Taken (Sinful Series - book 1)

***

Landon

Two minutes was all it took for Landon’s life to always come second. Twining was rarer in wolves than in other species. Nature prevented future power struggles by discarding one of the embryos before birth. What went wrong to allow both Aidan and Landon to come into this world did not matter. Landon had long ago accepted Aidan had the rank, while he had the freedom to become a Beta in another pack, or choose another calling – the possibilities were endless.

In fact, Landon was happy. He received all the same training as Aidan did, but never had to experience the burden of being next in line. While Aidan was tied to his duty, Landon had free will to choose to do the things he wanted, and dream about the next challenge. Landon joked he shared the same blood, but none of the restrictions it brought. His life was complete especially after he found Erica. The light of his days, and moon to his star.

Only things did not go as planned. Up to this day, Landon did not know how or why Erika convinced herself twins shared one mate. He could see the pull she had over Aidan, but knew the butterflies in his stomach were as unique as they got. Landon did not want to share his mate even if it was Aidan. Especially if it was Aidan. The Wesley twins were close, but not that close.

Erica’s persistence to have a relationship with both of them was preposterous, if not plain insulting. It never sat right with Landon’s wolf, and once he told her, she quickly proceeded to reject him, choosing Aidan as her mate. That was the only time in his life Landon had felt betrayed by the close relationship nature had gifted him with his brother. In retrospect, Landon’s only regret was not being the one to reject her, because even if she was right and Fate gave twins one mate, he would never be able to share her. She was his all, until she wasn’t.

Her rejection had put things in prospective. When Fate took away both pack and mate, a wolf had only one option – to become a rogue. Landon was never one to make other’s life easier, so it should not have been a surprise for both his mate and brother that he did not conveniently die. He proudly dusted off all of the pieces of his broken heart, and shoved them right back in his chest, vowing to never make the same mistake again. In order to get over her, he had to believe in the higher power, that his life had to matter, and it was his duty to figure out where his journey would lead.

Pack Order’s scouts quickly picked up on his trained skill set and for a while gave his life meaning. What better calling than protecting supernatural’s existence from the humans? It helped fill his days and give him the initial structure and discipline he needed to put his life back on tracks. But the politics and the causes he fought for eventually wore him down.

Disappointed by Pack Order life, he decided to go back to his roots. Landon did not have a title, but his Beta blood made him a skilled Fixer, called upon from Alphas whenever there was a problem to solve. Why involve the Council or Pack Order, when you can outsource the issue to a capable wolf-for-hire and achieve the result you wished in half of the time it took to file the proper paperwork? It was the perfect arrangement for all involved.

It did help that time was all Landon could give in return to a paycheck for a job well done. He left all the glory of the success for Alphas to take. Ranked wolves thrived on such wins. Landon still couldn’t believe how quick the word of mouth spread and soon he was buried under an avalanche of email proposals. He certainly didn’t care if he sold his loyalty to the highest bidder. He was a sensible wolf, highly trained Beta for hire, who chose his own jobs. He was a Fixer, and he loved it.

That didn’t mean he felt any less tired from the constant travelling. Nomad life was glamorous only for so long before the months erased its appeal. While carving a name out for himself was gratifying, it still couldn’t mean his work was his life. He needed his person. Although there was no lack of females to keep his bed warm, he wanted more. But how could he begin to trust a stranger, when his own destined person betrayed him.

He was pondering on the matter for close to two years without success. Landon sighed, running his hands through his hair, while his eyes glazed over the computer screen. Choosing the next job was becoming a nuisance. He worked based on referrals and only through written proposals he reviewed and selected those worthy he wanted his name associated with. He was not ready to delegate this task to anyone out of fear of fighting the wrong causes, just as it was the case with Pack Order.

So when his phone rang, he knew exactly who would disturb his solitude.

“What?” Landon asked. There were only few people who had his number, the rest had his email.

“Hello, honey. So good to hear your voice. Still snappy?”

Landon’s instincts were never wrong.

“Knock it off, Jacob. What do you want?”

Landon was still impressed at the Alpha’s persistence. Alpha Jacob Tassone had made it abundantly clear he wanted Landon as his Beta. The first and second time Jacob had offered the position, Landon had been flattered and humbled by the Alpha’s request. The third time the job was mentioned, Landon had denied it rather rudely. Even that did not deter the Alpha to insist on his idea they shared the same life-experience and needed each other, then going as far as even blackmailing Landon. Landon loved the attention, but did not know what he wanted to do next week, much less for the rest of his life.

These wellness phone calls were Jacob’s latest method of tiring down Landon. Landon kept answering them for some unexplained reason.

“I assume you saw Devon’s request,” Jacob cut right to the chase.

Of course, Landon had seen the Devil’s Creek email. As repulsive as he found Gagon’s practices, Landon wasn’t sure if he could go back that close to home without reopening old wounds. The far North-east held not only his birthplace, but his family and his past.

“I’m not going back even for a good cause,” Landon decided. There was no amount of money Devon could offer him to risk dealing with that particular mess.

“You can’t let your past have so much control over your future,” Jacob immediately guessed his reason, and Landon got pissed off at his own predictability.

“Easy for you to say, Alpha,” Landon snapped.

“I am here for you should you need anything,” Jacob offered, then sensing Landon’s irritability changed the topic, “Are you coming to the meeting tonight?”

“No. Some of us need to work for their money,” Landon replied, clicking on another email.

“You know, my offer still stands.”

The same tune all over again, Landon thought.

“You don’t hear no too often, do you?”

“No,” Jacob replied and Landon could picture him smiling his ass off. The Howler’s Alpha was a stubborn prick when he wanted something. Goddess gracious, they were wolves, not mules. “Seriously, I need a Beta. It comes with full benefits, warm meal and roof over your head, in addition to a charming Alpha for a bestie.”

“Pass.”

“Sure, you’re too busy running away from your past to settle down, and Goddess forbid, allow yourself to be happy,” Jacob taunted him with sarcasm.

“Remind me, why are you such a colossal pain in my ass?”

“I don’t scare easily, and I can smell shit from miles away,” Jacob laughed, making Landon chuckle at his little speech. “But seriously, the job is yours whenever you wise up for it. Also, the gang meets tonight. You should come. You never know what you might get out of the meeting.”

“Contrary to your beliefs just because we both lost our mates, doesn’t make us best buds.”

“It’s a common ground for conversation. Besides I’m bringing the whiskey, and Caleb is getting the Bane.”

“You should find a more productive way to spend your evenings,” Landon told him.

“I need me some excitement. Unfortunately, you’ve already established yourself as go-to-Fixer. I doubt anyone will hire me, much less allow me to roam their pack grounds. So I am stuck on my land.”

“You’re the Good Samaritan, I am the Fixer. But I get it, it sucks being you.”

“Said the adrenaline junkie,” Alpha Jacob then offered, “At least consider setting up your HQ on my land.”

“What’s in it for you?”

“Your delightful company, of course,” Jacob snapped.

“Sure, honey,” Landon teased him back.

“Now, that’s the spirit. Dinner, 7.30pm, my place. Don’t forget to drive safely, Donor Cycle,” Jacob quickly teased him. Jacob was not the only one who viewed Landon’s Harley as danger.

“You’re just jealous, Car Wheels,” Landon jested back.

“It’s winter. Black ice an all,” Jacob explained.

“Yes, mother.”

Even if Landon did not want to admit it, Jacob had successfully become his best friend Landon rolled his eyes, cutting the line off, and getting up to take a shower.

Jacob always had good food at his meetings, and Landon felt particularly hungry.

Landon

Landon’s eyes scanned the room, noticing the small details that betrayed the stories of their occupants even before they took the opportunity to talk in front of their group. Landon knew what Jacob was trying to do with his anonymous reject group. Just like an AA meeting, absolute confidentiality and respect was given to each member, as well as a safe place to share their feelings. Nobody could talk about the pain of the rejection, if they had not personally experienced it. It was a unique betrayal one could only fully understand through experience

But he was not here to listen to any sad stories. Landon had secretly hoped to avoid the talk part of the meeting, arriving late, hoping the food was already served. Unfortunately, Jacob was a sneaky bastard who lulled him in with a warm meal, only to make him sit through their meeting. Landon was pissed, but the mouth-watering scent coming from the kitchens promised it would be worth it.

“Sorry for arriving so late,” Landon lied through his teeth.

“I hear you, brother,” Ethan Aberdeen replied.

It was a sad to see a wolf bound to a wheel chair, no matter the station, but it was worse for an Alpha. Humility was something one learned the hard way, and Ethan Aberdeen was no exception. Landon still remembered Ethan’s media profile of over-privileged wolf who took money and women for granted. Of course, that was before his accident. Modesty came at a high cost for him.

“You’re just in time to hear my sorry ass,” Ethan continued as he closed the circle.

“Ethan, you…”

“It’s okay, Jacob,” Ethan dismissed Jacob’s concern. “Besides, not that we’re measuring dicks here, but I win. I got screwed twice by a piece of metal and by my fated. So where’s the booze?”

“With the food,” Jacob smiled.

“I’m strictly here for the food and booze,” Ethan complained.

“Take a number,” Jacob shrugged, exchanging grins with Ethan.

“Fine. If I am staying then I guess I should get it out of the way, so nobody pops an aneurism with their concern over ol’ me. I got what I deserved. No, they can’t remove it, and no, I can’t walk, so I shit and pee sitting down. Thanks for listening.” Ethan told them then asked the circle, “So what are your excuses to be snotty asses?”

Jacob rolled his eyes at Ethan’s words, “You know nobody will be able to top your story, so I’ll go next. My mate and son died in childbirth. I lost the two souls that kept me grounded, so I adopted your lot to help pass my days.”

“Jacob, you need your eyes checked. It’s night.” Another male replied.

“And it is winter, but I don’t see you snoozing away,” Jacob snapped.

The male chuckled, “Yeah, by all means, the wolves gang up against the only bear. So much for this being a safe-place.”

“Wayne, no self-pity allowed.” An Enforcer Landon knew as Caleb recited one of the laws of the group.

“Fuck you,” Wayne growled.

“If only you were my type,” Caleb batted his eyelashes at Wayne, who snorted. “Still don’t get the animosity in shifter society with gays. If the Fates paired you with your mate, then it is not your fault you’re in the same gender.”

“Because men are pigs,” Casey huffed. She shifted in her seat and looked at the males around her. “No offense, but you kind of are.”

“Before my accident I know I was an ass,” Ethan sighed.

“Was?” Jacob pressed.

“Still am. So on behalf of mankind, Casey, I am sorry. We think with our dicks for the first thirty years of our lives then we just learn how to hide it.” Ethan told her, then raised his hands to keep the room quiet, “But you have to admit there are power- and money-hungry bitches males should look out for.” Just as Casey nodded her agreement, Ethan continued, “Right, Landon?”

Landon secretly wanted to end the Alpha right there and then.

“So much for being anonymous,” Landon snapped.

“Don’t be a baby. You won’t tell us something we haven’t already been through.” Ethan told him. “We’ve all heard of each other – the Cripple Alpha, the Widower, the Sleepless Bear, the Rainbow Howler, and the Home-wrecker. We are here working on embracing them so they don’t tug the same painful string ever again. Kill them with love. So what do they call you these days?”

“The Servant Beta,” Landon spat.

“Better than Twinsome, Jumelles,” Wayne offered.

“Are you trying to get yourself knocked out?” Landon questioned him.

“Easy there, Fixer,” Wayne raised his hands, “Besides you won’t be able to handle my bear.”

“We all know we can’t shift at will because of our better halves,” Landon’s snapped. He looked at Jacob apologetically. “I’m sorry. This was a bad idea.”

“If you leave and hide away, they win,” Casey said. “Rub it in that bitch’s nose that you are alive, well, single and happy. She’s stuck with a mate who is yet to find his fated. That’s no way to live. It’s a torture.” Casey said and then at his unspoken question she answered, “I had the guts to face my mate, tell him he is mine, only for him to rejected me because of his new family. They were never the same. That’s how I am the Home-wrecker. If I could do it again, I would. That piece of shit did not deserve to lead another on.”

“Come spring, I am going to find a chosen,” Wayne announced out of nowhere, and Landon was thankful to the big man for changing the topic and attention to him. “The only thing I know is she has to be human because I ain’t doing this to someone else. So school me how to woo my future woman?”

“Shave,” Casey snickered, before everyone laughed.

“But come winter, she’ll need her warm blanket,” Wayne opposed the idea, wiggling his eyebrows at the only female in their presence.

“Do what you want, but don’t complain I didn’t try to help,” Casey huffed. “Nobody wants to clean after fur balls.”

“Personal experience?” Wayne teased her only for Casey to laugh loudly realizing what she had just said.

“If she is into you, she’d have you shaven and waxed by summer. I can put money on that,” Casey responded.

“Fine, where do you usually go, Caleb?” Wayne asked.

“Why do you keep fuckin’ with me, Wayne? Casey owns Diva. She is the best person to ask. And if you think that’s too girly, ask Landon, not me.” Caleb huffed.

“It’s not rocket science, just razors,” Landon rolled his eyes at their pettiness. “You might have to cut down your hair. Sheila can help,” Landon took one of his cards and wrote on the back a phone number, giving it to Wayne.”

“Appreciated,” Wayne grumbled.

“Boy, you came prepared,” Caleb snapped at Landon.

“He asked you first, so it’s your fault you’re jealous he’s taking my advice,” Landon snapped.

“Food is now served,” Jacob said looking at his cell and lead them towards the adjacent room, where a fest awaited.

“When Jacob said you’re coming, I thought you’d be a snob,” Casey told Landon who shrugged.

“I have my days,” Landon replied.

“No seriously, what you did for Wayne is sweet,” Casey replied, fixing the lapel of his jacket, “How can I get me one of those cards?”

“I’m not looking for a hook-up,” Landon decided to let her down gently.

“We can make it work to more than a hook-up,” Casey smiled.

“I have issues, and you need someone better suited to take care of you,” Landon replied.

“Seriously, the ’it’s me, not you speech”. What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing. I am not looking for a relationship either. I’m sorry,” Landon told her.

“Sure, you keep telling yourself that if it works for ya’. But we all know we don’t come in for just the food and the drinks. No matter how much we grumble about it, we all want to be loved.” Casey told him and passed making her way to Wayne.

Landon watched her for a while, searching for a stirring within him but felt nothing.

“She’s an acquired taste,” Ethan bumped into Landon’s shins.

“So you’ve…” Landon asked.

“I wish,” Ethan shrugged. “Things are not the same down there, if you know what I mean…”

“I’m sorry,” Landon replied.

He truly was.

“No sense of crying over spilled milk,” Ethan shrugged it off. “Sorry for putting you on the spot. Jacob made me.”

“And you enjoyed it,” Landon pointed out.

“Always so perspicacious,” Ethan shook his head, “So when are you becoming Jacob’s Beta?”

“When his pack is renamed “All Reject”,” Landon told him.

“He’s right about one thing. You still have time to move on,” Ethan replied.

“You should follow your own advice,” Landon snapped.

“It’s too late for this old dog,” Ethan replied and then asked, “Hate to ask it, but would you mind putting up a plate for me?”

“So you can be polite when you want to,” Landon replied, fetching him a plate. “Just say what you want.”

“That shrimp, lasagna, chicken Alfredo, and get me one of all of the deserts,” Ethan asked then added, “It’s an act. If I am myself, people give me that eye…. They pity me. If I insult them, I am the sour jerk, not a cripple. Kind of like what you do, Fixer. I gotta give it to you, you’ve got imagination.”

“Why?”

“It’s creative how you use your influence as Fixer to do what Pack Order were never able to do as they are too busy wiping and covering their asses,” Ethan told him and at Landon’s surprised face, he continued. “I am stuck in a chair, not blind.”

“You really have no filter,” Landon replied.

“What’s the worst thing that could happen? If they silence me, they’ll be doing me a favor. It will be an improvement from my current situation.”

“Don’t let Jacob hear you,” Landon knew Jacob’s argument for the speech he had given Landon when he won contracts bidding against no other than Pack Order.

“We need to talk about your latest gig, but not here,” Ethan replied taking the plate from his hands, before Landon could respond. Landon was curious as to what did the retreating Alpha mean.

What did he know about Creed?