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~ 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
~ 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
~ 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
~ 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
~ 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
~ 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,
~ 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
~ LAYLA ~My eyes fly open, instantly realising that a strong pair of arms are wrapped around me. Memories surge forward as I try to comprehend where I am. Flashes of Logan forcing himself onto me makes my blood run cold. A scream rips from my lips as I dig my nails into his arms, my eyes stinging with tears.He raped me! He raped me!I shove him away, managing to throw him off the bed as I stagger off it, my heart pounding as I look down at my naked body. I’m only wearing my thong. What did he do? What exactly happened? No!My head hurts, my entire body trembling as my eyes dart across the room, looking for my dress.“Layla.”“DON’T TALK TO ME!” I thunder, my eyes burning with rage as I turn and look at the man who stands up from the ground. Confusion flashes through me as I realise it’s not Logan but Quade who stands there – fully clothed, although his shirt looks rumpled.My breath hitches as I cross my arms over my breasts and step back.“What? Wait, what am I doing here? Why are y
~ 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
~ 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
~ 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
~ QUADE ~“There’s no sign of her, Alpha. She may have left town,” Eddie says, massaging his temples. “What was with that website?”“That’s none of your concern. Focus on Nikita. We’re talking about a psychotic maniac. She doesn’t just show her face for no obvious reason. There’s a reason she came back.”“Well, you did say she took something of yours. Maybe that’s what she wanted? And since she got it, she’s bailed.”I shake my head. “No. She could have done that without me noticing if she really wanted to. She made herself known for a reason. I just don’t know why. Keep searching for her. I find it hard to believe that she’s actually gone.”He nods and I frown. After enjoying Layla earlier, I want nothing to ruin my mood tonight.“Well, we won’t stop looking.”Maybe I could ask Julian… I don’t know… “Alright, just stay on alert, I’m going-”I pull out my earpiece. I’m sure I heard something. I pause for a second, listening carefully, a frown creasing my brow.“All ok, Alpha?” Eddie as
~ LAYLA ~I scan the trees and bushes that line the tall brick wall that lines the bottom of the garden, feeling certain I saw movement in the far corner. But when I squint, wishing I was wearing my glasses, I don’t see anything. I walk backwards to the bedside table and grab my glasses. The feeling of being watched only intensifies.Frowning, I move to the glass door that is on the other side of the window, my eyes stuck outside. I hesitate before I unlock it and step outside.“Who’s there?” I call, a small frown on my face as I scan the garden again. I look around when I catch something moving from the corner of my eye. I turn sharply, certain something moved behind the trees.I see the shadowed outline of a person.There!“Hey!” I call as I break into a run. The person moves fast, as if not wanting to be caught. My eyes blaze as I speed up, my bare feet silent on the stone paths. I jump over the low wall and look around.Where have they gone? Fuck!I should call Quade.I turn, ready
~ LAYLA ~“Come to me, Layla.”“Come to me.”“Come to me!”Why are there voices in my head? I look around, confused, as I stand at the edge of the pond.Winter’s fallen, and it’s all iced over. Why are we here in winter?Didn’t we only visit during warmer seasons?I tilt my head as my body moves forward and I walk onto the ice. This is dangerous. Why am I not stopping?“Layla!”Someone’s calling me in the distance, but I still go on, laughing as the ice cracks beneath my feet. Why am I finding this completely normal? Move!But my legs have a mind of their own.“Layla! Get back! That’s dangerous!”It’s that voice again…I try to turn but my body doesn’t move. Instead, I do a twirl on the ice, enjoying the cool air that rushes through my hair. The pinch of biting cold at the tip of my nose makes me smile.“Layla, Goddess! Layla, don’t do this to me. Come here, you know it’s dangerous.”“It’s not, live a little, Tray! Join me.”“Layla, I can’t come to you. I’m too heavy. Please come here.
~ LAYLA ~I sit up and flinch at how sore my pussy feels. I feel good though; I don’t remember the last time I’ve had such intense orgasms, or when I’ve moaned so loudly. Just the thought makes my core clench.I’m only wearing my gown, and it barely covers my thighs, the marks of our passion remain clear, and I reach for my glasses before putting them on and gazing down at the red marks that cover my thighs, mostly from where he had held me.Oh, he was good, and you aren’t meant to fuck your business partners. Yet, I did just that. But I have no regrets.I bite my lip, gazing outside at the moon for a moment before looking at the man who lies beside me. The sheet covers him from the waist down, his arms behind his head, his muscles bulging and his chest rising and falling. He doesn’t snore, that or he isn’t asleep.Sighing softly, I run my fingers over the mark where he had held my thigh as he fucked me remains; I blush, unable to suppress the small smile that crosses my lips. Julian’s
~ QUADE ~I kiss her hungrily, wanting to do this for far too long, and if she refused me tonight, I would have gone crazy. Her tantalising kisses when she was drugged have been on my mind. Being around her fuels those feelings, and I’m a fucking man. And although we are not exclusive, ever since I saw her again, I want only her.I tighten my hold on her neck as I kiss her passionately. Her eyes are hooded with lust, that beautiful blue that reminds you of the ocean. I let go of her neck, wrapping my arm around her waist, the other cupping her face as I kiss her, carrying her to the bed. I place her down, my eyes raking over her as I climb between her legs and claim her lips in a kiss once more.She pushes my shirt down, tugging it off and dropping it onto the bed beside her as her hands roam my body. I can smell her arousal, that slight intoxicating scent that wants me to ravage her and never stop. I attack her neck again with kisses as I undress her swiftly, tossing the flimsy pieces
~ LAYLA ~I gaze out into the darkness, admiring the moon that shies away behind the clouds. But even if it’s mostly hidden, the warm glow from it casts a serene light over the deck and garden.After we had eaten, I showered and got ready for bed. It’s been a long day.Quade told me to take the main bedroom, the one that’s decorated. I now glance at the bed, smiling slightly at the petals that cover it. I walk over to the bed, ready to shake the sheet off when there’s a knock on the door, and I look up to see Quade standing there. He’s freshly showered, wearing light-coloured sweatpants and his shirt is left open as if he threw it on as an afterthought.“Are you headed to bed already?” he asks. My heart races as his eyes trail over me, lingering on my thighs. I’m wearing a satin slip dress with an extremely short gown wrapped over. Neither covers much of my legs.“I think it’s best I do?”“And why is that?” He enters the room as he walks over to the bedside table, placing his phone dow