Sorry It Took So Long. But I'm back and writing the story more so we can all see how this ends.

Chapter 17: Received

I think Brandon and Landon were scared. They'd never seen me so happy. But how could I not be? Mel, Jared and Ian were making plans to take me home and I'd just spend a wonderful blissful night with my Ian. Everything was right in the world.

Cloud Spinner was elated. She seemed sure that our shopping trip yesterday had brought Pet back to her old self. She was constantly talking about how cute I looked in every single outfit that I tried on and insisted on putting on a fashion show later that day.

I could care less about the idea but I said that as long as I got to go on a walk to the park I wouldn't put up any resistance.

After breakfast Landon said he'd love to accompany me to the park. I rolled my eyes in other words he'd love to get me away from my parents to ask me why I'm so happy.

I went upstairs and put a jacket on overtop of my hoodie and slipped on a nice comfortable pair of jeans and some durable tennis shoes.

"By the way that you're dressing I can tell that your mood is all about the clothes that you got yesterday." Landon said as we walked down the steps.

I smiled, "Yep. It was the dresses. They just got me in a good mood."

He chuckled, "I think we all know that's not the case."

I giggled. "If you say so."

When we reached the sidewalk he offered me his hand and I took it, "So you're not going to tell me what's making you so happy?" I shook my head. "Pity."

"Why is it a pity?" I asked curiously.

"I like it when you're happy." He intertwined our fingers, "I'd try to make whatever happened happen more so that you're happy more often."

I laughed. He didn't know how much I wanted it to happen more often. If I saw Ian every day and spent every night in his arms I would be happy. But I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't want to sneak Ian into my room every night and help him escape every morning.

"Well at least I can make you laugh." He said smiling down at me.

My phone went off and I grabbed it with my free hand. It was a text from Mel. I didn't have to open it to see what it said.

Think of me.

I did. Almost immediately I got a bit dizzy and closed my eyes. She had hers open and the sun was peeking out from behind the clouds.

"Wanda? Are you ok?" Landon asked.

"Give me a second." I breathed.

Melanie was leaning against a silver car in the parking lot of the park around the corner. You coming here? She asked in her thoughts.

I nodded and I knew she felt my heads movement.

Meet me by the swings. She thought and then her eyes turned to her phone and I got a brief glimpse of Jared shirtless before she was gone.

I opened and rolled my eyes as I started to walk again.

"What happened?" Landon asked.

I debated for a moment on telling him, then decided against it. "I may tell you later but I'm not sure you'd understand."

He slightly squeezed my hand as we walked down the sidewalk and into view of the park. I looked at the parking lot and saw Mel's car parked next to a black motorcycle and a couple of mini vans.

"Wonder who the bike belongs to." Landon said looking at the parking lot as well.

I shrugged looking over at the playground. There she was sitting on a bench watching two men pushing little kids on the swings. I smiled as I realized that the two men were Jared and Ian. I saw the parents or guardians sitting on a bench nearby but they were in deep conversation while their children were screaming in delight as Ian and Jared pushed them higher and higher.

Ian was pushing a little girl with blonde hair and a pink and blue dress. She was laughing and looked close to tears; though I guessed by the smile on her face that it was happy tears. Ian's blue eyes were sparkling and he had sweat lines showing themselves on his shirt. He'd gone home and changed since he was in a different shirt.

I tried to take my eyes from the beautiful blue eyed man and looked at Jared pushing a little boy. He kept telling Jared to go higher and higher but Jared didn't push as high as he could.

"That's sweet." Landon said looking at the men pushing the kids, "I love the way that men look after children." I looked at him, his face was serious, "That's something I'm glad the souls changed. There are no predators after children."

I nodded. "Yes. And I have to say," my eyes resting on Ian's smiling face, "It makes the men playing with the children so much more attractive."

"Lucky them."

I looked up at his face and saw that he was trying really hard to hide something there.

I quickly forgot his hidden feelings when Ian looked up from the little girl and met my gaze. He smiled but then it faltered a bit.

I wasn't quite sure why that was until I remembered that I was holding Landon's hand. Purely platonic on my side but Ian has always been the jealous type when it came to me. I shook my hand free of Landon's and smiled at Ian trying to be reassuring.

Landon wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I tried to escape his grasp by walking towards Mel's bench.

I smiled at her as I sat next to her, "Do you mind if I sit here?" I asked.

She nodded, "Of course."

I sat down and put my hand on hers laying on the bench. And I focused on her and was accepted into her mind.

Who's the boy? Ian won't like that.

His name is Landon.

Oh so that's Landon.

I nodded. "Hello, my name is Wanda." I said. I'd rather be able to talk to you out loud. I added

You're using your name? What happen to going by Pet? "Nice to meet you Wanda. I'm Rebecca, I just moved here."

"I'm Landon." Landon said reaching around me and shaking Mel's hand.

I think it was worth it. Finding Landon was worth getting taken by the seekers.

Mel was frustrated, What? What's so special about him?

I smiled. I liked knowing things Mel didn't, for once. But I would have to tell her soon. He's gonna come home with us. We have a new member of our family.

Mel was skeptical, Wanda. We can't bring another soul home with us. I don't know if the caves could handle it.

I decided not to be bothered by her comment she'd understand later. So was there something you needed to talk to me about?

Yea. How about getting you home? She said.

"So where'd you move from Rebecca?" Landon asked Mel.

"Phoenix, Arizona"

"Really? Me to." He said smiling at her, "I moved up here to be close to Wanda."

What? She thought as she said "Really?" She paused then added, "Are you two partners?"

I cringed from the thought of being partners with anyone besides Ian. "No." Landon said and I shouted 'No' over and over again in my head.

"Why would you move here to be closer to her?" Mel asked.

"She's been through lots of things and I want to be close to protect her." He said.

"He's my friend." I said with a bit harsher tone than I meant to.

Mel smiled. "Well that's nice."

"Did you move here by yourself?" Landon asked

"I moved here with my brothers and my partner." She pointed at Jared, "That's my partner Fly's the Sky's and that," she pointed to Ian, "Is my brother Cameron."

I nodded, "If I might say so, your brother is very attractive." I blushed, "as far as human bodies are concerned."

He misses you. She thought remembering the look he'd had while he was driving here and the look on his face as they were leaving and waiting for Burns. He's so happy to have you back. She remembered the look on his face when she picked him up.

"I already know what happened so I'm not gonna ask that." Mel said stepping on the gas, "So how is she?"

He sighed and leaned back against the seat, "Amazing. She missed me."

Mel rolled her eyes. "I told you she missed you. Is she happy? Sad? Anxious? What's she feeling?"

He smirked, "Can't you tell? You're the one that can get into her mind."

Mel shrugged, "Only if she's thinking about me and I'm thinking about her. And I'll tell you that after what happened last night between you two, she isn't thinking about me."

Ian laughed, "Would you believe me if I said we just talked?"

Mel stopped for a moment, 'Wanda would be the type to want to talk to him but I'm sure that they got physical. Kissed at the very least, though I'm sure that Jared and I wouldn't just talk if we were separated and he thought that I was gone and I was wondering when he'd rescue me.' "No." she decided, "I'm sure you talked but I'm sure that you didn't JUST talk."

She pulled me from her memory by standing up. Her body beside me disappeared and I concentrated on her next words, "I could introduce you if you'd like."

I nodded and then Landon spoke, "As long as it's not too long. We should be heading back to your house for your mom's fashion show right Wanda?"

I looked at him irritated, "I suppose but mom won't be worried if I'm late. She can just text or call me and I'll tell her I'm with some new friends. And your with me to she'll believe that I'm safe." I was struck with a brilliant idea, "Why don't we invite our new friends to the fashion show."

Landon looked curiously at me while Mel jumped at the idea, "I'd love to come. I love fashion shows. And I'm sure that my brother and partner would be glad to experience a fashion show." That way we can see who we're dealing with.

I grabbed Mel's hand and tried to pull back from her mind. "How about you introduce me to your brother and your partner Rebecca." I couldn't think like she was, I loved Brandon and I loved Cloud Spinner.

She lifted her eyebrow and started to walk towards Ian and Jared who were playing with the kids.

I actually started to get nervous as we walked up behind the swings. I was looking at Ian and we smiled at each other. Mel walked over to Jared and Mel introduced us. "Wanda this is my partner, Fly's the Sky's."

Jared extended his hand, "Sky for short."

I smiled at him, "Nice to meet you Sky. I'm Wanda."

He nodded, "It's great to meet you."

Mel dragged me around him towards Ian, "Cameron this is Wanda. Wanda, Cameron."

I bit my lip nervously, "It's nice to meet you Cameron."

Ian smiled at me and took my hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you Wanda." He kissed the top of my hand, his lips lingered a bit too long to be a casual gesture. It was a kiss that told me that it had been ages since we'd been together even though in reality it had only been hours since this our hands had touched.

"Likewise." I giggled. I hadn't meant to, it just slipped out. Landon cleared his thought behind me. I'd forgotten he was here. "Oh how rude of me." I said slipping my hand from Ian's and turning to Landon. "Cameron, Sky. I'd like you to meet Landon."

"I'm a seeker." He said looking straight into Ian's eyes.

I stiffened and looked at his brilliant blue eyes. It was faint and obviously fabricated but he had little silver rings around his eyes. The same with Mel and Jared, now that I was looking. I looked at Landon and wrapped my arm around his I tried to pretend that I hadn't noticed their eyes were faked, "Oh Landon. No need to tell them that. It's not like there's any humans nearby."

Landon looked down at me, about to tell me that there clearly was humans right in front of me. I looked at him trying to communicate with my eyes that he was just supposed to let it go. Let go the fact I'd just invited three humans to my house.

He sighed and nodded, "I suppose your right. I don't know why I said it."

Mel stepped forward, "Well at least we all know that we can count on you if rouge humans do show up."

I smiled at her, rouge humans. There's the distinction, my humans, the one's right in front of us were not rouge; they wouldn't go around killing souls, the boys where playing with children for heaven sakes.

"Guess what Cameron, Wanda invited us to a fashion show. I'm super excited." Mel said smiling widely.

"A fashion show?" Ian said looking at me raising an eye brawl.

"Yes." I said winking at him, "I went shopping with my mother yesterday and she wants me to do a fashion show for her and my father. And I liked Rebecca so I'd like to invite her over for it, of course the two of you are welcome to come as well."

He smiled, "I've never been to a fashion show."

Landon shifted his weight, "I'm not sure that you'd enjoy it."

Ian frowned, Mel's jaw dropped and I turned on him, "Why on earth not?" Landon didn't answer, "Maybe you would like to go home then if men won't enjoy it." I said folding my arms stubbornly.

Landon's eyes got wide, "No, Wanda I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

I bit my lip, it made my eyes water. Of course everyone else thought it was tears. "I'm going home." I turned to Mel, "Are you going to come Rebecca?"

Mel nodded and we linked arms and walked towards the sidewalk for my house.

I heard Landon fallow behind. "What was that all about?" Mel asked

"I felt like being dramatic." I whispered, "Plus Ian would like it if I got mad at Landon."

Mel nodded and Landon put his hand on my shoulder to stop me, "I'm sorry Wanda. I really didn't mean anything by it."

I looked around him to see Ian and Jared, Ian glaring daggers at Landon's back. I patted Mel's arm, "Why don't you walk with your partner and brother."

I knew she'd get the hidden message; Go tell Ian to stop being jealous. She smiled let go of my arm falling back in step with Jared and Ian. I would have told her to go get the cars and meet us at the house but then Landon would know I knew them…. All the secrets.

"You know their humans right?" Landon whispered.

I nodded, "Landon they're my humans." I turned to look at them and Ian was staring at the ground while Mel and Jared were swinging their joined fingers between them. It'd be better if Landon knew and dealt with it.

Landon frowned, "And that guy…."

"That's my partner." I sighed.

"Those aren't their real names right." I shook my head, "What are we going to tell your parents?"

I looked forward so I wouldn't trip, "Brandon will be ok with it if he knows that I'm ok with it. And Cloud Spinner won't notice they're human if they act normal and if you stop glaring at them."

He looked down at me, "I'm sorry."

I kept looking at him, "Why? Why don't like them?"

He thought for a moment, "You didn't like them when you first met them did you?"

I shrugged, "Suppose not." with the exception of Jared. When I met him I loved him, I loved him before I met him in person.

"I guess if you trust them I can trust them for now." I could hear the uncertainty in his voice.

I wrapped my arms around his and gave it a squeeze "I know you'll like them." I stopped and turned towards Ian, Mel and Jared. I supposed I should do introductions, proper introductions. I took a deep breath, "We need proper introductions."

Mel raised her eyebrow, "What so you mean?"

I shook my head, "Come on he knows you're human. And I want you to know him. He's important to you too. You just don't know it."

Mel was about to say something but Landon stepped forward, "I didn't properly introduce myself, My name is Landon Stryder."

"He's a whole new brand of native." I said walking past him towards Ian.

"Stryder?" Melanie said slowly trying to process it.

"My father's name is Jebadiah Stryder."

"But he never…." Mel began

"He doesn't know about me." Landon said, "Wanda said she'd take me with her when she returned home so that I can meet my father."

"But you're a seeker." Jared said with a hard look on his face.

"I just said he was a new brand." I said frowning.

"I'm human but I have a soul in the back of my head. He's silent mostly but him being there allows me to blend in amongst the souls. So I actually have a soul in there but the host, me, is able to control the body." Landon explained.

"Weird." Ian breathed.

I smiled at him but he didn't seem too happy about this. I walked over to him and grabbed his hand, "He's like my brother. Jeb's son. And Jeb's like my father."

Ian looked into my eyes. I saw the fire or jealousy burning where he didn't want me to see but as he looked into my eyes his face softened and I started to think maybe the jealousy was subsiding.

I smiled and turned to Landon, "Landon this is my partner, Ian."

Landon stepped forward and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Like wise." Ian said his voice tight.

"And this is Melanie and her partner Jared." I said gesturing to Mel and Jared.

Jared nodded but Mel let go of his hand and hugged Landon, "I'm your cousin." she said. She sounded happy.

I smiled. I felt Ian's arms wrap around my waist and pull me close. He laid his head on the top of my head and I felt him relax.

"Alright." I said patting Ian's arm, "Let's get going."

Ian refused to let go of me until we saw a figure on the porch of my house. I watched as the figure walked into the house and didn't emerge. I took a deep breath. If it was Brandon I'd probably be interrogated when we had a few minutes alone. I was more worried about it being Cloud Spinner. She wouldn't have any restraints and seeing me so intimate with a male would probably give her a heart attack.

I walked a little faster after Ian let me go and I walked into the house.

Brandon was sitting on the couch and I saw curtains had been hung on the doorway leading into the kitchen from the hall. Obviously we were supposed to move the couch to face the curtains.

Cloud Spinner came into the room, "Oh your home. Thank goodness and your ok right?" I nodded, "good." She said sighing in relief, "So I was thinking that Brandon and Landon could move the small couch and a chair over and we'd watch you from the front room and you could come through the…." She stopped talking as Landon walked in with our three guests.

"Mom these are Rebecca, her brother, Cameron and her partner Fly's the Sky's but he goes by Sky." I said pointing to each in turn.

Cloud Spinner regained her composure, "Well it's very nice to meet you all."

Yeah! I've got a treat for you next chapter but I wont spoil it just yet. It'll come out soon in the mean time why dont ya leave a review let me know what ya think.