Chapter 5

Layla’s POV

I rub my aching head again as I stamp the last few invitations. Invitations that were supposed to be stamped and sent out by Camila, but because she knows nothing, it falls to me to get them out. The neighboring packs and royals wouldn’t appreciate sloppy work.

Ben glances at me when I clear my throat, but I ignore him. The feverish ache is spreading, but I can’t stop now. Just a few more hours, then I can go home. I’ve ignored the feeling all day, knowing it’s probably a combination of pregnancy symptoms and the chill from last night’s shower debacle.

“You know…” Ben leans over with a whisper, “I surely thought you would be Alpha Alexander’s mate. You’re the best candidate, and everyone loves you.”

I close my eyes against the verbal attack, reminding myself that Ben doesn’t mean anything by his statement. He doesn’t know what’s going on, but still, I reach up and cover the already concealed mark on my neck.

“There is nothing between me and Alpha Alexander,” I tell him, the truth painful.

Ben hums then looks at my computer. The digital invitation to the Stormhowl Kingdom is pulled up, and he points at it with a chuckle, “You could find yourself a partner. Prince Vincent would be a great match for—”

A growl rips through the room, making both of us jerk back to find Alexander glaring from the other end of the room, “Gossiping during work hours is forbidden.”

The office falls into an awkward silence as Ben flounders to find something to say. Me, I just stay quiet, knowing that anything I say will go unheard anyway.

Briefly, I wonder why he’s here so early, but when Camila sidles up to him and leans into his side, I have my answer. He must be dropping her off for work. Camila smiles up at him, and after a moment, Alexander looks at me again.

“Delta Layla, you are to personally supervise Camila today,” Alexander announces. “Make sure to refrain from shirking responsibilities or lazing around and gossiping.”

Beneath the table, my claws puncture my palms. Above the table, I nod respectfully, unable to disagree or refuse. “I am patrolling the borders of the Capital today. She can join me.”

Camila’s worried expression is clear to everyone, and I wish I could read her mind. She’s probably thinking I’ll bully her while we’re alone. The timid girl is so much like a rabbit, it’s strange that Alexander likes her. She’s everything he usually hates.

“I’ll take you both,” Alexander says. The numb feeling from before begins to return, spreading through me at the thought of spending the day with the two of them. Again, without even a word from the girl, he’s taking her side.

Disappointment lingers, nearly drowned out by the numbness. I guess I’m getting used to it by now.

Heading outside, we walk to Alexander’s car. I take out the keys and move to the driver’s seat out of habit, pausing. Camila watches me with confusion, but I ignore her and climb in. Alexander and Camila climb into he back seat, turning me into a chauffeur as if things weren’t already awful.

Again, I try to ignore the two as we leave the castle and head toward the edge of the pack’s territory. Bits and pieces of the back seat conversation float up to me, and I listen as Alexander tells Camila how large the Capital is. He explains that the drive will take a while.

Instead of resting, Camila stares wide-eyed out the window and begins asking questions. They’re innocent questions, making me realize just how young she is. To anyone else, she would be considered adorable.

In that moment, I glance at Alexander. The smile on his face as he answers her questions is blinding, and the bitterness overtakes the numbness that was growing in my chest.

A fated mate really is unbeatable.

***

The flash of light blinds me momentarily, causing me to lose control of the car. It drifts then turns sharply, hitting something. A loud crunch sounds and pain flares in my head and my leg.

Camila screams.

A tire blows out.

Then everything goes still.

Until it doesn’t.

Five or six armed rogues surround the car, smashing the windows with crowbars. Glass flies through the air, slicing into my skin as a thug pins me to my seat. The others go for the back seat. The dizziness and pain make it hard to move, but I see the rogues going for Camlia. Alexander pulls her into his arms and away from the thugs.

My vision blurs as the man pinning me to my seat presses his crowbar to my neck. Alexander makes no move to help me.

It’s because they’re in the back seat. There are too many rogues. That has to be it. He can only reach Camila.

Alexander bursts from the back of the car, moving swiftly and ruthlessly to take down the rogues. I try to focus as the man holding me down leaves me and runs to attack Alexander, but everything blurs again.

Voices shout, but nothing is clear.

My body jostles, and I hope it’s Alexander, but when I open my eyes, it’s one of the healers. No. it should be Alexander. He should be the one pulling me from the car. He should be the one caring about me.

When I finally look across the distance between the two of us, Alexander is fully focused on Camila who is crying. He doesn’t ask if I’m alright, doesn’t shout at anyone to help me, and he doesn’t even look at me.

I’m not even a blip on his radar, and that hurts more than any injury I could ever.

The doctor leans over me, saying something, but I can’t hear him.

All I can hear is Alexander as he rages, “Save Camila first! Get the best doctor for my mate!”

And I let the darkness consume me.

***

I hate the way hospitals smell. The sharp, harsh scent does nothing to comfort a patient, and neither does the expanse of white walls. Though, I guess it’s better than being left in that field… which is where I would probably still be if the healers hadn’t shown up.

It seems if it had just been me, Alexander, and Camila, I would still be stuck in that car, bleeding and injured.

“Ah, Delta Layla. I’ve got your scans back,” the doctor says, walking over. “Despite your injuries, you’re doing well.”

“What about the baby?” I ask, not caring about myself.

“The baby is fine. No injuries or issues as we could tell.”

Relief floods my body, and I relax slightly. This time, things are different. The discovery of my pregnancy is no longer safe. If someone finds out and word gets around, my already crumbling life will be completely shattered.

“The father. I haven’t told him about the baby ye—”

“What baby?”

My blood runs cold at the sound of his voice.

Turning, I glance at the door to find Alexander watching us. What exactly did he hear?

How much did he hear?