Layla awoke in the middle of the night in a deep panic. Her dreams were haunted by the faces of the men she once led, the men she helped slaughter. Her heart was racing so badly it felt like it would explode out of her chest. She kept having flashbacks of the battle and Alistar but it was difficult to make any sense of it all. Her body didn't feel like her own, her mind was searching for a connection to reality and everything felt like it was slipping. Solomon's arm was sleepily wrapped over her side and he was in a deep restful sleep. For a small moment, Layla was jealous. She wished that she had been so unaffected by everything the way he was. She gently moved his arm off of her and he rolled onto his back. She smiled at how peaceful he looked. It reminded her of their first night together all those years ago before Alistar came into her life. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She got out of bed, she didn't have a plan but she knew she needed to do something. There was n
They left the camp the next morning. Layla was happy to never return to this cursed place ever again. This chapter of her life was finally over. Before she stepped into the carriage to return home, she bent over and found a small red rock. She placed it in the pocket of her dress. It wasn't for her but for Cassias. This was his home, his inheritance. If she had it her way, that rock would be all he would need and never return. There was nothing left for him anyway. She returned in the same carriage as Solomon and his father. It was clear now with Alistar out of the picture what Layla's relationship was towards the leaders of the pack. She was no longer a stranger or an enemy but soon family. The men treated her differently, not that anyone other than Saraiah or Simon treated her badly, but it was a noticeable difference. They respected her now. She was one of them. It was almost as if her connection to Thundermoon never existed. She wanted to treat her time there like it was a dream
There was something bittersweet about leaving her father's home. With Cassias planted firmly on her lap and Solomon by her side, everything felt new and exciting. The realization of her greatest dreams being on the verge of coming true was thrilling. She couldn't wait but it was also sad to think that this place would never be her home anymore. She belonged elsewhere now. She remembered how she felt when she left with Alistar and how depressing it was to leave. All those years spent with him and at Thundermoon, they never felt like home. Now the place she always considered home no longer felt that way. Home was now the people beside her.Balthazar and Solomon spent most of the journey back to the Moonbane fort quizzing Cassias on his newly learned language. It was heartwarming watching these men embrace and accept her son so openly and thoroughly. They were patient with him and gently corrected any mistakes. They spoke clearly and slowly for him to catch on and understand. Layla could
It was finally time for their wedding. It had been four months since the disambation of Thundermoon. Layla's bruises had healed, even the scars from Alistar's first attack were starting to fade. She had begun to grow out her hair so she could wear it in the traditional style. She had practiced with Solomon and Zoya for many weeks. She felt ready. She just wanted to get all of it over. She just wanted to be recognized as Solomon's mate. She had flown through the first two individual ceremonies without issue and with each step drawing her closer and closer to the goal. The last individual ceremony involved her family. Tabitha acted in the role her mother should have been in. As part of the ceremony, Tabitha braided Layla's hair as her father, Anthony, had to recite a prayer. It was humorous to watch. Anthony did not speak the language, Tabitha was not skilled at braiding. But they both tried their best to do their part. On the other side of the banquet hall, Solomon was performing a s
The full moon peeked through the thick brush of clouds as Layla Undertow took a deep breath and steadied herself. She could feel the damp grass tickle her toes, the air smelled sweet. Bathed in the moonlight, she was ready for a hunt. Not that she needed the full moon light to shift - a skill she mastered many moon cycles ago, she just preferred the tradition. It made her feel closer to the Moon Goddess even if the religion was long ago abandoned by her pack. Which was why she was alone in the woods this particular full moon, itching for a hunt. Her father and Alpha, Anthony Undertow, forbid her to hunt alone just as he forbade his pack to worship. But Layla felt the Moon Goddess' call and her wolf loved the woods when it was bathed in moonlight. She removed her long, maroon velvet cloak with a smile. This was her favorite part, the moment before she transformed into her wolf counterpart. The moment before she would let her wolf out and run till her lungs burned. The only time sh
Layla wasn't sure when her cloak found its way underneath her but she was grateful for the consideration. The moon had fallen behind a cloud as the sweet gentle breeze grew stronger, the damp grass tickled through her cloak to her bare skin.Her linen underdress was bunched under her chin. She shivered as she pulled it down to cover her exposed body. Solomon wrapped his arm around her and gently pulled her close to him. He kissed her shoulder. "I hate to say it, but it's getting late," she said. She rolled over and wiggled closer to him. "It's getting so cold.""I could warm you up again," he sleepily flirted in her ear. "You could. And I definitely would like that," she nuzzled into his neck. "But-""Shhhh, no buts." He slid his hand down the curve of her body and stopped on her butt. With a gentle yet firm squeeze, he said, "just this one." "Very cute," she brushed his hand off her and stood up. "But it's getting late. We probably should get out of here." She grabbed her long wo
The bustle of the Moonbane pack was overwhelming to Layla. The Moonbane insignia of a large waning crescent moon with the Moon Goddess standing fiercely in the middle was everywhere she looked. It felt like overkill. She couldn't even remember her father's pack's insignia. Solomon confidently made his way through the crowds of people. He didn't seem to notice that the crowd was making way for him but Layla did. She nervously kept dropping his hand but Solomon was persistent and gently grabbed it every time she let go. She slowed her step and fell behind him so it looked like he was dragging her.She felt the glare of a hundred enemy eyes piercing through her. Did they know who she was? Or what pack she belonged to? Could they tell she was Solomon's mate? Back in the woods she felt so safe in his presence but here in this place, she felt distressed. Solomon, sensing her discomfort, turned his head and smiled at her. She felt a wave of calm energy flood over her. She smiled back at
Layla's heart was racing and her head was swimming with a thousand overwhelming frantic thoughts. She couldn't understand how Solomon's parents reacted. Sure, she wasn't from River Reach. And sure, she wasn't a part of Moonbane, she wasn't descended from the Goddess. And yes, her father wasn't the best Alpha and their pack was struggling. And yes, Saraiah did hit a nerve about her mother. But she wasn't trash, she wasn't a common whore. She wasn't trying to elevate above her station. She loved Solomon and their connection was sincere. She looked at Solomon, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation. "It's fine." He finally said. "Everything is fine." Layla could tell that he was saying this more so to himself than to her. "You're my mate." "Yes. And you are mine." Layla was annoyed. That was established. "Your father-""My father can't force me to reject you. I will never reject you as my mate, Layla," Solomon was stern. "Your father will reject you as Alpha," Layla was concerned
It was finally time for their wedding. It had been four months since the disambation of Thundermoon. Layla's bruises had healed, even the scars from Alistar's first attack were starting to fade. She had begun to grow out her hair so she could wear it in the traditional style. She had practiced with Solomon and Zoya for many weeks. She felt ready. She just wanted to get all of it over. She just wanted to be recognized as Solomon's mate. She had flown through the first two individual ceremonies without issue and with each step drawing her closer and closer to the goal. The last individual ceremony involved her family. Tabitha acted in the role her mother should have been in. As part of the ceremony, Tabitha braided Layla's hair as her father, Anthony, had to recite a prayer. It was humorous to watch. Anthony did not speak the language, Tabitha was not skilled at braiding. But they both tried their best to do their part. On the other side of the banquet hall, Solomon was performing a s
There was something bittersweet about leaving her father's home. With Cassias planted firmly on her lap and Solomon by her side, everything felt new and exciting. The realization of her greatest dreams being on the verge of coming true was thrilling. She couldn't wait but it was also sad to think that this place would never be her home anymore. She belonged elsewhere now. She remembered how she felt when she left with Alistar and how depressing it was to leave. All those years spent with him and at Thundermoon, they never felt like home. Now the place she always considered home no longer felt that way. Home was now the people beside her.Balthazar and Solomon spent most of the journey back to the Moonbane fort quizzing Cassias on his newly learned language. It was heartwarming watching these men embrace and accept her son so openly and thoroughly. They were patient with him and gently corrected any mistakes. They spoke clearly and slowly for him to catch on and understand. Layla could
They left the camp the next morning. Layla was happy to never return to this cursed place ever again. This chapter of her life was finally over. Before she stepped into the carriage to return home, she bent over and found a small red rock. She placed it in the pocket of her dress. It wasn't for her but for Cassias. This was his home, his inheritance. If she had it her way, that rock would be all he would need and never return. There was nothing left for him anyway. She returned in the same carriage as Solomon and his father. It was clear now with Alistar out of the picture what Layla's relationship was towards the leaders of the pack. She was no longer a stranger or an enemy but soon family. The men treated her differently, not that anyone other than Saraiah or Simon treated her badly, but it was a noticeable difference. They respected her now. She was one of them. It was almost as if her connection to Thundermoon never existed. She wanted to treat her time there like it was a dream
Layla awoke in the middle of the night in a deep panic. Her dreams were haunted by the faces of the men she once led, the men she helped slaughter. Her heart was racing so badly it felt like it would explode out of her chest. She kept having flashbacks of the battle and Alistar but it was difficult to make any sense of it all. Her body didn't feel like her own, her mind was searching for a connection to reality and everything felt like it was slipping. Solomon's arm was sleepily wrapped over her side and he was in a deep restful sleep. For a small moment, Layla was jealous. She wished that she had been so unaffected by everything the way he was. She gently moved his arm off of her and he rolled onto his back. She smiled at how peaceful he looked. It reminded her of their first night together all those years ago before Alistar came into her life. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She got out of bed, she didn't have a plan but she knew she needed to do something. There was n
Solomon carried Layla in his arms out of the meeting hall. She wanted to set it ablaze and dance on its ashes but she feared how Solomon would have taken her suggestion so instead she buried her head into the crook of his neck. She breathed his scent in deeply, it calmed her. She finally felt safe but it took more than one deep breath for her body to catch up. Her heart was racing and her breathing was staggered. She hadn't noticed it before but she was shaking tremendously. Her body couldn't shake the fear. Something felt off as if it were forgotten but she couldn't put her finger on it. She tried to process everything that had just occurred but was blanking out. All she could see was the look in Alistar's eye when she drove her knife into him. It was horrifying and heartbreaking. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there sooner," Solomon said softly. "I'll never forgive myself, I should have been there. I shouldn't have left you. I'm so sorry, I was so stupid. I am so stupid.""Where were you?
Layla tried with all her might to stay conscious but was struggling. Her vision was narrowing and the black was creeping in. She hadn't anticipated this ending. She felt like a fool, how could she not have? She knew Alistar better than almost anyone, she had spent the majority of her time with him even with her indifference towards him, she was bound to learn a thing or two about the man. And she should have known that he wouldn't go down without a fight, without another dirty trick up his sleeve. "Oh, not yet." His voice was dark and she could hear the smile in his voice. It was vile. She didn't know what he had meant but it was too late. Before she knew it, Alistar slammed her down onto the table with a loud thud. If she had any left in her lungs, it would have knocked the wind out of her but instead, it was like a jolt of electricity that shocked her back into her body. It was a rude awakening that she was grateful for but the fear of his next move overwhelmed her senses. She trie
"Fancy seeing you here," Alistar's voice was like a menacing song. "I have missed you, my mate."The way he snarled the words "my mate" sent shivers down Layla's spine. She had seen multiple sides of him but this was something new. He wasn't himself. Before her stood a man with nothing to lose and nothing to gain, a man completely taken over by his animalistic side. He was more a monster than man. But Layla could not show any fear. It was time for her to confront her fear face-on, if not only for herself but also for her son and the pack he failed to protect."You look like horse shit," he sneered as he slowly approached her. His eyes darted from hers to the open door behind her. "You finally look as washed up as you are." Layla knew he was trying to get under her skin and cause a reaction, she would not give him the pleasure. "Look at you being so brave with you little bitch boy behind you to protect you," he laughed. "Don't worry, she's all yours," he called out over her should
It happened in a blink of an eye. Layla couldn't process what had happened, Javier was dead and he was not going to be the only casualty of the night. it was difficult to fully grasp. Javier was gone. All the light drained from his eyes. Layla lost all control of her breathing. She violently threw her hands over her mouth. All the excitement she had felt before this moment vanished. She was face to face with the reality of war. It wasn't some story in a history book, it was the loss of a good friend. Time sped up rapidly to utter chaos. She was thankful that all the Moonbane wolves had dark brown or black fur while all the Thundermoon wolves had similar ashy blonde fur. It made it easier to follow the flow of the fight but it also made it more painfully obvious how outnumbered Thundermoon was. This wasn't a fair fight, it was a massacre. No matter how she had spun it before, there was no denying the truth now. Layla felt horrible, the remorse overwhelmed her. Solomon was right, she s
It was agreed that Cassias would be left with Tabitha back at her father's home. A tutor was sent along to maintain his studies. She was nervous that Minnie, the nanny who Cassias was previously left in their care, was still there. She didn't trust her judgment after the whole incident with Alistar. She didn't want to be paranoid but it was hard not to be. She knew that Minnie was doing her job, no one instructed her to not let Alistar take Cassias, he is his father. But that was the ripple that led to a tidal wave. She traveled with the supplies while the rest of the pack traveled ahead in the wolf form. She wasn't opposed to shifting, in fact there was very little in this world that she wanted to do more. She yearned for it as if it was a scratch she couldn't reach. The healers had advised her to wait a few more weeks before she could shift into her wolf form for long periods of time. If she pushed herself too hard too quickly she could lose her ability to shift. She felt an anger