Darius POV I am standing there dumbfounded with my mouth hanging open when Riley says, “Did she really just do that, or am I hallucinating?” He laughs as he says “She just dismissed you like you were nothing, and you let her?” “I know she is cute, isn't she?” The massive shaggy-haired wolf growls, “mate,” at the same time as my warrior Anita runs across the clearing, jumping into his arms. The blonde growls, “Don't you dare go to the packhouse Zach; take her to one of the empty houses?” Zach holds up his hand in a peace gesture as he carries Anita further into their territory. The blonde looks disgusted as she shakes her head and walks toward me. She doesn't show any fear as she says, “My name is Layla; tell your wolves to stand down.” I incline my head at her, “Darius, this is my beta, Riley.” She tilts her head to one side as she looks at Riley, then motions us to follow her as she says, “My Beta’s Sebastian, Marian and Monique, and of course Zach, who just ran of
Layla POV I could kill Zach; of all the times he could have found his mate, it had to be today; I actually felt sorry for the girl. By the time Zach’s finished with her, she won't be able to walk for a week. It's not that I am jealous because I am not; it's just right now, I could do with a little bit of his advice. When Zach said the wolf from the mountain, I was expecting Darius to look like a bear, but no, he doesn't. I noticed everything about Darius as soon as I laid eyes on him. Darius has caramel brown eyes, flecked with gold surrounded by a thick hazy, black limbal ring. Thick black eyelashes any woman would die to have, a rugged, unshaven jaw, and sunkissed honey-colored skin. His chocolate brown hair is short on the back and sides and a little longer on the top. Darius’s eyes crinkled at the edges when he smiled, showing perfect white teeth. Don't get me started on his lips; the man has the most alluring lips I have ever seen. Darius is six foot three inches tall; broad-mu
Darius POV We stayed late at the packhouse tonight; it's evident that Layla loves Ellie and Beth, but I intend to play a significant part in their upbringing. I got up, walked to the front door, and asked Gray, “Did you talk to her wolf?” He growls, “Not really; she said her name was Lea but wouldn't say anything else.” The flash of a white wolf runs past the house; I laugh when Gray jumps up, “That's Lea; let's go, Darius.” I walked out of the house and shifted, giving Gray control; Lea ran to the area where Maddie's grave was. Gray slows as we approach the pond; Layla is kneeling beside Maddie's grave, talking to her. She turns toward Gray, and I shift back; Layla is breathtaking; her white-blonde hair flows in waves to her ass; Layla is tall slim, and well-toned; I can tell by her long slim legs that she runs a lot; I smile. Her breast is the perfect size for my hands; I am positive Layla was made just for me. Her green eyes sparkle in the moonlight as she turns her head
Layla POV I am still sitting in my office; my mood hasn't improved since the meeting with Darius and Riley, ‘Who the fuck do they think they are?' Why haven't I got a mate yet? Really, bit fucking personal; don't you think, he only came into my life a couple of days ago. What do I look like, a bleeding heart? Lea irritates me further by saying, “Darius might be our second chance, mate, Layla.” I growl. “Are you ready to let your guard down yet, Lea?” She whimpers “I don't know.” I frown “Well, neither do I.” ‘What if we tell him a small part of what happened to us, Layla?” “Like what, Lea?” Lea’s voice is uncertain as she says, “Only about Nathan.” “Why?” “Because I can feel the moons pull to his wolf Layla.” I rub my forehead and say, “Really?” “Yes.” “I am not rushing into anything, Lea; Darius needs to earn our trust before we can even think about getting close to him.” “Ok, but I am going to talk to Gray.” “Suit yourself, Lea, but don't tell him e
Darius POV Curiosity is eating me alive; when Layla said her mate rejected her, I couldn't believe it. What kind of a moron would throw her away. The moon goddess pairs us for a reason; on the other hand, I should be thanking him because if he hadn't rejected her, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to get to know her. After sending Riley to talk to our warriors, I spent the rest of the day with Layla and the twins. Layla asked if Riley and I wanted to come to the packhouse for supper again tonight; there was no way in hell I was going to say no. Riley should be back any minute now; when he walks through the door, I ask, “Did you find out anything?” Riley shakes his head as he says, “Nothing, her warriors, are friendly, but if we ask them anything about their Alpha, they won't say a word.” I didn't expect they would; we have been here for a couple of days, and they are incredibly loyal and protective of Layla. Riley snorts before saying, “Thanks for volunteering me to set
Layla POV After my warriors have finished their morning training session, I duck into my flat for a quick shower. Diana insists on coming to the flat every morning to watch Ellie and Beth for me; Diana is a wonderful person, and I appreciate all her help. My heart skips a beat when Ellie holds out her arms, chanting, “mm, mm, mom.” My heart feels like it wants to explode with love, and my eyes fill with tears. I get her out of her cot and hug her tightly against my chest; Diana smiles and rushes over to us. I look at her and ask. “Did you hear that Diana, Ellie just called me mom?” Diana giggled before saying, “Now I can start teaching her to call me nana.” I laugh, I am unsure how my mother will feel about that, but they can sort it out between themselves. Beth starts to stir and opens her eyes when she looks at me; she chuckles, pulling herself up the side of the cot and reaching for my shirt. I laugh, handing Ellie to Diana and picking her up. Beth grabs two handfuls
Darius POV We wait until the mist rolls across the forest floor before we enter Declan’s territory; we aren't called the mystic shadow pack for no reason. My father could call the mist in from the forest to hide his warriors when we attacked or were under attack from another pack; when he handed the pack to me, his power also passed to me. It's not uncommon for Alphas to possess different abilities blessed by the moon-goddess; the difference between my father and me is that I can call the mist to surround my warriors day or night. The ten warriors I sent to watch Declan are waiting for us; Shane mind-links me, saying, “We haven't seen any movement in the town since last night, Alpha.” I motion them to follow me, pulling the mist around us as we walk into town; I mind-link my warriors as a whole. “Riley and I will head for the packhouse; stay hidden until I give the command.” Declan's territory is deathly quiet; we enter the packhouse cautiously; no lights are on. I growl whe
Layla POVIt's the first time since I became Alpha of The Red River pack that I have not gone to training; I wanted to spend the morning with Ellie and Beth before going to the packhouse for breakfast. The first thing I noticed when Zach and Anita came downstairs was that Anita’s eyes were red and puffy from crying, and she was very subdued. Ellie and Beth bring joy to everyone who knows them, so I move the high chairs closer to Anita before putting them in their chairs. If I had not been watching her closely, I wouldn't have noticed her lips trembled slightly when she looked and smiled at me. Marian, Simone, and Monique walk in laughing and chatting, followed by Sebastian, who has his arm around Diana’s shoulders. Breakfast is quieter than usual; everyone can sense Anita’s sorrow. Diana and I take Ellie and Beth into the loungeroom before I race down to my flat for a shower. When I return, Anita’s sitting on the floor, playing with them. She looks up when she senses my presence.“I c