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14. Faking It
Last Updated:
2024-09-18 00:29:33
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Till Death Do Us Lie 15. A Midnight Visitor
~ QUADE ~“So, is it good enough?” her voice comes down the phone. I glance out of the hotel window where I’m staying, looking in the direction of her home.This hotel teeters on her pack borders. One that gives me access to her pack without having to pass the guards. With her guidance, of course, or so she thinks. I already knew about the entryway she had disclosed to me from long ago.“It’ll do, Miss Blackwell. Although I hoped I’d get an invitation into your home, or a late-night offer if you get my gist,” I reply.She laughs slightly. “Well, at least it’ll do. As for any kind of invitation, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Besides, I can’t magically invite you here. People wouldn’t trust that. Look, tomorrow at the dinner meeting with Logan, just make sure our stories correlate or-”“Relax, deception is an art I’ve mastered a long time ago. I’m more concerned that you might blow our cover.”I can just picture her expression of irritation. I’ve learned that about her. Her patience
Last Updated : 2024-09-21Till Death Do Us Lie 16. A Reward
~ LAYLA ~“Luna? I have brought you some turmeric milk. It’ll help you.” Nadia’s voice comes from outside the door.I pale as I scan the room. He’s closed the window too!He’s clearly finding this funny, which only annoys me further. I push my glasses up my nose as I try to push him back. “Hide!” I hiss.“Are you really telling me to hide?” he scoffs arrogantly. “You do know who I am, right?”An arrogant asshole, that’s who.“We can’t blow our cover, remember?” I reply with mock politeness, shoving him back.“It’s just a member of staff. Who cares?” he winks at me suggestively.I get to my feet, continuing to force him around to the other side of the bed and shove him to the ground with my full strength.I flinch as he hits the ground with a thud. I scramble to my feet as I hear the door handle turn, but my legs tangle with his and I tumble face forward onto him.“Luna! Are you alright!”I jerk upright, realising I’m straddling him, and I’m about to get up when I realise my shorts have
Last Updated : 2024-09-21Till Death Do Us Lie 17. Slipping In
~ LAYLA ~“Julian…” I say tensely.Both men simply stand there staring at one another. Something about the exchange makes me feel uneasy. I can practically smell the hostility between the two. I have half a mind to jump out of the window, but I doubt my landing will be anywhere near as smoothly as Quade’s was.“Julian, is it? Nice name,” Quade says almost mockingly.“The Lycan King? Not very king-like, jumping out of a window, now is it?” Julian counters icily.“Maybe if you were a better bodyguard, I wouldn’t have even been able to get to her. If I wanted, she could have been dead by now.” Quade’s voice is equally hostile.“I’d like to see you try. Hurt her and I won’t care who you are.”Quade’s aura suddenly bleeds through the air, getting heavier. I can feel it from up here.“Julian, please-”“You’re no threat to me. Kind of disappointing, actually.”“Don’t underestimate me. That’s how a person falls,” Julian answers. I try to glare at him warningly, but he doesn’t even glance my wa
Last Updated : 2024-09-25Till Death Do Us Lie 18. Fire
~ LAYLA ~I grab the files I can, shoving them into my bag as I look around through the haze of smoke. With the amount of paper in here, it’s spread fast. I look around frantically, hoping to find something that would assist me in attempting to run through the flames. There’s nothing but files upon files.I’m going to shift. I place my bag down, removing my glasses and shove them into my bag before I quickly kick off my shoes and reach under my blouse to unlatch my bra. I really dislike the way the fabric chafes when you shift wearing clothes. I focus, something that is hard to do when the smoke is getting worse.I feel that familiar pull from inside as my body pushes itself to shift, and then comes the searing pain as every bone in my body mutates, I let out a groan that turns into a growl midway as I fall forward on to all fours, watching the fur spring from my body. I feel my senses heightening, the smoke is becoming stronger, but it’s not suffocating me as much as it was before. I
Last Updated : 2024-09-27Till Death Do Us Lie 19. A Video
~ LAYLA ~“I might be a little late, but I will be there on time for our guest, don’t worry about that. I’ll meet you at the restaurant?” I hear the quiet whisper from behind him.Sadie.“Sure, that’s fine.” I hang up and stare at Logan’s number.Why am I not surprised?Idiot.I look in the mirror as I continue working on my makeup. I’m wearing a satin forest green dress that reaches just above my knees, with a slit at the back. Finishing with nude lipstick, I sit back and fix the thin straps, frowning deeply as I ponder over what happened earlier.Who is behind this?Julian will be here at any minute, and I’m hoping he’s found something.As if on cue, there’s a knock on the door. “Come in!” I call, as I begin taking the heat curlers out of my hair.The door opens and Julian steps inside. I grab my glasses, putting them on as I spin around and stand up quickly.“Anything?” I ask, as he looks me over but says nothing.“There’s nothing on the security footage at the building, but the fac
Last Updated : 2024-09-27Till Death Do Us Lie 20. The Dinner
~ LAYLA ~“Enjoy your meal,” the waitress says politely as she steps away.Logan was rendered speechless after Quade’s remark, and then the food I had pre-ordered arrived.“Thank you,” I say to her, clearing my throat. Even the soft music that plays in the background sounds extremely loud.“So, I see that you knew Alpha Drakon. Funny, I never knew there was a link between you,” Logan says, laughing awkwardly. His ears are red, and he’s pissed off. That much I can see, but at the same time, he’s smart enough not to get onto his wrong side. Especially after what happened at the ball.“I never knew you were ever considered as a potential partner for his daughter, either. I guess we really don’t know much about one another.” Quade counters as he picks up his glass, raising it to me before he takes a sip.Logan places a hand on my knee, his thumb digging in a little painfully. I glance at him, and he looks back at me with a forced expression. One that tells me I’m going to hear something la
Last Updated : 2024-09-30Till Death Do Us Lie 21. Rage
~ QUADE ~My eyes flash, the streetlights glittering as I follow Logan’s car at a distance. The urge to shift, rip him to shreds and make it painful only growing with each passing second.A storm is brewing inside of me, and only his demise can satiate it. He had done something to her, that I was sure of when I returned from taking my call. After they left, I asked for the CCTV footage of our table and told them Eddie would come collect it soon since I had no time to waste.I didn’t trust him, not after how I have seen him treat her countless times.We turn a bend just as my phone rings and I answer it.“I got the footage from the manager, Alpha. I’m going to take a look at it now. The Gamma’s coming in case you need backup.”“I don’t. Just tell him to be on standby. Check the video from the point I leave the table. If he put something in her food or drink, it’s got to be then. I would have checked the glass, but I had no time.”“No worries, that’s what I’m here for, Alpha.”I hang up,
Last Updated : 2024-10-03Till Death Do Us Lie 22. Bad News
~ QUADE ~Who’d have thought the day would come when I will work with him?When Layla told me she trusts Julian, I didn’t think it would be him. Heck, I was thinking he was dead just like everyone else.The problem is he knows things I don’t want anyone to know.“Quade…” Layla murmurs as she turns in her seat and places a hand on my thigh, running it up my leg. She has an effect on me, one I wish she didn’t – one she shouldn’t. When the truth comes to light, she’d despise me with every fucking fibre of her being.I smirk humourlessly at the thought as I take a sharp left.Then I best not let that truth come out, no matter what. As for Julian, he won’t say anything because he ain’t no saint either. So, we’ll both simply carry on. Even if not everything I say is the truth, I do care for her. He would know that.Besides, he only knows the tip of the iceberg of secrets and lies that I have hidden behind the shroud of darkness that surrounds me.Fate sure does throw us into one another’s pa
Last Updated : 2024-10-07
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Till Death Do Us Lie 52. Doubt
~ LAYLA ~We reach home and my arm is beginning to feel numb, although I don’t tell Julian that. Nothing an antidote and rest won’t fix, but he still follows me back to my room, scoffing when I open the door.“So, you guys going to share a room once you tie the knot?” he asks with distaste.“Well, maybe, I mean we are going to marry,” I reply, although I don’t know yet… I have plans. I could try to get close to Quade, make him fall for me, show him I love him and then get all the answers I need… I’m not sure yet.I glance at Julian, wondering what he’s thinking. He’s not happy with my response, yet he’s ok to share secrets with Quade himself.“So, do you have a medical kit?” he asks.“I do have one. Nadia always makes sure it’s packed, but I think it’s not with my stuff that’s here yet.”“You wouldn’t have an antidote for Elksall, though. Quade would.”“You seem to be sure of that,” I reply, almost like you know him.“Well, he’d be an idiot not to.”“Well, I can go look in his room. He
Till Death Do Us Lie 51. Layla
~ JULIAN ~The match is over, and she was fucking incredible. She’s always been resilient and skilled. Despite parts of her past being missing from her mind, her body has not forgotten anything.She now goes to speak to the elders and I wait, my eyes fixed on her, making sure no harm comes to her. I spare a glance up at the full moon for a split second.Even though the world might not know Quade’s secret, I do. We all did. We used to help him when the full moon came. He was dangerous, and stronger than us all on those nights. His thirst for blood was extreme, and he was never able to tell friends from foe. A lycan’s greatest weakness is on the full moon, when they lose all sanity.Staying away from Layla at this time was for the best.Watching her now, I can’t help but check her out. There’s something super-hot about a woman fighting. Watching her was a treat, and I can tell it’s not only the women happy to see her lead, but plenty of men who suddenly see her as more than the ever-grac
Till Death Do Us Lie 50. My Right
~ LAYLA ~Logan is already here. He’s only in a pair of sweatpants, some sweatbands on his wrists, a band to keep his hair back and trainers.Christopher stands, and the crowd becomes silent as he begins speaking.I’m unable to focus looking at the smug expression on Logan’s face, is he up to something? Just then, Sadie hurries forward dressed in a skimpy dress and flings her arms around Logan’s neck and kisses him before she looks over at me, and casts me a dirty glare. I smirk coldly, if she thinks that would upset me, she’s sorely mistaken.“He might try something… so stay alert. He’s got more strength, you got speed. Use it,” Julian says quietly.“I have strength too,” I answer as I step forward, and Julian pats my shoulder before he walks off to the bench, the closest spot anyone is allowed to be.All the lies… yet somehow, he seems to really care…Not now, Layla. You have to win this.Right.The signal to begin goes off and Logan is the first to run at me. I move out of his way a
Till Death Do Us Lie 49. The Verdict
~ LAYLA ~He doesn’t say a word as he takes the seat beside me and looks ahead.“You’re here.”“Obviously, I’m not like him.”I give him a sarcastic smile at his mockery of Quade whilst wondering how long he’s going to keep lying.You’re hurting me, Julian.He stretches his arm around the back of my seat just as he always did, but I’m unable to ignore the betrayal, refusing to relax in my seat.Ten minutes later the alleged crimes have been stated, and the proof that I had gathered is also presented before the audience and jury. It isn’t much considering Quade had given his verdict, but there were people who saw him with Sadie, the CCTV footage, also him drugging me at the restaurant amongst a few others. Together, they were enough for many to start murmuring in the courtroom.The council members look at me through shrewd eyes as each allegation is mentioned.Logan is in good condition; it seems Quade kept him in shape enough that he would not be able to delay the match because we all
Till Death Do Us Lie 48. The Trial
~ LAYLA ~The day of Logan’s trial couldn’t have come sooner. The last two days have felt ominous, and it was like I was moving through a dream – drugged. Everything that I saw as reality was a fabricated lie. Everyone around me who pretended to care were lying. Playing me for a fool.It hurt and stung painfully. Julian, Nadia, Quade… everyone around me are liars.I’ve barely seen Quade since that night. In ways it’s good. It’s suffocating to be around him without wanting to ask why. I wonder if he knows. The way he observed me, the way he was watching me when they entered that night, as if trying to deduce if anyone had told me anything.I lied. Even when Julian came the following day, I acted pretty normal. He’s worried as well, and just like Quade, he was trying to figure out if I knew anything.The fact that they both knew one another and didn’t bother to tell me stings. They didn’t even need to tell me the truth, just a simple ‘Yeah we’ve run into one another in the past.’ Some s
Till Death Do Us Lie 47. Her Return
~ QUADE ~I push open the doors to my home and step inside, leading the way to the lounge. My men swarm around me, but I’m not interested.I need to see her. I slow down when I spot Layla sitting on the sofa, a blanket around her shoulders as she clutches a mug of coffee in her hands. The smell of the coffee beans is strong in the room, a sign she’s been holding it for a while. Even now, she looks as stunning and gorgeous as I remember her.The reminder of her naked body beneath me returns, and I look away.“Layla.”I am by her side in seconds as I go down on one knee, taking the heel of her foot and look at her bandaged ankle. Anger flares through me.He hurt her.“How did you get hurt?”“I’m fine,” she answers, smiling gracefully. But even as she says that she still looks distraught.Julian walks over to us, placing a hand on Layla’s shoulder. She gives him a small smile before looking at the hearth.“How did you get injured?” I repeat, trying to calm the bubbling rage within me.“I
Till Death Do Us Lie 46. A Lie I Told
~ QUADE ~Tyres screech, headlights blare and the sound of a horn screaming in warning fills the car as I am thrown into my window.I knew it all along, knew that he died saving Layla, but that was a secret I took with me, knowing I couldn’t tell anyone. He asked me to take care of her, and although I went in to get him; it was too late, and he was gone. Leaving behind the woman fated to be his.I grab the steering wheel, swerving to the right as we narrowly miss the oncoming lorry.“Get a fucking control of yourself!” I snarl as he blinks, his heart thundering and his face the colour of ash.“That’s not possible. Layla wasn’t there…”“I got her away from there,” I spit, not wanting to continue this conversation.“You lied.” There’s anger in his voice.“Don’t we all?”“WE had a right to know – wait, did Reagon know?”“No, he fucking didn’t. But it doesn’t matter. You three were so fucking devastated when he died, I didn’t want Layla to become the target of that hate,” I spit. “He would
Till Death Do Us Lie 45. To Find Her
~ JULIAN ~“Layla’s been kidnapped.”Those were the words Quade spoke on the phone as I lost my shit. How? How the fuck could he let this happen to her!? I had left instantly, only taking a little time to grab some weapons.This was my worst fucking nightmare.Every word that leaves Quade’s mouth isn’t only making me fucking insane with worry, but it’s also making my gut twist with dread.And the final nail in the coffin is when he says the name of the man who has taken her. A name that makes panic settle into the pit of my stomach, mixed with shock and worry.Reagon.He should be dead.He was dead.How is he here?“You fucked up by taking her somewhere you had shit security-” I snarl, watching the speed hit max on the car as I zoom through the highway.“I had fifteen men posted!” he cuts in. “I wasn’t predicting anyone but Logan or Drew to do something! My men are fucking dead!”“Who Reagon fucking killed! Shows what we’re fucking dealing with!”“Yeah, but he wasn’t working alone. I k
Till Death Do Us Lie 44. Captive
~ LAYLA ~“Ah, you’re awake.”My heart races as I look up, realising that I’m tied to a chair in a room that is lit with a sickly red light. One that is only making my already aching head spin. I don’t have my glasses either, which doesn’t help.“Who are you, and what do you want with me?” I ask. My throat feels rough.“What do I want? Relax. Be grateful you're alive,” comes the voice. It’s the man from the garden, the one I got into a scuffle with.My eyes flash, but although he’s not wearing his mask, with the dim red lighting casting shadows on his face and the fact I can’t see properly, I’m unable to make out his features from where he sits. But what I do know is he is watching me.“Who sent you? My uncle? The Dartmouths?”“The who? Your uncle? I never knew you had an uncle.” He chuckles grimly.“Logan then?”“You really are becoming more and more disappointing by the second.” He stands up and leaves the room.I take a deep breath, trying to focus on my surroundings. Where am I and
