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~ 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
~ 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
~ QUADE ~After trying to get out of Nikita where she’s hidden the sapphire that she stole from me, I leave her there. She won’t last. She’s never been on the receiving end of my true fury and this time she will have that honour. I’ll break her slowly and she will break.I clean my hands with a cloth before I walk up the steps and unlock the door leading into my castle.Time to go see Layla. I know she’s angry and I’ve given her enough time to cool down, or maybe made it worse. We’ll see. It’s been a hectic few days, and I had a lot to do, what with the Blood Moon, Nikita, Logan, and of course, above all, I haven't been around Reagon. And Reagon… There’s no sign of him, although I know he isn’t far. He can’t be.One glance down tells me I need to shower first.Once I have showered and pulled on some sweatpants, I walk down the hall to her bedroom. I know she’s awake. The light seeps out from the bottom of the door, and I heard her pacing when I passed by earlier.I knock lightly, abou
~ JULIAN ~I stare down at the man who had started the fire in the archives and trapped Layla inside with unmasked hatred. It may have taken me a bit of fucking time, but I have finally caught him. But no matter what I ask him, he’s simply begging for mercy not giving me a name or a reason behind his actions, even if I do have a good idea about what and who may be behind it.“I’m not going to keep asking and I am not new to torture, so spit out a name or I will fucking rip you apart and then have someone stitch you together just so I can do it all over again,” I snarl slightly breathless as I punch him in the face again.I want to kill him right now, but without a confession, I can’t, because Layla was already pissed that Quade killed Logan. She may be pissed at me, too.She had asked for a ride yesterday and she had gone to the pack headquarters, saying she needed to get some work sorted. She had fired Sadie, who had been in tears. She had caused a commotion, and I know it was becaus
~ 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
~ 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
~ 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
~ 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
~ 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
~ 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
~ 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