Layla POV When you marked your mate, I had no idea that it was like a missing part of your soul that suddenly reconnected with your other half; for the first time in my life, I felt like I truly belonged somewhere and could cope with whatever life threw at me. Since I marked Darius, the mate bond has strengthened, and I can feel every emotion Darius feels. Darius sees me as his equal; I know that he would do whatever it took to protect me, even if it meant he had to die for me, and I would do the same for him. I don't feel overwhelmed or anxious when Darius is near me; his presence calms me and makes me feel safe. It also helps that he is incredibly gorgeous, smells fantastic, and is as sexy as sin.I smile at Darius; listening to him talk to Zach and Riley; his voice sends a shiver down my spine, he senses me watching him and winks; I lower my eyes to the floor when I feel myself blushing. I've been walking on cloud nine since we returned to the packhouse yesterday afternoon. Darius
Amy POVI waited until Darius closed the door behind him before sitting down on the couch. Layla pulls her hair into a messy bun before asking, “What did you want to see me about, Amy?” I put my hands in my lap and say, “I want to mind-link Drew and tell him you have marked Darius.” Layla frowns as she asks,“Why?” I look at her and say, “So he can tell Nathan.” She stands up and sits beside me on the couch before asking, “You worried how Nathan will react to Darius and I being mates?” I nod. “Yes,” Layla sighs before saying, “Nathan doesn't deserve to have a sister like you.”I shrug, “He is the only brother I have, Layla.”Layla huffs then says, “You know I can't say no to you, don't you?” I giggle,“That’s what I was hoping for.” Layla embraces me and whispers, “If it puts your mind at rest to tell Drew, then do it.”I hug Layla and thank her for understanding why I have to do this; after a few minutes, we go to Layla's flat to check on Ellie and Beth. Zach’s mate
Layla POVAmy and Drew are shocked by Nathan's words; his arms are folded across his chest as he leans back in his chair, looking at me. I watch as Amy’s face starts to crumble, and she starts crying in Drew's arms. I shake my head before placing my hands on the table, stand and say, “I think it's best if we leave you three alone to discuss this.” Mom waits until we leave the loungeroom before asking, “What do you think Nathan is up to?” I shrug, “I have no idea, mom. I guess we will find out soon enough, won't we?” It's not long before Nathan, Drew, and Amy walk out of the loungeroom; I am relieved to see that Amy has calmed down and is no longer crying; whatever Nathan has said to her has set her mind at ease. There is a stunned silence in the kitchen when Nathan looks at me and asks,“Can I speak to you alone for a moment, Layla?” Darius growls softly beside me; I squeeze his hand before saying, “Anything you have to say to me, Nathan, can be said in front of Darius.” The
Drew POV I can't believe my Alpha and best friend for over twenty years has left; Amy’s arms are wrapped around my waist, and she buries her head in my chest. I hold her tightly as she sobs, and it breaks my heart to see her this upset. Amy is the best thing that has ever happened to me; she is my reason for waking up every morning. Now we have a pup on the way; I feel like my life is complete. I lead her into the packhouse and go to the kitchen to make her a cup of tea. Amy has developed a sweet tooth since she fell pregnant. I cringe and put three teaspoons of sugar into the cup and stir it before I hand it to her. Her blues eyes sparkle with unshed tears as she whispers, ”Thanks, babe; I think I need this.” I go to sit beside her, but she shakes her head and says, “I will be ok, Drew; you don't have to stay with me; I know you have a lot of preparations to make before we leave tomorrow.” I kneel in front of her and ask, “Are you sure you're ok, sunshine? I can stay for
Layla POV I look around at the place I grew up and smile; I have a few good memories of this place but not enough to make me sad about leaving. Darius has put Ellie and Beth in their seats. He smiles at me across the roof of the Suv and asks, “Do you need a couple of minutes, Layla?” I chew my bottom lip and look at him before shaking my head, “Nope, all good here. I am ready to go.” I don't look back as we drive away from the Red River packs territory; there's no need to everyone I care about is coming with me. We have decided to go as far as we can up the mountain before night falls; Zach and Monique will continue with Darius’s warriors and some of Drews and my wolves. Everyone traveling in the vehicles will camp overnight, so it's not too much of a strain on Ellie and Beth's little bodies being strapped in their seats too long. I take a deep breath trying to control my excitement as we cross my border. My hand instinctively rests on Darius’s thigh; I grin at him and say,
Darius POV We are back on the road early the following day; I can't wait to show Layla my home; we only have another couple of hours driving before we get there. I have already mind-linked Abigail to ensure the nursery has been set up for Ellie and Beth; it won't take long as we still have everything that Maddie and I used as babies. My home is a three-story farmhouse; on the top floor is the main bedroom with an ensuite, a connecting door from the main bedroom to the nursery, a lounge area, and two bedrooms with ensuites, which Maddie and I used when we were growing up. My mother believed in keeping her children close to her. I wish she had had the chance to meet Layla as I am sure she would have loved her, but mom passed away when Maddie was eight years old. The second floor consists of another four bedrooms; each room has an ensuite. We have the kitchen, dining room, lounge room, bathroom, and my office on the ground level, and a sunroom used as a library-sitting room; that's the
Darius POV I mind-linked Riley on the way back from Layla’s territory; by the time I got there, my wolves would have unloaded Layla’s SUV and helped Drew unload his truck. Drew and Riley are waiting in the clearing out the front of my home. Riley hands me a bottle of water and a sandwich. When I reach them, I look at Drew and say, “You can choose one of the remaining places; Alpha Leon said his Luna and him would be happy on either one.” Drew nods as we climb into Riley's pick-up, the trip will be rough, but we can take the car as far as we can, then shift if we have to. After half an hour of driving, we reach the land closest to my territory. Drew climbs out of the truck and smiles as he looks around, then says, “It's beautiful up here, isn't it.” I laugh and say, “It's a great place to raise children.” He looks to the east of him at the other mountain and asks, “How long does it take to get over there?” I frown, “About an hour; why?” He rubs the back of his neck
Darius POV I feel like a kid in the candy store whose favorite Lollie is just out of reach, and I can't quite get my hands on it yet. I watch as Ellie chuckles and spits her food back out; Beth giggles and copies her, then they both look at me, giggling their heads off. I groan inwardly and rub the back of my neck; I swear my two daughters are trying to cockblock me. Layla covers her mouth with her hand, trying unsuccessfully to hide her laughter. She looks at me and says, “This would go much faster if you leave the room for a minute; Ellie and Beth are only doing this because they have an audience.” I shake my head. I swear to the moon goddess Layla is correct, and these two she-devils know precisely what they are doing. I kiss Layla on the back of her neck and say, “Uh, Uh, I am not letting you out of my sight.” I am in agony by the time we finally get Ellie and Beth to finish their supper and take them upstairs for their bath. I undress Ellie and Beth while Layla runs their
Darius POV Ellie and Beth have just turned five, and watching my daughters interact with the other children in our pack never ceases to surprise me. Whenever the older pups get into an argument, you can guarantee that Ellie is standing in the middle of them, trying to calm everyone down. Beth always stands beside Ellie with her fists clenched, ready to step in if anyone gets too close to her sister. We always knew Ellie would be our diplomat; her calming nature can diffuse just about any situation in which the girls may find themselves. If Ellie can't get through to the other pups, you can guarantee Beth; our warrior, will take control and step in. Beth watches her mother train with the warriors every afternoon, mimicking Layla’s movements; we are trying to delay letting her train with the older pups. But it is getting harder and harder to refuse her, especially when we know what our daughter's future holds for them. Ellie and Beth are highly protective of their little brother; they
Layla POVAll the pups that Willow brought with her now have homes; it never ceases to amaze me how quickly children can adapt to new surroundings. Willow and Riley have marked each other. Willow is a beautiful she-wolf with a loving nature; Riley and Willow are perfect for each other. Darius and I are on our way to my territory; Anita has gone into labor, and Diana is there, but both Zach and Anita have asked if I could be with her in case Zach passes out as Drew did. Our baby is due in a couple of weeks; I feel like a baby elephant these days; my feet are swollen most days, and getting up off the floor never ceases to have Ellie and Beth giggling uncontrollably. We have everything set up for when our pup arrives; I don't mind admitting that I have told Diana to bring any pain relief she can get her hands on when my time comes. I smile when we pull up out front of the packhouse; Zach's pacing frantically in the front yard; he turns toward us and approaches the truck opening my door
Darius POV I wake up in a foul mood; my eyes feel like someone has tipped a bucket of sand in them. Layla is sound asleep beside me; I untangle my body from hers and throw a pair of jeans on before going downstairs. No sound comes from the loungeroom where the pups and Willow are sleeping. I go to the kitchen and make a coffee before going to my office. I go to stand when I hear footsteps getting closer to my office; the door opens, and my eyes widen in shock when Riley enters and sprawls out on the couch opposite me. He rakes his hand through his hair as he says, “I need to talk to you.” I smirk at him and reply, “That's obvious, or you wouldn't be here this morning.” He shakes his head and chuckles nervously as he says, “I need your advice.” I groan, “Please don't tell me you have gotten one of the she-wolves you sleep around with pregnant.” Riley snorts as he says, “If only it were that simple.” I frown; this is serious; it looks like I am not the only one who
Layla POV It had only been a couple of weeks since Soren, Nathan, and Teena came to our territory. It's early on a Saturday morning, Darius and I are still in bed, our pack run was the previous night, and as always, after our packs ran together, we had a bbq. It was a bit of a struggle getting so many wolves in one place, but somehow we always managed to pull it off. Since it's not safe for pregnant females to shift, I waited at home with Ellie, Beth, Amy, Abbie, and the younger members of our packs. Darius and I usually lead the run, he wanted to stay at home, but I didn't see the sense of both of us missing out on one of the things we loved. We have added two toddler beds in the nursery for Ellie and Beth; Darius and I are lying in bed arguing over baby names; we have only just agreed on Bohdi as a boy's name. Choosing a girl's name is becoming impossible. I chuckle when I hear the pitter-patter of two pairs of feet as they run toward us. Ellie and Beth have started climbing int
Layla POV I froze when Teena stood up and went to follow me inside. Did I want this woman in my home? Lea’s voice entered my mind as she said, “Teena and Soren won't harm Ellie and Beth.” I nod and motion her to follow me; Alec is playing with the girls in the lounge room. I pick Ellie up. Teena looks at me and asks, “Can I pick this little one up?” I can see the shock in Darius’s eyes when I say “Yes” Lea had already told me Teena was a witch; as long as she wasn't here to harm my babies, I couldn't care what species she was. When we entered the kitchen, Teena said, “You are pregnant. Would you like to know if you are having a boy or girl?” I shake my head and answer, “No, Darius and I are happy to wait until our pup arrives.” She nods, helping Diana, Abbie, and I carry the food to the porch. Darius has already taken the girl's chairs outside; mom pulls a chair close to her and narrows her eyes at Alec as she says, “Behave yourself, or you will be eating inside
Darius POV We knew Soren and his companions were coming; our patrols spotted them two days before they reached our border. I mind-linked our warriors and told them not to stop him from crossing the border. Alec, Beth, and Ellie were to remain inside the house with Diana and Abbie while they were here until told otherwise. Sebastian was staying on Layla’s territory with her wolves. Everyone was to remain on high alert in case of any trouble, we weren't expecting any, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Lea has already alerted Layla that Alpha Soren would arrive within the next thirty minutes. Layla has set up a meeting area on the porch, she refuses to allow him to enter our home. Zach, Riley, Jackson, Nicole, Leon, and Kyra are already here, and Drew and Amy are on their way over now. Its have been raining non-stop since yesterday, so they would have to walk a fair distance up the mountain; my patrol mind links me and says, “They have pulled the cars off the road and coming
Soren POV The wolves Teena let into my territory have been here for two days; they have recovered from the wounds, and I intend to speak to them today. Teena and I have been in my office since dawn; she sits opposite me, holding a cup of coffee in both hands. I lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest and ask, “What did you see?” She frowns as she says, “Nathan was an Alpha before he came here; he has made terrible mistakes in his past and is trying to compensate for the hurt he has caused the ones closest to him.” I nod, looking at her; Teena seems tired. I growl before saying, “And you still want to claim him as your mate?” She nods her head “Yes” and replies, “Everybody makes mistakes, Soren; you know that.” I snort, “That may be so, but it's too dangerous for you to leave here without me.” She chuckles as she says, “Mark my words Soren; Nathan will denounce his title as Alpha and stay here with me.” I roll my eyes at her and say, “Your very con
Layla POVIt's been a couple of days since Josie’s visit. Darius and I have been awake for hours, I get out of bed, and as soon as I place my feet on the floorboards, the room starts spinning. I run to the bathroom, kneel in front of the toilet, and empty the contents of my stomach. I groan, resting my head in my hands until the room stops spinning. I use the vanity to pull myself off the floor and step gingerly into the shower turning the water on so I can have a shower. I stay under the water until I feel better and wrap a towel around myself as I leave the bathroom.Darius is resting against the headboard of the bed with a frown on his face as he asks,“Are you ok, sweetheart, your not making yourself sick worrying about what Josie said?” I sit beside him and rest my head against his shoulder as I say, “Maybe I don't know Darius?”He wraps his arms around me as he whispers, “I wasn't joking when I said I would kill anyone who hurt our girls, Layla.” I sigh, looking up at him, a
Alpha Soren I haven't had anything to do with my family for years; I left home at sixteen and have remained hidden for the last twenty years. The politics of my brother's court sickens me; I had many wolves loyal to me and have built my pack from two thousand wolves to five thousand wolves; we choose to stay hidden. My brother has no idea where I am, and I intend to keep it that way. My brother Phillipe is an evil prick and wouldn't hesitate to kill my mate and my children if he knew our whereabouts. I wrap my arms around Tatiana, holding her close to my chest as the sobs wrack her petite frame; I can smell the fear seeping from her as she murmurs, “What are we going to do, Soren?” I kiss the top of her head as I reply, “I will never let anyone hurt our daughter Tatiana.” My sister Teena has just placed Octavia in her cradle; she smiles at me sadly as she leaves my bed chamber. Octavia is a beautiful baby. She will grow into a beautiful woman just like her mother; the corners