Taken (Sinful Series - book 1)

Xander

Xander rushed to find Violet the moment Karim announced publicly his mating to Alyssa. He didn’t care to listen to the news the newly mated couple wanted to share about their future pup. Violet needed him, and his heart ached for her. It wasn’t just because she had marked him. She was all he ever wished in a mate – a fierce and loyal partner. It was unbelievable how Karim failed to see Violet’s crusade on this Earth was in his name. Violet’s love was now only going to bring her devastation.

Xander’s departure was rather abrupt, and noticed by many, who shook their heads, exchanging knowing glances, and whispering lowly. He was never one to care of what others thought, but the constant hushed conversations were irritating his already angered wolf. At first, Xander’s beast had been against the claim of the feisty brunette. He now felt protective of Violet, accepting her as personification of true devotion. It was truly inspiring to be in her presence, and humbling to realize she didn’t see herself as anything special. If anything, she was overly self-conscious and critical of herself. Yet another parting gift left from her time in Shadow waters, Gagon’s pack.

No matter how Violet came into Devil Creek, Xander expected more of his pack mates, and definitely more of her fated. She did not deserve this. She had done everything in her power to meet her mate. She had walked a path few could. If Karim hadn’t figured how devoted she was, then Goddess needed to help him, as he would forever regret his choice. Xander was certain of it.

“Violet?” Xander ran into the room, only to find her in the darkest corner, starring at the empty glass in front of her. “Oh, Violet.”

Xander made his way and took her into his arms. Werewolves were social animals who craved pack life, and unlike humans used the full capacity of their senses. Physical contact was essential form of communication. Whether it was in Skin or in Wolf, it often conveyed more than words could ever express. It was considered a sign of trust to allow someone in your personal space that they could easily have your throat. Touch was also found soothing for any alignment. The science behind it was for someone else to explain, all Xander knew was that contact healed, bonded and allowed other senses to engage in this non-verbal expression.

The dark circles under her puffy eyes told him she had known for a while. It should not have come as a surprise since Karim had never been good at blocking the mindlink. Xander found it disturbing and embarrassing, she had probably even felt their mating through the open channel.

Shit.

Xander sighed, rubbing her cold hands, giving her some of his warmth. She needed to feel and not to think. Although it sounded vague in his mind, Xander instinctively knew, it was the right thing to do. If she was to lock her mind away, then nothing could reach her, except for the darkness. Going feral was not an option for her beautiful soul.

His wolf howled a sorrowful yelp to hers, only to be greeted by silence. Her beast was slowly reverting back to its primal shell, licking its wounds and retreating deeper into her recesses of her mind, never to be seen or heard again, dooming Violet to a human-existence. That was if she was lucky to be strong enough to embrace it.

“He announced it,” Violet’s rasped voice was devoid of any mischief, sass or liveliness. It was broken, just means to convey her message. Xander knew once speech was severely impaired, it was game over for the shifter inside. Holding onto to her human ideas was the key to resisting the darkness.

His eyes scanned her neck, while his fingers gently shifted the neck opening of her shirt to expose her skin. Xander hoped he would not discover a full mating mark on her. But the raised, black and crusted scab on her neck left no doubt of its true nature. It was worse than Xander expected. He had naively hoped Karim’s rejection happened before there was any claim on Violet. At least then, the renouncement and sense of betrayal would not have been so painful.

“Fuck,” Xander growled, taking in her scent.

Karim’s scent was overpowering, intertwined with hers. It showed his claim over her body, and deterred any males from what was rightfully his. While Xander did not want anything else than to beat the living shit out of Karim for his poor choices, it wouldn’t have brought much good. Violet was now his priority. The rejection was a decision which was made only once. It severed connections that could never be put back together. It just did not seem fair Violet was the one paying the ultimate price for a decision both Xander and Violet made.

“I’m so sorry,” Xander held her tightly against his body.

“It’s not your fault,” Violet’s voice was steadier now. Xander tried to smile, but it came out as a grimace. Violet patted his shoulder, “We made the decision together. Besides, my mark is the only thing right now that helps fill the void.”

Her nose and face were buried in his neck, breathing in his scent. It gave her enough comfort to continue, “I wanted to wait for it to fade on its own, so when we mated, I didn’t mark him back.”

There was no point on reminiscing on could be-s or the past. Just as Violet needed a fresh set of clothes, and miles between her and Karim, she also needed Xander. Xander carefully stood up with her small frame in his arms, carrying her to his room.

The claim on his neck would be enough to help her through the initial bite of the rejection. While there were ways to strengthen the bond without completing it, there was still a chance she would pull through this ordeal.

“Take a shower and change,” Xander told her, letting her sit on his bed, while he swiftly took clothes and a towel from his dresser.

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not fine.” Xander countered, “Shower if you want, but put on my clothes. You’ll feel much better when you can’t smell him. Besides it will strengthen our bond.”

“I can’t do that to you. Your mate….” Violet started only for Xander to shake his head.

“I haven’t met her yet.”

“Because I am deterring you,” Violet started.

“Listen, if my mate is truly my One, she would feel damn proud of me for stepping up,” Xander told her.

“In an ideal world,” Violet reminded him.

“We can debate all we want. But the decision is ultimately mine. I owe you my life, and the least I can do is give you a couple of days of solace before the mark fully dissolves. Nothing will shield you from experiencing the full force of the rejection. Allow me to buy you some time, and make it easier for you to come through this,” Xander replied then mentally added “alive.”

“You don’t owe me. You kept your part of the arrangement…”

“Don’t be a martyr. You need me. I’m unmated. There’s nothing inappropriate going on. I won’t have you hurting yourself in the name of a mate, I haven’t met. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and it hurts me seeing you so torn. Allow me to help you. So either you change in my clothes or I’ll do it myself.” Xander shrugged. “It’s not like I haven’t already seen you naked.”

“Way to sweep me off my feet,” Violet shook her head, took the clothes from his hands, and headed into the adjacent bathroom.

Violet

She had to admit she did feel more settled once she showered for the second time in the same morning, and donned Xander’s clothes. She briefly wondered what to do with her clothes. They reminded her of Karim and the pain he had brought her. The movies and books did not really explain simple facts like clothes or possessions of exes. Her first impulse was to burn them, then feed Karim the ashes. Upon further consideration, Violet decided to be less dramatic, and discarded them in Xander’s laundry hamper.

Violet emerged from the bathroom only to be greeted by Xander welcoming arms. She hugged him back just before the door swung open. Violet’s heart sped up with new hope that maybe Karim had come for her. Her hope was sadly unfounded as Alpha Devon cockily waltzed in the room as if he owned the place. Which of course he did. Violet decided she was just extra prickly today.

“Violet, please accept my apologies,” Alpha Devon reached out to touch her, only for Violet to shrug him off.

She did not need any apologies from the Alpha, nor did she want his compassion. Her only wish was a mate, and that was impossible now.

“You are one of us,” Devon tried to engage her in conversation.

“But I never was,” Violet argued.

“You are, and I take care of my pack.” Alpha Devon replied.

Violet shook her head as she didn’t see it that way. She was never welcomed in the pack, what’s left to actually become part of it. She never swore allegiance to Devon, and her connection to Karim was now severed. Her only connection point to this pack was Xander. There was no lost love with the rest of the pack as they never made her feel welcomed.

She certainly, most definitely was not part of his pack. The idea alone nauseated her. There was no possible place for her this close to Karim. Watching him day in and day out living his life with another was a life-long sentence of the cruelest kind.

As Violet back rested against Xander’s massive chest, she felt his steady heartbeat. The rhythmic vibrations prompted her heart to move at the same pace, lulling it to never give up. The more she thought about the strength he was giving her, the more her eyes watered. It was not fair for him to be so involved while her mate had been so heartless. Xander gently brushed her tears off without saying a word.

How embarrassing, Violet thought.

Violet did not want to feel so helpless and emotional in front of both Xander and the Alpha, but she couldn’t help it. The tears kept pouring down no matter how hard she fought to stop them. Her body just had a mind of its own.

“I’m sorry... it’s just…. Xander, you are so kind to me… I’ve never…” Violet started and couldn’t finish between the tears and sobs. Xander’s embrace felt warm and secure. Violet wondered if she could just freeze the moment, and live in it forever.

“We’ll leave for Alpha Jacob’s pack,” Xander’s strong voice came through her cloudy thoughts. Xander was always the man with a plan. His fingers massaged her shoulders while he kept on telling her the details, “Alpha Jacob granted us a stay on his land. It’s beautiful down southwest, you’d love it. Besides Alpha Jacob is uniquely qualified to help us get you back on your feet.”

“How?” Violet mumbled unconvinced into his chest.

“His mate passed away during childbirth. Although his experience is obviously different, he can give you a prospective I would never be able to. We need to make a good distance from here, and have a strategy for after the bond dissipates.”

It sounded he was passing the problem – her – to someone else to handle. But at this point anywhere was better than staying in Devil Creek, and watching Karim’s happiness with another. That was a slow, gut wrenching, torturous death, Violet did not wish on anyone.

“Sure,” Violet reluctantly agreed. Xander beamed a genuine smile, which she tried to return, despite wanting to scream, tear and cry out her sorrow.

Alpha Jacob Tassone

There were still few things that set off his temper. How an otherwise sane wolf could reject what was rightfully his, was still the biggest kicker of all. The willful deprivation of his mate was the worst crime the Skin could commit against its Beast. It was a sensitive, political debate that divided packs, the Council and Pack Order as there was still no consensus about it.

No matter how they chose to look at it, the whole argument was insulting to those who had lost their Fated. The pain from losing someone so dear and close to your heart that they were virtually a part of your soul for however long the Fates had given you, was unbearable. Willingly give up on such empowering and spiritual connection you could share with someone was blasphemy.

Rejections were an epidemic, proceeding at a staggering rate, and bringing nothing but complications in so many lives. The consequences of such lighthearted decisions usually spread beyond the original couple. Their Chosen usually ended up rejecting their Fated, and so the tragedy festered. There was no simple way or test of predicting of when a fated with appear. The only sure thing was they would eventually cross your path. It was Murphy’s Law one-o-one, screw with fate, and karma would have your ass.

While at least with werewolves, you knew there was always a Fated lurking around, humans were harder to deal with. The cultural shock alone from discovering the human race was a minority compared to all supernaturals was hard to comprehend. Even if that went well, there were numerous instances when rejected or widowed wolves had chosen a human, only to later discover they were meant all long as Fated to another. There was simply no way to predict mating pairs. And so the consequences of one’s rash choices, evolved to be more intricate than anyone would have guessed.

Jacob sighed looking at the woods surrounding their estate. He could never bring himself to forget it was Gia who chose the location. His sweet Gia, who was taken too soon from his arms.

How on Earth could a Beta reject his Fated? There was no excuse. Jacob had to now deal with the consequences of one fool’s choices. Gamma Xander was too close to Violet to see how now it was up to them to limit the damage of her rejection. While Jacob understood the necessity of her claim on the Gamma to aid her escape, he did not condone any strengthening of their bond. The only real way for both to move on was to sever all ties. At least temporarily. And while some thought it was harsh, he knew it was needed. It was simple, yet they obviously chose to ignore it. Xander needed to be free to find his Fated. Jacob’s heart went to Violet for all the pain she had suffered, but there were no shortcuts where rejection, much like grief, was concerned. She had to do the work and let time heal the wounds. If she was holding onto Xander like a clutch, she was helping neither.

It was cases like this that made him hold biweekly meetings for victims of rejection. The stories were different, but the pain was all the same. The insecurity it brought did not spare anyone, female or male. The hope was that eventually they would move on, and find a chosen from within the Reject group. How truthful such statement could be, remained to be seen. His group was in its infancy. Everybody was still too raw to even consider loving again.

But how did you break such news to the newcomers?