LAYLAIt was impossible to believe what was happening. It seemed too good to be true that I thought it was a dream. But the sweet tone voice of my mother assured me that it was real."You have changed so much," she said sorrowfully without looking from the front seat. I knew the comment was directed at me.I made up my mind to respond and rehearsed in my head. "Change is constant.""Yes," she agreed. "Which is why you will be changing again."I did not quite understand what she meant. Before I could speak, Jacob's warm left hand reached for mine and he squeezed it tightly. I forgot about my mother's response. While my silent father drove, my mother sat beside him, leaving I and Jacob to the backseat.I was supposed to feel uncomfortable with Jacob's action but surprisingly I didn't. My gut told me to yank my hand away from his but I refused. Instead, I smiled at him and leaned my head on his shoulder. We held that position till we reached Westwood.The house looked different. Perhaps,

LAYLAI burst out a grin at the sight of Alpha Hermes wide-open arms in the green woods under evening light. It was one of the things I craved for.With a quick walk, I neared my mate. From nowhere, Jacob's bloodshot face appeared in front of me with red glowing eyes. Fear gripped me. When did Jacob become an Alpha? And where did he come from?A loud growl came from behind Jacob. It was definitely Alpha Hermes."Please, don..." a fight kicked off between them before my sentence was completed. "Jacob stop, Hermes please." I tried to put an end to the bloody brawl by coming in between them. I was shoved to the side with a push. None of them seemed to be considering my safety in this fight. All I could do was yell at them to stop hitting each other. They turned deaf to my pleas and shifted into their wolves. To my dismay, Jacob was winning. He was stronger than Hermes as an Alpha. Suddenly he pinned the jet-black wolf to the ground and started lashing at his neck with sharp, white claws

LAYLAI HAD BEEN thinking of Jacob's words for the last two days. I was in between and i genuinely didn't know which side I wanted to be on. My family's side or my mate. I did everything possible to ensure Jacob didn't run into me and I didn't run into him. I avoided him like a plague. We were supposed to be training in preparation for our secret attack on the Northclaw. Since Derek had not arrived, I used that as an excuse to not train with Jacob. I don't want him getting wrong ideas and I was partially mad at him for emphasizing an attack on the Desert wolves.After getting ready for the day, I opened my room door to see Jacob standing at the door post. He was about to knock. Our eyes met and we kept mute for few seconds. I was unsure of what to say."Good morning," he said, bringing the awkward silence to an end."Morning," I responded and stepped away from him, shutting the door."Where are you headed to?""The dining room for breakfast," I responded and started walking hastily. I

LAYLAGLASS CUPS PRODUCED a clank as they touched each other. Everyone had a smile on their face. "Cheers!" We all said amid gently ramming our cups into each other while an orchestra performed in the hall-like living room. Our mission to take out an important pack member in the hierarchy of the North claw was successful. Thanks to my plan.While the North claws were too busy celebrating their new affiliations with members of various packs including ours, I, Jacob, and Derek were waiting in one of their rooms for a beta or two of the pack to walk in then we strike.We were shocked when the Alpha of the North claw pack walked into the ambushed room. It turned out we were in the wrong room, but it was for the best. We targeted betas of the pack, but the moon goddess walked the Alpha into our trap. Who were we to back down out of fear?The fight with the Alpha was tough. He matched the energy of three betas. He was indeed a strong Alpha. Eventually, we won, breaking off an arm before sli

LAYLAHEARING THE ALPHA rage frightened me so much. I couldn't bear to listen anymore. I dropped the phone with shaky hands. I was not sure if my choice was right. I know my heart was with Hermes, and nothing could be done to change that. But with the anger filled voice I just heard, it was hard to tell which feeling was greater, the fear or love I had for him. He just threatened I and my family. Honestly, I was scared to my marrow. Not because of the threat, but because I had no idea which side to be on if things escalated into a war between the packs.My phone rung. I had no effrontery to pick knowing it was him. Right now, all I needed was space to think. Behind the anger he showed were broken pieces he was trying to hide, that I could understand. Though, I wanted to be with Hermes, I had to play it cool with my family and Jacob. Things appeared to be under control since I agreed to stay. I know it could go out of control if they knew my mind was changed.Instead of sleeping in the