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

  Chapter 18

  Tristan

  Holding Londyn’s hand felt as if it were the most natural thing in the world to me, as natural as shifting. I should have asked, but when she told me, I was the first man to ever hold her hand it was almost heart breaking. I was secretly happy as well, especially when she said she has never been kissed. I was the first to hold her hand, and I was sure as hell going to be the first to kiss her. If Damien never touched her, I would be the first to be inside her. He doesn't count for anything, he just took. She didn’t give him any part of her body or her heart. Both going to belong to me, and only me, and I would do everything I can to earn them; I would never force her into anything, I would just man up and beg. I only wanted what she would give; right now, she wants and needs a friend. I had no problem being that for her. I just had to touch her, so hand holding will have to do for now.

  I took her all over our lands, introduced her to a few of the pack members who helped run things when the twins or I weren’t around. She loved seeing the animals some of the pack had. A few had some cows and horses. As expected, she was sad that the cows were raised for beef, but it is what it is. Every animal had a purpose; it was the life of a farmer; whom a few pack members were. As the sun was setting, I took her to my favorite spot, half-way up the mountain trails was a lookout where you could see all the pack lands and even some of the town. It was the spot I usually went to be alone and think, but it was something I wanted to share with her.

  “I usually come here alone. No one ever disturbs me. It’s normally because I need to think out a problem or just want to silence my mind. It doesn’t hurt that the view is nice too. It makes me appreciate all I have even more.” I tell her when we finally get to my spot, so she understands that I’m trying to let her in.

  “It is beautiful, thank you for showing me. So, if I need to think, can steal your spot?” She jokes with me. I like that she is getting comfortable with me to tease.

  “You can use this spot anytime you need or want to. Even if I’m using it, I will share it with only you.” I tell her honestly. I would give everything of mine to her.

  “When I am especially restless, I’ll come up here and shift and go run-up in the mountains. There is a big clearing there too. I’ll show you sometime. This mountain pass is a neutral territory. Usually if a pack or rogue is going through, we know about it before hand, so we don’t attack them. Most know that if you’re in the mountains, you just want to be left alone, and we do. Unless someone is here to hurt our pack, we let them be. We are a welcoming and open pack. We are also the strongest, and we protect our own. You are pack now; you don’t have to be a shifter, you belong here and so does Aria. Always remember that, Londyn.” I want her to know this is her home. I want to make her happy.

  “Thank you again for everything Tristan, I don’t know what Aria and I would have done if you didn’t let us stay here. I still worry Damien is going to come and take us back, but I trust you and your family to keep Aria, and I safe. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help, you know we will do anything for you guys.” She says with brutal candor, and I believe her. She has never had family or someone to count on, and I want her to count on us and know that we can count on her. That is what pack is all about, trust, honor and loyalty.

  “See you think like pack already. I’m not a great Alpha because I control my pack. I’m a great Alpha because I listen to others, I take everyone’s opinion into account. I do what’s best for everyone. We all trust each other. We know that we will all take care of each other in any way that is needed. My family is not just my siblings; it's this entire town. No one is weaker than anyone else, and we are all equal. We each have our own weaknesses and strengths; we all balance each other out.” I know what she will think before she even says it, but I let her voice her thoughts.

  “I’m the weakest here. I'm not a shifter. I don’t bring anything to your pack.” She says quietly, like she feels she doesn’t belong here but wants to so bad. I’m thinking how best to reassure her without telling her, “Hey you’re my life-mate you only strengthen me." That would probably freak her out.

  “I understand why you feel like that, you have had so many bad things happen to you. But I bet you fought as much as you could. I know you were there every day reassuring Aria things were going to be ok for her, when she saw how bad things were for you. You are strong for those you care about. You don’t need physical strength. You have a strength in your heart that few people have. You make those around you stronger, remember there is more to life than what is handed to us. You are strength, Londyn.” I want to tell her that I believe in her, that I care for her so much in the short time we have known each other. She needs to find her way to me on her own; she needs to believe in herself. I look forward to helping her along the way, but I know I can’t force anything.

  “You always know the right thing to say, don’t you Tristan?” She says with a smile and tears in her eyes. “Why aren’t you mated?” Well, that went downhill quick. Shit, what do I say that won’t make me sound like an asshole or that will scare her away?

  I must take too long to think because then she says, “I’m sorry. It's none of my business. You just seem like a great catch.” I need to tell her something, she deserves the truth.

  I’m not sure how much I will say, but I need to answer her. “My parents were life-mates. Regular mates will fall in love as humans do or mate to form an alliance between two packs. A true life-mate is a soul tie, your destined other half. I saw my parents love and their love for us. I wanted that, nothing less than everything. I was 10 when we lost them. The others don’t remember them as much as I do, but I swore then if they couldn’t be alive to love each other, I wouldn’t have a mate.” It seems a little weird to keep a promise to myself; I made when I was 10, but I never wanted a mate. I never wanted to be tied to someone else, until now. Do I tell her that she is my life-mate?

  “What if you find your life-mate? Will you reject her?” Oh hell, what do I say? Honest, I have to be honest. “No, I wouldn’t. A life-mate is the only mate I would ever take, and I would take her happily.” I look in her eyes begging her to see that she is mine, and I am hers. However, all I see is sadness.

  “That’s good, you deserve love Tristan. A family of your own.” I want to tell her, what would she do? Would she reject me?

  “What about you do you want kids?” I want to turn the tables on her. She huffs out sarcastic laugh.

  “Honestly, I don’t know. That is all Damien wanted from me, an heir. But to choose to have a child? Maybe if I ever found someone that loved me and wanted a family, that would be there every step of the way. Then yeah, I would. Every child deserves a family that loves them. I wouldn’t want to bring a child into this world, unless I was sure I could provide that.”

  I’m floored by her honesty. I agree whole heartedly. Which is why I never mated and only had flings, and always covered myself. “Great minds think alike.” As I shoulder bump her. “Let’s head back, I’m starving.” I stand and reach for her hand again, silently asking permission. She looks down at my hand and then up at me smiling; she grabs it as I pull her up and lace my fingers in hers. It truly is the best feeling in the world.

  Chapter 19

  Londyn-August

  The next weeks flew by; Aria and I found a rhythm, with cleaning and cooking. Sometimes the twins took Aria out to help with things around the pack or at the restaurant, Violet’s, that they owned. There were times that Tristan took me out with him as well when he went into town. It was really starting to feel like home; I was truly happy here, and I could tell Aria loved it too. She even decided she wanted to experience a real high school and would start school next month. The twins didn’t seem to like that which was hilarious. Tristan and I were becoming good friends; we didn’t have any more serious heart to hearts. However, I could tell he was more relaxed with me, and I was with him. Sophia stopped by a few times but was busy with her patients in town.

  Tr
istan announced that we would be having guests tonight for dinner. I didn’t plan for a dinner party; I would have to go to the store. “Is there anything specific you would like us to prepare and how many?” I asked Tristan since Aria, and I would need to figure out who was cooking what. “We are actually going to order in. It’s a few Alphas from neighboring packs. We want to discuss Phoenix Pack.” I instantly froze. I haven’t thought of Damien in a long time. Will they send us back? “It will be ok Londyn. We are just discussing some logistics. In case he tries to start a war.” He gives me a sexy smile. I would trust this man anytime. So, I just smile back and nod my head.

  Sophia ends up calling for a girl’s night, not wanting to be in the Alpha meeting with all that testosterone. The boys would deal with the impending war, and we will go have dinner and drinks at Violets. Soda for Aria, but she didn’t mind. We are enjoying ourselves at the bar in their restaurant; I'm on my second margarita, and Sophia is on her third Martini; Aria will be driving home the rate we are going. We are having fun, or we were until she showed up.

  “Hi Sophia!” We turn towards the high-pitched fake greeting that is given by none other than the woman who was all over Tristan. Great. “Paulina, hello.” Sophia responds coolly. Good, I’m not the only one that doesn’t like her. “Who's this?" she gestures to Aria and me with her fake politeness that can be spotted a mile away. “This is Londyn and Aria. They are new to the pack and are staying at the pack house.” Sophia says with a genuine smile, like she knows that will piss her off. “Ladies this is Paulina.” We both smile and nod our heads politely. She is pack, and we are not going to be rude.

  “Pack? But she is human? They are staying at the main house, with my Tristan?” Her fake politeness is gone, and she is pissed. “Tristan is alpha; this was his decision. He is not YOURS, he has already let all the important members of the pack know about them.” Sophia says snidely, I want to laugh because she is just telling Paulina she isn’t important. That makes me happy, more than it should, so does her correcting her telling her Tristan doesn't belong to her. “We will see about that.” She bites out and walks away with a huff like a 2-year-old throwing a tantrum.

  “Well isn’t she just a great ball of sunshine.” Aria says with a laugh. She makes my good mood rush back. Sophia laughs as well, “Yes, her father was a sort of surrogate father to our family after our parents died. He’s the head chef here, and she is a spoiled bitch. She expected to be bonded to Tristan. He, uhm, messed around with her a while ago, but told her he would never mate or bond with anyone.” She says glancing at me like I would be bothered by it. We are just friends. It hurts a bit because she is someone, I could see him with. Strong and beautiful. Everything that is opposite of me.

  “He has told her over and over, he is not interested, and she seems to think he’s just issuing a challenge, the twins and I hate her, she is nothing but a pack climber.” Sophia sighs, like she’s frustrated. “She will probably go whine to daddy, and he will have a talk with Tristan, but nothing will change.” I hope we don’t become a problem. Tristan doesn’t deserve that. “Well let’s have one more drink before we head back!” I say with gusto, I don’t want Paulina to ruin our fun, and I won’t let her bring me down. “That’s the spirit!” Aria says laughing. “Too right! We are here to have fun!” Sophia agrees.

  Two more margaritas later and we were headed home. We walked Sophia to her house, which was a block away and Aria drove herself and I home. I was feeling great. I had a nice buzz going on. “That was fun. I haven’t had fun in so long. Thank you for being here with me Aria!” I tell her probably a little too loudly. I may have slurred a little. She is laughing at me, “No Lon, thank you. For everything. Love you girl.” She says as she pulls up to the house. I throw myself at her and give her a big hug, “I lovey you too Aria!” I practically shout at her; I have no volume control right now. Go Margaritas!

  I stumble to the porch with Aria holding me up by my arm. The door opens and there stands an angel. I whisper to Aria, “Why is he so pretty?” She pats my hand and laughs. Then I look up and see Tristan laughing too, maybe I didn’t whisper.

  “Let me help.” He says as he grabs my other arm then quickly hauls me up in his arms. I instinctively wrap my arms around his neck. “Wait, put me down I’m too heavy to carry!” I beg him. He laughs, “Sweetheart. You are anything but heavy.” He isn’t even breathing hard and doesn’t seem to be struggling. However, I am struggling to breathe realizing how close I am to him. I lay my head on his shoulder and nuzzle into his neck. “You smell good.” I know my brain is drowned in alcohol, because there is no way I would do this sober. I run my nose up his neck to right under his ear, then back down to his shoulder. I can’t tell if he is moaning or growling, it’s kind of a combination of the both.

  Before I know it, he is laying me down on my bed. He takes my shoes off and pulls the blanket over me. I want to keep cuddling him. I’m still holding onto his arms, trying to pull him to me. I want to kiss him; I want him to kiss me. “Beautiful, you are killing me here. I have only so much control.” He has a hand on my cheek running his thumb up and down. “I want to kiss you so bad, but I want you sober, baby. I don’t want you to have any regrets. But, trust me, I have wanted to kiss you since I met you.” He says looking into my eyes. He leans forward and presses a kiss to my forehead. Then turns and walks out, closing the door behind him. I lay my head on my pillow, did I really just try to get him to kiss me. Alcohol is bad, but Tristan smelled so good. That is my last thought before I pass out.

  Chapter 20

  Tristan

  Walking out of Londyn’s room was the most control I have ever wielded. When she nuzzled my neck, I was ready to throw her on her bed, mate, mark, and bond with her. Then I wanted tie her up in a totally non-prisoner way and satisfy her repeatedly. I wanted her and the world to know she was mine. I had to take an extra cold shower to get through the night. I think she might be closer to moving past friendship into hopefully something more. I was trying to go slow, but it had only been a few weeks. The longest in my life it seemed. It was getting harder and harder to stay away from her, pun intended.

  The Alpha meeting went well last night; we have backing from other strong packs. They have heard that Damien is still looking for both Londyn and Aria but have yet to track them to us. I still had time; I wanted to make things secure with Londyn, and I know the twins needed more time with Aria.

  I knew she was going to be hurting a bit this morning. I wasn’t sure how much she had to drink, but I knew alcohol was new. She stumbled into the kitchen around 11am looking lost, confused and ill. I hand her a cup of coffee and a couple of ibuprofens. “How are you are feeling darling?” I ask her with a smile. I know she probably feels like hell. “What idiot invented alcohol, they should be shot.” She grumbled taking the coffee and the pills. I laugh, “Only when you drink too much, you just have to learn your limit's sweetheart.” She looks at me confused. “What’s with the nicknames this morning?” She asks. She noticed; I wasn’t going to hide my interest anymore. “Well, I was going to wait until you were more awake and in less pain. But I wanted to talk to you about something.”

  She sips her coffee, waiting on me to continue. I clear my throat, “Would you go on a date with me?” She stares at me like I told her I was an alien. “Huh?” She’s looking around like it’s a joke. “I would like to take you Londyn, on a date. Please?” Her face is adorable; I just want to kiss her. I restrain myself. “But why? You don’t date anyone.” Sophia must have told her that, “I don’t but you’re not just anyone.” I step up to her, “I told you from the beginning that you were special. You are, especially to me.” I don’t know how much to tell her, what she is ready for. “But I'm not a shifter; you could have a life-mate out there.” She hit the nail on the head right there, do I tell her, will she freak out?

  I take the coffee out of her hands and place it on the counter. I hold her hands in mine. I notice she’s shaking is she scared, nervous? “Londyn, what
do you feel around me?” He eyes widen, shocked but doesn’t say anything. Time to nut up.

  “When I’m around you, my heart speeds up; my palms sweat. It takes everything in me not to touch you, hold you, kiss you. Do you feel any of that?” She looks down at our hands, my thumbs running over her fingers. I know she’s scared, hell I’m scared, what if she doesn’t feel what I feel? What if I have to let her go?

  “I…I’m scared, Tristan.” She takes a deep breath. “What I feel scares me. When I’m around you, I feel safe, I feel like I’m home. I shouldn’t feel that for someone I just met.” She says quietly. She is right, she explained it perfectly, she feels like home.

  “Can I hug you?” I ask her; I just need to hold her. Like with the hand holding, I want to be sure she is okay with it. She looks up at me and smiles nodding her head. I wrap my arms over her shoulders, pulling her in close, her arms wrap around my waist. “In this world, there is no should or shouldn’t there just is. Does this feel wrong?” She shakes her head no. I give her another squeeze, “Can I take you out tonight?” I ask again. I will keep asking until she says yes.

  She pulls back and looks up at me. I’m grateful she still has her arms around me, “Yes, I would love to go on a date with you Tristan.” I am so going to kiss her tonight. I smile down at her; she is so small but fits in my arms perfectly. “Good. I have some things to do around the pack and in my office. I will pick you up at your bedroom door at 7pm.” I lean down and press a kiss to her forehead.

  I step back to let her go, but she holds on a second longer. “You will pick me up at the front door, got it Alpha?” There's my girl, “Yes ma’am, you are right. You deserve only the best.” She is so much stronger than she gives herself credit for. I reluctantly pull away, the sooner I get my shit done the sooner I can take my girl out on a proper date and I have way too much shit to do. I don’t want anything to come between me and Londyn tonight.