Layla’s POVOnce I saw it, it was difficult to unsee the charged tension between Xavier and Ella that bled into everything—their interactions most of all.They hardly exchanged words unless absolutely necessary, and when that happened they never looked at each other, but in this there lay an implica
“Open the gates, Patrick,” Hector ordered calmly. There was no hint of the Alpha command in his voice, but the authority in his tone carried nonetheless, which must’ve been why Patrick Rockmountain stumbled mindlessly forward to obey him until he froze suddenly.“I–I can’t, Alpha.” His voice trembl
Layla’s POVThere were audible gasps of surprise after Hector finished speaking, and even though most of them were quickly stifled the damage was already done. He’d said what he said invoking the Rite of Succession, and as this sank in I felt the world tilt then start to slide away from me. Then I
“Your father, step-mother and sister are being held in a secure place, at least,” she intoned smoothly. A moment passed before it registered that she was speaking to me. “I assume we’ll have to let him and a couple of the other Elders out to witness this duel.”The matter-of-fact way she spoke chill
Layla’s POVCarlos. I couldn’t believe that it would be him challenging Hector on Marcia’s behalf. Hell, I couldn’t believe my eyes! The Lead Delta was loyal to a fault. He’d been the one to inform Hector of the rebellion in the first place…For a moment it felt like the entire world had been split
In an earnest fight Carlos would have been no match for Hector, but he was quick on his feet, decisive, and knew how and when to land an attack. As an added bonus: he and Hector had grown up training and fighting together, so one way or the other he knew my mate’s tricks—in and out.So this was why
Layla’s POVTime seemed to stand still in that moment. Even as I watched things play out in shocked horror, my brain struggled with putting together the pieces of what I had just witnessed, and then the sound of Carlos’s low, breathless gasp knocked me out of my reverie.The Lead Delta stared down
He’d come to fetch me for the Triumph Procession, and even now it was not hard to call upon the feelings of awe I’d experienced then as the other Deltas helped me into the sedan chair.Carlos. Dependable, solid Carlos… who I’d always thought would stay beside Hector was no longer with us. Instead, h