9

HILARY

"Stole the key?” I repeated, completely gobsmacked. “How did you do that?"

"Well, I just got him distracted by asking him why he locked you in, then stole the key from the table and hurried out as fast as I could," Layla explained, practically dragging me down the corridor.

"How are you so energetic?" I asked, visibly struggling to keep up with her.

"I am a werewolf, honey. This,” she paused, pointing to her protuding belly, “doesn't stop me. But that aside, I am taking you to my house. I'll make sure Lucas or anyone you don't want to see has no access to you until he learns to forgo his ego and apologize.”

"It actually doesn't matter; it's not my first time," I shrugged, putting on a brave front.

I blinked confused when she suddenly stopped to look at me, her eyes roaming over my face as if seeking a confirmation to my words before sighing heavily. “I'm sorry about that. But, even if it isn't your first time, the moment you married Lucas should have been your last."

"It's okay, really. I… I upset him by trying to leave," I said, feeling a little bashful.

She shook her head with a hint of a smile playing on her lips as she found my words quite contradictory. “I have half a mind to forgive Lucas out of pity right now. He is going to have his hands full with you, but I do want to see him grovel, so you are still coming with me."

We got ushered into a sleek car that stopped in front of a huge mansion, almost as big as Lucas' house. "Please feel at home. You are like the sister I never had, so I am glad to have you here.” she said, smiling.

"Thank you, I..." I started to say, but she interrupted me.

"You don't need to thank me, Hilary. First, you must eat. I’m sorry to say, but you're looking quite….. thin," she gestured, frowning a little. I hummed.

"Actually, I have put on a little weight since you first met me," I said, feeling a bit self-conscious.

Her frown deepened before she started to ring a little bell I never saw in her hand initially. She offered a smile when I casted it a curious look. “Oh this was Dylan's idea.” She supplied helpfully before starting to stroke her stomach lovingly, “He's such a helicopter. He'd have me waited on hand and foot until I give birth if it was left to him.” She finished with an exasperated sigh but I did not miss the fondness in her tone.

It was clear now that Dylan had been worried over nothing but I definitely wouldn't want to say to a protective Alpha navigating the intricacies of becoming a first time Dad if I wasn't mistaken. This woman could scale through a fence if she wanted to, but it was better to let him have his way on some occasions, I could understand. A maid came in and Layla asked her to serve lunch.

Lunch turned out to be a table filled with so much food than I could've imagined possible at once. “Go ahead, did in.” she nodded at me and I hesitated.

"Aren't you eating anything?" I asked, wondering if I could eat if the host wouldn't be eating.

"Since Dylan isn't home to nag me, I can finally satisfy my cravings." she said, smiling mischievously.

At that moment, another maid walked in holding a large box of pizza. "Pizza," she said dreamily and I bit my lip, concerned.

"Is that healthy?"

"Of course, it is. For the baby and me. It has all the carbs needed for strength.” she answered easily, gesturing at the table again.

I began to load my plates with homemade chicken, baked potatoes, dressings, and was about to take the first bite when Dylan burst into the house.

"Layla, what do you think you are doing?" he asked, eyes not missing the way his wife immediately tried to shove the box of pizza away all while trying to swallow the large bite in her mouth.

"Nothing!" she replied, her words muffled with her mouth still full.

"Mrs. Bakers!"

A middle-aged woman with her hair tied up in a bun with not one strand out of place rushed in, her hands folded in front of her.

"How did this happen?" he asked, pointing at Layla, who was trying to take another bite from the triangular cut out.

"I… I have no idea, Beta Dylan," Came her solemn reply.

He looked like he still had a lot to say but decided against it at the last minute. Instead, he walked up to his wife and grabbed the pizza box like it'd slain the love of his life in a past life. As he tried to wrestle the remnant greasy bits out of her fingers, Layla doubled over.

“Ow! Ow! Ow!” She moaned in pain, cradling her stomach and Dylan was on his knees, frantic in the blink of an eye.

“What? Where? Does it hurt? Are you okay?” He fussed, hands running from her stomach to her back as he scrambled for where to hold.

“I think the baby wants the pizza back.” Layla said, pouting and he got to his feet with a sneer

"Nice try, Layla," Dylan said, but his expression softens when she shows him a pair of incredibly sad eyes, pout deepening.

“Just one.” He warned, stretching the box in her direction. As she wrenched it open with a victorious laughter, he resumed speaking, "Do you have any idea where Hillary is? Lucas says he had her locked in a room as punishment, and he thinks you stole the keys and-"

"Hello, Beta Dylan." I cut him short with a bashful greeting and he seemed to finally take note of my presence for the first time since his arrival.

"Oh, for the love of ……Layla, I swear you're going to be the death of me." he groaned and Layla just shrugged, attention fixed on her greasy food.

“Might as well eat before you die.” She snickered and he rolled his eyes but took a seat next to her nonetheless.

As he began to fix his plate, I took that as my cue to resume eating too.

"Is there any reason we have a barrier over the pack?" I asked, trying to make conversation and also get some useful information while at it.

"Of course, there’s a reason," Dylan muttered, frowning and Layla pinched his bicep.

“Be nice!” She scolded.

He huffed and opted to not say a word and Layla turned to me, "I think there is a reason, but my husband and the other two egotistical males leading the pack think it is only right for them to say we are safer with the barrier without actually telling us why."

"Because you are..." A loud knocking on the door startled me almost out of my seat, but it looked like I'd been the only one least expectant of it. Dylan let out a loud, dramatic sigh before pushing away from the table and going to get the door.

I heard voices filter from that direction, and I was certain that I heard Lucas' voice. True to my thoughts, he stormed into the dining room with Dylan hot on his tail. The moment his eyes landed on me, I could see the relief in them before it was masked with something else.

He turned to Layla, "Why is she with you?"

"Why was she locked up like some animal?"

"That is no business of yours!"

"Lucas! That's my wife you're talking to!”

"Well, have her stay out of our business and I wouldn't have to!”

"Our? Define our. Oh! I think I know, you and your huge ego!"

"Okay, Layla, that's enough" Dylan said, seemingly materializing next to her to hold her soothingly.

Layla let herself be held, but she continued to glare at Lucas. “He has to apologize to her. You think you are treating her any better than she was treated before?"

"I will go with him" I finally spoke up and a deafening silence followed.

Layla turned to me, frowning "You don't have to feel obligated to do that."

"I know, I am not doing this for him. I am doing this for you because I don't want you stressing over me. You shouldn't stand up to him on my behalf" Dylan looked at me with something akin to gratitude in his eyes. It was obvious he didn't want to have to chose between his Alpha and his mate.

I nodded subtly at him, ignoring Lucas' outstretched hand, and walked straight to the car parked in front of their terrace. He joined me minutes later, and we drove back to his house in silence.

Immediately the car stopped in front of the mansion, I alighted and made to walk back to my room, but Lucas grabbed my hand and I turned to him with a raised brow.

"I… I am sorry. Layla was right, I shouldn't have locked you in your room.” He said, his eyes fixed on the floor before they raised to meet mine.

“It's just… fuck! Hilary, I never know what's going through your mind. When I couldn't find you in the house, I…. I thought the worst. I wondered if you'd run away or decided to do something terrible and I just didn't know what to do with myself. I panicked, okay? And I needed an outlet and I'm sorry I transfered all that to you, I just….”

I didn't know what powers his regretful words held until I was at the receiving end of it, and tried as I may, I couldn't fight the way I softened as he apologized. I knew I was lucky that I got married to him and not some old perv or a heartless brute like my father. Even if I wasn't going to love him or be anything he wanted, I should atleast try to nurture a civil relationship with him. And if he was trying, I should too. I shouldn't ruin this.

So I hugged him before I could think any better of it, "It's fine. I am sorry for running off like that.”

“I was feeling cooped up in the house with nothing to do. I wouldn't just leave, I have nowhere to go. You saved me from my family, and for that, I am grateful."

I could feel his hesitation to return the hug, but I wasn't going to torture him for long because I was pulling away almost as quick, feeling my cheeks burn red, all the way down to my neck. I looked up to see him staring intently at me.

"Does that mean I am forgiven?"

"Yes."

"Will you..."

"Goodnight, Lucas." I intercepted, already ascending the stairs in quick, fast steps. I knew what he wanted to ask, and I wasn't ready for that yet.

I shut the door to my room and put a hand to my chest in a quest to stop the erratically beating organ within. I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. I had forgiven Lucas, not because I loved him, but because I was grateful for his protection and kindness.

I knew I couldn't avoid him and stay locked in my room forever, and I was going to have to make this marriage work at some point. As I began to pace the length of room, mind boggled with images of what I'd initiated a few minutes ago, I couldn't help but curse a little at my impulsiveness.

I couldn't believe I had hugged Lucas, but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. I didn't want to hurt him, and I knew he was trying to make amends. For now, I just wanted to try to forget the events of the day.

‘Someone’s falling in love’ I heard the sing-song voice in my head and huffed quietly.

‘I am NOT falling in love with him, Snow.’

‘Sounds fake, but okay.’

‘I am serious.’ I argued persistently, ‘I don't have any business letting anybody into my heart right now, not after what Dawson did to me.’

'It’s whatever you say, Hilary. I have no choice either way.’

Snow fell silent afterwards and I was left with my thoughts once again. I kept thinking about Lucas and his apology, and how it had felt to hug him. It wasn't anything big, but it was a start. Maybe we could build something together, something stronger than just a marriage of convenience. Not exactly convenience because it seemed quite convenient for him to marry me.

I really couldn't be left in this room forever. Was there not a library or something else I could do like, maybe in the kitchen or something? As the thoughts flooded in, I realized there was so much I could do here for myself. If I wanted to know my way around indept, I first had to befriend someone other than Layla. Someone within the Mansion, and what other option than my very own bodyguard.