Silenced: Book 1 of the Bound Trilogy

~Jack’s POV~

I was in the hospital parking lot waiting for Devin and his mate to come out. I was currently leaning against the driver’s side door thinking about the events of the past six weeks.

Devin and I had made a deal to go and actively hunt for our mates. Our pack was strong but it would be stronger if we had our Alpha and Beta females to help. I would go out first and be gone for two months. During this time, I was to go to every werewolf pack in the U.S. to see if my mate was in any of them. I had been gone for only a week when I caught the scent of something intoxicating.

I knew right then it was my mate. I had been running in my wolf form and when I caught her scent, I started leaping about like a rambunctious pup. I couldn’t help it I was so happy. I would have followed the scent but I needed to get back to my clothes and phone to let Devin know what I had found. I would leave my clothes at the borders of pack lands after requesting permission to enter. This way I could travel the lands faster and be able to pick up scents better.

As I was nearing my stash of clothes, I heard the distinct beep of my phone saying I had a message waiting for me. Once I was human and fully clothed, I checked my messages. There was a voicemail from Devin saying that I needed to come back home immediately as something happened and he needed my help.

I called him back to get the details and was shocked when he said he accidentally hit his mate with his car. I was informed that she was currently at the hospital in stable condition but they didn’t know if she would wake up. I was torn. I wanted to stay and search for my mate, as I was so close. But then, I was needed by my Alpha to help take care of the pack while he was indisposed.

Sighing, I made a promise to myself to come back to this territory and find my mate. Telling Devin I was on my way I hung up the phone and headed for my Aston Martin Vanquish.

Most people would wonder how a Police Chief of a small town could afford such an expensive car. Well, I had a trust from my parents and grandparents, plus the money I get for being Beta of our pack. I did not spend my money; I invest and save it instead. The only thing I splurged on was my car. I figure if I have the money to buy my dream car then I might as well get it.

I was brought back to the present by the sound of the hospital doors opening. I watched as Devin wheeled his mate, now named Leah, out of the hospital and towards me. It was the end of November and there was a bite to the air so Leah had a blanket draped across her legs.

She looked so much better than the first time I saw her lying in bed unmoving with bandages over her head and arm. Now, she looked healthy. They had to cut her hair when she was brought in so now the short pale tufts fluttered in the breeze. Her pale brown eyes were avidly taking everything in. It was astonishing that she did not know what anything was. We had to show her how to use a shower, a toilet, hell, even how to use a hairbrush.

Her curiosity was contagious, though. Everything was new to her and it made me see things in a completely new light. It still amazes me that even though she can’t talk she can convey what she wants with her eyes. I know she talks to Devin through a mind link, but she will not do so with others. It may have something to do with her not being officially a member of the pack or it just may be her natural instinct to shy away from others. Either way, she is a great girl. I’m happy for Devin, but I still want to get back out there and search for my mate.

I was in Colorado when I found my mate’s scent. We live in northern Washington, close to the Canadian border. If I flew out there then it would only take me a couple of hours. If I left today, I could be at the pack’s territory by mid-morning tomorrow. I could…

A throat clearing brought me out of my thoughts. Looking up I saw Devin lifting an eyebrow in question. Ducking my head sheepishly, I moved out of his way. Oops, guess they had been here for a while. I dropped my eyes to Leah. She was looking at the Range Rover with avid interest. It looked like she was afraid to touch the paneling of the car.

“You can touch the car if you want.” I said to her. She looked up at me with a question in her eyes. “Don’t worry you won’t hurt the car or anything. Just reach your hand out and feel it. Get used to it. We won’t leave until you are ready to get in.”

I saw her tentatively reach her hand to the car. She hesitated for just a second and then she was caressing the side of the vehicle. She seemed surprised at how it felt. Devin opened the driver’s side passenger door for her so she could feel the interior as well. I could see the excitement in her eyes as she felt the seats and the carpet on the floor.

I looked at Devin and saw him watching his mate with an indulgent look on his face. I saw the love he has for her already and I felt a twinge of jealousy. I wanted my mate with me so I could look at her like Devin is looking at Leah.

I took a step back from the couple along with a deep breath. I needed to get a hold of myself. No, I needed to get my mate. I decided that once Leah was settled in Devin’s home I would head out to search for my mate again. I needed to find her.

~Leah’s POV~

Devin had draped a blanket across my legs after settling me in the wheelchair.

‘What’s this for?’ I asked him.

‘It’s cold outside and I don’t want you getting sick after you just started to get better.’

‘Oh, ok.’ I really didn’t know how to respond to this. I didn’t know what cold was. I figured I was going to find out so I just let Devin have his way on this.

We headed out of the hospital saying good-bye to the nurses and doctors who I had come to know this past while. I have no idea how long I have been here. I’m slowly learning what days, weeks, months, even years are. I know that it is the end of November. Devin told me this. He also told me that next month is December. He said that it will snow and everyone decorates his or her homes with lights. He also said that people will put trees in their homes to decorate and that towards the end of the month everyone will get together with their families to exchange gifts.

I didn’t know what any of that stuff was but I couldn’t wait to find out. I also wondered if I had a family out there. When I had asked Devin about it, he said he’d help me look for them. I gave him a hug, and thanked him knowing he would keep his word.

As we neared the front of the hospital, the doors opened on their own. I had seen some of the doors inside do this from my trips to therapy but it still amazed me.

Finally, we were outside. I tried to look at everything at once. I heard a chuckle behind me.

‘Take it easy, love. You have plenty of time to see everything. And when I have time, I will answer any questions you have. For now, we need to get to the car as it is chilly out and I don’t want you getting sick.’ Devin spoke in my head. I noticed he used the term love a lot when he spoke to me. I still have not asked him what it means or even what mates are. I guess I’ll have to ask him when he has time.

We were coming up to Jack, who seemed to be deep in thought. Devin had to clear his throat to get his attention. I was going to ask what had him scowling like that, but I was distracted by the car.

I had seen pictures in the magazines in the hospital but I did not think that they were so big.

‘This is my car, love.’ Devin informed me. ‘It’s called a Range Rover.’ I could hear the embarrassment in his mind when he spoke to me.

‘Why are you embarrassed?’ I asked.

I could feel him shifting beside me. Before he could answer, Jack spoke up.

“You can touch the car if you want.” He said. “Don’t worry you won’t hurt the car or anything. Just reach your hand out and feel it. Get used to it. We won’t leave until you are ready to get in.”

With this said I forgot my question to Devin and reached my hand out to the car. I was afraid that if I touched it it would disappear. When my fingers lightly grazed the side of the car, I was ecstatic. It was cool to the touch and so smooth. Devin opened a door next to me and I could see seats inside. When I reached in it felt warm and the seats and floor felt so soft and comfortable. I couldn’t wait to get in.

I looked up at Devin. I didn’t have to say anything as he reached down, lifted me from the chair, and placed me inside. He pulled something from the side of the seat and reached across me with it. I looked at him curiously. He caught my look and chuckled softly.

‘This is a seatbelt. Whenever you get into a car you need to put it on.’

I shook my head up and down. I didn’t really care why I had to wear it, I was just excited that I was going to be riding in a car!

Jack climbed into the seat in front of me while Devin climbed into the seat next to me. I noticed that neither one of them put a seatbelt on, but I decided not to question it.

I heard a clicking noise and then the car moved. I was practically bouncing up and down in my seat. I had somehow latched onto Devin’s hand and I was squeezing it for dear life as I looked out my window to the world passing by. I could hear Jack and Devin chuckling at my expense but I didn’t care. This was so exhilarating. I couldn’t wait to see what else I would discover in this world I had forgotten.