6

Despite the nights previous events, both Layke and Belle managed to keep their pent up tension at bay as they joined Layke’s friends and some of the warriors for breakfast. As he sat drinking his coffee, Layke couldn’t help but watch Belle as she enjoyed the bacon on her plate. There was something so effortlessly sensual about each one of her movements, almost graceful and fluid.

The way she chewed her food and licked those ample lips had his member threatening to combust. Ironically, Belle had no idea about the feelings she could stir up from the simplest of acts, even when his righthand man couldn’t keep his eyes off her either. Beau’s eyes were stuck to her like glue, much to Layke’s dismay but he couldn’t blame him either. Even Layke’s enforces seemed to helplessly admire her. She really was the most unwillingly sensual person he had ever seen. The fact that she was so oblivious to it only made the attraction grow.

Belle lifted her eyes from her food, noticing the way the men on the table seemed to be watching her like hawks and truthfully, it was making her uncomfortable. “Look, I’m really not much of a morning person. In fact, I usually try and sleep through it. If you all continue watching me eat my bacon like I’m an alien, I advise you to proceed with extreme caution.”

The corners of Layke’s lips twitched as he took another sip of his coffee. Her fiery nature tended to amuse him, at least when it wasn’t directed at him. Beau grinned at the hybrid, before sending a wink to his best friend. Layke rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I like her.” Beau confirmed, earning a chuckle from Belle.

“Me too,” a brunette woman agreed as she took a seat next to a man Belle had just been introduced to. Rai, she believed Layke introduced him as, was one of Layke’s closest friends and one of the top enforcers. Apparently Beau was the head warrior, with Rai and another guy who sat across from Belle, named Coen, following closely behind Beaux’s skill. The three men were Layke’s best friends and most trusted confidants.

Belle recognised the brunette as the other woman stood on the podium with them yesterday. “Hi, I’m Isla! It’s such an honour to meet you, Princess Belle. I’m one of the senior enforcers and Rai’s mate.” Belle believed she was a good judge of character, particularly as she had to be due to her status, and she immediately felt nothing but warmth coming from this woman. Belle wondered if this Isla could be someone she may be able to become friends with whilst she was here. The place was swarming with testosterone and she knew she would always benefit from having another girl to chat to.

Belle smiled warmly at the brunette. “Please, call me Belle. It’s lovely to meet you, I’m sure we’ll get to know each other plenty over the next few weeks.” Belle beamed, her morning annoyance beginning to dissipate.

“Layke?”

Layke internally groaned, he’d recognise that voice anywhere. He’d slept with the woman once, once, and yet two years later Sierra had acted as though they were together. Layke presumed Sierra would eventually move on, meet her mate and forget all about him, but apparently the greater gods had a sense of humour and decided this way was more entertaining for them.

Belle glared at Layke, shooting daggers in his direction, making Layke wish the ground would just swallow him up. With how quickly things were moving, Layke had completely forgotten to give Belle a heads up. “Are you kidding me?” Sierra demanded as she stomped to Layke’s side, refusing to even cast a glance in Belle’s direction.

Belle cocked her head as she studied the female, the girl might as well have been a living bratz doll. Over bleached hair, layers of fake tan and mountains of makeup, Belle couldn’t help but think about how the two of them were worlds apart. The girl turned to Belle, suddenly whipping her head in Belle’s direction as she felt her glare. Layke watched as Belle flashed the girl a warm smile, but there was a hint of sinister in that smile, something that warned Sierra she was treading on thin ice and she had better be very, very careful.

Sierra’s focus quickly returned to Layke. “You’re marrying her?” Layke wasn’t sure why Sierra had bothered asking him that, he thought he made it perfectly clear yesterday.

“Did I not already explain that?” Layke asked, already bored of this conversation.

“What about us?” Sierra questioned, the hurt in her voice clear as day. Belle even felt a bit bad for the girl.

Several snorts echoed around the table, as Layke’s friends exchanged amused glances that said Sierra clearly needed a straight jacket. “There is no us, Sierra. We slept together once, two years ago. You really need to move on.” Layke told her flatly, still sipping his coffee as he paid her no mind.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us at least?” Sierra placed her hand on her hip, trying to display some form of power stance.

At this point, Belle couldn’t tell if she sympathised with the girl or was just getting straight up irritated. Layke held out his hand to Belle, inviting her to come to him. Belle, smiling, strolled around the table and allowed Layke to pull her onto his lap. “Belle, Sierra. Sierra, Belle.”

“That’s it?” Sierra scoffed.

Layke rested his chin on Belle’s shoulder, oddly finding comfort in her closeness and her intoxicating peachy scent. Layke had always known that Sierra was hoping he would mate her and make her his Queen, but he didn’t realise she actually thought she had a chance purely because of a drunken night many moons ago.

Belle rolled her eyes at the girl, any sympathy was gone and all she felt was anger. “Is this the part where you inform me about how you’re the love of his life, the one he’ll never get over and he’ll always run back to? Perhaps, I’m supposed to become crazy jealous because I’ll never compare and so forth. Unfortunately, Sierra.. is it? As I was just explaining, I’m not a morning person.. like at all really and honestly, it’s just way too early for me to gather up that kind of response. But if you really do want that, maybe try again later.”

Something about the fact that Layke had slept with the women irked Belle. She envisioned slapping her just for that simple fact alone, if she was being truly honest. But there was nothing between Belle and Layke, eventually they would go their separate ways and Belle quickly reminded herself of that before she decided to claw the eyes out of the girl stood in front of her.

“I don’t get it, Layke.” Sierra scoffed. “Sure, she’s a princess but she’s not even your type! I mean, she’s thin. And mouthy. And tiny. I bet she can’t even throw a decent punch.”

“Who is this bitch?” Nia gasped.

“Hey, I’ve been told I could have been a hand model!” Belle retorted.

“And paw model!” Nia interjected.

“You’re not his type!”

“Why not? Because I can read and write? Oh, and don’t forget my incredible personality.”

“Because you’re a filthy mutt.” Sierra growled.

Before Sierra could even blink and knew what was happening, Belle saw red and found her hand wrapped tightly around Sierra’s throat as she pinned her against the cold wall. It took every ounce of Belle’s strength to restrain Nia who was now itching to be let loose. Layke and Beau stood either side of Belle in protective stances. “What. Did. You. Just. Call. Me.” Belle bit out each word.

Sierra coughed as her eyes made a desperate plea with Layke, who only stood by his fiancés side and glared at the enforcer. Fake marriage or not, no one else knew this yet which meant Sierra was willing disrespecting the love of his life and his soon-to-be Queen.

After realising Layke would be of no assistance, Sierra diverted her eyes to the ground. “Let me make one thing clear, Sierra.” Belle growled. “I’m much stronger and faster than you will ever be. Your tiny brain couldn’t even possibly imagine the strength I have. You may be a good fighter here, but against me? You’re a child in training. I’m royal by blood in both fae and wolf, you don’t stand a chance against me. I could rip your head off your shoulders in a sudden movement and you wouldn’t even realise it had happened. Do you really want to take me on?” She spat.

Sierra rapidly shook her head, still refusing to look Belle in the eye. “I’m sorry.” She whispered.

Belle used her grip on Sierra’s neck to raise her higher against the wall. “I didn’t catch that. Say it again?”

“I’m sorry.” Sierra replied clearly, choking from Belle’s grip.

“Do not make me make an example out of you, Sierra. It will not be pretty.” Belle growled.