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~ LAYLA ~I did something I know I shouldn’t have.My heart is racing, and I feel nervous just thinking about the consequences if he finds out it was my doing. And when he finds out, will he suspect me?My stomach twists and I feel nauseous. A few hours ago, whilst Quade had been out, I had managed to go visit Nikita, only to find her nearly dead with a dagger in her stomach, bleeding out onto the floor down there.Although my every instinct was telling me to leave her, I couldn’t. Unable to leave the woman who is about to die down there. So, I moved her. She was light and easier to carry than I thought, and I managed to sneak her to one of the unused corners of this castle.I had applied some healing balm and wrapped up her wound. There was too much damage for me to stitch her up and now it all depends on her, if she’ll be able to heal or not. But I just couldn’t let anyone find her.I had then sprayed some scent disguiser along the hall and in the room before I had left her to clean
~ LAYLA ~I’m getting married to Quade Steele, the Lycan King. A man who has more secrets than I can keep track of.It still doesn’t feel real.I take a deep, shaky breath as I stare at my reflection in the mirror.I had settled on the dress Quade had picked out. I don’t know why. I shouldn’t have, but it was gorgeous and he chose it just… Goddess, no.I exhale in frustration, making the woman working on adjusting my veil pause.“I’m fine, carry on.” I smile the best I can as I look at the shimmering smoky eye makeup, the soft blush, the bold red lips. I wanted that.I’m wearing contacts today and my hair is curled and put up in an elegant updo. Diamonds hang in my ears, and I had debated on a necklace but then decided against it. The veil is long and detailed and makes me look extremely elegant.The dress itself is made of net in the palest shade of champagne, its low cut fitts to the knees before it flows out with an extravagant trail, beads and embroidered flowers cover the entire d
~ QUADE ~You can imagine how a person might look a thousand times, picture something again and again, and sometimes you’ll imagine it better or worse than it could be. But imagining Layla as a bride? Was a failure.There was no way my mind could conjure up how fucking beautiful she actually looks. There are not enough words to explain just how incredible and mesmerising the temptress before me is. She is a vision.Breathtaking, beyond beautiful, she is the epitome of perfection with the power to bring any man to his knees and I am not no exception.Goddess, Layla.She approaches me, but it feels far too slow, yet I’m unable to go to her, simply frozen in my spot.She’s mine. She’s marrying me.I fucking want her, and that is the problem. I want her, and if she ever fully gets to know me… she’ll fucking hate me. That’s not something I want to think about tonight.She reaches me and that’s when I realise it’s Julian who has walked her down the aisle, right to me.I smirk slightly at him
~ 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
~ 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~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
~ 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
~ 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 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 arou
~ 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