Darius POVI should have realized everything was going too smoothly for us. Layla taps Monique on the shoulder before saying, “Pull up over there; it will be quicker to go down the mountain on foot.” Monique pulls the Suv to the side of the road; Layla is out the door before we come to a complete stop. She turns to me; her eyes glow fluorescent green, and her fingers have already extended into claws as she says, “Make it quick, Darius. I will meet you at the packhouse.” She moves so fast that I haven't even had the chance to get out of the vehicle before she disappears. Monique smiles over her shoulder at us before she shifts into her wolf and runs in the direction Layla has gone. Riley opens the SUV trunk; Declan reeks of fear; I pull him out of the trunk and whisper,“This is for Maddie,” I snap his neck; his body slumps forward; I nod at Riley, he holds Declan upright as my claws extend out of my hands, and I remove Declan's head. Riley lets Declan's body fall, and I throw hi
Layla POV The tensing in Darius’s jaw betrayed his anger; his eyes flashed red when I said, “Amy’s brother is the wolf that rejected me.” I watch Darius's expression closely; I really hope he didn't expect me to fall to pieces when I told him my story because I was never going to let myself become the weak she-wolf I was before I escaped Sasha and Isaac’s claws. He closed his eyes briefly before looking at me and asking, “Do you still have feelings for him, Layla?” I look at him in astonishment and say, “Do I look like an idiot? Of course, I don't.” He rubs his eyes tiredly and asks, “Did they belong to the Red River pack?” A coldness settled inside me; Lea’s voice entered my mind, “It's time you told him what happened, Layla.” Darius leans toward me and places his hand in mine as I say, “It's a long story, Darius.” “I don't care how long it takes, Layla. I am not going anywhere.” I chew the inside of my mouth; where do I start? Darius smiles encouragingly
Darius POV Layla has fallen into an exhausted sleep. I know her confiding in me about her past was difficult for her. I climb out of her bed and pull the comforter around her; she sighs, rolling onto her stomach; one arm is tucked under her pillow the other is lying over it. I smile, looking down at her; she looks like she is cuddling her pillow. I can't help wishing I was the pillow, and she had her arms around me. Fucking pillow, I am so jealous right now. I mind-link Riley and say, “Wake up, asshole, meet me on the porch.” He groans through the link before saying, “It's three o clock in the morning, Darius.’ I growl, “I don't give a fuck. I need to talk to you.” I can hear Riley stumbling down the stairs before he reaches the porch. I look down at his feet and ask, “Where are your shoes?” He raked his fingers through his hair before saying, “Shit, sorry Darius, I won't be long.” I fold my arms across my chest while I wait; when he finally returns, I motion for
Layla POV The sound of Lea purring in my head wakes me up; I smile as I snuggle into the warm body in my bed, then freeze, ‘What the fuck?’ My head is on Darius’s chest, my body is lying across his; my skin tingles where our bodies touch. I go to move when Darius’s arm tightens around me, “Where are you going, Layla?” I put my hand over my mouth, praying to the moon goddess that I haven't got lousy morning breath, and mutter, “Bathroom Darius, I need to go to the bathroom.” Darius loosens his hold on me so I can get out of bed; I avert my gaze as the bed sheet slips and smother a groan. Lea purrs louder as she says, “You need to mark him as ours, Layla.” My face reddens at her words, and I glance back down at Darius; he winks, and warmth spreads through my body, starting from my core, and continues to rise in my chest until it reaches my face. I bite my bottom lip and make a beeline for the bathroom. As soon as I shut the door, Lea’s voice is back in my mind, “We need to m
Layla POVWhen I return, Darius is not in my flat; I groan; I hope mom didn't give him a hard time. Diana and mom are playing with Ellie and Beth; they are trying to teach the girls to walk by holding their little hands; Ellie and Beth's chuckle makes me laugh as they flop back down on their butts and start crawling toward me. Mom groans as she stands up straight and rubs her back before saying, “Darius sent Diana down; he said something about his warriors helping your wolves pack.” Before I can say anything, Marian walks into my flat and says, “I have set the cot up in my room for you and the girls, Nicole.” I frown as Marian and Diana pick Ellie and Beth up and leave and ask,“Why is there a cot in Marian's room, mom?” She walks over to the couch and pats the space next to her; her eyes sparkle with mischief when she says, “Sit down. We need to have a little chat.” I turn my back on her and grab two cups from the cupboard. There is no way I am discussing anything with my moth
Amy POVIt's early, Drew and I are still in bed; I roll toward him and grit my teeth as my pup's foot gets caught under my ribs. I groan and lay on my back; Drews stirs and reaches for me; I shiver in delight as he runs his hand over my stomach. Drew kisses my neck as he says, “Your awake early, sunshine. Is there anything I can do?”I giggle and slap his hand away as he slides his fingers under my panties and whisper, “Don't even think about it, Drew. I have to get out of bed.” He frowns when I sit up and asks, “Why are you getting out of bed so early, sunshine? We don't have to leave until after lunch.” My eyes eat him alive as I answer, “I am leaving early; I want to speak to Layla before everyone arrives.” He inclined his head toward my stomach and asked, “You haven't told her yet?” I shake my head. “No.” Drew rubs his eyes sleepily before asking, “How do you think she will take our news?” I rub my stomach as I ponder his question and smile, “Layla will be happy for u
Layla POV When you marked your mate, I had no idea that it was like a missing part of your soul that suddenly reconnected with your other half; for the first time in my life, I felt like I truly belonged somewhere and could cope with whatever life threw at me. Since I marked Darius, the mate bond has strengthened, and I can feel every emotion Darius feels. Darius sees me as his equal; I know that he would do whatever it took to protect me, even if it meant he had to die for me, and I would do the same for him. I don't feel overwhelmed or anxious when Darius is near me; his presence calms me and makes me feel safe. It also helps that he is incredibly gorgeous, smells fantastic, and is as sexy as sin.I smile at Darius; listening to him talk to Zach and Riley; his voice sends a shiver down my spine, he senses me watching him and winks; I lower my eyes to the floor when I feel myself blushing. I've been walking on cloud nine since we returned to the packhouse yesterday afternoon. Darius
Amy POVI waited until Darius closed the door behind him before sitting down on the couch. Layla pulls her hair into a messy bun before asking, “What did you want to see me about, Amy?” I put my hands in my lap and say, “I want to mind-link Drew and tell him you have marked Darius.” Layla frowns as she asks,“Why?” I look at her and say, “So he can tell Nathan.” She stands up and sits beside me on the couch before asking, “You worried how Nathan will react to Darius and I being mates?” I nod. “Yes,” Layla sighs before saying, “Nathan doesn't deserve to have a sister like you.”I shrug, “He is the only brother I have, Layla.”Layla huffs then says, “You know I can't say no to you, don't you?” I giggle,“That’s what I was hoping for.” Layla embraces me and whispers, “If it puts your mind at rest to tell Drew, then do it.”I hug Layla and thank her for understanding why I have to do this; after a few minutes, we go to Layla's flat to check on Ellie and Beth. Zach’s mate