Hidden Park: Freeing Londyn (Hidden Park Series Book 1) Page 4

  Of course, nothing could ever erase it, unless I burned myself alive. I was tempted many times if I could only get a hold of fire. It was surreal, being free. I remembered sights and smells from before I was imprisoned. However, being outside feeling the sun on my face seeing other people, even if they were giving us weird looks. It was a gift. Things I had taken for granted from before, the smell of food cooking or the sounds of children playing. It was like I was blind and deaf before, and now I can see and hear everything! "What are you thinking Lon?" Aria looks at me like I'm crazy. I smile at her, being outside, seeing people, animals, even kids. It's like it’s all new. I never appreciate things before. It’s only been two years but if feels like more.

  “I never thought I would see everyday things again, I was set to die there. So, thank you Aria for bringing me with you, for thinking of me when you could have left me and saved yourself." She looks at me with tears in her eyes.

  "I could have never left you. You are like a sister to me. No matter how mean devil dad was you never blamed me or took it out on me even knowing we shared the same DNA. I don't know if I could have survived as long as you have. I knew as soon as I turned 18, I was going to be a prisoner just like you were. I might have had more freedom, but I was never given a choice. I was always just a tool for Damien to use. No one in that pack has ever been as nice to me as you were, and you weren't even a pack member. A few were okay to me. But, that said more about you than you know." Her tears fall silently, and I give her a hug; she is the only friendly touch I have known in so long.

  "Look at us, now we are tear stained along with being dirty." I joke with her, once again grateful to have her by my side. She must be reading my mind, "I hope they will let us have a hot shower, eat and sleep for a week." She sighs, I;m sure imagining being clean, fed, and relaxed.

  "That would be amazing; I don't remember the last time I had any of those let alone all of them." I don't mean to make her feel bad, but I know my statement does; she was treated marginally better than I was, she got a room with a bathroom and ate meals with the pack.

  "Things will be better Londyn; I promise. They will treat us well. Maybe they will help you start over somewhere?" Her question stumps me. I look at her wondering what she wants, I never really asked. We never talked about the future. We didn't think either of us had one.

  "I don't know. I never thought I'd be free. I just figured I would die there. Maybe Dr. Jennings will help me figure something out. What about you, what do you want?" I voice my thoughts on our future. I had hoped we could stay close, but I know she's a shifter, and she probably would want to stay with her own kind.

  "Honestly, Lon, I don't know either; I was hoping we could stick together?" She says it like a question, as if she's not sure I would like that. I give her another hug, "Aria. I was thinking the same thing, that I would always have you. But, I wasn't sure if you wanted to stay with your own kind. I'm just a useless human."

  She pushes me away from her holding my shoulders, "Londyn....I don't know your last or middle name, do you have a middle name? Never mind, don't you ever call yourself useless again. Don't let him win by not seeing the true value of yourself! I know he broke you in so many ways, please don't ever believe those lies he told you."

  I look down at my feet, ashamed. I know what she says is true, but I have zero self-confidence anymore, so I just nod my head, agreeing with her for now. "Londyn Alicia Giles, that's my full name." I tell her to placate her as well as the answer her question from before.

  "I actually don't have a middle name. Devil dad said it was useless to have one." Yeah, he would. He thought every female was useless except to use in any way he saw fit. Asshole. “Maybe you can change your last name. Once things are settled?” I ask her. I know I wouldn’t want anything linked to him if I was her.

  “Yeah. I think I will, maybe go to a real high school for my senior year. Research who my mom was. I would want to take her last name.” I nod my head. I never looked into my family. I just knew they were dead so why look for others. The state would have found me a family if I had them. I never gave a thought to Aria’s mom. I just knew Damien killed her. What if Aria had family out there? An aunt, grandmother, someone. I would definitely help her look.

  “I will help you with anything and everything. We will both figure our lives out.” I tell her confidently. We have a life to look forward to, finally. We smile at each other both of us happy that we are free. Hopefully, we stay that way.

  I turn to see Dr. Jennings coming towards us with two men behind her, twins. They look all around, watching everyone, guards. I wonder if these were the two wolves that came with her when I saw her? "Who are those guys, Lon?" Aria asks so quietly I almost don't hear her. She has a weird sound in her voice nearly awed. "I think those are Dr. Jennings guards. I’m pretty sure they were with her last time, but in their wolf forms." I tell her wondering if they are safe.

  Aria doesn't look scared, but she looks down to avoid staring at the guys. We both stand up and hang on to each other, still wary and scared. "Londyn, are you guys ok?" Dr. Jennings says as she walks up to us cautiously, probably trying not to scare us. I look at her and try a semblance of a smile, then glance back at the twins and my smile drops; they are both staring at Aria.

  I’m not sure what their expressions are. Confused, angry maybe? That makes me uncomfortable, so I pull her behind me. "What's going on, why are they looking at her like that?" She spins around and looks at them probably questioning them; they look at her then each other before one of them speaks, "Sorry. We didn't mean to stare. You both look like you have been through hell, and it upsets us that you haven't been taken care of." Hmm...good save.

  "Londyn, ALL my brothers are very protective over females. They don't like to see them harmed. It's hard for them to see you like this, mistreated. Nevertheless, we are all glad you came to us, so we can help you. We promise; no one will hurt you again." Dr. Jennings reassures us. Then one of the twins’ mutter, "You got that right." Weird. I look at Aria and she smiles, pats my arm like she wants me to know she is okay. "Ok, so what now Dr. Jennings?" I ask her. "First call me Sophia, this is Xavier and Cole." She points to each twin, I can't tell them apart, so I will keep calling them the twins. "This is Aria." I say with a smile and lookup at Aria, because she is an Amazon princess and I am a chubby fairy. She says with a smile, “Nice to me you all."

  I'm glad she is relaxed. It makes me know I can relax as well. "Let's get y'all out of here and to the pack house. Tristan, my eldest brother is getting stuff together for you ladies. I'm sure you both can use a hot shower and meal." That sounds amazing, I wouldn't even care if I was quarantined to one room if I could shower and eat, they can keep me.

  Aria is just as excited, "Oh man you have no idea, how good both sounds." She practically moans. Sophia laughs, "Great, let’s get out of here. The helicopter isn't far, just a quick drive. Follow us." We all go in the direction they came in. Another drive, but this is a more exciting one. A shower, I could cry I'm so excited. Things are going to work out. I feel it.

  Chapter 10

  Tristan

  They should be back soon. I feel like a teenager hopped up on energy drinks. I am trying to get everything perfect for the girls. I want them to feel safe and at home. I don’t want them to think we are anything like Phoenix Pack. I am curious about them, but for some reason, I keep thinking of the human, Londyn. The smell of her blood. Why was it different? Why do I have this protectiveness about her already? Thoughts keep swirling in my head, once again I feel out of control. This is ridiculous.

  I got them some of Sophia's clothes, including undergarments. I hope they don’t feel offended by my choices. We can take them shopping tomorrow. The rooms are clean; they each have their own bathroom. I stocked it full of things I know Sophia likes, so hopefully they will too. I placed a large order of practically the entire menu from our restaurant in town and paid extra to have it delivered. Which should be around the time they arrive, so any minut
e now.

  Unfortunately, when I open the door it’s not the food delivery, it’s Paulina, my head chef’s daughter, occasional hostesses at the restaurant, a shifter in our pack, I sometimes “dated”. Fuck. I haven’t seen, been with, or even talked to her in weeks.

  She is a strong wolf, beautiful, tall at 5’9” but still short compared to my 6’4”, long blond hair with a lithe toned swimmer’ body. She knows she’s beautiful and has been trying mercilessly to get me to choose her as my mate. She has always wanted me and the power of being a Luna. I don’t even think she cares if it’s with this pack. I was stupid enough to mess around with her because she was an easy lay. What can I say, I’m a guy not a saint. I always told her there was never going to be mating or commitment of any kind. She seemed to take this as a challenge to try harder. Well, this was my mistake, and I needed to get rid of ASAP before everyone got here, she will be nothing but a bitch to the girls.

  “What do you want?” I growl at her, there is no reason for me to be nice. She has nothing I want. “Now, Tris, that is no way to greet a guest.” She purrs, like that is somehow going to get me to be nice. “Paulina, I’m not interested and have things to do, spit out what you want or leave.” My patience was nearly gone. Oh great, the food delivery was pulling up now too.

  “We haven’t talked or hung out in weeks; I thought we could get together tonight. Share a nice meal and pleasurable company.” She was trying to be seductive and falling flat. I take a deep breath just as the delivery guy opens his door. “Look, as I said before I am busy and not interested.”

  I walk down the porch to the driveway ignoring Paulia, so I could help the driver get all the food in the house. “Hey man thanks for coming out here with all this. Let’s get this in the house." I tell him grabbing bags from him that he keeps pulling out and handing them to me. Once my hands are full, and he gets the rest we walk back up to the house with Pauline now inside like she was invited. Shit, this is not good.

  I get all the food set down in the kitchen, give the driver his tip, and he’s on his way. “You’re having a party baby and didn’t invite me. I'm hurt.” She whines. I know she’s not even remotely hurt she just likes to pretend to be fragile. I don’t know how she hasn’t taken the hint yet.

  “Pauline, I have a couple of guests arriving. You weren’t invited because you weren’t wanted or a part of my family. Now you need to go.” The door was still open, and if she didn’t leave, I had no qualms about picking her up and throwing her out. She needed to be gone, like yesterday.

  “Well baby I don’t know why you are in such a bad mood, but I know how I can help.” She says as she saunters up to me practically throwing herself at me wrapping her arms around my neck. I instinctively put my hands on her sides to keep us both from falling over.

  “Hey Tris, why is the door open. Come in ladies!” FUCK! It’s too late as soon as I look over at the door, I see Sophia, the twins, and our two guests. I instantly lock eyes with the one with the emerald-green eyes. She is bruised, dirty, pale, and absolutely perfect. So short barely over 5’, a heart-shaped face and full lips that are meant for kissing. Her body has curves for days, thick in all the right places, and I am instantly hard. MINE! My wolf growls in my head.

  What the fuck? She’s my life-mate, there is no other reason for my wolf to be this wound up. Holy shit! Only a matter of seconds has passed; I finally realize I have my hands on another woman. This can’t look good. I drop my hands and step away from Paulina so fast she almost falls, but I don’t even try to help her.

  “Who are they?” Paulina asks sounding like a petulant child. My brain is still misfiring, but thankfully my sisters’ brain is still functioning and growls at her. “None of your damn business. I am sure, as usual, you have overstayed any welcome you may have had, so you need to leave now!”

  With a huff, Paulina turns to me and runs her hand from my shoulder to my hand and squeezes it, “Call me, so we can finish catching up baby.” She has her purr voice back on and all I can do is scowl at her. She turns around strutting to the door like she’s on a cat walk, she pauses, glancing down at Londyn. I don’t see her face expression, but I don’t want her to look at her.

  I finally take a few steps forward, but she is already out the door and Cole shuts and locks it firmly. At the sound of the lock, I see Londyn shake. Sophia notices too, “It’s okay, Londyn. This big oaf is my brother Tristan. He is the Alpha of our pack. He looks scarier than he is. Tristan these are Londyn and Aria.” She says with a smile.

  “Hi, umm. Sorry about that. She was umm; she's…" I can’t form a coherent sentence. Sophia cuts my rambling off, “Let me show you girls to your rooms, and you can shower and change then meet back here to eat? It looks like Tristan ordered the entire restaurant!” She turns towards the guest bedrooms, and the girls follow her. Londyn won’t even look at me. Aria looks at me curiously like she’s trying to figure me out, then glances at the twins before she follows the other two. Great that was not the introduction I wanted.

  “What the hell was the viper doing here all over you, I thought you were done with that bitch.” Xavier grumbles; he never liked her, hell no one likes her. All she has is looks; her personality makes her ugly. I don’t know why I ever messed with her.

  “She fucking forced her way in when the food delivery guy was here, and she threw herself at me. I didn’t want to touch her, fuck, how bad did that look?” The twins stare at me like I grew two heads. “What? Why are you guys looking at me like that?" I grunt out.

  “Dude, when did you start caring about what something looks like? We just hate her and wondered why she was here. You sound panicked that we saw you like that, what gives?” Cole, never the one to bullshit just lays it out there. Shit, what the hell do I say? I’m pretty sure I just found my life-mate, and I blew it. How do I explain what I have yet to figure out? “Londyn, she’s the one with the green eyes and sexy curvy body, right?” Well, that was a little too honest.

  “Uhh,” Xavier looks at Cole then says, “Yeah? Aria is the tall pretty one.” They look at me still confused. “I swear; I think Londyn might be my life-mate. As soon as I looked into her eyes, my wolf wanted to claim her. I…I need a drink.” I sputter out going to the kitchen.

  “Wow, we never thought you wanted a mate.” They always knew how I felt about having a mate, but this isn’t a choice this is fate. “I never wanted to choose a mate. It looks like one was chosen for me. I know she’s human, but I know she is meant to be mine.” I admit. I'm still scared, but strangely excited. Shit, I’m in trouble.

  Of course, honest Cole, “Dude, first she just escaped a prison of abuse, then comes here, and you’re in another woman’s arms, and you have barely said two words to her. You have some work cut out for you.” Xav and him both laugh and walk past me to the food in the kitchen, assholes.

  “Laugh it up assholes, I can’t wait until you guys find your mates, then the joke will be on you.” Honestly, I hope they do find a mate, but I don’t know how well that will go. They do everything together. hell, I’m pretty sure they have fucked the same woman before. If one finds a mate before the other, I hate to see what it will do to the other one.

  I glance over at them, and they both keep looking at each other like they are having a silent conversation, huh? Something is up, but right now I have my own problems. “Help me get all this food out and organized. I have the oven on warm, we can put these in some dishes and put it in there.” I start gathering dishes to transfer the food into dishes so we can get then in the oven. “Aww, look at you being all domestic and shit.” Xavier jokes. Yeah, who would have thought me, hard ass, in control, tough Alpha being Suzy Homemaker. I just smile at them, “Fuck off and help me assholes.” They both laugh, and we all get to work. I can’t wait to see Londyn again; my wolf purrs with excitement too, down boy.

  Chapter 11

  Londyn

  I stand under the spray in the shower, so hot it is almost scalding me. This is heaven. After that weird and uncom
fortable introduction, Sophia led us to the two most amazing rooms I have ever seen. Aria and my room were right across from each other, both with their own full bathroom. After our teen screams, and Sophia showing us where everything was, we both rushed off to get clean.

  Now here I was in the most luxurious shower I have ever had. I washed my hair twice and now put conditioner in my hair to sit, while I took care of the rest of the mess that was my body. While I scrubbed, shaved, and scrubbed again, I could not stop my thoughts from wandering to Sophia’s brother Tristan. He had to be the most gorgeous specimen of man to exist. He was so tall, well over 6’ with brown hair, darker than Sophia's; it was almost black; his eyes were an azure blue with light specks that made them sparkle. His body, dear god, he was built like a Mack truck, strong muscles stretching his button-up shirt to practically bursting, jeans that were tight enough to show off his firm thighs, arms roped with solid muscle tattooed with tribal art that I would love to exam. Those arms were attached to large hands, which were touching a woman who could have been a supermodel.

  I used to think Damien was good looking, but he didn’t hold a candle to this guy. At least, Damien taught me, never trust a pretty face or a hot body. Even with that woman’s arms wrapped around him, I locked eyes with him, and I felt, home. I also wanted to rip that bitch’s hair out. What the hell was that? What was wrong with me? After Damien, I am pretty sure I never wanted a man to touch me again.

  Thankfully, it seemed I wouldn’t have to worry about that with Tristan; he was clearly taken. Sophia obviously disliked her immensely, but Tristan seemed the type of man who didn’t care what anyone thought. The look that evil witch gave me as she walked out just proved what I thought, it said your nothing, and he’s mine. I was finally free; I was not going to mess that up by getting in that woman’s way. These were shifters, and I knew wolves are very territorial; she might as well have peed on him. Point taken, I had to ignore that small tinge of jealousy that was humming in the pit of my stomach. I have bigger issues to worry about. No men, no drama, no prisons, only freedom.