Thank you for reading! I have begun hashing out Kataleya’s battle scenes but they are always the hardest to write. I'm hoping I'll have something up tonight or tomorrow. ♡
~ 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
~ 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 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
~ 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 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
~ 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 ~“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
~ 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 ~Shock is the first reaction from both of them. Quade’s aura seems to change, his eyes darkening and I can see the anger flash in his eyes as he clenches his fists.Shit.Julian isn’t much different; his jaw clenched as rage ripples in his glimmering eyes.“He was here and you didn’t think to tell us?” Julian is the first to speak.“Because you told me everything?” I counter defensively.“Layla, that’s not the same!” Julian growls.“I couldn’t trust you! When I knew just how many lies you were feeding me! You should be happy I am telling you now,” I snarl, the anger that seemed to be festering inside me only rising.“What did he want?” Quade asks. His voice is deeper and rougher, almost animalistic, but at least he isn’t telling me off.“He said…” This could go very wrong. “I owed him a favour for letting me go back then, and because he told me parts of my past. He came to tell me what he wanted from me in return for that.”Quade scoffs as Julian almost throws the pizza boxes
~ LAYLA ~Jared… He’s Dad’s son. My stepbrother?I close my eyes and turn away as he finishes telling me what had happened and the reason he kept his identity a secret. My mind is spinning, and I don’t know how to feel. It’s too much, too much.“That is why I’ve always kept my distance, because I never wanted to start anything based on a lie.” Julian’s voice is low, but it makes sense. His constant reluctance.My heart thuds as I look up at him, seeing him in a new light. Seeing the sacrifices he’s made while he let me boss him around because I was the alpha’s daughter.Goddess.“Layla.” Julian reaches for me, but I step away.“I’m fine. I just need time,” I say quietly. The secrets are too much. Far too much.“That’s it?” Quade remarks, “No anger?”I look at him and sigh. “I guess my anger is all used up on you.”“And I’m not you. You tend to piss her off way more than I do,” Julian – Jared, or whoever he is, says to Quade.“I just invoke emotions you never could,” Quade counters cold
~ JULIAN ~Why does it look like that asshole knows what she’s about to ask me?I glance down at her, not missing the mark on her neck. The question that’s burned in my mind since she stepped into this room now reaches my lips.“Did you consent to being marked?”She looks at me sharply before she smiles humourlessly. “Regardless of if it was forced or not, the damage would have been done, would it not?” she asks lightly.A sharp ache rushes through me at the reminder that I let Quade take her yesterday. I failed my duty to fucking protect her.My expression seems to make her face soften. “Don’t worry, it was consensual, and we are fine.”Her cheeks heat and I cock a brow. And here I was, wondering what he’d do to punish her. “Good. And I’m sorry.” Again.“Don’t be, just promise me no more secrets.”I nod slightly, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Alright. So, uh, what is it?”She takes a deep breath. “Is it true that Dad is not my biological father?” she asks. My face pales as shock
~ QUADE ~“Quade!” She drops to her knees beside me as I struggle with the pain that is consuming my body. She reaches for me, but I’m unable to hold back the growl of agony. It’s low and menacing as it rips from my throat in a blood-curdling snarl.“What have I done?” she asks, panic clear in her eyes.“You didn’t. It’s… something’s…” I give up, the pain excruciating. The only thing that screams at me is the hollowness in me. Something… broken. I can’t explain this, but it’s not right. I feel like the pain has jarred through me, like something cracking.That isn’t how a bond should make someone feel. Why is this even happening? Yet at the same time, I feel the pull, yanking at the threads that connect us, but it also feels like I’m trying to reach for something else inside of myself.Is it Tray’s shard? Is it because him giving us a piece of him was something we never should have done and now my body is rejecting this?I double over and squeeze my veined arm as if that would somehow t
~ LAYLA ~I’m numb, the shock of his words making me freeze as I try to digest those words.No… how could she…My heart thunders and I close my eyes, trying to calm the storm in my chest.“So yes, I want her dead. I never should have shown her any compassion, which was my mistake,” he finishes, his voice ice cold.I don’t know what to think. It’s too much.I sit up, brushing my hair back as I try to organise my emotions that are beginning to suffocate me.“I don’t know if I can believe you… but can you blame me? Because how am I supposed to know with all the secrets you keep?” I whisper. He’s silent for a moment before he too sits up and combs his fingers through his hair.“And you trust Nikita based on what?” he asks icily.I close my eyes. He’s right about that.“I don’t know.”“Her mate was part of my team, and that is how they even met. However, he betrayed me for a petty sum of money. If you really want to, you can do your own research. His name was Cole Foxton.”But how can I do
~ QUADE ~She can deny it all she fucking wants, but she’s turned on, and that just fucks with my head even more. Makes me want to push her to her limits until she begs for me to fuck her.The anger I feel is there, but this little punishment is a good distraction from me going on a killing spree… I don’t know how she decided to help Nikita or why she would even do that. She’s not foolish, she isn’t stupid… so what exactly made her help Nikita?I look down at her sexy little thong as I flog her pussy lightly with the belt. Every time her body jerks a little on impact, but it’s the way she swallows, the way she bites down on her lip. Simple proof that she’s the perfect match for me…That she’s enjoying this, even if she’s angry.I keep my eyes on that pussy, resisting the urge to tear her panties off as I keep flogging her lightly, sliding the belt over her pussy before delivering another tap.Each time she lets out a delicious little sound, one that fuels the hunger inside of me and I
~ LAYLA ~My heart thumps as we reach the fifteenth snap of his belt against my ass, but it’s the way he’s stilled by my side. I refuse to look at him, my breasts rising and falling rapidly as I try to contain my slew of emotions.His gaze incinerates me. I know if he checks, he’ll see how soaked my panties are, because he can already see how hard my nipples are. That coil in my stomach is so intense that I’m struggling not to moan.And it angers me.I should be angry at him, I should detest him, yet what I want is for him to take me right here and fuck me until all the rage he’s feeling is gone.But my mind is still trying to overpower the desire that my body craves.He brushes his hand down my ass, massaging my sore cheek, and I’m unable to stop myself from hissing. He pauses and I feel his eyes on my face.I clench my jaw as he removes his hand and circles around until he stands in front of me, and then he’s untying the sash from my eyes and mouth and it falls, resting loosely aroun
~ LAYLA ~I swallow as I watch him make his way over to me, his cold eyes trained on mine, his face devoid of all emotions. The dim light casts sharp shadows across his face, only making him appear more ominous.His eyes trail over me and my stomach twists with nerves, realising in this position my night dress is not covering my panties and if it wasn’t for the gown I’m wearing, it wouldn’t be covering my ass either.I keep my eyes fixed on him as if looking away might make him snap and decide to tear me apart. He walks over to me until there is only a mere few inches between us, my breasts lightly crazing against him every time one of us breathes.There’s something wrong with me… I’m terrified, yet at the same time, my body seems to be extra sensitive to every brush or almost caress of his body against mine.“I really didn’t think you, of all people, would turn out to be such a conniving little snake.” His voice is cold and chilling as he glares into my eyes.“I learned from the best.
~ LAYLA ~Silence.But even in that silence, I see the deadly shift in Quade’s eyes, the way his aura sends a chill through the room and… through me.If he orders me now, I won’t be able to win against him or his men. I have to act now!“She was dying, and her crime wasn’t that bad that she deserves death.” I don’t trust Nikita entirely, but I am not letting them kill her.I rip free from Eddie’s hold as I stride across the room to the shocked Nikita.“You know nothing of her crime,” Eddie says quietly.“Are you stupid?” Nikita hisses. “You’re as good as dead now, too.”I ignore her as I turn my attention back to Quade. My stomach twists at the unbridled rage on his face. I swallow.“Can I speak to my husband privately?” I ask the room, not wanting to anger him further. I’m already in boiling water.All eyes shift to Quade waiting for his command, the cold reminder that I am indeed alone in this place. Goddess, has Julian moved in yet? I wish he was here. I could use his help right abo