Layla

" Clara!" I greet her with a smile. Of course, it's a fake one. I hate the woman before me with passion. I don't know what kind of a joke was the moon goddess playing to make her my brother's mate.

" You are finally home. I can't wait for us to bond again." Clara says with a sickly sweet smile which I respond with on my own.

" Me too. I'm looking forward to it." I reply, feigning enthusiasm.

I can't have anybody finding out about our past, not even Mason.

Looking at him gazing lovingly at her, I know that I have to make a sacrifice for him. Not to mention that Clara is heavily pregnant.

" Look at that, darling. I told you that our baby will Love Clara. Ofcourse, she's such a lovable girl. Who would not love her?" My mother said, nudging my father lovingly.

Seeing how happy the family is,I can only smile and mask my pain.

I help my mother to serve lunch and we all sit by the table, enjoying our lunch.

Having my family here with me, what else could I ask for.

Over the past years, food was never something I enjoyed. To me, it was more of a necessity. I only hate to keep living. Today for the first time in years, I was actually enjoying dining. All thanks to my family.

" Ruuuuuby!" 

In the middle of our lunch, an excited voice blasted through the four corners of the dining room.

Seconds later, a racing Layla emerged forcing me on my feet.

There's no way I'll be waiting for that crazy woman to send me flying on the ground.

Bracing myself, I prepared myself to catch the woman who would definitely throw herself into my arms. But to my surprise, she halted millimetres away from me, making me release a breath I did not know I was holding.

" You really are a bad friend." The first words that leave her mouth are accusations 

But she's right, I am a bad friend.

" Won't you give me a hug? It's been years." I say in an attempt to placate my friend.

" Since you asked for it so nicely, I'll be magnanimous enough and hug you." Layla replies.

I catch everyone at the table trying to stifle their laughter.

That's Layla for you. She brings happiness everywhere she goes.

" If Marcus did not tell me that you are back, I would never have known." Layla complains.

" Surprise!" I say excitedly but the lady simply shakes her head.

" Ladies, it's lunch time as you can see. Layla, join us for lunch. You girls can catch up later." My mother interrupts saving my ass.

It totally slipped my mind to inform Layla about my return, not like we have kept in touch while I stayed in the city.

" Thanks Aunt. Then, I will not stand in the ceremony." Layla replied enthusiastically, her earlier grievances all forgotten.

" Always a foodie." I whispered to myself but being a wolf, Layla heard it.

" Thanks for reminding me. I will make sure you have nothing left to eat." She says, a grin on her face.

Layla takes a seat opposite Mason.

I catch them occasionally looking at each other.

Five years ago, everybody in the pack was sure that Mason and Layla were mates. That was until the moon Goddess slapped a cruel card on them.

Mason found his mate and that mate was not Layla. A year later, Layla found her mate.

I was not there when all the saga happened but I could tell that there was bitterness between the two with how awkward lunch turned out to be.

I don't see a reason for them to be awkward with each other though,considering that each found their mate. If my guess is right, something happened between them. Since I cannot ask my brother about it, Layla will be the one to fill me in the details.

After lunch, Layla dragged me to my room.

Watching her, you could think that the room is actually hers and not mine.

" I know what you are thinking. Don't worry, your room is my room." Layla says immediately she locks the door.

I can only shake my head helplessly.

" Feels so good to be home." I say the words absentmindedly, gazing around the room which was still the same like five years ago.

" Yeah, home to finally face the skeletons in your closet." Layla retorts.

" When you say it that way, it sounds horrible." I smile nervously.

She is right though. It's about time I bury the past behind and start afresh.

" That's a fact you cannot erase. What do you plan to do?" Layla's question actually throws me off the hook.

What do I plan to do? Do I even have a plan?

" Honestly, I am clueless. I am still figuring out what to do next but one thing is for sure, I have to put a stop to all this madness and focus on my future." I replied.

I might not have a solid plan but I am sure about one thing, I will finish what was left undone five years ago.

" That's the way girl. Show that asshole that you are better off without him. Make him regret ever wronging you. You're a woman of talent and beauty and that should be known across all the land." Layla's words bring a smile to my face.

" Is he your sworn enemy and not your brother?" I ask, perplexed at how much anger her words carry.

" He is my brother, my blood but apart from that, nothing binds us together. On the other hand, I have you, my sworn sister." 

That's what Layla and I are to each other. Sworn sisters. Our sisterly bond goes all the way back to when we were pups.

" Tell me, do you have a boyfriend?" Layla's question makes me choke on my saliva.

What the hell!

" Tsk, tsk, tsk. I can tell that you are still a virgin. Do you intend to die a virgin?" Layla asks, making me cough awkwardly.

She has always been a blunt person but doesn't she know that her bluntness can be embarrassing at times?

" I have been busy with studies and work. I don't have time for such stuff." I answer immediately.

Date? That never crossed my mind.

Getting rejected by the one chosen for you by the moon goddess, where could I get the confidence to date some other man from?

" Don't worry,you are here just in time. Today is Mason's birthday. We have a lot of handsome and eligible bachelors attending the party. Six pm,I'll be here to prepare you for your first day of suitor hunting." Layla said, her voice full of excitement.

" Suitor hunting?"