The Forgotten Daughter

-8- Summer time

After Landon had opened up to me about his mum and Josiah, I felt less hostility towards him.

Other than being ridiculously cocky and annoying over the years he'd never really done anything wrong to me, in fact the more I thought about it the more I realised it was actually me that had been a total b***h to him.

My father had found out that the wolves who attacked within the Alpha house weren't in fact rogue wolves, they belonged to White Meadow pack. We were familiar with them but due to the distance between us we held no real alliance.

However this particular pack had recently been taken over by Alpha Carn of the Emerald Falls pack that resides just beyond the White Meadow pack lands. Apparently he and my father had crossed paths in the past but of course my father didn't say why.

With the recent attack at the Alpha house, my father had decided against sending me away this summer for additional training, not that I needed it anyway but it was always good to brush up on the different techniques.

Instead of attending training with a neighbouring packs, I crammed in additional hours at warrior training each morning and twice a week I'd have private training sessions with my father and his elites.

The elites were the top of the top when it came to warriors. They were like robots designed and programmed only to fight, they were trained in as many different techniques as I was and with their years of experience they'd perfected them all.

The summer flew by and as this was my first summer at home since I was 10, the boys decided to make it a summer to remember. They'd planned something for every day! Swimming, hiking, beach days, rock climbing and much, much more. I was so overwhelmed that when they'd told me of their plans I actually cried, it was amazing!

I'd even had the chance to go to some of the parties and barbecues on the lake and celebrate so many of my friends turning 18.

Of course Landon and one of the boys were always right by my side, so the chance of finding any summer love went completely out of the window, not that I was looking for any. Unless you count Landon's countless attempts at taking me for drinks, dinner, a movie literally anything he could think of to get me alone.

Although things were better between us since the hot chocolate chat, I avoided ever being alone with him. Sure I trusted him a little more now but I also knew that as my guard there should be nothing more between us. Not that I wanted there to be anything, I still wasn't completely won over by him or his cocky charm.

Besides I only have just over two weeks until my birthday although I knew I wouldn't be finding my mate. Alma continuously whining in my head that 'it's not fair', as if I can help the fact Auntie Cece had told everyone I was three weeks older than I am.

It was fast approaching the first week of October and talk of a Halloween event at the Alpha house had been flying around like crazy.

I love Halloween!

Even as werewolves we still dressed up, went trick or treating, had parties with apple bobbing, horror shaped foods. It was amazing! Everyone under the age of 18 would have to dress up in their human form as they'd yet to shift but there would be hundreds of adults in fancy dress in their wolf forms.

If only the humans really knew what lies within the forests.

"So what are you thinking for this year? I'm thinking sexy zombie fire woman or maybe spider man!" My best friend Ember was ratting off flicking through fancy dress options on her tablet while lying across my bed like she owned the place.

"I'm not going as a sexy anything" I laugh, throwing the cushion at her head from that she'd managed to kick off of my bed with her fidgeting. "But I may just take you up on that spider man"

"What ever you dress in you'll look sexy as hell!" Landon sends me a cocky smile and a wink as he glides by my open door. He really did have an eavesdropping problem.

Getting up from where I sat on the floor I slam the door closed before turning to face Ember, who was now laying on her stomach with her elbows resting on the end of my bed and her chin on her hands staring at me like a weirdo.

Her short fiery red hair falling slightly over her doll like blue eyes. She was anything but a plain Jane! Her hair was styled in pixie type bob that was slightly longer on top with messily with loose curls, she stood an inch taller than me and had an amazing fruit loop crazy, I don't give a s**t attitude.

"Oooo!" She coos "Come on RaRa, when are you gonna give the boy a break?" she lets out a sigh using her own little nickname for me, she'd used it since we were in nursery when she couldn't pronounce my name properly and it just kinda stuck.

"Really Em?! I'm literally weeks away from potentially finding my mate and you're still pushing Landon on me?" I roll my eyes at her picking up yet another cushion from the floor and throwing it at her.

She used to hate Landon along with me and would happily join in calling him the odd name here and there, but ever since she'd found her mate Blaze a few weeks back she did nothing but big Landon up to me, trying to convince me daily to go on a date with him.

Blaze was one of the packs warriors, he was average height and build for a warrior with tattoos covering him from his right hand up his arm, around his shoulder, into his chest and up his neck. He had medium length black hair pulled into a neat man bun on top of his head and piercing amber eyes.

I couldn't help but think it amusing and a little ironic that Embers mate happened to be called Blaze, I guess it really was fate.

"Agh!" She half growls at me, rolling over on my bed once more "RaRa please, even if you take him for dinner".

I just glare at her in shock. Me take him for dinner? Is she actually crazy?

"Just hear me out.. take him for something simple, I dunno chips and doughnuts on the beach or a picnic at a less public clearing, that way less pack member will see you together and it can just be like a friendly thank you" she finishes with a smile

"Goddess NO!! For starters, both of those 'friendly thank you' options can easily turn pretty romantic and that is definitely not what I want! And to top it off I don't wanna go out with Landon!" I wave my arms in exasperation before flopping down on my back onto my bed, half on top of her.

She lets out a squeal before pushing me off. "So, we need an outfit for your birthday and a costume for Halloween.. Shopping?" She asks tilting her head toward me

"I could definitely do with a shopping trip" I eagerly smile back at her "but I'm not sure Landon is going to like being dragged around for hours while we try on clothes" I add with a light chuckle

"Oh please! You tell that boy to jump, I guarantee he'll ask how high.. besides he's under orders from the Alpha to stay with you at all times right?" She quickly stands flattening out her clothes with a devious grin across her face

"Riiiiiiight..." I drag out in the middle, wanting to see where she's going with this.

"So if we just hop in to my car, driver to the shopping centre and link him on the way.. he'll have no choice but to follow and accompany us" she smiles wider, grabbing her jacket from my desk chair and opening my door.

"I guess he'd come in handy carrying the bags" I smile and follow her out the door.

Landon and the boys were killing zombies again while Auntie Cece was busy in the kitchen baking cookies. We rush down the stairs shouting a quick goodbye to her as we leave and hurry across the garden to Embers car.

'I wish I could see his face when he realises you've left the house without him, he's gonna be so pissed!' Alma laughed in my head

We get into the car both of us laughing as Ember drives us away from the house towards the shopping centre.

'Gone shopping fuckface, won't be long' I linked Landon, quickly cutting it off before he could respond.

The shopping centre wasn't busy and we managed to get two shops in before Landon stormed up behind me grabbing my shoulder and spinning me to face him.

Ember had chosen a beautiful red dress for my birthday and a sexy devils outfit for Halloween, well another red dress that she was going to design to suit her Halloween needs.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" He let out a low growl, trying not to raise his voice to much and grab the attention of any other shoppers.

"I'm.. just gonna leave you two to it" Ember grimaced at the look of anger on Landon's face.

'You can't be serious?! Don't leave me with him while he's like this! What if he kills me?!' I link Ember pleading her to stay

'Sorry RaRa, I'll meet you at the food court in hour' she links back smiling at me before turning and leaving

I slowly turn my attention back to Landon who was now standing staring at me with his arm crossed over his chest.

"How can I keep you safe if you're not even there. I thought we were past you being arsey about this, why run?" He asks letting out a sigh and dripping his arms to his side

"Didn't think you'd fancy me dragging you around a million shops while me and Ember try on dress after dress and I really do need something nice for my birthday and for Halloween. I've not even decided what costume to go with this year.. plus I kinda enjoyed the thrill of knowing you'd have to find out where I'd gone and chase me" I shrug at him with a smile being completely honest

He takes a small step towards me suddenly displaying that signature cocky grin "if you wanted me to chase you Aurora, you only had to ask" he gently tips my chin bringing face towards his slightly "and I would love nothing more than to watch you try on dress after dress" he gently kisses my cheek slightly closer to the side of my mouth than normal, making me blush slightly.

Placing a hand on his chest and taking a step backwards to put some space between us, I roll my eyes but before I can even response he takes my hand in his and pulls me with him out of the shop and into the costume store on the first floor.

"Now let's get the ridiculous outfits and piss taking comments out the way so I can take time enjoying the real dress trying" Landons wiggles his eye brows at me while flicking through a rail of Halloween dresses in an attempt to find me the perfect one.

I didn't really know what I wanted to dress as this year, last year I opted for vampire bumble bee, random and unique. I just smile at him rolling my eyes while wandering around scanning the rails of various costumes.

After about ten minutes of aimlessly hunting Landon appeared before me with a satisfied grin upon his face, looking at me while holding his hands behind his back.

"What?" I ask curiously

"Ok so don't hit me.. but I think I may have found the perfect costumes" he grins wider sounding hopeful and a little nervous

"Costumes?" I raise a brow at him

He shuffles uncomfortably on the spot before pulling out two costumes from behind his back.

The joker and Harley Quinn, couples costumes!

'Couples costumes?! Is he for real right now?' Alma scoffs inside my head, she still wasn't won over by his attempts to charm me.

My face must have been a picture of shock as Landon just laughs at my facial expression. "Yeah I know we're not a couple but seeing as you're stuck with me I thought it might nice to match a little" he says giving me a little eye brow wiggle "just try it on first, see what you think"

Okay I don't hate the idea and I would definitely kick arse as Harley Quinn!

I let out an amused sigh, shaking my head as I take the costume from his hand and make my way into the changing room.

I check myself out in the mirror before stepping out to show Landon, okay I definitely don't hate it.

"Wow" Landon's eyes widen as I stand before him giving him a little twirl, thanking the goddess that the little mini skirt has hot pants stitched within so I don't completely flash him.

"Okay fuckface this isn't your personal perv session" I roll my eyes, slapping his arm.

"Every second I spend with you is my own personal perv session beautiful" he stands gently holding my chin tilting my face towards his "now go get that off so we can find a dress fit for a princess" he smiles placing a quick kiss to my cheek.

I'd given up complaining about him keep kissing me on the cheek, I was just happy he hadn't tried actually kissing me.

We quickly paid and went onto the next shop, a cute little boutique dress store that had recently opened. And there in the middle of the store was the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen. A gorgeous baby blue glittery crisscross halter neck dress with an open back that stopped just above the knee. It was perfect!

Landons eyes follow the direction of my own and his mouth opens to an o shape.

"It's perfect" I say more to myself as I run my hand over the incredibly soft fabric.

"Would you like to try it on? I'm sure it'll look amazing on you with such an incredible figure" a young sales man enthusiastically chimes in.

"Please!" I smile, not taking my eyes from the dress

I felt like I could cry as I looked in the mirror at myself in the dress, it was even more beautiful than I'd imagine. I hurriedly take it off and put my clothes back on, not giving Landon a peak at me in my most perfect birthday dress. I grab some matching baby blue glittery heels and head to the till.

"So you're really going to make me wait two weeks to see you in it?" Landon asks with a raised brow as we leave the shop. I just shake my head at him before heading over to pay.

'How long can it possibly take you? I've been waiting in this food court for nearly two hours!' Ember linked me whining

'Just got to make one quick stop and we'll be with you' I laugh back

'Well you take as long as you like, I'm gonna go for a pampering and meet Blaze, I'll call you tonight' she sings before cutting off the link

"Hungry?" Landon asks taking the shopping bags from me.

"One thing you should know by now, I never turn down food" I smile gently barging him with my shoulder

He stops dead in his tracks staring at me in disbelief "well that's a lie. I've been trying for months to take you out to eat and I'm pretty sure you find a way of saying no every time"

"Not quite, I never say no to the eating part.. just being alone with you" I shrug walking slightly ahead of him

'Well if you eat now you'll be alone with him smart arse' Alma rolls her eyes at me

Shit, I hadn't taken into account that Ember had just ditched me. Alma was right, if I wanted food which I obviously did, then it would be just me and Landon. Judging by the dopey grin that suddenly formed on his face I'm guessing he may have just put that together too.

"Just need to pop in here first, then food" I point towards the music store ahead of us and go straight to the T's section, flicking through the endless row of albums.

"You have an Ipod with endless playlists of every possible music genre covering at least 50 years, what album could you possibly need?" Landon raises a brow while resting against the racks beside me.

"Tom Grennan" I state flicking through another row

"Isn't that the dude with the mad crazy clothes that you listen to while you draw?" He asks while singing one of the songs he's clearly heard me sing many times before 'they don't make em like you no more, no more, they don't make em like you no more' I just laugh, he was right.

"Yeah that dude" I laugh "the one with the mad crazy clothes and incredible eyes" I send him a cocky wink as jealousy flashes across his face, gaining another laugh and eye roll from me. He was way too easy to mess with sometimes.

I find the album I'm looking for and we leave, both more that ready to for some lunch.

As we walk towards the food court Landon gently takes my hand in his leading us through the crowds and to the exit of the shopping center. I snap my head towards him annoyed, I'm hungry here.

"Calm down beautiful, I didn't forget you need feeding" he laughs taking in my facial expression as my stomach rumbles.

He leads me to his black truck and loads our shopping bags into the boot, climbs into the drivers seat and starts the engine.

I quickly slip the new CD in and spin the volume up high, singing my heart out as we drove, causing full face smiles and laughter from Landon as he watches me.

We drive for around half an hour before Landon brings the truck to a stop at the edge of the Forrest unbuckling his belt and coming round to open my door for me.

I look at him questioningly, he just rolls his eyes and begins walking into the Forrest ushering me to follow.

I couldn't believe what I saw as we stepped into the small clearing, it had been beautifully decorated with hundred of wild flowers forming a lush border of colour. There was a yellow and white blanket laid on the grass with a wicker picnic basket sat on top of it. How did he have time to arrange this?! This clearing was further from the pack homes than the larger ones, so it was rare to find anyone here.

I couldn't move my legs, frozen on the spot at the sight. No one had ever done anything like this for me before. It was beautiful.

"D-did you do this?" I stutter out, turning my head slightly to look at Landon. He was just stood there staring at me with a hopefully look on his face.

"Do you like it? I didn't think you'd agree to a proper meal so when Ember gave me the idea it seemed perfect" he smiled nervously trying to gauge my reaction

"Ember?!" I half shout at him. He just laughs, taking my hand once more leading me to the blanket he had laid out.