“Darling, are you…”
She turned her head to look him in the eyes, smiled then placed a light kiss on his lips, instantly overwhelmed with desire for him. Willpower allowed her to pull away.
“Don’t worry. Everything will work out,” she said, hoping to distract him from his previous question. “You can materialize us at ten tonight, four in the afternoon New York time, then we’ll eat, head to bed and
not
sleep.”
His eyes sparked red hinting at his thoughts. “What will we do all day then?” he asked, but he left no time for her to respond. The next instant, his full, soft lips were pressed against hers.
****
His soft lips met hers firmly. She parted hers, letting him in. She needed more than just a touch. He delved in quickly then pulled away.
Heaven ended too soon
, she thought just as he pressed her body against his and buried his face in the crook of her neck.
“Close your eyes, darling,” Cain whispered in her ear, his cool breath making her shiver.
Wrapping her arms around him, she reluctantly closed her eyes, knowing she was leaving behind precious memories of the time they’d shared.
Everything she hadn’t thought possible weeks ago, was. Her dream came true: he was hers and she, his. Nothing would separate them again. She savored their time alone and knew she was at the cusp of her new life with Cain, yet she couldn’t help but feel sadness, sad to have to leave the memories behind.
When Cain pulled away from her slightly, she knew she was home. The cool, crisp air in Northern New York and the scent of the trees and nature lingered in the air. Slowly, her eyes drifted open.
“Home,” he said, somberly.
The spark of life in his gorgeous blue eyes was gone. It had become too easy to read him by simply searching for that spark. There were worries he kept hidden from her, she knew. She asked last night, and he answered, but not completely. She supposed some things were better left unsaid. What was the use in telling her he was sad to have their time end when she felt the exact same way?
She nodded, unwilling to speak just yet. He placed his hand on the small of her back and together they walked toward the place she called home. Finally, she shifted her attention away from him and toward the large colonial-style mansion with a wraparound porch covered in ivy, equipped with two-story library, game room, several offices, sun room, music room, theater, conference room, wine cellar, and numerous bedrooms. Everything she needed and more. Strange that gazing toward her home inspired no feelings of comfort and security as it once had.
Once she reached the French doors, she hesitated. With her hand just over the handle, she turned to stare into Cain’s eyes.
“I love you,” she whispered, barely audible so the high tech security system at the estate wouldn’t pick up her words.
He smiled then whispered, “And I love you, darling.”
The door sprung open before she could open it. Jocelyn’s smiling face greeted them. Wearing an empire knee-length dress, she rushed at them wrapping one arm around her and the other around Cain in a group hug, pulling them toward her.
“I’m so happy for you both,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you so much,” she said more loudly, then drew away.
Olivia placed her palm on Jocelyn’s belly, where her niece and nephew currently resided.
“How are they?” Olivia asked.
“Craving chocolate and steak,” Jocelyn replied, cheekily.
“How are you?” Cain asked Jocelyn.
“Oh, it’s been so hard eating all the chocolate and steak,” Jocelyn replied, sarcastically. “Don’t worry,” she whispered in a tone Olivia thought she was incapable of. “I’ll run interference.”
In spite of the dread creeping up her spine, nervous to see her brother again, Olivia smiled then glanced in Cain’s direction. Tense and un-Cain like, he was smiling, but again the glimmer wasn’t there. Without thought, in an effort to console him, she reached for him, grasping his hand in hers and squeezed. At the moment, she couldn’t care less if Landon caught her. Screw her brother, her male needed her.
“Baby! Who’s there?” Landon’s booming voice resonated from inside.
Reluctantly, Olivia released Cain’s hand and exhaled. Moments later, Landon appeared at the top of the staircase. His eyes registering her, his mouth hung open just before a smile tugged at his lips. He launched himself from the second-story and landed perfectly poised at the bottom, then rushed at her, wrapping his arms around her tightly. She reciprocated, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Liv, God, I’ve missed you,” he said then kissed her forehead before he pulled away, placing his palms on her cheeks to look into her eyes.
“I’ve missed you, too,” she said, smiling. And she had. She hadn’t realized it until she saw him—her brother, her protector.
“You look radiant, Liv…Really beautiful,” he said.
“It’s the tan.” She shrugged.
“No, it’s…” He paused, his eyes lingering over her lovingly. “Don’t know, but something’s different.”
Landon’s gaze was so soft, so comforting yet intense and different, as if seeing her with new eyes, seeing her as an adult for the very first time.
It’s because I’m not a virgin,
she thought and flushed.
“It’s just the tan,” she repeated.
“No, it’s not…” He pulled her toward him again. This time the hug was soft and less forceful. When he pulled away again, he said, “I didn’t think it was possible for you to look more like Mom, but you do. And you look…happy.”
It startled her when it shouldn’t have that her brother recognized she truly was happy for the first time in her life. Not that she was unhappy before, just unfulfilled. Cain had done that for her.
Brows furrowing, he said, “You’re happy, right?”
She nodded as tears threatened to spill.
“Gosh, Liv, what’s wrong?” he asked then laughed and said, “Don’t tell me you missed me that much.”
She chuckled. “No, it’s just…I don’t want you to think…I wasn’t happy…I’m just happier—”
“I’m happy if you’re happy…I know a lot’s been going on lately. You’ve been working a lot with the council, and it can be overwhelming. I did miss you though. Everyone did.”
She nodded, thankful at least Landon wasn’t hurt. She couldn’t handle her brother believing he had been nothing but great to her when he’d done everything to ensure her happiness, security and comfort.
“I can’t believe it. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? Where’s your luggage?” he asked, hugging her again.
“Cain brought me and spared me a flight and he’ll bring my luggage later.”
Landon’s gaze snapped to Cain. “Hey,” he said in greeting, then shook Cain’s hand. “Thanks for bringing her back.”
“Not a problem,” Cain responded.
“Well, come in,” Jocelyn said. “Dinner will be ready soon.”
They headed toward the high-vaulted ceiling living area on the first floor and took seats. Olivia and Cain on the love seat several feet apart and Jocelyn and Landon snuggled close opposite them.
“Liv, Cain, would you like something to drink?” Jocelyn asked.
“A glass of Chardonnay for me and Cain will have a whiskey,” Olivia said without thought.
She realized her error after she’d spoken; she’d ordered for Cain. Flushing, she turned to glance in Cain’s direction, who hid a smile. Luckily, Landon didn’t seem to notice, or regard her mistake as anything out of the ordinary.
“Baby, I’ll get the drinks,” Landon insisted when Jocelyn moved to stand. “Do you want some apple juice, love?”
Jocelyn nodded then repositioned herself. Landon headed toward the small bar at the end of the living area and prepared the drinks.
“So, how did it go? What did you do? Did you rest?” Landon asked.
“It went well. I did the usual. You know shop, eat, sunbathe…” Olivia responded.
Landon handed Jocelyn apple juice first then handed Olivia wine and Cain whiskey. He sat beside Jocelyn again, and placed his hand on her belly.
“Has anything new happened around here?” she asked.
“Yes!” Jocelyn burst. “We received the furniture for the babies’ room.”
“Yeah,” Landon added.
“I’m so sorry you missed that!” Jocelyn said sardonically. Her eyes glimmered with humor. “You should’ve seen Landon trying to put the cribs together.” She giggled.
Olivia laughed, too. She was sorry she missed it. For everything her brother was, he wasn’t handy. He’d never built anything in his life.
“I did a good job,” he insisted.
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. “Baby, there’s no need to lie. Liv knows you better than I do.”
“What would possess you to build anything?” Olivia asked her brother.
“He wants to be a part of everything relating to the babies,” Jocelyn responded for him. “Which is sweet but…” Her words fell away. “He spent four hours trying to build one crib then, finally, I recruited Ethan to help.”
“Is that why he came up?” Landon asked.
“Yes, baby, that’s why,” Jocelyn admitted, patting his knee.
Landon frowned. “I could’ve done it.”
“Sure,” Olivia chided then laughed. She hated to admit she’d missed their loving quarrels.
“Of course, you could’ve,” Jocelyn said. “But you know we want to be sure the babies will be safe while they’re sleeping. Two minds are better than one…”
Landon’s eyes flashed. “I wouldn’t endanger my kids. I would’ve climbed in the crib myself before I let—”
“I know, baby. I know,” Jocelyn said, then grazed her lips against Landon’s. Debate seemingly forgotten, he wrapped his arms around her to deepen the kiss, then Jocelyn tucked her face near his neck.
Olivia’s stomach clenched at the sight. It was exactly what she had with Cain an hour ago. Already, she missed him. Cain hadn’t spoken a word, maybe, missing her as much as she missed him.
She spared a glance in his direction. Immediately, he turned as well. Their eyes met and held for a moment speaking volumes they couldn’t reveal.
“Liv.” Landon’s voice drew her away. “One of the wolves from our pack and his mate discovered another werewolf pack.”
“What?” she asked, although she’d heard every word. Her brain scrambled at the knowledge. Another pack when they believed they were the last of their kind?
“I know. I’m meeting with their alpha soon.”
“How many…Do they know of other packs? How could we not know? The last—”
He laughed. “Yeah, I know. It’s unbelievable, huh?” He took a sip of his drink. “Their pack is two thirds the size of ours, two hundred, give or take. They’ve been reclusive for the last three hundred years…They didn’t fight in the last vamp-wolf war. I’m not sure why exactly, but maybe their alpha will tell me more when we meet.”
“I-I can’t believe it.”
“I was just as shocked when I got his call. Trust me, but I think this is good news, Liv. The alpha knows of Malums. They’ve had several murders in the last few months. When he phoned me, he wanted to meet in person to discuss an allegiance. I spoke to him briefly about the Guardians. He thought I was joking when I told him we’d allied with vamps and demons.” Landon chuckled. “But I think once he meets the Guardians, he’ll come around.”
Quirking a brow, she asked, “You think?”
Growing serious, he said, “I
know
. Even centuries ago, werewolf packs were reclusive, stuck to their territory and didn’t wander, but we’ve never been enemies. These are different times. The Texan alpha realizes that, too.”
“Texan?”
“Yep, Texan, and he sounds like one too, not that it makes a difference.”
“But their home is in Texas, why would an allegiance with a pack that far away help us or them?”
Cain tensed beside her. She glanced in his direction and realized his expression had grown grim.
Landon sighed heavily before he continued in a serious tone. “When the Malums strike, they will strike big—”
“They strike all the time. They’re killing every day,” she said, cutting him off.
“No, Liv,” Cain spoke for the first time.
Her gaze snapped to him.
“When they’re ready for the war, when they refuse to wait any longer, they’ll attack in big way: bombs, explosives in all the major cities and military camps. They’ll simultaneously wipe out millions, before anyone can fight back.”
Olivia felt her face grow pale.
Cain’s hand grasped hers, his warmth radiated through her as her eyes met his. She read the pain and torment of the truth everyone had held from her, clear in his face. There would be a fight, a big one, good versus evil. The few killings and attacks were the tip of the iceberg. When he squeezed her hand, suddenly the knowledge of the possible future didn’t seem so disheartening. She’d fight alongside Cain, for immortals and for mankind.
Moments later, Cain released her hand. She wanted to reach for him again then remembered where she was.
“I want to hunt with the Guardians,” she said immediately then braced.
“No!” Cain and Landon bellowed simultaneously.
She knew they’d disagree, knew they weren’t going to make this easy on her, but she had to fight for what she thought was right, so she pointed out, “Both of you do, and I’m trained for battle.”
The room grew thick with fury and tension. Her male and brother combined were a force to reckon with, but she couldn’t let them stop her.
“Hell no!” Cain and Landon snapped as they stood, towering over her.
“Oh boy,” Jocelyn muttered under her breath.
She wouldn’t cower. She couldn’t. It meant too much. It wasn’t just about doing what was right for mankind and immortals alike, it was about her, too. She wanted to stand on her own for the first time in her life, to be something more than a sheltered princess.
She shrugged. Cain and Landon eyed each other, then hesitantly took their seats. Jocelyn rubbed her palm over her belly and took a deep breath.
“That’s fine.” She met each of their gazes then and said, “I’ll just go out on my own then.”
They spoke again simultaneously.
“You’ll go with me,” Cain said, resigned.
“You won’t,” Landon dared then shot a glare at Cain.
Olivia smiled. “Okay, Cain, I’ll go with you then.”
Jocelyn laughed loudly, muttering, “Well played, Liv.”
“Liv,” Landon warned.