Thank you for reading! I had hoped to get these up on Monday but I am currently under the weather and just doing my best. I hope you enjoyed these two chapters :)
~ LAYLA ~Julian’s cold scoff breaks the heavy silence.“That was a pretty quick jump to marriage. Is that all the Lycan King has? I mean, we’re not even going to try to get this win in court. Instead, you’re going to just give up and resort to marriage? Unless, of course… that was the plan?” he asks, his voice as cold as the frostiest nights of winter.Quade’s brow creases slightly. “Do you really think I’d make a decision so lightly? Unlike you, who perhaps can act on impulse, my every move is thought out.”“Exactly my point. Was this a calculated plan? That’s what you're good at, right?” Julian counters, his eyes full of hostility.“Hey… ok, both of you stop. I’m not being forced into anything. It’s an option that Quade is presenting.” I reach for Julian’s arm, but he looks at me with such aggression that I retract my hand, my heart skipping a beat.“Layla, think about it. It doesn’t need to be anything permanent. We have a goal and as alphas, I know what it means to do anything for
~ QUADE ~I sit back in my seat, one ankle resting on the other knee, my eyes cold as I swirl the liquid in my crystal glass, absently watching the man in front of me scream for mercy as one of my men slices open his back with a spiked whip.Blood mars the ground, a pleasant sight to satiate the anger I feel towards him.“I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have let her in! Please forgive me, I’ll- I’ll do anything! Please!” he screams.I raise an eyebrow. “When it comes to betraying me, no matter how small or big, there is no mercy. You let her in when my orders were clear.” I take a gulp of my drink before I stand up and walk towards him, every step I take echoing in the dark warehouse. Calculated and powerful like a predator stalking his prey, and just like a prey does, he cowers in fear.I crouch down in front of him as I slowly drink the rest of my whiskey before tilting my head.“She took something of mine, and now that’s caused me more work,” I whisper, my voice so calm, yet it holds the wei
~ LAYLA ~“Come here.”I raise an eyebrow at Julian’s command. He’s been grouchy all morning, and although I want to tease him, he’s gone back to calling me ‘ma’am’ which I now take as a sign that he is pissed off.I walk over, my coffee in hand. “Don’t get used to ordering me about. I think I might prefer the ma’am,” I remark mockingly.“Yeah, soon it’s all you’ll ever hear me call you,” he replies moodily. “So, remember with that fire there was a 3-minute gap in the footage, and we were looking into if either Logan or Drake contacted one another?”“Mhmm.” I nod as I perch at the edge of the two-seater sofa he’s sitting on, his legs are parted as he balances his laptop on one thigh not leaving much space, the other around a can of cola.“Well, there was nothing. However, at ten minutes before the fire, Dartmouth was caught on camera on a phone. According to his phone records there were no incoming or outgoing calls, but if you look closer…” He pulls up a blurry picture of Logan on the
~ QUADE ~We reach the council hall shortly after and I’m assessing every single one of the bastard’s faces, but if any of them were involved in that lorry’s attempt, they are hiding it pretty well.Four of my men had been following in two cars. I had one follow us, and the other did go after the lorry, but they then lost it. A fucking lorry that was huge. How can you lose it? I’m fucking pissed.“Glad to see you made it, Luna Layla, but I didn’t expect you to bring the Lycan King.”“He is my fiancé now. Why wouldn’t I have him accompany me? I’m certain this involves us both,” Layla says gracefully. She looks gorgeous in a black skirt and red silk top, paired with black heels, and her hair is pinned back in a loose bun.She looks like a sexy little secretary, and somehow that’s sexy-as-fuck. A few strands of her blond hair framing her face, her sea-blue eyes trained on the three men.“Well, this is concerning some misconduct possibly from the king’s pack-”I allow my aura to fill the r
~ QUADE ~As long as I keep getting such an incredible view, I’ll entertain her.“Well, as you know, I had five brothers and two sisters. One of my sisters died due to complications during her pregnancy. Her son now lives with his father. I have never seen him. Two of my brothers are alive, unfortunately. As you know, I killed the other three when they stood in my way for the throne.” That’s information everyone knows. I watch her sharply, but she doesn’t react, simply nodding in understanding.“And what about your other sister?”“That bitch is alive and kicking, wish she wasn’t,” I say, trying not to let the thought of Nikita sour my mood. The waiter comes over, placing our food and drinks before Layla thanks him. He’s wise not to check her out.“That’s quite harsh to say about your sister.”“Well, it’s not a lie.” I counter, picking up my coffee. She nods.“So, you aren’t close to your brothers that are alive either?”“No.”She nods. “Wouldn’t you want to have a bond with your family
~ LAYLA ~Quade looks uneasy and clearly displeased with the arrival of his sister. There are clear similarities between them, yet the more seconds that pass by the more I can sense the tension heightening between them.“Why don’t you join us?” I ask smoothly, pretending not to have heard the sarcasm in her voice when she introduced herself. What better way to learn more about Quade than with someone who had grown up with him?“Of course, I thought you’d never ask.”“Actually, I don’t think so. What are you doing here, Nikita?” Quade’s voice drips with venom, and I’m slightly surprised he isn’t trying to hide it. Maybe I am the one who is thinking too much into it. Perhaps he isn’t hiding who he is from me? Am I being too paranoid?“You know why I’m here, brother,” she replies, about to sit beside me when Quade stands up.“Let’s go,” he says to me, tossing some cash onto the table, he glares at his sister. “Come within a mile of us and I will fucking end you, Nikita.”“Try it and this
~ JULIAN ~Nikita is the last thing I want to explain to Layla. Fucking psychotic bitch. How was Quade that careless that she managed to come face to face with Nikita, of all people? Is he that incapable of controlling that maniac or protecting Layla?Layla nods at my response, a small frown on her face. I know Layla and she’s smart. I just hope she didn’t click on. A part of me wonders how long we’ll be able to keep this up. A time will come when the truth will come out. I’m just not sure when. And when it does, will she forgive me for lying to her?I leave her room and head downstairs slowly. We’ve done a great job of keeping her hidden, but what Quade is doing, will it fuck everything up?I stand in the shadows of the hallway as Nadia hurries around the kitchen, gathering Layla’s vitamins and herbal teas. Even she sacrificed everything to fit into this role for Layla’s safety. Even I don’t know who she really is under the mask of illusion she wears.A sacrifice so powerful that even
~ LAYLA ~He doesn’t move and I don’t let go, one hand clutching his shirt, the other gripping the towel that is soaked through, waiting for the shampoo to wash out when I feel his fingers in my hair. Massaging it soothingly as he combs out the shampoo.My heart hammers as I slowly open my eyes. Up close, I can see him properly. His green eyes burning into me.“I…”“I hope you have more to say, or I might just assume you stopped me from leaving the shower for an entirely different reason,” he murmurs, his gaze flickering to my lips.I’m not stupid, but I don’t understand what’s happening, and that’s why I want an answer.“Why now?”He cocks a brow as he brushes my hair completely back.“Why are you saying this now? Why didn’t you say anything when I was considering Logan?” I ask, masking the pain in my chest.Why are you making things harder for me now by giving me mixed signals?I dare not say that out loud.“Would you have wanted me to?” he asks, now looking me in the eye.I frown sl
~ QUADE ~“Something isn’t right… they are on castle ground,” I mutter, as we park a good 100 yards from the entrance gates. Something isn’t right. Why is Axel here?“We need a plan before we just go in there,” Layla says quietly. I glance at her, trying to squash the jealousy that I feel and still feel knowing she kissed Julian. I’m acting irrationally, but there is nothing I can do to rid myself of this burning rage from inside of me, no matter how pathetic it is.I frown, “I think the only thing we can do right now is to get inside, find Axel and put an end to this.”“We need some kind of plan, Quade. If Axel’s there, then they have friends on the inside, and also it means he’s here to meet someone. I don’t think you should tell Eddie we’re here either,” Julian says.“A reasonable point. Let’s arm up.” I walk to the trunk and take out a few weapons. I’ll shift if I need to, but there is one thing I have to do before we enter.I need to tell Layla about what happened with Tray, even
~ LAYLA ~“All, ok?” Julian asks as I step out of the bedroom feeling horrible.“Yes,” I say with a small smile, before heading to the kitchen area to start cleaning up.“Lay?”I turn and give him a small smile. “What is it?”“Don’t do that. What happened?”“Nothing. Now please let’s drop it,” I say, sighing softly.He glances at the door, then at me. “You told him that quickly?” he asks quietly, now coming over as he tosses the rubbish into the bin.“No, he knew.”“Because you’re not a good liar.”I sigh and look up at him. “It wasn’t because of you. I did something because I wanted to, because I realised something last night,” I whisper.His green eyes soften. There’s something there, a longing mixed with acceptance. “That you love him.” It’s a statement.I nod. “Yeah, exactly that. And I have no idea how to process that. I don’t even know when my feelings became more.”“Then when he’s cooled down, you should tell him.”I look up at him and nod slowly, when I have the courage becaus
~ QUADE ~Leaving Layla with Julian somehow made me uneasy. The gnawing feeling in my stomach kept growing, and although I told myself it's because of what I’m about to do, I couldn’t shake it off.I ended up parking halfway there and travelled the rest of the way in my lycan form. Keeping to the shadows of the night.The grave wasn’t hard to find, even if I haven’t visited it in ages, the memory of it isn’t one that will ever fade. Entering these forgotten lands where the Sapphire Pack once stood is harder than I thought it would be.I remain in lycan form, holding my bag in my hand as I pay attention to every sound around me.This was once a place I loved to spend my summers.If he’s alive and this is all his game, then those memories were all a lie, and proof that trust is usually misplaced.I look around the fields, it’s overgrown, covered in grass and brambles. No one visited, and neither did I. After the massacre, this was a place I didn’t want to come to, remembering the death o
~ LAYLA ~My heart hammers and I’m not even sure why. Is it because I shouldn’t be doing this? Is it because I feel guilty? Is it because years ago I imagined this? I’m not sure. He’s a good kisser, his lips rough, yet somehow slow and dominating against mine.Look beyond my feelings…I slowly kiss him back, feeling the tingle course through me, the way my body reacts, the way my mind reacts to the sensation of it.He tastes of chocolate and something else, it’s appealing. There’s always been something between us, and I realise now is my chance to put it to rest. Is Quade my choice, or is there something more with Julian?Safety and comfort, or temptation and risk?I slowly fist his shirt in my hand and he wraps his arms around me, the sliver of guilt lingering in my mind even as I try to force it from my system as we kiss one another.A moment or two, that’s all it lasts before I slowly pull away, my heart pounding, and the nerves of what I just did consume me.I look into his green e
~ JULIAN ~Layla gasps as I turn sharply.“There won’t be anything in there if he’s alive,” I say.“Dead or alive, I’ll find out. There will be bones, and if I do find bones, I’ll have his DNA checked.”“You are… twisted,” I remark.“I prefer to think of it as efficient. I’ll get us the answer, whatever the method.”“Well, how long will you be gone?” Layla asks.“It’s several hours away. I’ll keep in touch. It’s late already. Get some rest,” he says, combing his fingers through Layla’s hair. She nods slowly before she tiptoes and kisses his cheek.“Take care of yourself.”He nods before he casts me a final look. “Keep her safe.”“Obviously, I have for years,” I reply.He simply nods and leaves, shutting the door behind him.Layla sighs, dropping onto the small sofa again and removes her glasses, running her hands over her face as she groans. “Goddess, this is disturbing.”“No kidding,” I reply as I massage my jaw.“I wish I remembered more.”I glance at her and cock a brow. “Your memor
~ JULIAN ~We’re all in the small lounge of the cabin where we are waiting at for Axel to do as Quade hopes. Layla and Quade have just filled me in on everything.“I don’t think Reagon is the mastermind.”I cock an eyebrow at Quade’s assumption. “Who else can it be? He has Axel on his side. That’s proof enough they’re working together.”He shakes his head. “There’s been moments that felt…” He runs his fingers through his hair, “Just hear me out.”He has always been smart, so I decide to humour him and hear his assumption out.I’m sitting on the loveseat, the only sofa in this tiny place, my arm spread across the backrest and Layla is next to me, her legs tucked up as she sips her coffee, watching Quade pace back and forth.I glance between the both of them.Are they really meant to be? Why him?“Are you listening?” Quade’s cutting tone drags me from my thoughts and I cock a brow.“Always,” I reply, bored, as I smirk and place my arm around Layla’s shoulder. She smiles at me and leans i
~ QUADE ~Fifteen minutes later, he refuses to speak still, simply continuing to laugh between grunts of pain.“Get angry. Show me that face when you killed Tray!” he sneers.“What happened with Tray isn’t what you think! What do you and Reagon expect to achieve out of all of this?” I snarl.He simply spits out some blood and I grab his jaw, squeezing painfully as I slam his head back. Something snaps and although no sound escapes him, his face contorts with pain.I take out my small pocket knife and flip it open.“Layla, go to the bathroom,” I command.“Quade, we-”“Now.” I look towards her, “Please.”She hesitates before she turns and hurries to the bathroom. The moment the door shuts, I clamp my hand over Axel’s mouth and drive the knife into the tendons of his shoulder. His entire body tenses as I muffle his agony, his eyes are full of rage as he looks at me.I move back after a moment, yanking the knife out. “If you aren’t going to talk, I have no use for you. So, start talking. W
~ QUADE ~I pace the room as Axel sits unconscious in the chair I’ve bound him to. He’s tied up with his legs bound to the chair legs, and his hands bound by silver chains. We’re in the hotel room we’re staying in. Layla is sitting on the bed, staring at him.“So, you had no idea where he was all these years?”“No, I didn’t even know if he was even alive. I thought the only surviving member of the pack after the massacre was you. Reagon and Axel were a part of that pack, unlike Julian or I. But how did they survive?” I reply, running my hand through my hair.I don’t know what to think. How is Axel part of the Or’ethian? How does he even manifest his Sapphire’s abilities into magic in a mere few years rather than two decades, which is the standard? Were they not around when the massacre took place? Or worse, behind it?I don’t even want to think that, they were just kids back then.“You weren’t expecting this,” Layla states the obvious.“No, I wasn’t.”“The Or’ethian were a part of the
~ QUADE ~She laughs breathlessly, turning her face away at the last moment. “You’re good.” She smiles slightly before pulling free. “We have a long day in front of us tomorrow. Weren’t you undressing to shower?”“Clearly not good enough,” I reply mockingly, but I don’t push it. She simply smiles slightly, and I head to the bathroom. My smirk fading, Reagon asked her to kill me. I may feel a pull towards her, but it’s a reminder that no one can be truly trusted.I know that, yet I still want her in my life. At this rate, she’ll be my ruin, but I’m not about to admit that. I step under the running water, replaying the plan we’ve got in place. It’s not exactly what I would do, with more risks of it failing than I would usually agree to, but maybe that’s what we need. A plan with all of us giving our input, to step out of the way we usually would think so even Reagon can’t figure out what’s coming. I hope it works.When I return to the bedroom, she’s already finished packing and is standi