Layla’s POVOnce again, Ethan had proven that he was incapable of reasoning with me and it put me in a sour mood all over again. I was aware that he was convinced that I was his mate, but as long as I couldn't confirm his claims, he was merely stringing me along for his own benefit and without any regard whatsoever for my feelings.While I still couldn't explain why there was a part of me that couldn't resist his sexual advances, I was still not willing to be his when I knew how much it’d hurt Arnold. He’d lost so much of late, and losing me to Ethan would make him completely lose his mind, and I couldn't live with myself if I was the cause.One fact remained, I was just as confused about everything as I was the day Ethan had called me his mate and I'm even more upset now because my 18th birthday is drawing nearer and I might end up being forced into a marriage with him despite belonging to another man.There was just one person’s insight that’d be much more grounding than my chaotic
Hera’s POVLayla, Layla, Layla.Everything in this fucking palace revolved around her daft brain, a hypocritical witch who had no idea how much power she’d wield by being a Luna to the most powerful Alpha in Wandercoast. She was even ignorant of how much power she was already privy to as the last living witch from the primordial pack, and yet everything I worked my ass off for to sit on the throne one day was being handed to her on a damned platter.From the moment I noticed that preparations were in full swing for her marriage to Ethan, my hatred for her grew even more despite thinking that it was impossible to hate her any more than I already did.Everything seemed to be crumbling around me and it was driving me wild with anger, each day I saw the decorations being put up I felt a bile rising in my throat and waves of anger that caused me to spiral at the thought of losing to a complete idiot.Worst of all, my plan to weave my way into Ethan’s heart was moving at an annoyingly slow
Layla’s POVOne foot in front of the other, I counted my steps out of boredom as I walked through the garden. I’d decided to go for a walk to clear my head and lose the weight of everything that’d been bothering me even though it’d be short-lived.However, less than twenty minutes into my walk I realized that it might be cut short the minute I saw four maids in a corner pointing at me and talking in hushed tones. As I walked closer, I expected that they’d have the dignity of pretending that they weren't talking about me, but they only took it as a cue to increase their voices, purposely intending for me to hear.“How could anyone have expected loyalty from a common harlot?” A maid pointed at me by stretching her lips disrespectfully in my direction.“Beats me.” Another maid responded while laughing till she almost choked on her spit.To say I was shocked would be a lie, this had happened to me countless times.“I mean, with how she wormed her way into Alpha Arnold’s heart because he w
Arnold’s POVMy journey to the Valley of Death had been the most tasking one I’d ever embarked on and I had the scars to prove it. My wolf’s abilities were null and void as I approached the Valley, and the bushes that I had to ride through were full of thorns that’d gotten stuck in my skin or left a few cuts that didn't heal.Six days.All of which I battled to stay sane through because I knew that if I chickened out I’d never get back everything I’d lost. Six days later and I was now finally in the Valley of the Death.Even before I entered its depth, I noticed that a dark cloud that was ridiculed with lightning bolts hung over it to differentiate it from the rest of the forest, the entrance was full of signs that warned whoever dared to step through of curses and beasts that lay awake if you went further, the trees within it had red barks, and the first thing I’d stepped on were a trail of scorpions that masqueraded as dark soil.In fifteen minutes of arriving, I’d contemplated turn
Layla’s POVEveryday I walked out of my chambers, I was met with the hustle and bustle of wedding preparations and each time I looked at them I was overwhelmed with the decision that was drawing nearer by the second, a decision I didn't have a definite answer to.“Look alive darling, the stylist will be here any minute” Nadia said as she waltzed into my room.From those dry lips of hers that had been glossed the last time I saw her, I could tell that she’d been making out with Castle at some point; hence the giddy nature of hers.“I can't believe he’s going ahead with everything despite knowing how conflicted I’ve been” I rolled my eyes and leaned back on the bed.“I have a feelings things will work out just fine, okay?” Nadia mushed my cheeks by holding both of them in her palms as she spoke.“You don’t know th—” I was cut off by a knock on the door and I locked eyes with Nadia as we wondered who it could be.“Ah, the stylist! That must be her, I'll let her in” She walked to the door
Ethan’s POVMy mind had been occupied with several thoughts, but none stuck as much as my thoughts of Layla, she’d unknowingly crept into my heart and built a home for herself in it. I’d never felt this drawn to anyone in my entire life and at first I’d been in denial, but I didn't think I could have from it anymore.Indeed I was irrevocably in love with Layla and I’d finally come to terms with it, what I felt for her was so overwhelming that it swallowed me whole from within. On that note, I knew that there was nothing I wouldn't do to make her mine forever, and I’d go to any lengths to make sure that my love was also reciprocated.Thinking of what being loved by her would feel like made me giddy like a child being handed candy, it would be surreal to be with her without being resisted because of another man, without worrying that she’d ask me to let her be, without worrying that I’d end up making her unhappy in the long run.My heart beat nervously as I imagined hearing her confess
Layla’s POVThe long awaited day had arrived, my 18th birthday.However, for some reason, I didn't feel like there was anything worth celebrating, I still had a life defining decision to make and I was still torn despite knowing that I was in love with Ethan and he felt the same way about me.Night had fallen and I was resting on the windowsill while I watched the moon make it's way from underneath the clouds. Somehow, the sheer beauty of the full moon wasn't enough to wash my worries away or the tension that had clouded my entire being since morning.As newly dating sweethearts, Nadia and Castle had tried to boost my serotonin levels by thoughtfully gifting me a lovely birthday cake and singing as they presented it to me, but as much as I appreciated the gesture, it didn't do much to relieve the tension I felt raging through my body with a vengeance.In my head, I was more focused on Arnold and Ethan’s absence on a day that they’d both looked forward to. Arnold had been missing from
Layla’s POVEthan immediately broke into a huge grin, one I’d never seen before to show just how happy he was that he’d turned out to be my fated mate after all. I’d never seen him that happy since we met and it was so intense that I could feel his excitement through the mate bond as well, it felt like nothing short of pure undiluted joy.Even his hand clutched his chest in relief as he stared at me with eyes full of love and longing, and I was certain that my eyes equally mirrored those emotions of his as he ran toward me with leaps of joy and gathered me in his arms and lifted me off the floor.Before I could even express my happiness in words, he’d placed me down and covered my lips in a passionate kiss, like he was emptying fragments of his soul into mine as he moved against my lips and this time I didn't hold back, I kissed him back with the burning desire within me that had been awakened the second I confirmed that he was my mate.Without breaking the kiss, he carried me into hi