Chapter 69
LAYLA
“Did you get something big last night?” Daphne chuckles, plopping beside me on the bench in the yard.
I tighten my hold around the mug in my hands and pull my knees closer to my chest. I did have more than something big last night. Alex and I had s*x, and he told me the rejection didn’t work and washed me gently before slipping into the bed with me. He held me the whole night while I slept, and I woke up with him and Ayla occupying both sides of my shoulders and chest.
I don’t know what to make of it. It feels so peaceful and new. I am beginning to get scared now that this dream will be over soon, and I will get hurt again. “What do I do?” I sigh.
“About what?” Daphne follows my line of sight and looks at Ayla, who is playing with blocks.
Serafina’s son is trying to play with her, but my Baby doesn’t seem to be in the mood for that. She wants her Daddy, I can tell. She refused to let him leave earlier. He had to promise an ice cream day out to make her stay without him for some time. “Alex wants me to love him. “I reveal.
“Alex? So you have a nickname for him now?” She gasps playfully.
“Daphne. “I place my chin over my knee. “Please. I am not in the mood to joke p>
“Is it that serious?” Her voice becomes rigid right away.
“He literally asked me to love him and not Theo. He wants me to get to know him and spend time with him. At first, I thought he was overemotional because of what happened recently, but I don’t know anymore. What if he is really serious and won’t go back on his words? Or what if his enthusiasm is only temporary, and he will go back on his words?” I whisper, unable to make sense of this mess.
“You are overthinking things again, Layla.” She leans in and grabs my hand to squeeze it.
“You don’t know what it’s like, D. You don’t know what it feels like to be rejected by others. You don’t know what it’s like to be without a wolf. I am a lesser woman than any other in our world. I am not a human, and I am not a werewolf. I am just somewhere in between, and Alexander has told me this repeatedly. How do I trust him? And how do I stop trying to choose the safe side that Theo is for me? He is the only one who didn’t hate me for what I am.” I blurt, my voice lowering with each word.
I love Alex. That realization is still haunting me. I don’t want to love him. I want to love Theo.
But that sounds like a joke to me. Why can’t I just choose the man I want to love? Why does my heart have to complicate all these things?
“Layla.” Daphne hisses. “You are not like that! You are the strongest bad bitch I know. And you are just a late bloomer. You will get your wolf one day. I am f g sure of that p>
“No, D. There is no wolf for me. “I shake my head.
“Doesn’t change a fucking thing. You are and will always be the best. Alpha Alexander has realized it like everyone does, Layla. He can’t overlook the fact that you will go to all lengths if it comes to protecting your people. He must have fallen for your charms the moment he witnessed your bad bitch side. Now, he can’t hold back.” She coos, ignoring my dramatic sighs.
“That’s not true. A man like him will never fall for a woman like me. “I huff, a sad smile stretching the corners of my lips.
“Why else is he desperate for you to love him?” She deadpans, leaving my hand.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s the bond? Or he just wants to have me for a little longer? Or worse, he wants to sabotage whatever Theo and I might start?” I shrug before taking a sip of coffee from the mug.
“He is jealous, bitch!” She scoffs, folding her arms over her chest. “He is jealous and mad about you. Can’t you see the way he looks at you p>
“How does he look at me?” I ask curiously, his eyes flashing in my mind and making me shudder.
“He looks at you like he wants to kick everyone away and have a steamy fuck session with you and like he wants to kiss you until you forget the world and become his. He looks at you like he can’t bear the thought of being away from you or like he can’t get enough of you.” Daphne sighs dreamily.
My heart flutters. I shake my head, denying he ever looks at me like that. “Daphne p>
“Alpha is home.” She announces before we continue the talk about him.
“Is he coming here?” I ask, knowing she can hear and smell him due to her sharp werewolf senses.
“Where else do you think he will go?” She grins at me before Alex appears in the doorway behind her.
He scans the area, his gaze lingering on Ayla, who is playing. Of course, he is here for her. I inhale a deep breath, and it gets stuck in my throat when he snaps his head in my direction.
In two long strides, he is looming over my head and looking at me. I blink, craning my neck to meet his gaze.
He cups my cheek in his big palm and leans down. His lips press into mine, leaving a chaste kiss. My eyes widen as he draws his head back and caresses my cheek with his thumb.
“I didn’t get the time to talk much in the morning. I wanted to ask you, alright?” His deep voice resonates all inside
me.
I nod silently, my heart betraying the cause of staying detached from him.
“Are you sure you are not sore?” He whispers, peering into my eyes.
I almost choke on my breath as my gaze is drawn to Daphne, who is giving me a dirty, wicked look. He didn’t just say that in front of her, right?
“Tell me if anything hurts. I will take care of it. “His soft eyes steal the breath out of my lungs.
“Yeah, Layla. You must tell Alpha if it hurts anywhere. “Daphne teases.
“N-Nothing hurts. I am- – -I am fine. “I lick my lips, which subtly taste like his.
“Good. Go get ready, then. We are going out.” Alex demands.
“I thought you were only taking Ayla out. “I mumble, staring into his eyes.
“You shouldn’t think so much. “He smiles and kisses my lips again.
I inhale his musky scent and shudder. The sparks were always there. I should have known the rejection didn’t work.
“Get ready. You have ten minutes. “Alex groans and pulls away.
“Daddy!” Ayla yells when she notices his presence before I hear her running footsteps.
“My Princess.” He grumbles, bending down to pick her up in his arms.
My dazed eyes meet Daphne, who is grinning smugly at me. My heartbeat skyrockets as I process everything. He kissed me in the open, not one but two times, and proceeded to mess with me by talking so gently. “Told you. He has fallen for you.” Daphne mouthes.
A shiver racks my back. This only makes things worse.