anyone else—including my family—I wore the glasses around.

I wanted upstairs and away from here.

I grabbed a handful of Jack’s shirt trying to express my discomfort with the situation.

He ignored me and answered his Alpha.

“This lovely, woman, is my mate Emily. You’ll have to excuse her, she’s a bit shy this morning. I’ll take her upstairs and we’ll be back down in a minute.”

He must have been given consent, as we were moving again. The next think I knew, I was being set down on a bed.

Jack’s hands lifted my face, and he asked, “Emily, honey, what was that about? Why didn’t you want to introduce yourself?”

Oh boy, here we go…

~Jack’s POV~

Staring at Emily’s face, I could see the struggle going through her mind. I honestly didn’t see what the issue was.

I was truthful when I told her she looked cute in her outfit. That couldn’t be the problem, could it?

“Emily, sweetheart, what’s going on?” I questioned softly.

Her eyes glistened with signs of unshed tears, but from the determined set of her chin I knew she would not let them fall. What was going on? This had to be more than the fact she was wearing comfortable clothes.

Taking an unsteady breath, she said, “I don’t want them to see me like this,” and gestured to her face.

I was confused. She was beautiful. Why would she not want them to see her face? I asked her.

Pulling away with a huff, she crossed her arms over her chest and sent a baleful look in my direction. “Jack, my face is scarred. I don’t even let my own family see it. I usually wear my sunglasses, even around them.” Her face crumbled, “You are the first to actually see my face since the doctor took off the bandages.”

I was stunned. Her own family didn’t even know what she looked like now. They only know her face from before the attack.

Humbled, I pulled her back to me and kissed the side of her head. I wasn’t going to force her to face her newfound sister if she was uncomfortable. I had only gotten her to finally talk to me this morning and I was not going to jeopardize my luck.

Holding her to my chest, I asked, “Okay, well what do you suggest we do then? Leah and Devin are looking forward to meeting you.”

I could feel her hesitation, but she eventually answered, “Could you help me find something a little nicer to wear and find my glasses for me?” Her voice was so quiet, if I hadn’t been a werewolf, I would not have heard her.

Seriously? This is all it would take for her to come back downstairs and meet my friends and Alphas? I thought for sure I would have to jump through hoops or something. I felt the smile on my lips, but schooled my voice to not show my humor. I didn’t want her to think I was making light of her situation.

“All right. I’ll look through your closet for a nicer shirt and I can see your glasses on the nightstand next to you.” I gave her another kiss on the side of the head before moving her from my lap and getting up to do as I said.

“Was there a certain color you were wanting to wear?” I asked from the back of the closet.

This girl had more clothes than a mall boutique. How many shirts in the color blue or green did she really need? I looked at the floor and was flabbergasted at the sight of how many shoes she had. She only has two feet! Had she even worn all of these? Judging by the condition of some of them, I’m going to say no. They looked like they just came out the box.

My mate is a clothes whore! Oh well. With a resigned sigh, I figured I will have to expand the closet in the master bedroom of my home in Washington.

“Um, if you can find a button down shirt in green that will do,” her voice was slightly muffled as she had not left the bed and I was still in the closet.

I grunted to let her know I heard her and started my search for a green button up shirt.

I found seven. Seven!

I may have to get another job to support her clothes habit.

Taking all of them out to her, I placed them on the bed next to her hip.

Even though she couldn’t see me, I still rubbed my hand over the back of my neck in bewilderment. I have no idea how she will be able to pick a shirt to wear if she couldn’t see.

“Um,” I spoke hesitantly, “I placed some shirts next to you. I didn’t know which one you wanted and you have so many clothes in there, I thought they were going to bury me alive.”

She held up her hand to stop my rambling. My felt my cheeks flush in embarrassment.

I watched as she felt around the bed next to her to locate the clothes I had placed there. She grabbed each one, fingering the fabric, and running her hands over the shirts to see if they were long sleeved or not.

She eventually settled on one with long sleeves that looked like it had some sort of embroidery on the front.

Looking from the shirt to her, I thought it looked too big. She was such a little thing, if she put it on the fabric would swallow her whole.

She moved to get up from the bed. I reached out automatically and helped her to stand.

“Where are you going?”

Her cheeks flushed a beautiful shade of pink as she answered, “I need to change my shirt, so I’m going to the bathroom.” I could tell she was uncomfortable as she kept playing with the hem of the shirt she was wearing.

In the short time I have been around her I picked up on some of her habits. How she plays with her shirt when she is nervous. How her forehead crinkles adorably when she is thinking. Or how she bites her lip to keep from moaning when I say her name.

Uh, oh. Bad thoughts, bad thoughts. Grandma in a bikini, grandma in a bikini...

~Emily’s POV~

Coming out of the bathroom, I was nervous about meeting Jack’s Alphas.

Jack carried me back down the stairs, still worried I’ll hurt myself after the whole broken glass incident earlier this morning.

I didn’t protest much this time as it was really comfortable in Jack’s arms. The way I could feel his muscles bunch and flex effortlessly as he picked me up. The way I could feel his heart beat against my side with a soothing rhythm. The way his heat soaked through my clothes and into my skin, warming me through and through.

We made it down to the living room but Jack still didn’t put me down. Instead, he sat me on his lap and kept his arms wrapped around me.

I just laid my head on his shoulder and relaxed into him. I was tired of fighting my feelings towards him. He was my mate. He was meant to be with me, and I was meant to be with him. He already proved he cared about me with his actions today.

The silence in the room was deafening. I had no idea if we were alone or not, but it felt like there were eyes on me. I shifted nervously in Jack’s lap, causing him to stiffen slightly with the friction of our bodies. A slight purr reverberated through his chest and into me.

This calmed and turned me on at the same time. Between the mate bond and pregnancy hormones, I was turning into a walking lust-fest.

Suddenly, there was a pressure in my head. I thought I was getting a headache from the stress when I heard a voice.

‘Hello Emily. It is nice to meet you.’

I jolted. What the Hell was that?!

I knew no one had spoken aloud. The voice was in my head. Was this pregnancy making me crazy?

‘No, Emily, you are not going crazy. My name is Leah, I’m Devin’s mate and a friend of Jack’s,’ the voice said again.

“Jack,” I whispered.

“Hmm.”

“Why can I hear a voice in my head?”