Taken (Sinful Series - book 1)
Chapter 19 - Creed

Landon

He still couldn’t believe it he missed conversation so much that he poured his heart out to a stranger. A beautiful stranger, but stranger none the less. Still he was neither oblivious nor immune to her curves, wrapped up in her black dress, fitting her as a second skin. Those voluptuous lips spoke about deeper things than any other female had in his presence. She was different. A she-wolf of substance. That was the only reason why he decided to get involved.

Her thundering heartbeat skipped every so often causing her skin to flush, giving her this wild, untamed look. Her sweaty palms in combination with the slight disorientation as she slammed the banknote on the counter a little too hard, while her eyes showed pure panic, made him want to help her. She was experiencing the effects of the very same drug he had sworn to eradicate. The drug had taken so many lives. The latest modality of Creed on the market had a depo effect, mimicking the alcohol-like euphoria, misleading its victims it was due to regular wolf’s bane. Unlike Bane, used in minimal dose to get a buzz from alcohol, Creed interrupted the temperature control, causing its victims to experience heat strokes or succumb to the frost.

Who dosed her, and why ceased to matter. She had managed to strike a chord in his heart, he thought was extinct. On some weird level, they already had a connection deep enough for him to speak his mind and be himself around her. The accusatory look she gave him cut him little too deep for his comfort. She she blamed him for what was happening. She thought he was involved. Sure, he looked the part with his worn black jeans, black tee and leather jacket, but somehow he had hoped she would know better. She would see him. The real him, not his mask.

Suddenly, his undercover work meant nothing if he couldn’t keep her safe. He vowed she would go home unharmed. Contrary to any logic, her opinion of him mattered. Greatly. Landon didn’t have long to dwell on the matter before his loins took a direct hit. The pain erupted shooting like an electric bolt from the abused parts to his brain. He gritted his teeth but said nothing. He deserved it. He should have prevented Creed going into her drink at first place, had his attention not been solely focused on the cleft of her dress.

Damn, she was strong willed, unpredictable, and damn near perfect. The urge to possess her came affront, and Landon gladly indulged in it by stealing a kiss from her soft lips. He told himself it was purely scientific. He needed to taste the fruity drink from her lips, duel with her tongue and sweep her mouth in a what-definitely-was-not a sensual way, in search for Creed’s unique aftertaste. Sure, enough, behind all the sugars, and the rich taste of her essence, he recognized the spicy heat of Creed. It was already in her system and travelling towards her brain. He needed to act quickly before this beautiful creature was just another nameless fatality.

Whether it was the Creed from her drink or the moment they shared, her lips molded to his, her tongue battled his for dominance. If she could kiss like that, Landon could only imagine what it would be like to have her willing body under his.

One thing was certain, she had a spirit, and he enjoyed it. He could see why someone would resolve to Creed in order to have her passion, even if only for one night.

“What the hell?” Violet steamed with new determination as the cold night air cleared her mind.

“I’m doing you a favor,” Landon explained, fetching her keys from her bag before walking her towards her illuminated car.

“Out of the kindness of your heart,” she spat, pulling away from his reach. Landon wrapped his hand around her waist, digging in her flesh as he tried to support her weight. Even if she didn’t see it now that her anger was focused on him of all people, she would not be able to walk on her own. Landon contemplated just scooping her up in his arms and carrying her, but he doubted she would allow it. She had to be the most independent and strong willed she-wolf in town. But he wouldn’t expect anything less from the fierce brunette.

“You’re unmated, alone and spending big cash. What do you think would have happened, had I not pretended we’re together?” He asked her, engaging her mind to process what happened.

“Get your paws off me before you lose them,” she growled.

“Someone slipped you Creed, not Bane. Have you heard of it?” He explained. Although he could understand her apprehensiveness about leaving with him, it was by far her best and only chance at survival.

“Is that what you used?” She tried wiggling out of his arms.

“They used,” Landon corrected her, draping his jacket over her shoulders, and picking up the pace. “Creed messes up with your body temperature. Your brain overheats, and can’t think straight, while your body can’t stop loosing heat. It’s often fatal.”

Landon hoped the cold air cleared her mind enough to make her see reason. She stopped struggling to get away from him, but it was too late as they had already attracted the wrong kind of attention. He could read determination on the faces of the approaching group of weres. Landon could bet they weren’t going to be friendly with him. Their step was purposeful, and it was obvious their paths would cross before reaching her car. Her attention also focused on the group, and for once she saw the situation as it was – dire.

Violet

“Good evening, Ma’am. Is there a problem?”

The group of weres approached them with pep in their step. Violet quickly chose to temporarily trust the know-it-all over the new comers with rather suspiciously convenient timing. If anything their approach was far too big of a coincidence and it played in Landon’s favor. While she did not recognize their scent as any of the packs she had dealings with, she was certain they lacked the stench associated with rogues.

“No. Just leaving,” Violet shivered, moving closer to Landon’s side and for once it wasn’t just because of his impressively physique. His body radiated warmth, she desperately needed.

There were five of them and just one Landon. For now, their numbers seemed more troublesome than Landon’s groping hands. He was the lesser evil in the situation. Moreover, if what he said was true, he was her sexy chance of survival. Violet almost laughed at where her mind jumped.

“It’s not like you don’t like it,” the voice from deep within her mind supplied.

Leave it to her beast to poke her nose now of all times. If Violet was honest, if it hadn’t been for the Creed in her body, she would have enjoyed his attention, and even tested one of Casey’s dummy-proved ways to unwind.

She felt Landon rolling back his shoulders, starring down the group, while soothingly moving his hand in a circle over her back. If he hadn’t been that weird and purvey, she would have been all over him. Still debating on whether his gesture was sweet or necessarily, Violet allowed him to escort her to the car, keeping their step light. Violet closed her eyes, focusing on his smell. It should be criminal to have a scent that good, Violet decided. When she opened her eyes, she was already sitting down in the passenger’s seat, while Landon’s neck was right in front of her, his heartbeat deliciously pumping in front of her eyes as Landon was pulling the seat belt over her and locking it in place before closing the door. She briefly wondered why there wasn’t an air refresher with his scent. She would buy it. It would be a best seller.

The men approached Landon again just as he rounded up to the driver’s side. Violet edged on her seat, debating if she would be more of hindrance than help to him. She could hear the conversation but her brain chose to sporadically process were some words, making her miss the heated discussion. A part of her wanted to reach out and help him, but her eyes were heavy and closing, telling her they would be okay.

Her eyelids closed and Violet gave up trying to lift them. She decided to follow her heart and rest.

Violet

Violet woke up startled. Her fingers wrapped around the bedspread, leaving her even more confused than before. She quickly looked around then under her covers. Her heart stopped when she saw she was wearing pants on top of her dress.

Confused.

Utterly, deeply, profoundly confused. That was the only way to describe the way her stomach turned, and panic settled, when she could not piece together the events from last night. She vaguely remembered going out for a drink but then her memory failed her. Recalling any details or chronology of events from last night was illusive at best.

Her mouth was as dry as a desert, when she walked into the kitchen to fetch herself some water. The moment she walked in, a familiar voice snapped her out of her daze, “Good, you’re awake.”

She blinked starring at the man in front of her, remembering his expressive blue eyes. Suddenly images of him sitting two seats down from her came to mind. More details flooded her mind. She remembered golden letters on a black card, and a kiss they shared. She reached to touch her lips, but then caught herself, and awkwardly moved her hand over her hair.

He was as handsome and irritatingly smug as he was last night. The only difference was the five o’clock shadow he now had, which Violet had to admit made him look even more delicious than she remembered. Violet tried to clear the provocative images her brain so willingly provided, and focused on facts. She had taken him home.

“You,” Violet spoke to herself.

“Oh, Goddess! What was I thinking?” Violet silently questioned herself.

He couldn’t be here.

Yet, he was.

“Yes, me. Landon. I am real.” He chuckled at himself finding his own reply amusing.

It would have been, if only Violet wasn’t freaking out. This couldn’t be happening. Violet never invited someone over. Even when she sought out male company, she made it a priority to meet elsewhere. Her home was her sanctuary. Nobody was to know about it. She would have never brought him home, if she so much possessed a grain of rational thought. That was a certainty just as the moon and the stars, which only meant one thing. She was too incapacitated to know any better. The instant she came to the conclusion, it was as if a dam opened and she could finally replay her memories of last night. And they were not one bit comforting.

Landon smiled at her confused face then offered, “Pizza?”

Violet blinked at his random offer. Who would even think about food in situations like this? She had bigger problems than the kitchen littered with take outs, or with his very manly presence. The Howler’s reputation and all of her connections hadn’t been able to deter him from talking to her. Or were they the reason he was here, a small voice in her head supplied.

“Someone had to watch over you,” Landon shrugged in defense, oblivious of her thoughts. “By the way, your fridge is empty.”

“Probably because you ate it,” the thought shot through her mind. Violet bit her tongue. There was no point in alienating him, especially when he had the answers she needed.

“How long was I out?”

“All night,” Landon replied, watching her as she pulled a chair and sat down, propping her elbows on the table. He softly continued, “It’s normal to feel exhausted. Here, drink this. It will make you feel better.”

“What happened?” Violet asked taking the water bottle from his arms.

“Someone slipped Creed in your drink,” Landon informed her.

“That much I remember,” Violet mumbled, then replied, “I mean afterwards. Last thing I remember you helping me in my car.”

“Oh, you passed out,” Landon shrugged as if it was the most self-explanatory answer.

“No shit, Sherlock,” Violet snapped in her mind. He was impossible to talk to, “How did you end up here?”

“The address was on your car registration. I figured chances were it was your residence. I could have driven to my place, but I doubt you would have appreciated waking up in an unfamiliar place on top of the confusion after consuming Creed,” Landon explained to her simply.

“How considerate,” she snorted.

“I know, right? That kind of surprised me, too. Because you know, I don’t sleep over.” Landon gave her a megawatt smile. He was proud of himself, and all Violet wanted was to do was punch the smug grin off his handsome face.

“Did we…” Violet started asking. She was pretty certain THAT just didn’t happen, but it never hurt to make absolute certain.

The poor mutt residing deep in her mind believed in love once, while Violet had long ago accepted physical pleasure was as close as she would get to love.

“Believe me you’d remember if we had sex,” Landon read her mind then explained, “I watched over you while you slept off the Creed in your system.”

“Thank you,” Violet mumbled, rubbing her face. She couldn’t detect any signs of deception from him, but she was also so knocked off her game so much so she needed to proceed with caution.

“Now that you are up and about, water is your friend, drink it and then take a shower. You’ll feel better. Then don’t overexert yourself,” Landon advised her then put on his jacket, walking towards his door.

“Where are you going?”

“Home,” Landon answered simply. “I don’t sleep over, remember?” When she didn’t respond he explained quickly, “I haven’t slept all night. Besides, I have to deal with my own shit, too. So yes, I have to go home.”

“Okay,” Violet did not know how to react to such confession.

“When you feel more like yourself, call me. We’ll talk.” Landon instructed her, leaving a black card with the golden letters she remembered from the night before. He awkwardly patted her on her head before walking out of the front door.

Violet was speechless. His reasoning might have made perfect sense in his head, but she struggled with it. Simply put – he was just so random. Bizarre. Deciding to worry about his motivation later, Violet decided, the shower was calling to her.

Violet welcomed the shower’s much needed cleansing power, as she savored the warm water cascading down her body, deliciously massaging her muscles. Landon was right, she already felt better. As the little droplets kept bouncing off her heated skin, she savored the delightful sensation. Her imagination only enhanced the experience as it supplied two calloused hands, wrapping around her sides, and pulling her into a hard chest. Violet smiled at where her mind led her. She looked over her shoulder to see two blue eyes, watching her with so much intent. Violet found it beyond intriguing how despite all of his annoyance, Landon still plagued her imagination.

Violet couldn’t lie to herself. He was attractive, and what bothered her the most was the unconventional way he behaved. His temper was surely short-fused, and his peachy personality only raveled Ethan’s. Violet laughed at the comparison and vowed to call the snarky Alpha to ask if they were besties.

Violet let the water run down on her face, holding her breath as the water turned cold.

It was time to start her day.

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