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27. A Leader's Decision
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
Moonlight MuseThank you for reading! I am feeling a little better but not fully, but I have been able to write a little. :)
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Till Death Do Us Lie 28. Secrets
~ 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
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Till Death Do Us Lie 29. A Morning Message
~ 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
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Till Death Do Us Lie 30. A Discussion
~ 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
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Till Death Do Us Lie 31. Over Coffee
~ 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
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Till Death Do Us Lie 32. A Sudden Plan
~ 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
Last Updated : 2024-10-31Till Death Do Us Lie 33. Things We Hide
~ 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-04Till Death Do Us Lie 34. Why Now
~ 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-04Till Death Do Us Lie 35. A Place From The Past
~ QUADE ~She’s ready when I get there, and we leave within a few minutes. Julian is quiet, strangely quiet since usually he always seems to have something to say. Twenty minutes into the journey and I realise Layla is abnormally quiet, too. The only time she spoke was when she gave me the address to her old summer villa.An address she gave without any doubts or confusion. Whoever put that information in her head did an excellent job.“Is everything ok?”“Yeah, yes, it is. You know it’s just a lot has happened. Sometimes life can be unpredictable. I was just thinking about how things have changed.” She smiles gracefully at me, crossing her legs as she sits back.I nod. “Want to talk about it?”There’s something weighing on her mind, that’s for certain. Is it a coincidence that both Julian and her were oddly quiet this evening? Did she mention Nikita to him? Did he tell her something?“No, it’s alright, it’s nothing really.” She declines politely.“If you’re sure.”After we had left th
Last Updated : 2024-11-04
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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
Till Death Do Us Lie 43. From the Shadows
~ 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
Till Death Do Us Lie 42. Outside The Window
~ 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
