LAYLA
It was a painfully quiet night. I sat on the edge of my bed staring out the window and down at the moonlit pack grounds.
Del Morino and the strange visit to the other packhouse were circling in my head leaving me confused about thoughts
He had presented me to Adrian as his mate in a way that seemed purposeful even to make Adrian jealous or something like that.
He was trying to arouse the other side of Adrian.
To make him stay away from me?
It had to be that. I balled my fists rage brewing beneath me.
DRAKEI ignored the sunlight that poured in through my large windows.I lay sprawled on my velvet chaise and gazed at the ceiling's elaborate carvings letting my thoughts wander to things I'd prefer to forget.Layla.Her name evoked feelings I didn't want to confront like a whisper in my mind.I hate that I had seen her with Del Morino.Not that it mattered but the way she was, carrying herself with so much confidence and pride broke me in two.Not that I was hoping she had been a slave or something, but I had wished I was the one who had given her that luxury she w
I sighedThese Elders don't know me.They had spoken like I should be scared or something.Then I should run to Del Morino's pack and beg Layla to come back, kissing her feet and shedding tears.Nah.Just because I'm in danger, even little pups are constantly in danger.To look intimidating or at least that's what I hoped, I twirled a dagger between my fingers while lounging on the meeting room's enormous fur chair.As though their breakfast had been stolen the elders sat in front of me with their typical sullen expressions.
It was just a few hours to dinner and my thoughts were racing against each other.At first, I thought it was just a joke but as I kept thinking about it, I felt so uneasy.At the moment all I had was stress and a pounding headache but being an alpha was supposed to bring dignity and power, isn't it?I kept thinking of the elder's warning: no Seal of the Moon, no pack security. And guess what? Layla had the key to that damned Seal.I guess so.Layla who most likely hated me now.Layla had sacrificed everything for me to pay he
DEL MORINOAlong the path to the Temple of the Moon Goddess, the branches of tall trees made it difficult to see the silver crescent moon that hung high in the sky.The smell of flowers that were blooming at night filled the air and the sound of gentle footsteps echoed through the silence. With the murmurs of our entourage behind us, my mother sat beside as she held my hand warmly.Although the temple has long been a quiet location for prayer and tranquility I felt uneasy tonight. My six year old mind was restless.Something or someone hiding in the shadows seemed to be observing us as the cart went through the hard route to the temple.Mother had said that the rocks along the paths
LAYLA "Get her! " I heard as an arrow whizzed passed my left check drawing out blood. Branches slapped against my face as I sprinted through the forest, lungs burning with each breath. The footsteps behind me were getting closer. Whoever they were , they weren't stopping and neither would I. The wind howled through the trees, but I could still hear them.Heavy, relentless footsteps , closing in on me. I had to keep running. I had to get to him. My mate . My Alpha. Drake He was the only one who could help me, the only one who would protect me. I stumbled over a fallen log , nearly crashing to the ground, but my legs kept moving, powdered by adrenaline . My wolf growled in frustration , begging to shift but I couldn't. Not now ,not when I was so close. The Packhouse was just ahead, beyond the clearing. If I could make it there ,I had be safe. I knew that Drake would be there . He had to be. I burst through the treeline panting hard . Relief surged through me at the
I had tried to forget the past . But as I stood there ,numb from seeing my mate with another woman, memories of that fateful day flooded my mind , dragging me back to the darkest moment of my life . We were just teenagers when it all happened. The day I lost everything FLASHBACK "Layla! Run! Don't look back!" My mother's voice rang out ,her usual calmness shattered by fear. The trees around us blurred as I stumbled through the underbrush, my heart racing,my wolf clawing at me, begging to be let out. But I couldn't. My parents had told me not to shift . Not yet. I turned back ,the scent of blood ,the sound of snarls filling the air. Rogue wolves. Dozens of them. My father's howl echoed through the forest ,a warning and a plea. He and my mother were the Guardians Of The Moon ,a title given to those who were responsible for the protection of the Alpha and his family and sworn to protect even the future Alpha with their lives . But I know that they couldn't hold of
What choice did I have? When your own mate looks at you like... you are less than dirt... What's left to fight for? The one I had loved for three years. Drake — the Alpha of Silver Crescent, the man I thought would chose me as his Luna— had thrown me aside like yesterday's trash. I thought I could endure anything for him. Three years of being overlooked , waiting for him to see me . To love me. But when his cold eyes met mine at the ceremony.... I knew. I was never going to be enough. I had begged silently for him to consider, to change his mind but nothing. Instead he had chosen the Beta's daughter over me. Ugly and wolfless That what was he had called me. The tears couldn't stop as I was been led out of the pack very early in the morning. Allowing me to spend the night was the only good he had done for me. The pack was no longer my home and I cried silently as we got to the ends of the pack ,guards flanked by my sides like I had committed a heinous crime. I couldn't stay
Pregnant? The word echoed in my mind like a distant bell,its sound growing louder until it consumed me. I laughed,but it wasn't a laugh of joy . It was sharp, bitter, like something dark clawing its way up my throat. How could this be real? It felt like a cruel dream, and any moment now, I'd wake up in my tiny cabin — still heartbroken,but not pregnant. Not like this . "Are you serious?"My voice trembled, barely holding back the storm of emotions building inside me. I glanced at the man who had helped me ,his expression unreadable. He didn't finch, though.My hands trembled, gripping the blanket tightly.My heartbeat felt like a drum in my chest ,fast and erratic. "I wouldn't joke about something like that ?" He said softly,his tone unusually gentle. "The physician was certain." I swallowed hard. There had been no one else— Drake . The thought of carrying his child,afterall that had happened, twisted my stomach into knots. " I saw you at the Alpha's Mating ceremony, rumour
DEL MORINOAlong the path to the Temple of the Moon Goddess, the branches of tall trees made it difficult to see the silver crescent moon that hung high in the sky.The smell of flowers that were blooming at night filled the air and the sound of gentle footsteps echoed through the silence. With the murmurs of our entourage behind us, my mother sat beside as she held my hand warmly.Although the temple has long been a quiet location for prayer and tranquility I felt uneasy tonight. My six year old mind was restless.Something or someone hiding in the shadows seemed to be observing us as the cart went through the hard route to the temple.Mother had said that the rocks along the paths
It was just a few hours to dinner and my thoughts were racing against each other.At first, I thought it was just a joke but as I kept thinking about it, I felt so uneasy.At the moment all I had was stress and a pounding headache but being an alpha was supposed to bring dignity and power, isn't it?I kept thinking of the elder's warning: no Seal of the Moon, no pack security. And guess what? Layla had the key to that damned Seal.I guess so.Layla who most likely hated me now.Layla had sacrificed everything for me to pay he
I sighedThese Elders don't know me.They had spoken like I should be scared or something.Then I should run to Del Morino's pack and beg Layla to come back, kissing her feet and shedding tears.Nah.Just because I'm in danger, even little pups are constantly in danger.To look intimidating or at least that's what I hoped, I twirled a dagger between my fingers while lounging on the meeting room's enormous fur chair.As though their breakfast had been stolen the elders sat in front of me with their typical sullen expressions.
DRAKEI ignored the sunlight that poured in through my large windows.I lay sprawled on my velvet chaise and gazed at the ceiling's elaborate carvings letting my thoughts wander to things I'd prefer to forget.Layla.Her name evoked feelings I didn't want to confront like a whisper in my mind.I hate that I had seen her with Del Morino.Not that it mattered but the way she was, carrying herself with so much confidence and pride broke me in two.Not that I was hoping she had been a slave or something, but I had wished I was the one who had given her that luxury she w
LAYLAIt was a painfully quiet night. I sat on the edge of my bed staring out the window and down at the moonlit pack grounds.Del Morino and the strange visit to the other packhouse were circling in my head leaving me confused about thoughtsHe had presented me to Adrian as his mate in a way that seemed purposeful even to make Adrian jealous or something like that.He was trying to arouse the other side of Adrian.To make him stay away from me?It had to be that. I balled my fists rage brewing beneath me.
LAYLAA soft knock on the door woke me up the following morning. Groggy and so weak that even when I said."Come in." I wondered if the person outside heard me.But then Del Morino entered wearing a white shirt which was messily rolled up showing his bulging muscles and tattoos that somehow managed to make him appear both menacing and sexy.I groaned and looked away. The handsome devil wanted to make me drool over him."Good morning Layla." he said in a very smooth and normal voice." I wanted to give you a tour of the pack house today. You still haven't had a chance to see everything."I paused for a second, still taking in everything that had happened since coming here.
LAYLABreathing was difficult and no matter how hard I tried to turn my eyes away, I was still staring at him.As I gazed at Drake, the man that I once loved I felt my chest tightened, making it difficult for me to breathe and my vision suddenly became blurry.Never in a million years would I ever think that I would ever see Drake, that our paths would ever cross but there he was towering over those around him and radiating the same carefree charm that had first captivated me.A woman who could have been sculpted by the Moon Goddess herself stood next to him her, laughter tinkling like bells as she held onto his arm.
DEL MORINOThe sight before me was enough to stop me in my tracks as the door creaked open and I entered the room.Layla stood in the center of the room, her damp hair falling over her shoulders and a towel tightly wrapped around her body I leaned idly against the doorframe, she turned around not expecting to see me.“Del!” she snapped her wide eyes to mine like a startled deer, keeping the towel close to her chest like a lifeline." Why are you in this room?I pretended not to understand what she was saying and raised an eyebrow.
LAYLA The room was a hive of activity as the maids worked diligently to prepare me for the bonding ceremony.My silver masterpiece of a dress shimmered like the moon. Every time the sunlight touched it the delicate embroidery glistened. The gown was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, its majestic train swept elegantly around me and it fitted me perfectly, hugging my curves and silently thanked the dressmaker. The gown was perfect for hiding my small baby bump.Attractive but modest the fabric embraced my body making it the ideal outfit for a Luna. But despite my attractive appearance, I was unable to get rid of the knot of anxiety that was twisting in my stomach. My hair was delicately pulled by the maids into an elegant style that was designed with tiny pearls. With a tiny mirror in hand, one of them stood back to examine their work. She smiled warmly."Luna Layla you look so beautiful." Luna Layla?It sounded odd as if I didn't own the title. Like they were referring to s