Blind Alpha: A Dark Fantasy Read online

  “What Landon did was wrong, and I am sorry you have been given an unfair judgment these last four years. I will talk to him, I’ll set this right. But I also want you to give him a chance. As you said, that was a tough time for him, and he has changed.”

  Jenny nods her head, pulling away to get back to cleaning. I understand that I do need to leave her alone to finish her chores. I don’t want to start something between Jenny and Landon. I want them to be able to see each other for who they truly are.

  ***

  I knock on the French doors to Landon’s office, waiting for him to invite me in. When he does, I pull them open, and he lifts his head when he notices it’s me.

  “Lana. You don’t need to knock.”

  I smile softly at that, pulling the doors closed before I walk over to him. He leans back in his chair and opens his arms for me. I place myself in his lap, hooking my arms around his neck.

  “I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to take my frustration out on you. I’ll need to apologize to Jenny as well.”

  I arch my eyebrow. That was unexpected. “I’m sure she’d appreciate that.”

  “Also, you don’t have to speak on my behalf. I hate knowing that you feel like you have to defend me to your friend. If Jenny has a negative outlook on me, then I believe there is a valid reason behind it. I understand I demoted her to Omega in my rage and aggravation. I’ll give her a place in the Gamma section of the west wing, and she will train with Mason and Zane to make up for lost time.” Okay, now, I am completely shocked. Where is this coming from? “Jenny was right. My behavior towards the Omegas is unexplainable and unjust.”

  “It was just. You were wounded. You were scared.”

  Landon reaches up and places a finger to my lips, shaking his head. “Don’t make excuses for me, Lana. I don’t deserve them.”

  I sigh and press a kiss on his finger, hoping to make him smile. He deserves to have someone stand up for him. He deserves to have someone defend him. He deserves to smile and be happy.

  I lean down and rest my head on his shoulder. We are silent for a long time, holding onto each other. Landon runs his fingers up and down my side, laying his cheek on the top of my head.

  “You’re so warm,” I whisper. I can feel him smile, and I feel butterflies flutter around in my belly. It’s a good feeling to be able to make your mate smile.

  As Landon holds me, I think about tomorrow’s ceremony. Tomorrow, I will be the official Luna of the Shadow Pack. I wasn’t one for big gatherings and having everyone’s attention on me. Though it may be a stressful day, I know it will also be one of the happiest days of my life. I will be connected with Landon. I will be able to feel his emotions, and we will have a mind link with one another.

  I think about my brother, wondering how he is. Was he still working patrol and protecting innocent women from the vile Alpha Castor? Maybe he found his mate, just as I had. All I can think about is how much I wish he were with me. He is my very best friend. He saved my life. He doesn’t deserve to spend another second in that awful pack.

  “Can you do me a favor?” I ask, pulling away to look down at his beautiful face.

  His eyes open slowly, revealing the blue, hazy color. “Anything.”

  “Is there a way to contact the Cossitt Pack? I want to speak to my brother, but I don’t want Alpha Castor to know.”

  Landon’s eyebrows pull together in confusion as he grabs hold of my wrist. His thumb presses into my pulse. I try to slow the frantic beating by taking calming breaths.

  “I’ll send a messenger with a letter. I’ll be sure that he gives it straight to your brother…” I smile, letting out a happy sigh. “Who is Alpha Castor to you? Why don’t you want him to know?”

  “He’s just my old Alpha. I didn’t exactly leave with permission. I don’t want him to come thinking he can take me away.”

  Landon lets out a small growl and wraps his arms around my waist. “No one is taking you away. Ever.”

  I lean down and press a kiss to his lips. “Never.”

  Chapter 9

  Lana

  March 5, 2014

  Once my alarm goes off for five o’clock, I press the snooze button. I have been lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling since two in the morning. I wake up, and nerves settle deep within my stomach. I haven’t been able to think about anything but the ceremony. It is going to be a grand celebration, and I don’t particularly enjoy being the center of attention.

  As soon as it is announced that I am Luna of the Shadow Pack, it will be easier for Alpha Castor to hunt me down. News spreads quickly amongst the packs. Also, Landon sent a messenger to the Cossitt Pack yesterday to deliver a message straight to Trent.

  The letter was generic. It told him that I was safe, that I found my mate and I’m happy. I gave no indication of my whereabouts, but I did tell him to visit soon. If he wishes to know where I am, then ask Leo, the messenger. He will give Trent directions but not the name of the pack.

  I swing my legs out of bed and look at my room. It looked exactly the way it did when I came. I didn’t have anything to add to it. All I had were my clothes that are now in Landon’s bedroom. He had me move them into his closet and dresser last night, eager to move me into his room.

  I look at the dress that is hanging on my door, gnawing on my lip. Landon sent Tami and Rachel to go pick out a dress for the occasion. It was black and short, coming down to just above my knees with a one shoulder strap. The left side has a cut out at my ribs, gathering at my abdomen and then flaring out at my waist. It is simple and elegant. Maybe one of the few dresses I’d be caught wearing in public, other than the blue one Natalie gave me.

  Since the ceremony isn’t until tonight, I decide to go help in the kitchen. Meggy, Tami, and Jenny are already getting breakfast ready. They look at me, smiles on their faces.

  “Are you excited? It’s a big day,” Meggy says.

  I roll my eyes and take my place at the stove, preparing bacon and cheese omelets. “A little. But nothing is going to change. Landon is allowing me to continue my Omega duties,” I say, pouring the lightly whisked eggs into a greased skillet.

  “But you will no longer be an Omega. You’re going to be our Luna,” Tami says, laughing lightly. I look over at her, shaking my head.

  “I like my jobs as an Omega. Landon understands. Plus, he can’t say no to me,” I say, smiling like a maniac as the three girls giggle. Jenny bumps my shoulder, and I roll my eyes. She seems to be more comfortable with everything since Landon apologized to her yesterday. He told her that after today, she will be given her rightful place as a Gamma and will be training with Mason and Zane.

  Saying she is excited is an understatement.

  I hear someone in the dining area, and I grab a plate full of omelets and walk out to see Mason sitting in his usual spot.

  He looks up at me and offers a soft smile. “Good morning, Lana,” he says.

  I set the plate in the middle of the table and nod my head. “Good morning, Blondie,” I say, heading back into the kitchen to get his mug of coffee and Landon’s orange juice.

  Jenny already has them in her hands, holding them out to me as I enter the kitchen. I give her a “thank you” and bring them to the kitchen table. Blondie accepts the coffee happily, taking a sip. I find it so weird that he drinks his coffee black. He doesn’t peg me as a coffee drinker, let alone so bold and void of creamer.

  I place the orange juice in Landon’s spot, and I sit down across from Mason.

  “Why do you get up so early?” I ask. Blondie doesn’t even look tired. How can he not be tired? The sun isn’t even out yet!

  “So much to do. Have to start the day early, get everything done, and then relax,” he explains, taking another drink of his coffee before he takes a bite of the omelet. “This is really good by the way,” he says, pointing his fork at the omelet on his plate. I smile. That was the first time I’ve ever been complimented on my food; it feels good to be appreciated.

  I hear foot
steps coming down the stairs, and I look to see Landon walking down with ease. With his wolf, he has a better sense of where he is and walks with more confidence. Landon takes his seat at the head of the table and reaches over to grab my hand. I slip it into his, and he brings it up to his lips.

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  I blush at his words. If he could see me, he’d think differently. I’m not sure I even brushed my hair this morning.

  Ever since Landon found out he could gain his sight in wolf form, he has been shifting as many times as he can. He told me that what he missed the most was seeing the sky. I have heard that blind people usually missed the sky most, but it’s different when you hear it firsthand. It makes you think how we take our sight for granted. We can look at the sky every day, and we don’t think twice about it. And here is my mate, unable to see the green grass or the blue sky.

  “Good morning, Landon,” I say, grabbing an omelet and placing it on his plate.

  “Thank you.”

  As Landon and Blondie eat, I lean back in my chair and calmly relax, my hand remaining intertwined in his.

  “Leo is on his way home. Your brother is with him along with a girl named Jesse?” He arches an eyebrow. I feel my eyes widen, and my mouth falls open in complete awe. Trent is coming? He’s on his way to see me?

  “Yes. Yes, Jesse was my friend at the Cossitt Pack. She was a Gamma with Trent. Trent’s coming? Can they stay?” My heart is racing as excitement overwhelms me. With my brother here, the ceremony will be a piece of cake. I am always capable of getting through anything with Trent by my side.

  Landon nods his head, taking a drink of his orange juice. “Your family is always welcome, Lana. You don’t need to ask.”

  I grin and stand up, walking over to place a kiss on his left cheek. “Thank you, Landon. It really means a lot to me.”

  He gives my hand a squeeze before letting me go. I run back to my room, grabbing my dress and black wedges before I go to the bathroom. I run a hot shower, and after cleansing myself, I blow dry my hair and fancy it up in the only way I know—a simple sideways French braid. I then apply light makeup, deodorant, and perfume.

  By then, my body is fully dry, and I pull on the black dress, looking in the mirror in shock. I don’t mean to boast, but I must admit I look good in this dress. It has the flattering style where it hugs you at your thinnest and flares out at your hips. The cut out on the side doesn’t show too much skin which I am thankful for, and the one shoulder strap is very flattering. It’s both modest and sexy.

  With the black wedges, I gain an extra three inches which lengthen my legs and makes them look skinnier. For the first time, I feel beautiful.

  With a newfound confidence, I head back to the kitchen where I find Landon dressed in track pants and a t-shirt. Why isn’t he dressed?

  When he senses me, he reaches out a hand and pulls me to the back yard. I follow him, watching as he quickly shifts to his wolf and looks up at me. I blush as I realize why he wasn’t dressed yet. He wanted to see my outfit first, and this was the only way that he could.

  I squat down in front of his beautiful wolf, running my fingers along the scars on his snout, moving up to sink my hands in his fur. He lets out a low growl, burying his head in my chest. His warmth radiates off him, consuming me.

  “I can’t wait to be linked to you.”

  Landon pulls back, offering me a slobbery kiss before he runs into the house, bounding up the stairs to change into his clothes.

  As I stare after him, I know what I said was true. There is nothing I want more than to be linked with Landon, to be that much closer to him. All I want is for our relationship to grow and now is the perfect time for it to begin.

  Chapter 10

  Lana

  March 5, 2014

  It was around five o’clock in the afternoon when we finally began the ceremony. Trent still hasn’t shown up, and I was beginning to worry. Did something happen on their journey to the Shadow Pack? Did Alpha Castor find out and imprison them?

  Many different scenarios played through my mind as I stand beside Landon in the backyard, twisting my fingers together as nerves settled deep.

  Now that it has come, all the excitement seems to have disappeared as anxiety takes over. What if people are disappointed with having me as their Luna? What will they think of having an Omega as their Alpha Female?

  I knew I couldn’t do this without Trent. I need him… Just seeing him will reassure me that I will be able to make it through. My brother has always been there for me; it is strange not having him here for my Luna ceremony.

  “Lana, I can feel your nerves,” Landon says, wrapping his arm around my waist. He pulls me closer to his side, laying a kiss on the side of my head. “Your brother will be okay. Leo just messaged in. They’ll be here in twenty minutes.”

  I instantly feel a weight on my shoulders lift as I let out a relieved sigh. They’re going to be here within minutes.

  “Thank you,” I say, looking at how the celebration is laid out. Meggy, Tami, Rachel, Jenny, and the other Omegas have been working all day. I volunteered to help, but everyone was against letting me put together my own ceremony.

  They set up about twenty tables with five chairs to each table. There are 97 members of the Shadow Pack, and with Jesse, Trent, and I, that equals out to a hundred people. The tables are clothed in white tablecloths and floral centerpieces. Each vase is filled halfway with blue marbles that surround the stems of white roses. In front of the tables near the woods, set at the edge of the large yard is a pedestal that holds a bowl, a knife, and two cloths.

  The cut is another thing I am worried about. I wasn’t fond of cutting into my own flesh, but then again, who really is?

  “You look beautiful, Lana.” I hear Jenny say, taking place beside me. I smile over at her. She is wearing a delicate green dress that compliments her hazel eyes. It comes down to her knees, hugging her at the waist and flaring out, similar to mine. Hers, however, has a halter top and a low back. I step out of Landon’s arms to give her a hug.

  “You look beautiful as well, Jenny,” I tell her. She gives a shrug and then looks over at the work she’s done.

  “The last thing I will do as an Omega.” She turns and smiles over at Landon. “Thank you again for promoting me to Gamma,” she says.

  I grab Landon’s hand as he turns to face her. Landon is decked out in black dress pants and a blue button-down dress shirt with a black tie. It is the normal attire for the Alpha whenever a meeting or this kind of arrangement takes place. He also is wearing sunglasses even though the sun is nearly setting. He usually wears them in public, avoiding the attention he typically receives. I believe he should show his eyes and scars off. They show how strong he is; how capable he is at overcoming.

  “It is your rightful place. I never should have taken that away from you.”

  I smile and then elbow his ribs. “Tell her what else you’ve decided.”

  Landon gives a grimace before he reflects my smile. “I have decided to make you Lana’s guard. That is after you’re caught up with all the training.”

  I watch as Jenny’s jaw drops in shock. Being the Luna’s guard is a great privilege and a huge responsibility. I know it is the perfect job for her.

  “Oh, my Goddess. Thank you so much!” Her face is beaming with joy as she gives me another hug. “Thank you,” she says again, running over to tell Meggy the news.

  I laugh lightly, wrapping my arms around Landon’s waist. “You’re such a sweetie,” I tell him, watching Meggy congratulate Jenny.

  “Be sure that remains between us. I don’t want the pack thinking that I am a softy now that I have my mate.” I gasp and playfully slap his stomach. Landon lets out a deep chuckle, leaning down to place a soft kiss on my lips.

  “I’ve changed my mind. You’re nothing but a big, meani—”

  He silences me by squeezing me tight against his chest and capturing me in a toe-curling kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck, standing o
n my tip toes, so he doesn’t have to lean down as much. His hands grip at the fabric of my dress, digging his fingers into my back.

  I grow dizzy with this kiss, becoming light headed from the lack of air. I turn my head to the side, breathing in as Landon presses his lips to the side of my neck, right where he will mark me.

  “I thought the mark comes after the ceremony.” I hear a familiar voice, causing me to step back. I look to see Trent grinning from ear to ear. “You’re looking good, sis.”

  “Trent.” I breathe, running to throw my arms around his neck. He laughs, catching me with ease.

  “You sure do work fast. I didn’t think I would be getting a notice of you finding your mate so soon,” he says. I step back and go to tell him that I actually found Landon earlier but stopped at the beautiful dark-skinned, green-eyed Jesse.

  She gives me a wave, shaking her head as she smiles. “You look so different.”

  I ignore her, grabbing her hand to pull her into a hug.

  “Oh, feisty.” She laughs.

  I let out a groan, giving her a tight squeeze before pulling back. “I can’t believe you guys are here! You’re welcome to stay as long as you want!” I say. Jesse’s smile drops as she throws a glance at Trent. I feel my heart stop as I realize their visit isn’t going to be as long as I had hoped.

  “We need to leave by the morning,” Trent says. “Ivan is covering my shift, and Sue is covering Jesse’s, but if we linger, Castor will find out.” I let out a growl. He ruins everything! “I will not risk him finding where you live, Lana.” Trent’s tone is final, and I know he is trying to get me to see reason.

  He knows me well. I would spend the whole night thinking of ways to get around Castor. And I still will, no matter how determined Trent is to leave in the morning. I’m not ready to give them up yet. I’m not ready to stop being selfish with them.

  “Who is this Castor?” Landon asks, walking up next to me. He wraps his arm around my shoulder, and I give Trent and Jesse a shake of my head, telling them to keep quiet. “Don’t try to cover it up, Lana. I can find out the hard way, but I’d prefer hearing it from you… or your brother if need be.”