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~ 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 ~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
~ 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 ab
~ QUADE ~That was the wrong answer, even if it was the truth.Something in those gorgeous blues changes. It’s almost as if I can see right into her soul through them, see something shatter, and this is the very reason lying to her is better.“So, all along, what you really wanted wasn’t to help me because of who my father was but to bridge the pathway to the Sapphire Pack… Well, congratulations, you got what you wanted.” Her smile is forced. Once again, she’s putting up her walls before my very eyes. I can see it from the way she squares her shoulders, the smile becoming effortless, and she becomes the image of perfect control. But I had seen the real her, she had begun to lower her guard, and I saw behind the mask she has in place for the world.“Layla, I-”“It’s been an extremely long day; I think I’m going to get to bed. Excuse me.” She doesn’t wait for a reply as she turns away. I take hold of her wrist, and she stiffens.“Lay-”“A deal is a deal. I owe you nothing more. I. Am. T
~ LAYLA ~My ears ring as I try to focus, but my head is spinning too fast, only making the whistling intensify. He’s speaking, but I can only see his mouth moving, unable to make out the words leaving him.I had assumptions, but this was not it. It cannot be true!“No. It’s not true.” But why did the look in his eyes make me believe he was telling the truth? “Goddess…” I place a hand on my head, trying to steady myself, trying to pull away, but he refuses to let me go and I have no choice but to rest my head on his chest to collect my thoughts. And then I laugh.“Layla?” There’s concern in his voice, and I wonder if I sound borderline hysterical.“Really, Quade? Did you think I’d believe that?” I ask scornfully now looking up at him, my laughter coming to an abrupt end as I try to focus on my mind and body.“I’m not lying, I assure you of that. I made a promise to you, and I answered your question because I agree, enough is fucking enough.”I clench my jaw. “You named some random per
~ QUADE ~The wedding is over; the guests retreat once they have finished their dinner. Escorted by my men to the edge of the property, making sure no one lingers. The union is done, and the elders are stepping back from her pack’s business as I had demanded.This was what she wanted, and she has gotten it. The Jade Pack is hers and now I just hope she stays busy with pack business, so she doesn’t have too much extra time to interfere where she shouldn’t. But who am I kidding? I know her enough to know she isn’t the type to simply sit back though, especially with the questions I know she’s about to ask me. And I would bet on it that some won’t be easy to answer.But this is for the best, I do know that. Even Julian at one point thought it was too. I just hope it doesn’t break whatever this is between us before it even has a chance. But that all depends on the questions she asks.We enter my- our room and notice the changes. I had asked the staff to move her stuff in here and the room
~ QUADE ~She’s hot and cold, her emotions unpredictable, wearing them as a mask to keep what she’s hiding from me a secret. Why was she out here when she’s not even coming from the direction of the castle?Her heart is racing, and it is not from the kiss we shared outside. She’s acting normal, but I can’t really trust that. Tonight might just be the day we start digging up the past…She’s now talking to a few women, and I step back slowly drinking my champagne as I spot Julian brooding in the corner. If looks could kill. I smirk as his cold green eyes snap to mine, and he cocks a brow.I walk over to him and he looks away, motioning a waiter over and takes a glass from the tray.“What do you want?” he asks.I smirk. “I already have everything I want,” I can’t help but remark.“Fuck you, Steele.”“I’m sure Layla might just do that,” I mock.His death glare makes me chuckle. I know this moment is hard for him, and I can’t blame him for that. If I was in his place, I’d be as pissed if no
~ LAYLA~He’s right… that time he hadn’t stayed in the room… but when I had that nightmare, he had stayed…“Ok, that’s a good idea, I’ll do my best. And then when it’s done, you will tell me the full truth?”He nods. “Of course, now you should really head back to your wedding before they realise the bride is missing.”“Yes.”“When we meet again, Quade will be dead.” It’s a statement, but I don’t argue, nodding instead.“Yes, he will be.”He motions me to go, but I turn slightly away from him first, glancing at the small blade before I reach down and, lifting my skirt, tuck it firmly into my thigh garter, the cold metal pressing painfully against my inner thigh.It should stay in place until I can hide it somewhere else.“Smart,” he remarks, amused, and I try to not to show my irritation as I turn and give him a nod before I make my way back around the marquee. I’m barely halfway around when I see Eddie hurrying around it, coming to an abrupt stop when he sees me.“Luna.”“Are you alrig
~ LAYLA ~I glance around before I turn and look around to the left. No one is around. Relax, Layla.“Of course I know that. I haven’t forgotten. It’s not like you told me what you wanted.”I’m not sure, but it feels like he’s smiling under that mask. “Of course, I had to make sure you don’t go spilling the beans. We wouldn’t want Quade to have learned too much if you had.”I scoff, my lips curling in defiance. “I wouldn’t have, but if you keep wasting time, he’ll notice I’m missing.” My eyes dart over my shoulder towards the glow of the marquee.The laughter feels louder now, closer, as though it’s stalking me. I try to remain calm, but the quickening of my breath betrays me. My chest tightens, and I know he sees it. “You’ll get your favour in return for the truth.” The words are steady, but inside, doubt churns like a storm. Have I gotten in too deep? I don’t trust him, not enough to believe him blindly.“The favour first.”“And what exactly do you want?” My voice sharpens, the edge
~ LAYLA ~I sense someone watching me, and my eyes skim across the throng of people, trying to keep my calm. When someone in grey brushes past me and I feel the feathery touch of paper brushing my palm, my hand instantly closes around it. I steal a glance at Quade, but he continues to talk to one of the elders.I look down at it, my heart plummeting when I see the words on it.‘Come alone. Garden. By the trees. Don’t make me come to you.’My heart races as I scan the crowd once again, trying to find the man in the grey suit who had brushed past me.I know who sent this. I doubt he was the one who gave me the note, but he must be close.Reagon.The laughter and clinking glasses in the marquee suddenly feel overwhelming. I glance at Quade before excusing myself, and trying to act as casually as possible slip away into the crowd. Being the bride, you can’t really do that, not when the trail of my dress forces everyone to part to allow me out.“I’ll be right back,” I tell someone who tries