赤裸裸的滑稽故事

Chapter 733  You Were Waiting

She took a deep breath and pushed down on her cane, lifting herself from the bench.

“That is my concern, not yours,” she stated, moving away from the bench.

“I disagree,” he replied, immediately standing and following her. “The state of your wolves concerns all the packs of these territories.”

Fiona stopped and turned to face him.

“Are you saying,” she began with a growl, “that the other packs have gathered together with Summer as the topic of conversation? I suppose our invitation to these gatherings must have gotten lost in the mail?”

Fiona stared at him with anger and frustration. He was right. She knew that well. But that didn’t alleviate her rage at his broaching the subject.

Landon let out a grunt as he stepped toward her.

“I said that the state of your wolves concerns the packs, not that they are concerned,” he said. “There is no collusion against you. I would not allow that to happen.”

They stared at each other for a long time without a word passing between them.

But looking into his eyes, she knew he meant every word he spoke to her. Every compliment and criticism, every flirtation and joke. At that moment, she knew he would stand beside her against anyone who dared to threaten or challenge her. All she needed to do, was let him.

The honesty in his eyes made her heart flutter, and her chest feel tight. It was she who turned away first.

“What did you mean,” she asked, “when you said that there are those in Summer that don’t find your presence offensive?”

Landon took a quiet breath and another step toward Fiona.

“I came today,” he said, “because a group of your wolves have requested that I take the position of Alpha of Summer.”

Fiona’s eyes widened. Her body froze as far too many thoughts raced through her mind. Her hands gripped tighter around the handle of her cane as her body suddenly grew heavy.

She looked up at him, her face shocked and confused.

“That can’t be true…” she whispered.

Landon took another step toward her, but she quickly shook her head and turned away. She rushed toward the railing, but her body was heavy, and her knees were weak. She stumbled forward, dropping her cane as the bar rushed toward her.

He caught her with one arm around her waist and the other across her chest. Fiona’s eyes fluttered in surprise as she took short, quick breaths. The railing was so close… if he had not caught her right then, she would have gotten a severe blow to the head.

“I’ve got you,” he whispered, pulling her to stand upright. “I won’t let you fall.”

Landon relaxed his arms, but Fiona reached up, holding him in place as her legs tried again to give out on her. He tightened his hold on her, pulling her back against his chest and bringing his head down to her shoulder as he whispered.

“I won’t let you fall,” he said. “I promise.”

He gently shushed her, holding her steady against his body.

“Easy, Fiona…” he whispered. “Slow breaths…”

The rise and fall of his chest against her back, his slow breaths beside her ear, each soothed her differently.

After a minute, she regained her breathing, and her legs felt stronger again. She took a deep breath.

“I’m all right now,” she whispered, touching her fingers to his arm.

Landon eased his hold on her, allowing her to reach out and grab the railing. Once she had a good grip, he let her go hesitantly.

“So…” she said, looking toward her hands. “Are you distracting me while the wolves that brought you here… force the change?”

Landon leaned on the railing beside her, but he didn’t answer.

Fiona clenched her jaw.

“Or have you brought your own wolves to conquer us?”

He looked up at her, still not speaking.

Fiona looked down at him. His expression was neutral, not the firm Alpha or the flirtatious pup. Something else. It infuriated her that he was keeping quiet.

“Have you come to take my son’s pack?!” she demanded. “Because I will not let anyone take Summer without a fight!”

Landon stood up and turned his body toward her. He tilted his head, keeping his eyes locked on hers.

“I already told you,” he said, “I will not allow any collusion against you.”

Fiona furrowed her brows.

“You… aren’t here to…”

“No,” he said, shaking his head with a smile, “these wolves are too soft for me.”

Fiona tried to hide the small laugh that escaped her by turning with a cough.

Landon grinned and looked out at the buildings below. He leaned forward onto the railing and took a deep breath.

“The offer was tempting, though,” he said. “But only because of how it was presented.”

He looked back up at her. His boyish grin was back.

“It was never a hostile request,” he said. “It was recommended that I become Alpha through an offer of marriage to the acting Luna.”

Fiona growled.

“I said it was tempting,” Landon said. “Not that I seriously considered it.”

“As though there was anything to consider,” Fiona replied with another growl.

Landon looked up at her.

“For me, there wasn’t,” he said. “Both the request and recommendation were not things that could be made by anyone but you.”

Fiona gripped the railing and took a deep breath.

“I… appreciate you saying so,” she replied softly.

Landon nodded.

He straightened up and looked at her.

“It is something you should consider, though,” he said.

Fiona felt the flush rush over her skin.

“Even you have to realize that marriage is not to be taken lightly,” she quickly stated. “Just because I find some slight amusement in your presence does not mean I would be willing to marry you.”

Landon laughed.

“I meant that the request being made to me at all was something you should consider,” he said, the smile never leaving his lips. “But if you’d rather discuss how my presence could bring you enjoyment…”

Fiona growled and turned away from him. Embarrassed and annoyed, she didn’t know what to say.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I shouldn’t make light of the situation.”

Fiona swallowed and glanced back at him over her shoulder. His expression was neither playful nor severe. It was serious but with a gentleness that eased her mind.

She took a breath.

“It’s been building for a long time,” she said. “At least the past two years, possibly more. Galen and I have done everything possible to reassure and lead our people, but…”

“But… neither of you are Alpha.”

She swallowed, looking down at the buildings below, and nodded.

Landon let out a slow breath.

“Wolves need an Alpha,” he said gently.

Fiona nodded.

“I knew it was a risk…” she continued. “Going without an Alpha for so long… I just hoped that it might be different now. The mate bond has weakened, and the powers of the Alphas and Lunas are almost completely gone… I hoped the wolves might not be affected anymore… that they could hold out a little longer.”

“For what?” he asked.

She closed her eyes and bit down on her lip. Her chest felt tight.

Landon looked at her carefully, watching the pain in her expression, the tension in her shoulders, and how she held onto the railing for dear life. There was a struggle inside her, one that was wearing her down, both physically and mentally.

He had only witnessed a reaction like this in Broken Crag when they locked themselves away. During the most challenging point in their grief, before accepting the loss.

He felt an ache in his heart at the realization. Landon reached his hand out to her back, touching her gently.

“You were waiting…” he said, “for Caleb to return.”