Layla Once Cayden and Brandy left the hospital with their pups. I went to check in on Paul. I felt absolutely horrible that he had gotten shot while trying to protect me. I prayed that he would survive. I intended to do my best to see that he did. I checked his vital signs. His blood pressure and heart rate had returned to normal again. That was good. I asked the nurse, attending to him. If he had shown any improvement in his reflexes, she told me that he hadn't. That wasn't what I wanted to hear. Paul has been unresponsive for almost 2 days, with little brain activity. As the saying goes, if you don't use it, you lose it. I had to get him back soon. His mate, Mira, was there in the room with him. As she has been the whole time, she was sitting by his bed. I smiled at her. I could tell she had been crying again. I wish there was something I could say to make it better, but there wasn't. I am supposed to be a doctor it is my job to give comfort. At that moment, I felt like a fai
Cayden I was so nervous to bring Brandy and our pups home. I have a nice enough room for myself. But I still didn't feel like it was good enough for my new family. We may have to build us a house of our own. I am sure William wouldn't mind giving us half an acre to ourselves. Tonight, however, this would have to do. I could tell my mother had been here. The twins were completely set up with bassinets, changing tables, diapers, clothes, and blankets. You name it, they had it. I was really surprised she wasn't waiting here for us herself. She was more than a little excited about being a grandma. Brandy seemed to be looking around our room in amazement. That was good, I guess. She was charmed by the things my mother had brought. She Oohed, an awwed at the tiny clothes and blankets. She turned to me with tears in her eyes as she held up a onesie that read g-ma's baby. Don't mess with me. "You will have to forgive my mother." I said, taking the onesie from her and looking at it. "
William Layla really has me concerned by the amount of guilt she is carrying over Paul. I don't like the fact that she is blaming herself for Dale's stupid ass. If I could, I would kill him again. I pray to the Goddess that Paul will survive. If he doesn't, I didn't know what it would do to my mate. I had decided that tonight, I was going to be greedy. I wasn't sharing Layla with anybody, not even Opey. I had linked my mother, and she assured me that Opey would be fine for the night. And that I did indeed need to take care of my mate. I had ordered us up a tray of food. It would be here after I got her out of her bubble bath. I intended to pamper her. I had a lot to make up for. I ran her bath with extra bubbles just how she liked it. I knew she thought I was going to join her. I wanted to, but tonight was all about taking care of her, not mating her. In the morning, however, she was fair game. I washed her body and her hair. Then I let her soak for a bit. "Thank you, William
Layla Early the next morning, I was up with the sun. I didn't want to wake William up to go to the hospital with me. I knew he needed to rest and recover. I wanted to check on Paul before my 2 back to back classes. I would pretty much be tied up all day. Luna Hope has started making plans for William's Alpha ceremony. I told her I would help with that as well. It finally felt like our lives were moving forward on a positive note. Alpha Wyatt had returned the females and their pups to their packs. The ones who wanted to stay, he'd granted them asylum. The pup smuggling business has been shut down for good. The new Alpha of Core Moon Rising, Alpha Carl, is working with them on tracking down the pups who were sold and the buyers as well. William graduated top of his class, of course, and received his diploma in the mail a few days ago. Luna Hope and I had arranged a surprise dinner for him in honor of his achievement. Alpha Wyatt is slowly pulling back from the business, letting W
William I didn't like the feeling of waking up without Layla by my side. I should have known she was going to sneak out. She had already told me I needed to rest. That was a little hypocritical for her to say after the plot twist she'd pulled on me last night. I had linked to her, and she'd told me about Paul. She also told me she would be in class for the next few hours. I reluctantly got out of bed and showered. Alone, unfortunately. I would be glad when she was finished with med school for sure. I was ready to start a family with my mate. I knew Layla was against it until she graduated. I understood, and I didn't want to stand in her way. It was obvious she was a natural born healer. Since my mate would be busy for most of the day, I decided to do something productive with myself. Layla had ordered an ornate wooden black and gold frame for my PHD, diploma from the Harvard Economic Department. I decided I would take it and hang it up in my father's, rather my, office. I had
Layla After my classes were done, I had left the library, intending to go join my mate in our bedroom. I had gotten a mind link at the same time from Luna Hope. So I headed to the conference room instead. She had some things for William's ceremony she wanted to show me. I was excited as I climbed the stairs. "I think that is a wonderful idea, Luna Hope." I gushed, clapping my hands. Luna Hope had made several photo collages throughout William's life from baby till adult. She had them all arranged in different stages of his development. I was really enjoying sharing these memories with the Luna. I could see it was a fact that my mate had always been gorgeous. "I think it's time for you to call me mom or at least just Hope." She said, smiling at me. That caught me completely off guard. It has been a long time since I've had the pleasure of calling anyone mom. I couldn't think of a better woman to claim as my mother than Luna Hope. I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I was f
Cayden The pups and I were sitting in the lobby of the hospital waiting for Brandy to come out of her check-up appointment with Doctor Edwards. I was a little nervous. Mack and I are going crazy with the possesive need to mate Brandy. We definitely wanted her to be wearing our mark. I knew she was feeling it, too. Last night, while we were snuggled up to each other. Her arousal was strong, I'd had to get out of bed and go to the bathroom to relieve the pressure in my groin. It was the only way to keep from giving her what she was asking for. It wasn't her fault she wasn't trying to torture me it was just being close to her. I would have to get another bed brought into our bedroom for me if she didn't get cleared soon. I had also been spending too much time away from them. It was the only way I could control my ever-growing desire for her. I know Brandy had been curious about my behavior. I wanted to explain it to her, but I couldn't find the right words. I was feeding Grace w
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
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