Silenced: Book 1 of the Bound Trilogy

~Leah’s POV~

Both men had gone still at my question. What is so wrong about wanting to know something?

‘There’s nothing wrong with asking a question,’ my wolf said. ‘They are just in shock and do not know what to say or do,’ she explained.

Giving her a mental nod, I waited for one of them to answer me.

I had my hand on Devin’s arm so I could feel the tension radiating off him. I looked at him and felt my wolf purr in approval. He was standing there with his hair mussed from running his fingers through it and his features set. I could feel his mind working to try to come up with an answer. While I waited, I looked over the rest of him and felt something stir deep within me. Since we had been in bed a few minutes ago, Devin was only wearing bottoms. I think he called them boxers. Either way, they rode low on his hips and his chest was bare. The stirrings were getting stronger and I could feel Devin stiffen even more next to me.

Deciding I needed to get my mind off what was happening to me, I looked towards Jack. He was leaning against the opposite wall of the hallway, and he too was still. I knew he was waiting for Devin to speak first and I did not know why. I just wanted to know what a mate was and why he was not with his.

Tired of standing here in nothing but Devin’s shirt I shifted to go back into the room. As I did, I felt Devin’s hand on my arm. I looked into his wonderful blue eyes and I could see confusion and questions in the depths.

‘I’m going to find something besides a shirt to wear.’ I sent to him. Seeing understanding dawn, he looked down at the rest of me and a blush rose to his cheeks.

He started to rub the back of his neck as he stumbled and muttered that there were clothes for me through the door next to the bed. Giving a silent nod, I shut the door letting the men know that I needed privacy. I heard there steps echo down the hall and stairs until they were in the living room.

After making sure that neither of them was going to come and disturb me, I went to the door that Devin had pointed out. Opening it, I saw that one side was lined with clothes that looked like they would fit him. The other side had clothes that were smaller and could possibly fit me. Deciding to try some on, it turned out hey fit perfectly. How he found clothes to fit me were a mystery. One I was not willing to solve at this moment. Right now, I needed to get down there and find out what was going on.

I was getting tired of being left in the dark. I needed answers and I needed to get them now.

Exiting the room, I climbed down the stairs that were at the end of the hall. I saw both Devin and Jack sitting on a long couch looking out giant floor to ceiling windows. I do not know what they were looking at, but I did know that they were talking to each other through the link.

While I was in the hospital, I realized that I could hear and feel everyone in the pack. I know Devin said that I was not officially part of the pack and should not even be able to talk to him this way, but…I can. I never told him that I about this though. I felt a little guilty about it, but from his reaction when I first talked to him, I realized this was not normal.

Maybe after I get some answers I will tell him about this, but for now…he will be doing the talking.

Not bothering to approach, I stayed at the bottom of the stairs and asked, ‘Have you two decided what you are going to tell me?’

Both men jerked around and gave me sheepish looks. I could tell Jack was embarrassed to be caught unawares, but Devin’s eyes held a guilty look. What he had to be guilty about, we will find out.

When neither spoke up, I asked again, ‘Well?’ That snapped Devin out of his stupor and coming around the couch he took my hand and led me back to sit next to Jack. Devin took a seat on the low table in front of us.

After sitting down Devin looked down and avoided eye contact. Well, looks like he is not going to start so I turned to Jack and he was looking down. What is going on? Could what they have to tell me be so bad?

‘No,’ my wolf told me. ‘They are embarrassed and do not know where to begin. At least that is my take on the matter.’ Giving a mental shrug, I focused on both men again.

‘Alright,’ I projected to both of them, ‘What is going on? Why won’t either of you talk to me?’

They looked up at the same time with a surprised look on their faces. Devin was the first to break the silence.

“Well, I don’t know exactly where to begin.” he stated.

Giving him my attention, ‘Start by telling me what a mate is.’ I stated firmly.

He looked back down and cleared his throat. “Well, uh um, do you know what a soul mate is?” I gave him an ‘are you kidding me look’. I barely knew what a werewolf was, how can I know what a soul mate is? He had the grace to look sheepish again. “Never mind. I’ll explain.”

‘Good.’

“A soul mate is a werewolf’s other half. They are the one person who is fated to love you no matter what. No matter your flaws this person will look past them to who you truly are and love you unconditionally.” With that said, he just looked at me with something flashing in his eyes. Whatever it was, it was unnerving and exciting at the same time, sending shivers down my spine.

‘Ok. So, Jack has found his. That still does not explain why he is here and not with this person.’ I projected them both.

It was Jack’s turn to talk to me. “I haven’t actually met her,” he stated, with no little embarrassment.

‘Why ever not?’ I asked.

He cleared his throat and shot a look towards Devin. Looking at Devin in front of me, I waited for his response.

‘Will one of you talk to me?’ I practically shouted in their heads.

~Devin’s POV~

‘Will one of you talk to me?’ her voice resounded in my head. I know she yelled at Jack too as he was cringing against the arm of the couch. I did not blame him. If I weren’t an Alpha and her mate, I’d be tucking my tail between my legs and high tailing it out of here. As it was, I wanted the floor to open up as I did not want to face my mate’s reaction to what I was about to say.

Clearing my throat for what felt like the umpteenth time I looked back at Leah. She was sitting on the couch with her legs crossed under her and her hands folded in her lap. She had changed from my shirt into a green sweater that brought out the gold in her eyes and black leggings. I know she had no clue as to what she was wearing but she looked stunning sitting there. I looked back in her eyes and realized that I had been stalling. Even with the frustration and building anger shining through her eyes I just wanted to… I looked back down at my hands to get myself under control.

This was not the time to be horny. My mate was getting pissed and I needed to give her some answers.

Without looking up I began, “A week before your accident I had given Jack permission to leave the pack so that he could search for his mate. When I…hit…you with my car, I called him back so that he could take care of things while I took care of you. I did not know that he had found his mate though. If I had, I don’t know what I would have done. All I know is that you were hurt and I needed someone to take care of the pack while I was busy helping you.” I still did not look up as I could feel the confusion coming off her in waves.

‘Why did it matter so much that you take care of me? You said it yourself in the hospital that we did not know each other.’

Oh boy, “Well, um, you see, you’re my mate?” I meant for that to be a statement and instead it came out more of a question.

Leah stilled. The silence dragged on and I couldn’t take it anymore. Chancing a look at my mate, I viewed her through my lashes and saw that she was staring blankly over my shoulder. I became nervous. What if she didn’t want me for a mate? I mean sure she was comfortable with me, but what if she didn’t really like me? What if she was only with me because I was the one that stayed with her at the hospital? What if…

‘Get those thoughts out of your head right now,’ she practically shouted into my mind.

My head shot up so fast I’m surprised I didn’t get whiplash. I was stunned to say the least. Well, more confused, but stunned.

‘Don’t look at me like that,’ she said. I could sense the frustration in her mental voice. ‘If you had explained this to me in the hospital a lot of my confusion and frustration could have been avoided and we would not be having this conversation.’

I looked at her a little sheepishly. She sounded just like my mother when she talked like that. I had a feeling that I was going to be in for a long talking to later when Jack wasn’t around. Speaking of which, I looked towards him and saw he had an amused expression on his face. I could tell he thought it was funny his Alpha was so whipped. Just wait, boy-o, I thought to myself, when you finally meet your mate you’ll be just as bad.

‘Alright, Devin, I want you to let Jack leave so that he can find his mate. He does not need to be here anymore as I am fine now. Jack,’ she looked towards my Beta, ‘I want you to get out of here as I need to have a long talk with your Alpha.’ I gulped. This was not going to be good.

Jack looked towards me, giving him a nod, a huge grin spread across his face. He leaned over and kissed Leah on the cheek. A growl ripped from me. I don’t care if he was going to be look for his mate. He just kissed mine. I had to push my wolf back from wanting to rip his head off. Jack was my friend and I know he only meant it as a thank you, but still. My mate.

Leah shot me a disapproving look and Jack’s grin got wider. I looked down as I heard Jack leave the house. When we heard his car leave the drive Leah finally spoke, ‘Why did you not want to tell me we were mates?’ she questioned. ‘Do you not want me?’ I felt her confusion and pain and wanted to kick my own ass for being the one to cause her to feel this way.

I looked up and her and couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to touch her. Needed to feel her in my arms, to know that she was here and not going anywhere.

I sat next to her on the couch and put my hand on her cheek. Turning her face towards mine, “I do want you,” I stated with conviction. I could see the uncertainty clearly in her eyes.

‘Then why did you not tell me?’

Using my thumb of the hand holding her cheek I traced the scar over her left eye. “You were hurt. You didn’t remember anything; you barely knew you were a werewolf.” I looked deeper into her eyes so she could see the truth of my words. “I didn’t want to overwhelm you. I was also scared that you would reject me.”

‘Reject you?’ Her brow furrowed and I leaned forward to kiss the wrinkles away.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t want me because I hit you with my car.” I said, letting her know my fears.

I saw amusement light her eyes and a smile spread across her face. I don’t see what was so funny. I’m genuinely freaking out about her not wanting me and she thinks this is a joke.

“What’s so funny?” I said a little petulantly.

‘Why would I reject you? It was an accident. You were not the one to chase me into the road. You were the one to save me.’ She reached her own hand up and placed it on my cheek. Leaning into her palm, I was relieved. She didn’t reject me. I let out a small sigh.

“So you’re not going to leave me?” I asked. “You’ll stay here and be my mate?” I felt joy and hope fill me up while I waited for her response.

‘I’ll stay, but I need to know more about what it means to be a mate. In case you have forgotten, I do not remember anything. If I ever knew about mates then all of that information is gone from my memory.’ I felt her sadness seep through and I wanted to take it away. I liked it when she smiled and her face lit up. I wanted her to smile again.

“Hey don’t worry,” I brought her eyes back to mine. “We’ll figure things out together. I’ll explain more about mates and the mating process and we’ll take things at your pace. Ok?” I could tell this made her feel better as her lips twitched at the corners.

She was about to ask a question, I could see it forming in her eyes, when her stomach growled. It was so loud and unexpected that we both looked at her stomach and then back at each other. Her grin spread as a blush graced her cheeks and I let a laugh escape.

“Come on. Let’s get you fed before that monster inside you decides to come out and play.”