As soon as Leoxi had gotten out of bed Priscila had woken him up. It always happened. She had a hard time staying asleep alone unless it was Layan's bed where incredibly he could leave and still keep the smell on the sheets, leaving her in a rapturous atmosphere. Still she said nothing and waited for her uncle to give her a kiss on the cheek to dismiss him with only a throaty sound.
She was exhausted after all. She didn't regret sleeping with her uncle alone... which wasn't the same. When she was next to Layan all her powers and voices in her head were paralyzed so as soon as she closed her eyes she would fall into a deep and silent sleep. Of course, as long as she wasn't woken up in the middle of the night by a certain wild wolf.
Slowly she got out of bed and stretched her body. She looked at the papers Layan himself had brought her the day before as well as the box her uncle had brought her. He walked over to it and opened it seeing the red stones. She felt the energy instantly connect with her being, calling to her. She slammed the box shut and closed her eyes taking a deep breath. She swore it was possible that if she touched any of those stones she could see the previous life of the owner of that blood. Something he really didn't want. He already had enough knowing what some wolves did in the current life.
But in the end he would have to touch them as he had sent for them with a purpose. So he grabbed the papers where he would list the suspected wolves where Liam might be located, the box he put it under his arm and lastly a scissors from the drawer. That one would play an essential role in what he was going to do.
***
Layan couldn't help but growl internally. He was anxious. He was anxious. If he had been told only a week before he wouldn't believe it. But he couldn't help it. Litus was an alpha and somehow had a certain relationship with Priscilla as he was the one who had been keeping an eye on her the 10 years she had been frozen.
-Alpha and leader of the Council I greet you,- Litus said stopping in front of him.
Layan took a deep breath. He was acting like a hormonal wolf cub and he had been through that stage many, many years ago. He was over 700, he should act like an adult and above all like an alpha. Since when was he so insecure that he needed to get jealous?
-You came on fast.
Litus smiled slightly.
-If it's a call from the Princess of the silver pack of course I'd come quickly. Besides, she's interesting.
For some reason those words sounded to Layan and to his mind came those times where Nebraska and Hades were in something like a relationship and he was the third one. In this case Priscilla and he were the ones in that relationship and Litus was the third. Maybe now he understood why Hades looked like a rabid hedgehog every time he came near. Layan felt that way now.
Like when they tell you to get a taste of your own medicine. No, he didn't like it.
-My Pris isn't up yet,- he said possessively, crossing his arms in front of his broad chest.
Unlike him, Litus was also sinewy of body and tall, but not as tall as Layan, so he somehow felt superior. Especially now where physique was important to impress a female. Only precisely that female seemed a bit indifferent lately.
Litus kept his face calm even though he raised his eyebrow at the mention of my Pris.
-Don't worry, I'm not in a hurry, my brother is passing through my herd so my return is not urgent.
-It's not urgent,- Layan repeated slowly. Yes, he was definitely hormonal. -And you plan to be here for how long?
-As long as the princess wants,- concluded Litus with a slight smile, pulling back a strand of his long hair.
Layan knew that look and he didn't like it. He wasn't an imbecile. Priscilla was a beautiful she-wolf, with a good figure and apparently of mating age very shortly. The glower from the other wolf told him that this one was interested too. Too bad Priscilla was already marked and he had further strengthened the bond so all that was left was to have sex to complete the cycle and she was totally out of it.
-Hey Kei, the atmosphere is on fire even though one of them dominates the ice- Victore leaned intimately close to the beta and whispered.
The commander's hair tickled the wolf's shoulder who swallowed dryly and just nodded his head. He noticed there was a slight glimmer of disappointment when he pulled away slightly but it was quickly replaced with reassurance. Victore was a hard wolf to read in every way.
-Kei- Layan lowered his shoulders but didn't lose the tension in his body- Show him where he's going to stay to dor... -Litus, you made it- -Litus, you made it- -Litus, you made it- -Litus, you made it!
-Litus, you've arrived- a female voice made the four wolves look inside the castle to stand all of them with their mouths open.
Just for one simple reason.
Not the way Priscilla was dressed, which was quite normal. Not because of the way she spoke, not because of what she was carrying in her hands, but because the very long and beautiful dark hair that used to dance on her hips now brushed the she-wolf's shoulders.
Layan couldn't help but open his eyes and his breathing stopped for a moment.
-Priscilla... your... hair- more than once she had tangled her fingers in the soft fibers and the sensation was extremely pleasant, plus it smelled quite nice. The cut didn't look bad on her, on the contrary, it highlighted her fractions even more, it was just... she had cut it suddenly.
The she-wolf touched her ends with disinterest.
-I needed it and I cut it off. It'll grow back,- she said unimportantly.
-You look good,- Litus complimented her, and it wasn't just Priscilla who looked at him. It was three more who almost glared at him. Kei and Victore agreed but knowing their alpha's personality she kind of preferred to keep her opinion private until Layan was not present.
She nodded her head but nothing more. Her reaction was a hell of a lot less intense than when Leoxi had come to which she had literally jumped on him.
-Layan, I need to speak to Litus in private,- she told him.
-How important can it be that I don't know?
-You're not my father, or my mother, or my partner so you can be telling me everything I do or don't do,- he said.
-We're almost partners,- he claimed.
-Oh, this is getting good,- Victore leaned insistently on Kei waiting for the view he was about to get.
Priscilla stood in front of Layan and bowed her head.
-I'm not going to argue with you now. I have some important things to attend to and so do you- she bumped a small box against Layan's chest. On top of it was a piece of paper- Deliver each pulse on the box to all the names that are on the list-.
Layan looked from the wolf to the box and then opened it. Inside, there were several bracelets so well braided that she could hardly recognize that what surrounded those red stones and made the strap was Priscilla's hair.
-What is this?- he said with a bit of shock.
-Just some help with what's going on in the herd. I know they'll come in handy. And before I forget, you're not on the list so you won't be wearing one-
Layan raised his head.
-What do you mean I won't be carrying one? If they're going to have one, why shouldn't I?
Priscilla rolled her eyes. She knew this was coming so she pulled out one of the pulses from her pocket and held out her hand.
-She sighed and grabbed one of the alpha's wrists and placed one of the bracelets where the stone was made of her own blood. She didn't quite know how she had done it but since she touched the first stone images of how to crystallize without using the power of ice came to her mind. If he used his powers it would melt as Layan nullified his powers every time.
A smile played on the alpha's lips as he admired the work around his wrist. The dark braiding made a beautiful contrast to her skin, and the stone matched her hair.
--Satisfied, alpha?
Layan relaxed his face and leaned in. He reached for Priscilla's lip and sucked on the lower one, emphasizing the wet sound it made. It was quick but all too obvious to those present.
-Victore, Kei, come with me,- he ordered the other two wolves and then focused on Litus. Yes look said it all.
Priscilla said nothing until they disappeared. Again Layan was acting in that possessive way with her when it wasn't so frequent before, but this time it was different. It was as if he wanted to hog something else. She decided not to think too much, after all she didn't understand the wolf much and turned to Litus who was also quiet.
-Let's go outside. I don't want others to hear what I have to ask you.
The alpha nodded and followed her towards the entrance of the forest surrounding the castle. They both stopped in front of each other and it was then that the wolf perceived Priscilla's scent, now that she was not surrounded by other males. Above her was Layan's scent indisputably but not as strong. That meant she hadn't been around him for the past few hours. Instead the very unreal lily scent of her was a little stronger than normal.
He leaned forward only instead of going straight for her lips, though he was tempted, his nose ended up brushing against her neck. He didn't miss a mark or two around the area that the clothes were vaguely trying to hide.
He stood there for a few seconds inhaling. Priscilla's body remained still but he did sense the tension in her body.
-Your heat... is near,- his hot breath hit the she-wolf's white fur.
With a faint smile, Litus broke away slightly to swallow dryly when he noticed Priscilla's bright, silver eyes focusing on him from the corner of his eye. They were two molten, cold drops that chilled him to the soul. The alpha broke away and put a decent distance between them.
-Litus, my heat belongs to Layan. My body is Layan's. Layan is mine. You know what that means, don't you?
Of course I did. Priscilla was giving him to understand that there was no chance with her no matter how much he tried to seduce her. It was well known that since before she was born she already claimed him. But it was unfair. His blood also ran through her veins.
-Why can't it be me,- he suddenly blurted out.
Priscilla blinked slowly.
-Because it can't be anyone but Layan, Litus. It's something you wouldn't understand. Our connection is beyond physical or simple infatuation, or bonding. I'm even sure we can live together without completing the bond. And no, it's not because of his blood. I can assure you of that.
And Litus knew this was a battle he could fight but because of what Priscilla had planned, he could not win.
So he clenched his fists and then sat down to analyze it more relaxed. Perhaps he was captivated by Priscilla's beauty and strength... how could he not be. Stupid Layan if he rejected her, although by the way he had behaved today it was like something had happened and no one had found out.
-So what is it that you want to ask me?
Priscilla was slow to answer but when she did she was blunt and confident in her response.
-I need you to remove the seal... and release my emotions.