Life After the Storm novel Chapter 22

As I am waking up, I then realize I am no longer outside but inside on the couch. I am not really sure how I got here, I jumped up and ran to Jayden's room. Wanting to check on him to make sure that he is ok, promising him that I would be there first thing in the morning, not wanting to break my promise.

When I approach his room, I see Landon with his head down on Jayden's bed, they are still sleeping. I leave the bedroom quietly, trying not to wake them. I hear someone in the kitchen I go to, and I see it's Dean.

“Good morning Dean, how did you sleep? I wanted to tell you thank you for carrying me in last night. I didn't mean to fall asleep.”

“Good morning to you also Lilly but I am not sure what you are talking about I did not carry you anywhere.”

“Oh, I had fallen asleep outside on the step last night I think I did anyway, but when I woke up this morning I was on the couch. I thought that you came out and carried me in.”

“Sorry Lilly It wasn't me last night I thought you went home.”

“I was going to go home, but I could not bring myself to leave Jayden, so I just stayed and accidentally fell asleep.”

“Well, would you like some coffee, then?”

“I would love some, thank you so much.”

As I get myself some coffee I stand there wondering did Landon carry me in last night. He was so mad at me. I honestly think he was just looking for someone to blame. I am not sure of his history and what all has happened to him, I just hope in time he will tell me. 

I then hear footsteps as I look to see who it is, and I notice it's Landon walking down the hall to the kitchen. I want to say good morning how did you sleep, but the words can't escape my mouth. I want to ask him if he carried me in last night, but I don't. I am just silent. I want to avoid upsetting him already this morning. 

Dean looks at Landon “good morning, would you like some coffee Alpha,” he asked him?

“Thank you, that would be great. I would love some coffee,” he responds.

I am surprised that he's not asking me to get out. He was so angry with me yesterday, but it wasn't my fault. He should be more worried about how the rouges are getting into his territory. If the attack didn't happen to Jayden, it could have happened to anyone in his pack. He needs to put out more guards to protect his pack. I know his pack is not a very big pack, which isn't good at all. If his pack members need help on the learning defense, I could always assist in training them. I am not sure if I should even say something I want to avoid offending him.

As we all set the table and drink our coffee, it's quiet. Not absolutely sure if anybody really knows what to say. I want to tell Landon that it was not my fault. I then start to wonder if Sam and I weren't together. Maybe I could have protected Jayden from all of this. No, this is not my fault his territory should have been protected by his guards. Something isn't right.

Landon looks at Dean “there is a pack meeting this morning. I want to understand how rouges are getting into our territory without being noticed.”

“Are you sure you want to ask a question like that pack members might think that you're blaming them for his attack?”

“There is no reason that a rouge should have been that close to our territory they should have been detected there's no excuse for this attack it could happen to anyone.”

“It Didn't though it happened to your son, and they might think that his life is more important than theirs.”

“Well, to me, his life is he's a child that should have never happened.”

I can tell the conversation is getting heated I don't want to butt in, but I do. “Instead of trying to find someone to blame, why don't you suggest more training for your pack members.”

“Further training I have guards that are trained that would have been able to take out this rouge.”

“I'm not talking about your guards, what about the people who aren't your guards if they could defend themselves against them? Maybe they could take the rouge out themselves or even if it's just to train them to protect themselves or how to escape.”

“I can't just focus on training now, I need to figure out why all this is happening first.”

“I know defense training my father taught me I could teach them if you allow it. You could even make it voluntary, so you're not forcing them to do anything they don't want.”

“Why would you want to help my pack to train them to defend themselves.”?

“If I am going to be a part of this pack, I want to contribute what I can, and I can do this if you let me.”

“Good morning sleepyhead, I told you I'd be here when you woke up.”

“Good morning Lily I am happy that you are here. I was hoping you would be when I woke up.”

“I told you I would be here, there wouldn't be anything that could stop me, especially when I promised.”

“Lilly, I need to tell you something.”

“What is it buddy, what do you need to tell me.”

“You can't tell my daddy though he will get mad at me, you promise you won't tell him.”

“I am not sure if I can promise you or not because sometimes daddy's need to know things to help you.”

“I sometimes hurt myself on purpose because I see my mommy. She always tells me not to, but I miss her and that's the only way I see her.”

“I know how it feels to miss your family, but we have to go on. It's not fair to go on without them, but we don't have The Choice. You need to stop hurting yourself, your mommy wouldn't want that And your daddy needs you promise me that you will not hurt yourself again on purpose.”

“Lilly, I don't know if I can promise you that I miss her so much sometimes I can't help myself.”

“When you miss her, come to me, so we can talk about her and maybe do something that was her favorite that you and her did.”

“My mommy told me that I can trust you that we are going to be best friends forever.”

Tears start filling my eyes, knowing that his pain is just as bad as mine. I want to fix it and make him feel better, but I can't. It's not a pain that just disappears, it's a pain that's always with you. I need to talk to Landon, and it's not his guards that aren't defending his territory. It's Jayden lowering the rouges in to attack him, so he can see his mother. I am not sure that Landon will believe me, but I really hope he does.