The Forgotten Daughter

-9- Not a date

LANDON'S P.O.V

'Listen, I've just linked RaRa and told her I'm going to meet Blaze. The clearing is already set up for you, Blaze has taken the picnic over and a blanket all you have to do is get her there' Ember linked me as Aurora flicks through rails of CDs

'And what if she loses it and goes bat s**t crazy?' I link back suddenly feeling nervous about going ahead with this

'Landon. You asked for my help, I've given you it. Just stop over thinking it.. and if her eyes start glowing RUN!' ember laughs back before cutting the link

I can't believe she even agreed to help me, Rory has been turning down my offers for months now but I couldn't just give up, I've be obsessed with her for years. I know she's only hesitating because she'll be able to find her mate in a couple of weeks, I'm just praying to the moon goddess that she's mine.

The nerves were making my hands clammy and I couldn't shake the feeling that this was all going to go wrong. Imagine my surprise at the look of amazement on her face when she finally saw the clearing. I admit Ember and Blaze have really pulled it off, they'd chosen the perfect clearing surrounded by a lush wild flower border and it was far enough away from the packs town that we wouldn't be disturbed.

As we entered the edge of the clearing her whole body froze, sending a wave of panic through me, she hates it.

"D-did you do this?" She stutter out, turning to look at me. Oh s**t she hates it, I'm such an i***t.

"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" I smiled nervously at her trying to gauge some sort of reaction but she wasn't giving anything away.

"Ember?!" She asks clearly shocked that her best friend has helped set this up.

Leading her to the blanket I pull two glasses from the basket and a bottle of fruity rose wine, one of the many advantages to being a werewolf was that human alcohol didn't have quite the same effect on us, sure it could get us drunk eventually but you'd need to drink a lot to get to that point. I hand her a glass and watch as she takes a small sip while still taking in the surrounding.

"Please don't be angry with Ember for helping me. I actually asked for her opinion months ago and she told me I'd have more luck getting a blow job from an elder" I laugh nervously

"Well for one, that's my line! And two I told that little snake no to her idea of me taking you for a friendly picnic and gave her plenty of reasons why" she furrows her brows in frustration "so yeah I will be pissed with Em, she's supposed to be my best friend and she can't even be on my side with this" she adds letting out a sigh.

Well this was clearly going well.. not!

"Look, I'm sorry ok. I get it you don't want to date, I know it's only a couple weeks until you finally shift and have the ability to feel a mate bond but.. I like you Aurora, I like you a lot and I have done for years" I cautiously glance at her, I know I've probably just screwed up any chance I had but I need her to know how I feel.

She lets out a sigh while watching the bubbles in her glass "I kinda figured that out" she pauses before looking at me "I'm sorry Landon. I'm not willing to just date anyone, I want my mate and only my mate. I've gone 17 years without even having a boyfriend and the last thing I need this close to turning 18 is falling for someone that isn't my mate. I don't need the heartache and I'm not willing to put anyone else through it either" she finishes with a small apologetic smile and squeezes my hand

"Okkaaaayyy... so this is most definitely not a date then. Let's just call it two maybe friends having a completely not romantic picnic" I smile back at her

I have to say I'm surprised when she puts her glass down and reaches her arms around my neck to give me a hug but I'm not about to complain, I just hold her as close to me as I can, relishing in her body heat and scent. Even if she's not my mate, she still smells amazing and it always manages to calm Knox.

"Thank you" she whispers as she pulls back from the hug with her arms still around my neck.

I can't help but get lost in the beauty of her eyes, I gently take her cheeky in my hand and put my forehead to hers, all I wanted in this moment was to feel her lips on mine. Instead I kiss her gently on the cheek as close to the corner of her mouth as I can without her snapping at me.

After we'd finished eating I packed everything into the basket and we just laid there, with Aurora resting her head on my chest watching the clouds, chatting about everything and nothing. School, hobbies, likes and dislikes, it was amazing to see how much we had in common, apart from I was terrible at killing zombies while Rory claimed to be better than the boys. I'd definitely have to put that to the test.

Soon the sun started to set and a cold winters breeze swept in leaving goosebumps along Rorys skin. Since she hadn't had her first shift yet she didn't have the added benefit of werewolf heat so instead I removed my jumper and pulled it over her head.

"Thanks" she smiled shyly making her cheeks glow a tinge of red, sending Knox into a excited frenzy in my mind. He was overjoyed that she'd now carry my scent thanks to the jumper.

"Come on, let's get you home and warm" I pull myself to my feet and offer her my hand, to my surprise she took it rather than just slapping it away like usual. I used it to my advantage and pulled her straight into my chest, wrapping my arms around her waist.

She looks up at me through her long lashes, smiles gently and shakes her head before stepping out my hold. It was at least a ten minute walk back to my truck and she was beginning to shiver, so I did the only thing I could think of in that moment.

I stripped naked and shifted as she walked ahead of me looking at the border of flowers around the clearing. Just as she turned her head to see if I was following her I dropped my pile of clothes at her feet.

'Shame you didn't look back sooner, you missed the view' I link her as Knox licks her hand

"Really?" She wipes her hand on her leg raising her brow at Knox

'Sorry, he likes you too' I laugh through the link as Knox lowers himself to the ground 'now get on, it'll be quicker to get back to the truck like this'

"Are you crazy?!" She squeals "Landon, I'm an not riding you!"

'Nope, you're riding Knox. Now get on, before he gets you on.. besides you've never shifted before so let me at least give you your first experience of running in wolf form' Knox whines slightly before I cut off the link

She crosses her arms over her chest and lets out a huff in frustration before finally giving in and carefully climbing onto my back.

Knox purring at the feel of her skin and warmth of her body against him.

Once she was settled comfortably Knox took off on a steady trot, not wanting her to fall if we went too fast. I could feel her excitement washing over me as Knox slowly picked up the pace.

She suddenly leans forward and whispers into my ear, her breath fanning the back of my neck making Knox purr louder "So how fast can you really go Knox?"

'Why don't you hold on and I'll show you' he confidently answers.

I feel her lower herself almost flat onto my back, her breasts pressed firmly against my shoulders as she carefully takes a clump of fur in each hand to hold on.

"Ready when you are" she laughs.

And without hesitation Knox speeds up, dodging trees, jumping shrubs just enjoying the feel of the earth beneath his paws while Auroras body heat swept through him as she squeals with excitement.

After taking a little detour Knox finally stopped at the side of the truck and lowered himself to the ground, allowing Aurora to climb down. She quickly turns away as I shift back, handing my clothes over her shoulder.

"Sounds like you enjoyed yourself" I smile at her

Her face turns a shade of pink as she smiles before jumping at me, wrapping her arms around my neck "thank you so much, that was amazing!" She continues to smile into my neck as I wrap my arms around her waist, Knox purring like a kitten at her touch

"You don't need to thank me, I just didn't wanna have to wait for those slow little human legs to catch up" I laugh slightly giving her a little squeeze

She lifts her head, not removing her arms from around my neck as our eyes lock. Oh goddess she's beautiful!

Every fiber of my being wants to kiss her soft supple lips, just the thought was causing problems in my boxers.

Her eyes are mesmerizing, holding me in a trance.

"Didn't wanna wait for my little human legs or just wanted me to ride you" her smile turns into a cocky grin as she raises a brow at me

I internally moan as the thought of her straddled over my lap, riding me properly comes into my mind.

"Oh you have no idea" I purr out at her, pulling her tighter against me while burying my face in her neck.

"Okay okay, down boy!" She laughs putting her hands on my chest and pushing me slightly "ice cream?" She asks with a smile

"Sounds perfect" I smile down at her before placing a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose causing her to blush again.

We drove to the ice cream store, Aurora singing along to her new CD which is apparently to stay in my truck. I could listen to her sing all day, she had such a beautiful voice.

Pulling into the carpark Knox was suddenly on high alert.

'Somethings wrong. Keep our Luna safe' he orders pacing the forefront of my mind

Getting out of the truck, the gentle breeze flowing all around sends a whiff of something through the air. Aurora must have noticed it to as she lifts her nose slightly to sniff the air around us before turning to look at me with fear in her eyes.

'Do you smell that?!' She whispers through the link

'Link your father' I link back, my eyes frantically scanning the streets around us as the smell begins to get stronger.

It was then that I noticed how empty the carpark was. Other than Margaret's there was only one other car here which looked like it had been abandoned. It was old with faded blue paint and numerous rust spots over the body.

'10 warriors on route. Keep my daughter safe!' Alpha Nicos voice sounded through the link

'Yes Alpha. Thank you' I respond before closing the link

Turning to Rory I notice her eyes suddenly wide with fear evident on her face. I whip my head around following her line of sight and that's when I saw it, blood.

It was trickling from the boot of both Margaret's and the abandoned car.

Knox pushes forward stepping in front of Rory as a noise similar to nails on a chalk board echoes through the car park.

A warning growl rumbles through my chest as my instincts take over.

'We must protect our Luna' Knox pushes forward further and I'm sure my eyes would show one black, one brown.

The gentle breeze grew stronger, blowing stray leaves around our feet as the smell of blood intensifies.

I quickly snap my head in the direction of the sound of paws running towards us, the familiar scents of my fellow warriors easing my nerves a little.

As they reach us they begin to sniff the air, only now there was something else mixed with the smell of blood. Something bitter that made my nostrils burn and throat itch slightly, wolfsbane.

Aurora hadn't said a word or even moved a muscle, her eyes still fixed on the puddle of blood forming at the rear of Margaret's car.

I need to get her out of here, we have no idea who could be watching us right now.

I gently place my hand on her shoulder to get her attention, startling her. She jumps grabbing my hand, twisting it with such speed I didn't even have a chance to react, making me drop to my knees as she stares at me almost demonically with her eyes glowing white.

"Aurora, what are you doing? What happened? Are you ok?" I hurriedly ask, growing more concerned by the minute

"Carn must die. The rightful Alpha must return. Carn must die. The truth will be revealed. Carn must die" she chants, her tone flat as her eyes glow brighter, unblinking in her trance like state

'Alpha! I think we have a problem. It's Rory' I link Alpha Nico, unable to shake the fear from my voice even through the link

The warriors stand by staring at her, curiosity and fear on each of their faces.

'I'm on my way' Alpha Nico quickly links back before closing the link

"What truth Aurora? Why must Carn die?" I ask anxiously

Murderous growls suddenly coming from the rear of the ice cream store as the warriors take their positions before us. I quickly scramble to my feel taking Rorys shoulder in my hands and shaking her slightly, praying she'd snap out of this.

The sound of bones snapping grabs my attention as I see three of the warriors shift and charge forward to the rear of the shop.

Whimpers, yelps and vicious snarls echo all around. Knox was seconds away from shifting, everyone of my senses telling me this wasn't going to end so easy.

Suddenly a sickening crunch followed by silence. A painfully deafening silence.

'Blood. Fresh blood' Knox states, he right the smell of fresh blood is almost overwhelming

A sadistic laugh sounds from behind the shop as a large man covered in tattoos and blood appears, holding the severed head of Butch one of our pack warriors.

That was all it took to push Knox over the edge. Without warning he shifts, throwing me to the back of my mind as he runs and lunges at the man, clamping onto his shoulder. Causing him to scream dropping Butch's head onto the ground as two more men and three wolves emerge from behind the store.

"Levi what the hell are you doing?! Kill them or be killed" one of our warriors Gareth warns as I suddenly notice one of the wolves is in fact our own.

'TRAITOR!' Knox screams through the link as he drags the large man to the ground shaking him viciously almost tearing his arm from his shoulder as blood oozes out while the man just laughs sadistically. A quick kick to the temple soon shuts him up, lets just hope he stay unconscious until this fights over.

The remaining seven warriors push forward, shifting as they lunge at the intruders. Jaws snapping at limbs, fur and blood coming from all angles.

I pick out Levi through the chaos and quickly take his rear leg in my jaw swinging him over my shoulder, landing in a heap at Auroras feet. As he hits the floor her eyes suddenly snap, the glowing gone as she takes in the scenes of blood, fur and bodies unfolding before her.

'Aurora move!' Alpha Nico shouts through the link as his wolf Cyrus comes leaping over her head with his front paws landing on Levi's neck with a sickening crack.

One of the men jumps on top of Alpha Nicos back, holding him in a vice like grip around his neck, while a wolf clamps onto his underbelly cause him to growl out in pain.

Knox instantly rushing in to help him, throwing his whole body weight into the side of the man on the Alphas back, sending him flying into a nearby wall. Amazingly the man shifted into a skinny brown wolf and charged back, claws penetrating my thigh while he clamps my front paw in his jaw.

The rest of warriors had killed the remaining rogues and were now assisting the Alpha, his stomach and rib cage glistening under the dim street lights, as blood coated his thick black fur.

Knox was growing more and more frustrated as the skinny brown wolf clamp down harder as I struggle to kick him off of me. Just as I thought I was going to take my paw completely a small foot came flying into the side it's head, forcing him to release his hold with a grunt.

It's took me a second to realise what was going on. Rory had fly kicked him, her eyes glowing once more. The skinny brown wolf had turned its entire attention on Aurora, stalking around her in circles but she didn't back down, instead she charged. Jumping as the wolf lunged at her, grabbing it in a bear hug around the chest and crushing it's bones with multiple crunches, before letting go and dropping it to the ground. The skinny brown wolf lay there gasping for air, begging for his life. To my surprise Aurora simply crouched down next to it's head, gently stroking him between the ears, taking it's head in both hands and looking it straight in the eye, before snapping its neck and dropping it's head back to the ground.

Looking around I realise that Alpha Nico, and the warriors were all watching her carefully.

She stands and confidently walks over the the first large tattooed man who lay unconscious on the floor, blood still leaving the wound on his shoulder. "Carn must die. The rightful Alpha must return. Carn must die. The truth will be revealed. Carn must die" she rants again before her eyes go wide, her body rigid and she collapses onto the floor next to the tattooed man.