Taken (Sinful Series - book 1)
Chapter 43 - Bonding

Violet

While sending Casey made perfect sense, it was Landon’s investigation and call to make. Felines were known for their promiscuity and her pet name “Home-wrecker” only helped in this case.

“I don’t know what Landon will think about involving Casey into this,” Violet replied.

“I’ll talk to him,” Jacob replied then rubbed his eyes. It was well past midnight.

“You look tired,” Violet replied, making him grimace.

“The night is not over yet,” Jacob replied pinching the bridge of his nose. “I hoped I would be able to talk to Landon and you about this, but you’ll just have to catch him up. Ethan consulted Dr. Kaleo about a connection between silver fillings and Creed’s fatalities. Noah had a couple of silver fillings.”

“So that’s why I survived? Because I didn’t have them,” Violet concluded.

“Well, yes and no. The presence of those fillings is not the only difference between you two. The second most prominent difference would be your sex, then mating status. We need to review more cases and see what’s common between the fatalities, on one hand, and the survivors, on the other. The only other case report we could review was of Alpha Rossi’s pack. Their fatality had silver fillings but we can’t draw a definitive conclusion with only three cases,” Jacob explained then smiled, “Ethan was overly enthusiastic about having Dr. Kaleo in his Pack House.”

“Do you think she likes him, too?” Violet questioned.

“Who knows? Probably.” Jacob shrugged then added, “She must like him on some kind of level. He’s good for business.”

“Don’t be a cynic,” Violet warned him.

“The pursuit of happiness is filled with many turns,” Jacob replied then after a moment added in a serious tone, “Ethan will review the cases with the good doctor, and it falls to us to get our hands on reports from other Creed accidents.”

“Discretely,” Violet added then sighed, “I can inquire, but your pack is the only one I know of that had been affected.”

“Well, Creed deaths carry a stigma. They are like wounds in the family line, and scars in a pack. Nobody likes talking about it or admitting their loved one’s life was cut short without a chance to experience the joys of everything the Goddess blessed them with. When Noah passed, the pack mourned the loss of family member and a friend, a Beta whose mate, they never even had the chance to meet. We,” Jacob swallowed hard, “shifters in general, don’t talk enough about the Fated mates of those we lost. They are those who we should mourn. They would go through years of loneliness, not knowing their Fated. Is it false hope waiting for someone to reincarnate? Should they take a Chosen? Or is it just a matter of time before they cross path’s as the Goddess intended? Today’s society revolves around immediate gratification. We are impatient. We want everything now, and better yet yesterday. That is why so many are taking a Chosen, forsaking their Fated.”

Violet could see the sadness in Jacob’s eyes when he talked about Fated matings. His mind undoubtedly going to his lost love – Gia. There were no words she could say to help ease his pain. Violet gave him a moment to compose himself.

“How could you be sure it was not the Goddess’ plan to pair some shifters as choice mates?” Violet questioned. “Who is to say she didn’t put obstacles in our way to happiness? And if one is foolish to reject someone, why should the other person suffer?”

“Your case is the exception, not the rule,” Jacob shook his head. “We are in the blind when it comes to our purpose in life. The Goddess is gracious, but she tests our resolution to follow her ways. Who is to say which part of life is the Plan and which one is the Test?”

“What came first? The chicken or the egg?” Violet replied then calmly answered, “Well, I believe you make your own happiness. So let’s replace us those reports.”

“That’s the spirit,” Jacob replied and watched her look through her contacts on her phone.

“Wouldn’t Pack Order already have a copy of those charts?” Violet questioned. “If there was any connection wouldn’t they be the first to replace it?”

“Exactly. It is where things don’t make sense. They have the information, yet no workable theories of the Creed fatalities have been shared with the Alpha Council. Their focus is on limiting the exposure to it than coming up with an antidote.”

“What if there isn’t one? Then it makes sense why they are restricting exposure not working on an antidote. Keeping everything quiet might be the only way to prevent panic and civil unrest,” Violet continued.

“You forget some survive. Besides, there is greater panic in ignorance than in knowledge. Sure, Creed is veiled in mystery and by extension, its name is closely associated with death, but we know some survive. It’s only a matter of replaceing out why. From there on, an antidote is not a stretch.” Jacob rationalized.

“You’re right. I am just nervous why Pack Order would risk exposure to naturals than admitting they don’t have the antidote yet,” Violet looked at Jacob. His expression was thoughtful for a moment before he spoke.

“One problem at the time, Violet,” Jacob replied.

Landon

Landon softly closed the door, locking it. Violet’s scent surrounded him, and his heart knew his home was where she was. He quietly made his way to the bed then slid under the covers. The movement woke her up, her hands feeling his chest in the darkness.

“What time is it?” Violet sleepily asked, snuggling into him.

“4am.”

“How was your run,” Violet inquired.

“Lonely,” Landon honestly replied. The moment his wolf had taken over, he had wished for his mate.

“I missed you, too,” Violet replied, pressing her nose into his side, inhaling deeply. “You smell nice.”

“Showered. I couldn’t come to bed all muddied up,” Landon explained.

“The shower gel is nice, but I meant you,” Violet patted his chest, continuing, “I bet you’d make mud smell manly.”

Landon wholeheartedly laughed. Here he was, worried about her reaction to his disappearance, only for Violet to focus on something so casual.

“Oh, stop it. I blame the bond for making you so irresistible,” Violet ran a finger down his neck and over her claim on him, causing him to shudder. “Glad you know how to pick a lock. I like sleeping with you.”

“I know,” Landon answered looking at the blush that took over Violet’s cheeks.

“That, too,” Violet purred into his side.

“Sorry for leaving,” Landon apologized before he got carried away ravishing his Violet. “I needed to clear my head.”

“Jacob was convinced you bailed so you wouldn’t help carry Vincent,” Violet light-heartedly joked, running her hand up and down his chest.

“Jacob always has something to say,” Landon sighed then explained, “I don’t share well. I fought for everything I have, and I am a tad bit possessive especially when it comes to you.”

“It feels good to be wanted,” Violet replied.

“I agree, but I am a little bit more intense when it comes to you,” Landon told her. “I’m scared of losing you like I lost Erika to Aidan. It’s my issue though. I shouldn’t have run away like that.”

“Issues become problems only when you refuse to acknowledge them,” Violet pressed her hand over his heart, “and while the packaging is enticing, it’s who you are in your heart that matters to me. Nobody else could be my Landon, and I can’t be anyone else’s but yours.”

Outspoken, loyal and honest. Landon could not have asked for anything else.

“That actually makes sense. You should give this counseling thing a try,” Landon replied making her laugh. He didn’t bother to hide the vulnerability in his voice when he added, “I love you.”

Violet understood him better than even Landon himself did. Such intimacy established a connection between them that could only rival the one of the Fated pairings.

“I am lucky you chose me,” Landon confessed.

“Well, when you put it that way, you should go on lonely runs more often,” Violet teased him.

“Who knows what revelations I’ll come to next time? Before you know it, you might replace yourself mated to a Council member,” Landon continued jesting.

“Oh, your Ego inflates by the second,” Violet laughed.

“As well as something else,” Landon winked at her, bringing her hand over his hard-on.

“Well, since Jacob is already going to burn the sheets, we might as well.” Violet shrugged, climbing on top of him. Landon raised an eyebrow at her as she straddled his waist. The covers fell off her shoulders, exposing her little nightgown. The black lace exposed more than it covered and Landon wholeheartedly approved. Violet looked at him in triumph. “Aren’t you happy you decided to snuggle with me tonight?” Violet teased him, his hands replaceing her waist.

“Tonight and always, Beautiful,” Landon vowed.

Violet teasingly blew him a kiss, before proceeding to take off her nightie.

“Keep it on,” Landon’s voice was rasp and heavy. His hands gently fanned over her belly then pushed the lace behind her hips. His blue eyes drinking her in, while his hands traced her skin. “You waited for me.”

“Always,” Violet replied, her hands pushing his Tshirt up the hard plates of his abdomen.

“Impatient much?” Landon asked sitting up to take off his shirt.

“I waited for you long enough, Mate.” Violet whispered.

Violet

The world could have ceased to exist, and Violet would not have noticed. Their gyrating bodies created energy that few experienced in a lifetime. It was through the complete surrender in the arms of each other in which they found the reason for their existence. They survived to live for each other.

Violet sighed and snuggled closer to Landon. His woodsy scent was now intertwined with hers leaving no doubt they belonged together.

“Thank you,” Violet breathed into his chest.

“Believe me, it was my pleasure,” Landon jested with the Northern reply. “Though I certainly didn’t expect this when I came in.”

“What did you expect?”

“Well, the plan was to grovel to get you to accept my apology,” Landon started tracing her shoulder with a finger. “Getting anywhere near this,” he pointed between their spent bodies, “was certainly not the plan.”

“You can cook me breakfast in the morning if that’s going to make you feel better,” Violet suggested.

“How about I take you out for breakfast?” Landon negotiated.

“Don’t tell me you are one of those guys who can burn water?” Violet questioned.

“I know my way in a kitchen. Ma’ made sure of it,” Landon replied then sighed. “But apparently, I am unapproachable on my own.”

“Jacob?” Violet guessed.

“The pack needs to see their new Beta pair,” Landon replied.

“You’re stepping up.”

“It’s the right thing to do,” Landon answered. “Besides the ascending ceremony is scheduled for this weekend since we’re not attending the Cavino’s party.”

“So you really talked with Jacob,” Violet concluded.

“Hmm. He had a lot to say, as always,” Jacob replied. “His plan is to send Casey to Cavino’s party.”

“How do you feel about that?” Violet asked only for Landon to laugh, earning him a smack to his chest.

“Spoken like a true therapist,” Landon smiled then continued, “I can see why she would be better suited for the task, but it’s ultimately up to her.”

“Out with it. Were you secretly disappointed we didn’t get to go?” Violet teased him.

“Honestly, relieved. When you spoke of the party earlier, it just triggered this raw possessiveness, which did not hear any reason. I saw red and I didn’t want to say something hurtful,” Landon confessed. “I don’t know how I would have been able to go through it, even if it was for a good cause.”

“Drunk,” Violet answered.

Although werewolf metabolism burnt through straight alcohol quickly, that was not the case if it was laced with Bane. It allowed them to experience the highs and the lows of being tipsy and drunk.

“On you,” Landon added.

“I’d like that,” Violet whispered her soft lips brushing against his cheek before they finally found his.

Landon immediately responded not wanting to waste any second in being apart from her.

Whether it was the anxiety looming around Creed, or the mating pull between the Taken pair, Landon was more than eager to replace peace once again in her arms. His guilt of leaving the way he did, transformed into a desire to show her just how appreciated she was. His touch was electric, possessive and gentle at the same time. Landon broke the kiss, turning on his side.

“Thank you for not looking at me differently,” Landon told her, his thumbs tracing her cheeks. “I am a lucky man, and you complete me. I mean it.”

Violet knew what he meant. Although enticing in its physical state, their relationship was deeper than any fated mating. Their feelings were chosen by both Skin and Beast, and as such their connection was filled with understanding and strength. Strength, they had overcome all obstacles to replace themselves at this moment exactly.

His palm pressed into her hip and he pulled her into his body, then his fingers ran up and down her hip, leaving no uncertainty he wanted to feel more.

“This is nice,” Violet mumbled inhaling his scent.

“Sleep or I’ll take you again,” Landon told her patting her behind.

“Such a delightful promise,” Violet replied.

“We won’t be able to wake up for breakfast,” Landon replied.

“There’s always brunch.”

Landon laugher brought a smile on her face.

Mated life 2.0 was everything she hoped for and more.