It was agreed that Cassias would be left with Tabitha back at her father's home. A tutor was sent along to maintain his studies. She was nervous that Minnie, the nanny who Cassias was previously left in their care, was still there. She didn't trust her judgment after the whole incident with Alistar. She didn't want to be paranoid but it was hard not to be. She knew that Minnie was doing her job, no one instructed her to not let Alistar take Cassias, he is his father. But that was the ripple that led to a tidal wave. She traveled with the supplies while the rest of the pack traveled ahead in the wolf form. She wasn't opposed to shifting, in fact there was very little in this world that she wanted to do more. She yearned for it as if it was a scratch she couldn't reach. The healers had advised her to wait a few more weeks before she could shift into her wolf form for long periods of time. If she pushed herself too hard too quickly she could lose her ability to shift. She felt an anger

"Fancy seeing you here," Alistar's voice was like a menacing song. "I have missed you, my mate."The way he snarled the words "my mate" sent shivers down Layla's spine. She had seen multiple sides of him but this was something new. He wasn't himself. Before her stood a man with nothing to lose and nothing to gain, a man completely taken over by his animalistic side. He was more a monster than man. But Layla could not show any fear. It was time for her to confront her fear face-on, if not only for herself but also for her son and the pack he failed to protect."You look like horse shit," he sneered as he slowly approached her. His eyes darted from hers to the open door behind her. "You finally look as washed up as you are." Layla knew he was trying to get under her skin and cause a reaction, she would not give him the pleasure. "Look at you being so brave with you little bitch boy behind you to protect you," he laughed. "Don't worry, she's all yours," he called out over her should

Solomon carried Layla in his arms out of the meeting hall. She wanted to set it ablaze and dance on its ashes but she feared how Solomon would have taken her suggestion so instead she buried her head into the crook of his neck. She breathed his scent in deeply, it calmed her. She finally felt safe but it took more than one deep breath for her body to catch up. Her heart was racing and her breathing was staggered. She hadn't noticed it before but she was shaking tremendously. Her body couldn't shake the fear. Something felt off as if it were forgotten but she couldn't put her finger on it. She tried to process everything that had just occurred but was blanking out. All she could see was the look in Alistar's eye when she drove her knife into him. It was horrifying and heartbreaking. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there sooner," Solomon said softly. "I'll never forgive myself, I should have been there. I shouldn't have left you. I'm so sorry, I was so stupid. I am so stupid.""Where were you?

They left the camp the next morning. Layla was happy to never return to this cursed place ever again. This chapter of her life was finally over. Before she stepped into the carriage to return home, she bent over and found a small red rock. She placed it in the pocket of her dress. It wasn't for her but for Cassias. This was his home, his inheritance. If she had it her way, that rock would be all he would need and never return. There was nothing left for him anyway. She returned in the same carriage as Solomon and his father. It was clear now with Alistar out of the picture what Layla's relationship was towards the leaders of the pack. She was no longer a stranger or an enemy but soon family. The men treated her differently, not that anyone other than Saraiah or Simon treated her badly, but it was a noticeable difference. They respected her now. She was one of them. It was almost as if her connection to Thundermoon never existed. She wanted to treat her time there like it was a dream

It was finally time for their wedding. It had been four months since the disambation of Thundermoon. Layla's bruises had healed, even the scars from Alistar's first attack were starting to fade. She had begun to grow out her hair so she could wear it in the traditional style. She had practiced with Solomon and Zoya for many weeks. She felt ready. She just wanted to get all of it over. She just wanted to be recognized as Solomon's mate. She had flown through the first two individual ceremonies without issue and with each step drawing her closer and closer to the goal. The last individual ceremony involved her family. Tabitha acted in the role her mother should have been in. As part of the ceremony, Tabitha braided Layla's hair as her father, Anthony, had to recite a prayer. It was humorous to watch. Anthony did not speak the language, Tabitha was not skilled at braiding. But they both tried their best to do their part. On the other side of the banquet hall, Solomon was performing a s