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
Arnold’s POVThe moon goddess hadn't forsaken me after-all, I thought as my successful journey finally came to an end as Crescent Valley came into view.From the second I saw the pearly palace gates open, a huge smile crept onto my face and I rode in waving at the guards that manned the gates like we were old time friends. I was beyond elated that I’d finally found a tangible solution to both of my problems and I couldn't wait to execute my plan and watch everything slowly turn back in my favor.After I’d dropped off my horse at the stable, I waltzed into the palace humming a joyful tone and I couldn't wait to surprise Layla, especially since I’d put in the extra effort to arrive before her birthday was over.And as though my prayers were being answered on the spot, the first person I saw as I was headed toward my room was Layla. Something was making her glow from within, maybe it was the fact that her birthday night was blessed with a full moon, but all I wanted to do was to gather h
Layla’s POVI woke up with a huge yawn and my arms stretched out by my sides like a baby, I felt refreshed and satisfied like a person that went through a renewing moment the night before. It was odd that my body felt that good especially because I was sore in certain areas because of what I and Ethan had been up to the night before.By simply reminiscing the events of last night, I felt a blush rise to my cheeks and I was certain that my ears had turned red as well because of how incredibly shy I felt. Everything was fresh in my memory and as the details came together I felt like burying myself under the sheets and never resurfacing.While I was overcome with lust and only focused on going all the way with Ethan I wasn't this embarrassed, but it seemed like that lust fog had cleared and I was inclined to hide away elsewhere as I recalled how I’d been much more forward than him the entire night. I practically initiated most of what happened and now I wondered where I found the confide
Layla’s POVNadia was sitting across from me with a pout as she tugged on my sleeve like she’d been doing for the past ten minutes, like a needy pet.“Tell me everything, everything!” She whined again after she claimed that I only mentioned that Ethan was my mate and nothing more.“There’s nothing more to tell, I found out that he was my mate that night and we were both happy” I shrugged as I spoke but she shook her head at me like that was still not enough.“Layla, you didn't sleep here that night so I know there's more to it than you both being happy” She probed further just like I’d expected.“If I tell you everything will you stop doing all of that?” I gestured at her pitiful face and her hand on my sleeve.“Of course” She smiled brightly and nodded at me eagerly.“Fine.” I said and she finally let go of my sleeve and sat up attentively.“It feels wrong to admit it so early but it feels beyond amazing and being with him completes me, I doubt that I can even find the right words to
Layla's POVA splitting headache hit me as my eyes opened slowly, I could barely remember the past events that’d caused such a wicked headache but as my eyes fully opened I realized that the headache was the least of my problems.I was in a cave!?Instantly, the memories of my last conversation with Arnold and how I’d been knocked out before I could contact Ethan for help came flooding in and fear gripped me in its wicked claws like never before. I immediately tried to stand up in an attempt to run out of the cave but an unfamiliar and prickly laughter made me halt my attempts.The mocking and dark laughter I’d heard was Arnold’s and he was now hovering over me on the floor with a vicious smile on his face.“Oh, do you think Ethan us coming to save you from me again?” His smile quickly morphed into a dark expression that I never thought he was capable of conjuring.Weak and in shock, I stared at him blankly without knowing what would serve as a suitable response.“I gave you a home wh
Ethan’s POVLayla’s scent was still lingering heavily in my room and I absolutely loved how intoxicating and enticing it was as it filled my nostrils, the only problem with that was that it made me crave her presence like I hadn't been with her in days.Meanwhile, it had only been a couple of hours since I’d seen her but I craved the feel of her luscious skin against mine, the way her body responded to mine like we were made from the same essence, how her helpless moans pushed me over the edge and how her innocence turned me on like a trigger was being pulled each time she stared at me with those shy doe eyes of hers.Thinking about her so sensually made me want her even more, I tried to push the thoughts out of my mind and focus on the work notes I was making but I only managed to concentrate for a few minutes before my need for her began to overwhelm me all over again and I knew that I needed to find her before I lost my mind.I quickly rose to my feet abandoning my work and I made