Layla
I had gotten up, showered, and dressed quickly. I was about to leave our room when Opey stirred awake. I went back to the bed and sat down beside her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. "Good morning." I said to her. "Layla, I am really sorry about yesterday." "I already told you it wasn't your fault, but please do try to keep yourself out of trouble today." I said, giving her shoulders a gentle shake. "I don't want to stay here, Lay." She told me with tears in her eyes and shaking her head. "Can't we just run away?" "You know that we can't. We don't have anywhere to go." I didn't want to tell her about the Harris House just yet and get her hopes up. "We could go rouge," She suggested. "It would be better than you getting beaten every day." She said as she dropped her eyes to her lap, obviously still feeling guilty. "Mekia and I can handle the beatings. And I am going to find a way to get us out of here. I promise we just have to hang on a little while longer. Ok? Can you do that for me?" She nodded her at me as she wiped the tears from her face. "Good, now I have to go if I'm not in the kitchen before the sun comes up. I will definitely get a beating. I want you to stay here in our room today. And I will bring you some food once I am done." "Ok," She said, "but please hurry. I don't like being down here by myself." I promised her that I would return as soon as I could. Then I tucked her back into bed , pulling the blankets tight around her and kissing her forehead. As I was climbing the cellar stairs, Mekia popped up in my mind. 'Layla?' She called to me softly. 'Good morning, Mekia.' I answered her. 'We have to get her out of here.' 'I know. I am working on it.' 'We shouldn't have to live this way. And I don't know how many more beatings I can endure without ripping your fucking uncle's head off. We are Alpha female for Goddess sake! And even if we weren't, we don't deserve this.' 'I just need a little more time. I found this place that might help us. But that isn't going to save us if you rip my uncle's head off. All 3 of us would be dead before nightfall.' I made it to the kitchen before even the Omegas had arrived and promptly went about starting breakfast. I had just finished cracking the last of the 100 eggs it would take to feed the pack. When Maribelle, the head Omega, came in through the back door. Maribelle was my only friend. Though she was quite a bit older than me, she seemed to understand me better than most. She embraced me in a hug, and my body involventairly jerked at the pain that shot through me from her touching my back. "What did the bastard do to you?" She asked, although she already knew the answer. "Oh no, Layla, not again!" I could only shake my head as the tears began to well up in my eyes. She pulled me into the pantry where no one could see us and closed the door. "Take your shirt off, let me see." I did, and her gasp at what she saw gave me my answer that it was bad. She moved further into the pantry and came back with a jar of salve and some bandages. After cleaning my wounds, she applied the salve and then the bandages. We heard the other Omegas coming into the kitchen. Maribelle opened the pantry door. "That's where I keep all the dried goods." She told me.Layla I thanked Maribelle for showing me where the grits were kept, and then we went back to work. The other Omegas exchanged knowing glances but didn't say anything. Once all the warriors had been fed, I made a bowl of eggs and bacon for Opey and headed back outside to the cellar entrance. I shuttered as I did so. It still pissed me off to no end even after 3 years that the cellar was where we were forced to reside. It was cold, dark, and damp and no place for a little girl to live. Mekia was right. We were Alpha females. And we didn't deserve this. Our only crime was being orphaned by our parents. And we couldn't do anything about that. I gave the food to Opey. After speaking with her a few minutes. I headed back towards the kitchen to get the cleaning supplies, I would need to clean my uncle's office. Of course, I wasn't allowed to use a mop and bucket. I had to scrub the floors with a brush on my hands and knees. I was even more thankful for Maribelle's assistance once
Layla I covered my mouth to stifle my gasp. I could hardly believe my ears. I mean, I knew my uncle was a low-life, but I would have never expected this. He was allowing the rape of she-wolves, harvesting their pups, and selling them. As what? Pets? I felt as though I was going to be physically sick. 'We have to leave here tonight!' Mekia said. I knew she was right. The thought of Opey being tied down and raped was too much for me to handle. Not that I was looking forward to it myself. The warrior that had been with my uncle. Keith, I think, is his name. Had made my skin crawl. I was a virgin, and I intended to stay that way until I found my fated mate. Since my uncle had gotten the mind link from the border, I was concerned about the werebears. Because I didn't know which part of the border he was referring to. I wouldn't know which way to go to avoid them as we were on our way out of the packlands. But we would just have to take our chances. The direction we would need
William and Wyatt After our run, I returned to my father's office to go over some reports he wanted us to look at together. It had felt good to let Luke, my wolf, out for a while. That is another thing we miss living in the human world. It isn't easy finding a safe place for him to run in the city, and Luke deserves to have that freedom. He is an Alpha male. I know it's hard on him being caged up inside of me all the time. We were setting across the desk from one another going through the flies. I was using my mind to turn the pages, another thing I couldn't do at the university. My father looked at me and chuckled at my antics. While he had to use his fingers to flip his pages. I returned his smile as I turned another page with a slight squint of my eye. "Looks like we are doing pretty well pop," I said to him as I finished the report I'd been reading. "Our stock is up, investments steady, sales are in the black. I got to hand it to you. You're one hell of a businessman." "W
William and Wyatt "I don't know", uncle Brody said. "She is definitely pregnant, and my warriors did follow her sent back to Stone Moon Rising. They were met at the border by Alpha Greg. He denied any knowledge of the situation. I thought, at the very least, she would be a candidate for the Harris House." "Of course we will take her." My mother said. "Doctor Edwards can do an ultrasound and evaluate her mental status, and then we can go from there with her treatment." "We may have bigger problems than a delusional she-wolf." My father said. "If Alpha Greg really is doing these things, we have to stop him." "Agreed!" Uncle brody said. "You can count on the full support of me and my clan. I can bring the female to you tomorrow. I will keep her safe until then." "Dose she have any physical injuries?" I asked uncle Brody. "Not that we can see other a few bruises and rope burns on her arms and legs from being restrained. I can't say where she was before my warriors found her,
Layla Opey and I had reached the bus station with no problems. I'd had enough money left over after buying our tickets that I was able to get Opey some food. We were sitting on a bench in the lobby of the station waiting to get on the bus while Opey finished her fries. "Are you sure you don't want some?" She asked me. "I know you are hungry too. I can hear your stomach growling." I took the frie she was offering me and popped it in my mouth, smiling at her. "We will be there by tomorrow." I told her. "Where is 'there'?" She asked me. "I told you, Opey, it's a home, a place for werewolves like us that don't have one." "I am scared, Layla." "I am too." I said, taking another french fry out of the pack. "But it can't be any worse than where we just came from. I am not going to let anything happen to you." "Who is going to make sure nothing happens to you?" She asked me. I only wish I had someone who cared if I was good or not. Since our parents died, I have been solely
William I got up really early the next morning and took Luke out for a run. When I got back to the packhouse, everyone was still asleep. So I went back up to my room, took a shower, and got dressed. I was sitting on the side of my bed when my phone rang. I looked down to see Rachel's name. "Good morning, baby." I answered. "Good morning, yourself stud. When are you coming home? I miss you." 'I am home.' I thought to myself. I really wasn't looking forward to the time when I would have to tell Rachel that I wasn't coming back and that she couldn't come with me. "I am going to have to stay here a couple more days than I planned. My parents have some issues right now I need to help them with." "Ok, I can come be with you there." She suggested. "No, that's not going to work. It's........" "Complicated, yea, I know." She finished for me. "That's what you always say." "It's just that my parents are different." I said, trying to justify my refusal. 'More than you could p
William My parents had left with Abigail for her checkup with Doctor Edwards. My sister was off with Addison and Jessica, Cayden's younger sisters, for their tea party. So, it was down to just Wesly and I. I really enjoyed being with my family, though Wesly was always the distant one. "I have some free time before Uncle Brody gets here." I said to him, nudging his arm that was propped up on the table. "How about if we spend the afternoon together? Anything you wanna do. I'm up for it. We need some bro time." Wesly just struggled his shoulders at me and continued to stare into nothing. So I decided to take a little sneak peek inside his head and see what he really wanted to do with me. I focused all my energy on him. 'Ah, ha,' I said to myself once I had the answer. "How about we go for a drive? We can drop the top and crank up the raido. Just 2 dudes and the road." "How did you know? Nevermind." Wesly said, shaking his head. "Let's go." I mind linked my father that Wesly and I
William By the time we made it back to our packlands. Uncle Brody had arrived with the female. My father had linked me, telling me that he and my mother, along with Uncle Brody, were with her in the hospital. I dropped Wesly off in the packhouse and headed over to meet up with them. I was trying my best to get the bus stop woman's image out of my head. There was not a chance in hell I would ever see her again. Though I wanted to go back to Durwood and comb the streets until I found her. I couldn't get past the fact that they looked homeless. Down on their luck at the very least. For some reason, it is torturing my soul to know the two of them are suffering in life. I could easily put an end to it if I could only find them. Luke has been silent since we left Durwood. Whatever it is that he is feeling or knows he is isn't sharing it with me. His response to the woman still has me perplexed. I walk into the hospital, and Doctor Edwards quickly helps me to locate my parents and
William I am happy to see Uncle Brody and Aunt Dina have arrived. Aunt Dina is very pregnant. So I wasn't sure if they would be here. If she goes into labor, she will have a great doctor. I crossed the room to where they were. "Uncle Brody, Aunt Dina." I said with a smile, kissing her cheek. "I am glad to see you made it." "We wouldn't miss it." Brody said. "Your father's been telling me about your latest adventure. I am glad to see you made it." He gave my shoulder a squeeze. When the music changes again, I know it is time to begin. I usher Uncle Brody and Aunt Dina to their seats. Then, I turn and make my way to the stage. My mother enters first, and my father goes to escort her. He leads her back, and they take their place alongside me. Then Jack escorts Pearl. Archie does the same with Isabella. I am not supposed to leave the stage. My grandpa Leith has already gotten up from his seat to escort Layla to me. When I see her enter the room, my feet begin to move me forward
William After the party had ended, Layla and I took Luke and Mekia out for a while. I knew my time with her was about to get even more sparse. The first few weeks of the transition of power would be busy for me. There would be a lot of things that I would have to focus on other than my mate. But tonight, what was left of it was ours. I'd known going in. There would be countless meetings with my father and our investors. I had seen to it that he would keep an active role in Harris Enterprises. Still, I would be the decision maker. No more 'Alpha Wyatt will handle that'. It wouldn't be forever, though. Things would soon get back to normal or at least my new normal. We stopped to take a breath at what my father had always called his thinking spot. I settled Layla down beside me on the cliff overlooking the valley. It was quiet and peaceful. She seemed to be deep in thought as she stared out into the night sky. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. "Penny, for your thoughts." I s
William My mother had arranged a banquet dinner for us all. With the pups incluged, there are 23 of us now gathered around one long ass table. I am a little disappointed that Dylan is not here. He told me he'd had a pre-arranged date for this evening. So he wouldn't be able to make it. It was a good thing that he had a date. I wish him only the best. I haven't said anything to him because I know Dylan would never act on the feelings. But Luke has been telling me how his Wolf Dex comes to attention a little too much for his liking. Whenever Layla is around, Luke also tells me. He has warned Dex to back off more than once. It is a good thing. I no longer have my mind reading abilities. Or else I would know exactly what they were thinking about my mate. And we would probably have a problem. I love Dylan like a brother, but still, he would not take Layla from me unless I was dead and he knows it. That's probably why he's been avoiding me. My father is in his place at the head of
Dylan I lied to my Alpha and told him I had a scheduled date for this evening. After my wolf decided to tell me that William's Wolf Luke had noticed his interest in Layla and told him to back off and he still hadn't. I really didn't have a choice. There was no way I could face both of them. I had indeed gone to the bar. I had picked up a woman and checked into a cheap motel under a false name. I had fucked her right and left her there still quivering in the bed. There was nothing pre-arranged about it. Now, I am headed back to my pack. My tail tucked between my legs, so to speak. As I pulled into the driveway at the front of the packhouse. I can hear the party I was invited to is in full swing. I curse under my breath as I strode around the side of the house instead of going through inside. I am on my way to take Dex out and run his ass into submission. At least I intended to run his ass into exhaustion. As we pass by the ballroom, I see William down on one knee. I know he is
William The packhouse is beginning to fill up with Harris's and Elliis's. Tomorrow, I will take my place as the Alpha of New Moon Rising. My father's parents, Alpha Henry and Luna Pamela, came in last night. Along with my uncle's Leo and Levi with their mates, Elida and Talley, and their pups. Aunt Talley is also my father's sister. My uncle Levi and my Aunt Talley actually found each other at my mother's Luna ceremony. Since my uncle Levi is the youngest of the Ellis boys. The pack went to my uncle Leo when my grandpa retired. Uncle Levi still has an active role in the pack and is still involved in its daily operations and management. Uncle Levi says he's never had a problem with the arrangement. He says it gives him more time to spend with his mate and his family. I hope that Wesly and I can come to the same accumulable understanding. When the time comes, though, something tells me he's not going to be as accepting as our uncle to take a side seat. We still have a few years
Layla "How are you feeling?" I asked Paul. He is sitting up in his bed. The intubation tube had been taken out. I have never been so grateful in my life. "A lot better thanks to you." He said with a scratchy voice. I smiled at him and gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "You are welcome, but I didn't do it by myself. All of us have been fighting hard for you." Mira is standing by his side, holding his hand. "We are thankful to you all." She says. I go about checking his vitals and his wound. He is healing better than I expected. "How is your wolf?" I asked him, looking at the stitches in his chest. "Getting stronger every day." He assured me. "When can I go home?" He asked. I gave him a stern look. "Not for a couple more days. I want to make sure your wolf can keep up with the healing process before I release you." He wasn't happy about it, but Mira assured me he would stay put until I said otherwise. "You need to rest." I told him. "That is the best cure for you now. Give
Dylan I can't deny that I am feeling a little jealous over my Alpha and Beta both finding their mates. Not that I am not happy for them. I really am. But I would be a liar if I said I didn't want the same for myself. Actually, my wolf does indeed want exactly the same, mate. He has been smitten with Layla since we saw her getting off of the Harris House bus. We had been on our back from our morning patrol. When we saw her, then we'd found out that she belonged to William. We knew we had no chance to have her. But that doesn't keep him from sulking. To pass the time and keep Dex focused on something other than our Alpha's mate, we have been spending a lot of time with the pups in our pack. They are after all our next generation. I knew for sure that I wanted a big family. I am an only child. Thankfully, I had William and Cayden and their siblings to grow up with. It is defentily easier for us both when we have something to occupy ourselves. Now that everything has pretty much
William All of us pups were gathered around our grandparents, Alpha Leith and Luna Helena. My mother's parents. Grandma had Abigail happily bouncing away in her lap. While Wesly and Harper were curled up on Grandpa's lap. It was so good to see them. I wish Layla could be here. Recently, her duties have called her away a lot. Paul had woken up this morning. I was thankful. My mate, however, hasn't left the hospital since leaving our bed upon getting the call from Doctor Edwards. She has been sending me updates every hour or so. I hoped she would be here soon, but I knew she wouldn't leave as long as she was needed. She was far too dedicated. It was good to see the effect that being with our grandparents is having on my siblings. Especially the ever introverted Wesly. Today, he is all smiles. He and our grandfather have always had a special connection. Grandpa always has said Wesly was the one of us kids who reminded him the most of Mother. Though he has never explained it. I don
Cayden I have played this night out a 1,000 times in my head. Now that's it's here. I am lost. I am hoping nature will just take its course. I close and lock the door behind my parents. I turn to find Brandy watching me intently. Whatever she is feeling, she has a poker face at the moment. I led her over to our bed and sat her down on top of me. I am enjoying inhaling her sweet sent. I think she must be doing the same thing because she has her face buried in my chest. I have always been curious about it. I've had a lot of women tell me I smelled really good. Not that I thought I stunk. Only one opinion mattered to me now. "What do I smell like to you?" I asked her easily. Not wanting to disturb her, I liked it very much that she liked my aroma. She seemed to be thinking about it for a moment. "To me, you smell like my favorite place, a place that I always want to be." She said, moving aside my button-up shirt and placing sweet kisses on my chest. I wondered if she knew what