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

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

Layla POV My heart jumped inside my chest when Darius asked, “Do you want to have pups, Layla?” Lea whimpers inside me and says, “You have to tell him, Layla.” I sit there chewing the inside of my mouth for a moment. I turn my face away from him, so he doesn't see the tears pooling in my eyes and whisper, “I can't have pups, Darius.” He gasped in shock before saying, “Fuck Layla, I am so sorry I don't know what to say.” I glance in his direction; Darius’s face is white. I sigh, untangle my legs from under me and go to stand. He reaches across and gently tucks my hair behind my ear before putting his fingers under my chin and turning my face back to face him. He leaned toward me as he whispered, “Did you think I would run back to my mountain when you told me, Layla?” I massaged the back of my neck; I had no idea what he would do. I look at him; his voice is husky as he says, “You are not getting rid of me; we have two girls.” He was so close that his lips brushed ag

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

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