Chapter 13

Layla POV 

“You are my lover?”

Stunned by his admission, I could barely breathe. I stumbled back, as the weight of his words crashed over me like a wave. His voice had been calm, steady, when he said it.

He wasn’t lying. 

That much was clear when I looked into his eyes, he had the look of a man who had been in love and was confused at to what was happening around him.

I didn't blame him either.

I was just as confused and not for the first time I was wondering what magic had brought me here and left me with no directions.

At least as the pack priestess, I had know my duties and my relationship with the others had been certain.

An uninterested father, a cruel stepmother and her daughter. 

A pack that didn't care for me at the least.

Only Elena had been my friend, the one person I could confide in and even now I wasn't sure where she was. 

If she was alive or dead. 

The air seemed to thicken, pressing against my chest and stealing all the oxygen in the garden all at once. I couldn't meet his gaze, even though I felt his eyes searching mine, wanting me to say something—anything.

But what could I say?

That I wasn't who he was looking for? 

That I was a ghost in this body? If I did tell him that what would be his reaction and how would I be able to overcome that and it was the best method.

The truth clawed its way up my throat, desperate to escape, but I swallowed it back down,my hands trembling as I clenched them into fists, digging my nails into my palms to ground myself.

The only thing I could do right now was lie my ass off and hope I didn't get caught because I was fairly certain that he was onto me already.

I lifted my chin, steeling myself against the weight of his gaze. 

"I know,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected. He looked surprised as if he hadn't expected me to admit that I knew him.

I almost smiled, You and me buddy.

“I remember. " I continued whispering softly before looking away from him.

“But it doesn’t matter,” I finally whispered, my voice hoarse and barely audible.

“It doesn’t matter because I can’t be with you.” The way his face fell made my chest tighten really fast. He stepped closer, his hand reaching for mine, but I took a step back.

“Melody…”

“No,” I interrupted, shaking my head.

“We can’t… I can’t.”

“What? Why?” he asked, stepping closer, his voice softer now. His expression flickered going from soft to almost pleading.

It didn't fit the man I saw in front of me, in fact this whole situation didn't seem to fit anyone at all, it made me wonder just how the two of them had met and why they started dating.

It was more than a little worrisome finding myself in this situation without even the tiniest of help. I shook my head and took a step back, my heel catching on the edge of the stone path in the garden.

“Because I… I’m to be mated to someone else.” I muttered the words tasting bitter on my tongue. His expression darkened, pain flashing in his eyes.

I didn't want to be mated to anyone but I needed to if I was going to protect myself and my position in this new place.

“You don’t mean that. You can’t mean that.” he finally mumbled.

“I do,” I said firmly, though my voice wavered.

"My father arranged it, with alpha Blackwood and I'm not going to do anything to hurt his reputation" I finished.

“I’m sorry, whoever you are but you need to leave.” I muttered.

"Whatever we had between us it's over now" I finished, shrugging my shoulders slightly.

For a moment, he just stared at me, the silence stretching between us like a taut wire ready to snap. 

" I don't want to leave " he mumbled.

"Then I'll just leave" I hissed as he reached for me, but I turned away, the hem of my sleeves  brushing against his fingers as I ran, my pulse pounding in my ears.

The garden blurred around me as I ran, it was almost like there was nothing there. 

By the time I reached my room, my breath was leaving my body in ragged gasps. I slammed the door shut behind me and leaned against it, my forehead pressing against the cool wood. 

The seamstress and Pearl turned to look at me, their faces etched with concern.

“Get out,” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. They looked up at me in shock, their hands frozen mid–motionas they exchanged worried glances, 

"But my lady we're not done with the fitting" the seamstress muttered raising the gown but I pointed toward the door.

“Leave me. Now.” Pearl swallowed grabbing Elaine's hand urging her toward the door.

Elaine looked put out as she gathered her fabrics and tools in silence, once she was done they both curtsied hurriedly and scurried out behind one another.

The moment they were gone, I locked the door and let out a shuddering breath collapsing onto the floor.

I ran my gaze through the room,and rose to my feet unable to sit still just pacing the room, my thoughts a whirlwind of emotions I couldn’t untangle right now.

I really needed to find a way to know what exactly I was getting myself into. 

A diary, letters… Anything, there was no way she didn't have something I just had to find it. 

My gaze swept the room, landing on the bed and I stopped abruptly, my gaze falling to the bed. 

A flicker of something caught my eye—the edge of a box peeking out from underneath. Frowning I walked over and knelt down and pulled it out slowly and carefully.

It was old, the wood worn smooth, and the surface was lined with special carvings that like the box itself felt oddly familiar.

My hands trembled as I opened the box and sighed with some sort of relief, inside, there were rows of bound letters, trinkets, and a small, delicate locket. 

My fingers brushed against the locket and I smiled.

Finally.