Hidden Park: Freeing Londyn (Hidden Park Series Book 1) Read online

  After I was squeaky clean, I shut off the water and dried off with a cloud. Well, I am pretty sure that was what this towel was made of. I threw on the too tight underwear and bra; these were going to leave a mark. Sophia may have been taller, but she didn’t have an overabundance of T&A. My curse; I may have been starved, but my ass and boobs didn’t get the memo. No wonder that woman looked at me with disgust.

  I wasn’t like these wolf women. They were all tall slim, toned, in shape. Me, I was short and squishy. Sighing I pulled on the T-shirt, that at least was somewhat stretchy but still was pushing the limit. I prayed for a miracle to get in these pants. They were yoga pants and stretchy, but once again my ass was testing the threshold of Lycra, and the legs were so long they would be dragging. I didn’t even want to look in the mirror. Who did I have to impress? They all knew I was human, and nothing like them.

  With a deep sign, I went to the door and opened it just as Aria was about to knock. “Oh good, you’re ready! I knew you wouldn’t want to go out there alone.” I smile, grateful she knows me well. “Yes, thank you so much.” She links arms with me and pulls me down the hall. “You look great by the way!” I look up at her like she’s crazy, “Sure. I am grateful to be clean and in clean clothes. I will probably need to sleep naked; these are a bit tight.”

  I might have spoken too soon and loudly, because suddenly we were in the kitchen and there was a thunderous crash. I looked down, feeling my face turn bright red. “Hey ladies, come sit! Tristan ordered a feast! Grab a plate and fill up!” I look up, still beet red, to see Tristan bent down cleaning up some glasses, seems he was the one that dropped them and made the noise. Wow, those jeans stretched over that ass, spectacular.

  I looked away quickly; he was taken. I was not going to drool over someone else’s man, or any man. For all I know he was exactly like Damien but nicer about it, maybe. Grabbing a plate, I slowly started putting a small portion of delicious looking pasta with meat and shrimp.

  “Thank you, Mr. Jennings, for all your help. With staying here and letting Sophia help us.” I had to make sure I thought of this man as this packs Alpha, he was their leader. I had to give him the respect he deserved, especially after everything he has done so far. He strutted over the island to grab a plate after I sit down on a stool to dig in.

  “Londyn, please call me Tristan. And you don’t have to thank me for anything. I wanted to help.” His deep voice had delicious timber that made me shiver involuntary. “Are you cold? Do you need a sweater?” He asks me. Great he noticed, stupid traitorous body; you hormones are grounded, forever.

  “No thank you, Mr.…Tristan.” He gives me a smile that would melt the panties off a nun. Down girl! He clears his throat. "We'd like to take you shopping tomorrow so you can get some of your own clothes that fit you better, umm both of you, not that you don’t look beautiful now.” He was blushing. He called me beautiful; no one has ever called me that. Why would they, he’s probably a huge flirt or a cheater. Men, urgh. He’s taken Londyn, knock it off; I scold myself.

  “Sorry, Londyn,” Sophia starts, “I wish I had your curves, but I’m sure Tristan can give you a shirt to sleep in, so you will be more comfortable, I’ll give you something in the morning that should fit better.” She wants me to sleep in that man’s clothes, is she trying to torture me.

  I’m sure my face is flushed again, embarrassed at being the center of attention and not fitting in with the females, as usual. “I should be fine. I hope I don’t ruin these clothes for you.” I tell her honestly, I feel bad as it is, with as much as these people have helped me, I don’t want to be further indebted than I already am.

  Tristan stalks off like he’s angry, and I return my focus to my plate in front of me. Taking small bites of pasta. Everyone digs in with gusto, no one really talking, too busy shoveling food in their mouths. “This is really good!” Aria pipes in smiling; I think she feels how uncomfortable I am eating around people. I’m not used to this, eating and people. Well shifters, but they are still people to me. Tristan comes back in with a hand full of clothes.

  “Here, you can wear one of these to sleep in. I want you to be comfortable.” He says gruffly. I take the clothes without thought and put them in my lap. “Thank you.” I whisper. This man unnerves me. I finish all the food on my plate, stuffed for the first time in a very long time.

  “Do you want more there's a lot left?” Tristan asks me; I'm sure noticing how little I ate. I would have loved to eat more, but since I’m not used to large meals, or meals in general. “I’m full, thank you. That was the most food I had in forever.” I say honestly.

  His expression looks murderous, and I shrink back in my seat. I glance at Aria and she’s smiling, what the hell is she smiling at? This man wants to kill me; I'm sure. I quickly, stand up to clear my plate and Aria gets up as well. We both start to try to help clean up.

  “Ladies let the boys clean up. You both have had a long day. I'm sure you're tired. You should head to bed.” Sophia says. As if on cue, I yawn. I smile at Sophia and tell her, “I am exhausted, if you don’t mind?” I don’t want to be rude, but Aria looks just as worn-out as I was.

  Tristan interrupts, “Of course. This is your home.” I don’t dwell on that strange statement. Home. I haven’t ever had a real home, at least that I remember. I’m sure he was just being nice. We couldn’t live her forever. Aria and I head down the hall to our rooms.

  “They really are different than devil dad's pack huh?” Aria asks. She seems just as awed as me. “They are nice, a little scary, but I think your right. We are going to be ok.” I smile at her. She smirks at me as she says, “And they sure aren’t bad to look at huh?” I laugh, “Yes; that man’s girlfriend is very lucky.” Her smile gets bigger, “Actually. I sensed that she wasn’t his girlfriend. That he didn’t even want her there.”

  What? That doesn’t make sense since they were holding each other. “I’m sure they were just uncomfortable about being caught. Well, he was. She didn’t seem like the type to care.” I say. No drama, no men I remind myself. “If you say so, Lon. Let’s get to sleep. I am so looking forward to diving in that bed.” She laughs. I could sleep on the floor and not care I’m so tired. “Good night, Aria. Thank you again for everything.” I give her a hug at outside our doors.

  “Good night and thank you. I couldn’t do this without you.” I head into my room with Tristan’s clothes. Alone now I sniff the clothes that I have been holding. I am definitely wearing these. They smell manly, like pine and a hint of some woodsy cologne, but it could be his natural scent. I change quickly and crawl into the most magnificent mattress ever created I am sure. As I snuggle in, I instantly fall asleep.

  Chapter 12

  Tristan

  I could barely talk to her. When I heard her talk about sleeping naked, my body instantly reacted, and I dropped the glasses I was holding. It was a good thing too because it gave me something to do instead of what I wanted to do, which was as pounce, mate and mark her as mine.

  She was fresh from the shower her pale skin scrubbed clean; her once matted and dirty hair I thought was brown; I could see now was a dark auburn, and her eyes, man her eyes killed me, haunted by the past but so bright and beautiful as the rest of her. There was dark bruising around her neck, lighter bruises on her face that seemed older, and her wrists were red and raw; I was furious on how she was hurt. Nevertheless, I couldn’t keep my lustful thoughts away.

  To top it off, seeing her in Sophia’s clothes, they were not meant for those curves. I was grateful my sister was thin because I could see everything. Breasts that would over fill my large hands screaming to get out of the two sizes too small bra, a slim waist, and an ass begging to be grabbed, in yoga pants that dragged past her feet, all compacted in her 5’ frame. Instead of snatching her up and dragging her to my bedroom like I would have wanted; I quickly set to cleaning up the mess I made.

  I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. I have no clue what anyone else said or did that entire dinner. When she a
nswered Sophia about ruining her clothes, I was angry, not at her but and the asshole which probably made her feel bad for not having the typical tall thin body of a wolf. I so wanted to kill him.

  When Sophia mentioned her wearing my clothes, I knew she figured out I wanted Londyn. But, I haven’t been able to tell her she was my life-mate yet, only the twins knew. The thought of my scent all over her, so everyone knew she was mine had me rushing out of the room to get her my clothes, whether she wanted them or not. Coming back and handing them to her, I still had some anger but most of it dissipated with the thoughts of her wearing my clothes.

  I was at least a little gentler when I handed them to her, I wanted her comfortable, and I wanted her to know that she mattered to me. Her quiet thank you still shot straight to my groin. I was glad that Sophia cut in and didn’t let either of them clean up, she was right they were both spent. I wondered if she could hear the sincerity in my voice when I told her this was her home. I didn’t want to rush her, but I also wanted her to know she was staying here for good.

  “That was the quietest I have ever heard all three of you.” Sophia breaks into my musings. “I didn’t want to scare or overwhelm her...uh them.” I defend myself. Honestly, I forgot the twins were even there. “I think you failed at one point in scaring her, what the hell was with that look when she said she was full?” Cole asks, not even bringing up, he and Xavier, were quiet throughout. “I was pissed about those marks on her and hearing about her being starved. She barely ate anything, and she was full. That is bullshit, that asshole was starving her. I can’t even think about what else he did to her.” My voice was getting louder with each word. I was beyond livid at what was done to her; Damien would pay he just didn’t know it yet.

  “Well next time you're angry at something don’t look at her, she about wet herself with when she saw your face. She has been through a lot Tristan. She is still very much broken. You need to tread carefully. Although, I did see her check you out a few times. I think she feels the bond, just differently and not as strong as you do.” Wait, she knows? My wolf and I both perked up at that comment, “Really? When? How did you know?” Shit, I was a damn teenage girl now, wanting to know if my crush looked at me.

  All three of my siblings laughed, “Bro, your whipped already!” Cole had to throw his two cents in. I feel my face flush, I never get embarrassed, but this woman has me in knots. “Clean up assholes.” I tell the twins, I wanted to talk to Sophia more about Londyn, and I don’t need their running commentary, and she was staying here anyways.

  We all loaded up the dishwasher, put the leftovers away and wiped down the counters in record time. “All right pussy boy, see ya.” The twins each pat my back and head to their rooms giving Sophia a pleasanter good bye along with a hug.

  “All right lay it on me. I know you were waiting for them to leave.” She starts as soon as the twins are out down the hall. I heave a sigh; she knew I wanted to talk more about my girl. I get the bottle of whisky and pour myself a double. “You want one?” I ask her; I know I'll need it.

  “Will I need it?” She counters back. “Maybe?” I answer honestly. She just nods her head, and I pour her a regular shot over ice. Sliding the glass to her, I start, “Soph, what exactly was done to her?” Her eyes widen, then looks down and takes the entire shot at once. That’s bad.

  “Sit down Tristan and stay sitting.” For once I listen to her right away and take a healthy gulp of my drink. “From what she said, he has held her there for at least two years. I don’t know the specifics, number of time's etcetera, but I could tell from examining her, she was abused physically and sexually. From how she acts, I’m sure emotionally as well. He kept her locked up to try to get her pregnant with a son, an heir. You remember the note?” I nodded, barely containing my rage. “Once she was pregnant and confirmed it to be a boy she would have given birth, and then he would have killed her.” I was definitely going to kill him. “The reason he called me was because of course in two years she hadn’t gotten pregnant. I’m surprised, he didn’t call someone sooner. She had an IUD; it's a birth control that is placed inside the uterus; you can’t feel it. Honestly, that was the only reason she was alive, as long as she was. If I hadn’t gone, if someone else had examined her and told him. He would have either killed her right away or had it removed immediately and of course continued to have sex with her until she was with child.”

  I’m shaking I am so enraged. I’m barely controlling my shift. Me and my wolf want to kill him, not just kill; destroy, slowly, painfully. He raped and hit my girl, my mate. I don’t care if I didn’t know about her for the past two years, she was mine the day she was born.

  “What now Tristan? He isn’t going to just forget about her or Aria. We have his daughter. You heard him on the phone. Once he learns they are here he is going to find other packs to declare war against us. Are you ready for that? I know she’s your life-mate; I picked up on that real quick. As soon as you saw her your damn scent went nuts. I’m sure that skank ho noticed too, which is why she gave Londyn that look.”

  I look at her incredulously, “Yes I am ready to go to war with Phoenix Pack. She is worth that. His daughter is even worth that. We will have other packs on our side as well. There are those that also don’t agree with the way he manages his pack and like us haven’t had reason to step in. Well, I damn well have a reason now more than ever.” I realize I’m getting loud, and I don’t want to wake up either of the girls. Taking a deep cleansing breathe, “Look Soph, I know we have our work cut out for us against Phoenix Pack, but Hidden Park Pack will take them out if they have to. We have serious allies.”

  I look at her with a pleading expression on my face; she has to see how important Londyn already is to me. I don’t want to go to war. I don’t want to risk my pack, but I will not let Damien or anyone else hurt her again. “Your right, I know your right Tris. I don’t think you’re the only that would be willing to risk the war. Did you notice the twins?” Now I’m confused, “What about them?”

  Really, I only noticed Londyn, she was all I have seen since she got here. “I think they both are developing mating feelings for Aria. She isn’t of age yet, so the mate bond wouldn’t be as strong, but they kept doing that twin look after watching her. The second they saw her at the bus station they stopped talking. You know they never shut up and always flirt with everyone. The entire car ride they were quiet. I knew the girls would be, but they would normally chat any girl up. It’s like they were stunned stupid. So you will get your wish to tease back just as much as they tease you.” She states like it was obvious, but I also sense a bit of a sadness as well.

  If what she says is true, then all but her will have found their mate. I don’t want to bring that up, because she will just act like it’s no big deal. We talked about this the other night, and now she is being left out. My heart hurts for my baby sister; she deserves so much more than work and pack life.

  “So, you think they will both share and bond with her?” It’s not uncommon for some shifters to share mates, but life-mates are usually one on one. She will have her work cut out for her, but if they end feeling anything like I am. Those boys won’t know what hit them. “I hope so,” she says, “those boys need to have their asses handed to them. I look forward to seeing it all play out.” She finishes smiling.

  “Thanks, Soph, for everything. For fighting to go out there to begin with, for putting up with me and the twins. For taking care of those girls as if they were your own. Thank you for just being you, I hope you know how much I appreciate and love you.” I tell her knowing I don’t show her gratitude as much as I should or even tell her how much I love her. She has been the mother of our family, our glue, and our center.

  She looks at me with tears in her eyes, “I love you too Tris, all you boys. It really makes me so happy that you have a life-mate. She may not know it yet, but I know she will rescue you just as much as you have rescued her.”

  She gives me a big hug, then wipes her eyes. “Okay, enoug
h heavy. I have one last question for you Mr.” Uh oh, she has the you’re in trouble look. “What in the high holy hell was Paulina “Skank Ho” Ellis doing here all over you?” Damn, I forgot all about her.

  “That was not my fault,” I start, “She came to do the door, and I told her to get lost. Then the food got here, and she waltzed in while I was helping the delivery guy. When he left she apparently turned deaf and wouldn’t listen. Then just threw herself at me, the only reason my hands were on her was to keep myself from falling over. It was just bad timing.” I hated that Londyn saw me touching another woman; she might not know that I am hers, but I wanted to make a good first impression, that was not it.

  “You need to watch out for her. You should have seen the look she gave Londyn; she basically made it known you were taken, and that Londyn was nothing. I hate that bitch, can’t we give her to another pack?” I laugh at her question, if it were only that easy.

  “No, you know her father is important in this pack and my head chef. I will make sure Londyn knows that I am only taken by one woman, and it sure as hell isn’t Paulina.” I tell her adamantly.

  “Just ease her into it. The whole caveman, You Are Mine, claiming won’t go over well. She has been raised human, and she has already been told once that she was someones mate. Let her choose you.” I don’t like her saying that about her being Damien’s mate, he was a lying, manipulative, abusive bastard and I would never treat her that way. I do understand what she means though and know I will seriously have to woo her. I never had to woo anyone. I never even used the word woo, what the fuck?