Layan entered through the back door of his castle thus preventing Priscilla's naked body in his arms from being visible. Nudity on them was as normal as breathing but somehow he felt that the sight of the she-wolf's curves and soft skin was his alone. He climbed the stairs careful not to wake her.
Priscilla was sleeping against his neck peacefully, she seemed to have lost consciousness at some point. He entered her room and laid her on the bed. The now short hair spilled over the white pillow and he couldn't help but tangle his fingers in the mane. It would definitely be something he would miss a lot. Like he would have to forbid her to cut it, though knowing her she would surely grab the scissors just for taking it against him.
He reached for a towel and dried the wet parts of their bodies and then covered her with a quilt. He didn't even make the hint of lying down next to her. As an alpha he knew he didn't have much time. Like that moment when he smelled on the other side of the door one of his guards. He growled slightly but he couldn't let go of his responsibilities. Someone like him couldn't afford to.
Closing the door behind his back he focused on the wolf who had his head down.
-What's wrong?
-Alpha, there's been another attack.
Layan frowned in annoyance.
-Tell me where.
And he went to the guard. Another wolf from his pack had been attacked and there was no explanation for it. That stressed him a lot. He liked to keep control and above all the safety of his pack.
Who the hell was behind it?
***
Priscilla slowly opened her eyes. Her body felt strange. Numb but with a slight feeling of satiety that was quite pleasant. She stirred and felt the soft sheets belonging to Layan's bed. And memories came to her.
Memories of the wolf's body on hers, of his hands on her skin, of her lips being devoured, of that warmth that enveloped them both. She gritted her teeth, it had been so real it had seemed like a dream. He had heard in his haze a few words but couldn't remember them. He felt they were important but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't decipher them.
He sat up in bed realizing that it was already night. The moon was rising large and coming in through one of the windows and she was sure she could get used to that view. It would be nice if she could really stay in that place with the wolf she wanted to make her mate.
But could she do it?
She had come to a conclusion after much thought. If Liam hadn't been able to get into Layan's mind so far it was because he couldn't that's why he was using her. Even though he was threatening her that he would hurt her, she wasn't really the source of that unless he told her and Layan's mind became vulnerable, and he couldn't control her either. So maybe it was counterproductive to walk away completely, after all she had already saved him once.
Besides Liam himself had said so. He was about to try something against Layan so it had to be someone close for the alpha to leave a gap open. At least she had used those manacles created from the blood of the omegas and the fibers of her hair to intercept the invasion of the minds of those who possessed them. At least that ruled out certain people.
At the moment the only thing she couldn't allow was for it to bite her. Well, yes, somewhat difficult with how insistent Layan was being lately. Now she had a priority and that was to convince Litus to release his emotions, that way she could start her offensive, but the fucker was resisting. She knew it would be no easy task trying to learn to control them given his powers but she was sure they would be the source of her victory over Liam.
She was so deep in thought that she didn't hear the door open and someone walk in.
-You woke up-
Layan's voice sounded exhausted as she ran her hand through her hair slicking it back. She nodded her head.
-Are you hungry? I can send for something.
Priscilla denied, she wasn't exactly hungry and even less so with the atmosphere that was between them. Maybe because it was the first time Layan had consciously crossed the line. Now it only remained to see how he would react. In the silence that hung in the air the alpha approached her and stroked her head.
-You're very quiet. Is your body all right? his blue eyes were a powerful color despite the darkness of the room and had an unusual brightness.
-Priscilla's question was direct.
Layan tilted his head and blinked doubtfully.
-Regret what?
The she-wolf narrowed her eyes at him.
-You say you don't remember the times you touched me before, so now... that you were aware, do you regret it?
To her surprise Layan smiled slightly, leaned over and gave her a kiss on the lips, a light but warm one.
-I'll leave you with the gift of doubt puppy,- he kissed her temple and pulled away from her taking off the shirt he was wearing.
Priscilla's mouth dropped open and she didn't understand, what the hell did that mean?
-Layan wait, speak directly, don't be sarcastic, don't play games with me- he growled at her.
-I'm not playing with you precious but if you want we can continue playing in the bathroom- he had lowered his hands starting to unbutton his pants- Although I confess I'm really exhausted for another round but I can make an effort-- Priscilla shuddered.
Priscilla shuddered and turned her face the other way with a frown.
-Layan... fuck you-
And she lay down covering herself with the quilt up to her neck with her back to him. For his part the alpha was first stunned by the swear word he had just heard and then laughed walking to the edge of the bed.
-Even with your father's mouth I'm sure he wasn't the one who taught you to swear, bitch,- he put his arms on either side of her and leaned down and spoke intimately into her ear.
Priscilla shrank further into the bed and tried to bury her face in the pillow.
-It was my uncle,- she murmured.
Layan snorted.
-I figured as much,- he traced the curve behind the she-wolf's ear with the tip of his nose.
-Pris, didn't you feel weird today,- he asked in a whisper, her reddish hair spilling over her body as his face buried in her dark hair, -I mean before you fell into the river.
-I don't know what you're talking about.
Layan felt Priscilla's body shudder slightly beneath his and really began to worry. With a quick movement he reached for her hands and grabbed them turning her face up and trapping her wrists on either side of her head.
-What are you doing?- Priscilla's face was strangely calm.
The alpha leaned in until their lips were slightly together.
-Tell me what's really bothering you and occupying your mind lately. I won't let go until you tell me,- his voice this time was low, demanding.
-Well, we'll see who can stay in this position the longest. It's not so uncomfortable for me but your back I'm sure will be killing you afterwards.
At the answer he received which was completely contrary to what he expected as he thought it would intimidate her, he sighed and dropped his head in the hollow of her neck.
-Today your eyes turned red, Priscilla,- his body trembled slightly, -Don't you think you'll take care of yourself. First you almost died, I could hardly feel you even by the bond and now it was very close to the Madness invading you, do you have any idea what the others suffer when a wolf goes into madness?
Priscilla did not answer. She just stared at the ceiling. So that had been the strange feeling that had enveloped her when Liam had threatened to kill Layan. She was sure that if she hadn't been called by the wolf her conscience would surely have slipped away. All the more reason to get it over with as soon as possible. She had little time left for the month to end or for Liam to do his thing again.
-I'm sorry,- was all she could say. She was apologizing not only for those events but for what was sure to come next and for not having been able to finish with that bastard Liam. But only she knew that.
Layan sat up and came into her range of vision.
-It's weird to hear you apologize. So it must be for something. Tell me-
She shook her head and ended up turning her head to the side.
-Not yet, but I'll tell you when I can.
Layan lightly squeezed her wrists and then released them and got up from the bed without making a sound. He was upset for sure. It couldn't be helped. Priscilla covered herself with the blanket again although she didn't fall asleep. She couldn't do that if she was alone in bed and Layan had wandered off in the direction of the bathroom.
It was only an hour later when she heard the door open that she knew Layan was back in the room. She waited for him to speak to her again but he wasn't, instead a heavier weight than she recognized from him sank the bed and she turned around startled.
Unlike always now the alpha was in his wolf form, so large and beautiful it was captivating.
-Why are you in this form?- she leaned toward him and touched the wavering furry neck. The texture of the fur was soft and addictive.
-Because you're so much more sincere when I'm in this form,- she said.
Priscilla heard the wolf's voice in her head and pursed her lips. In a way it was true. She felt comfortable with Layan's animal form perhaps because her body didn't respond with the same sexual attraction as when she was in the other form.
Slowly she moved closer to him and hugged him resting her head on his fur, letting it caress her bare skin. It was warm and comforting and her worries went away. Slowly they settled in until they both fell asleep with their bodies intertwined.
***
It was lunchtime and the last thing Layan wanted to do was eat. The stress was definitely killing him. There was no news or results from the investigation that was being done on the recent attacks on his pack and he already had to warn Hades and the others in case the situation expanded. If things continued this way urgent action would have to be taken.
-Alpha, he's going to go bald,- Victore dropped one of the papers sitting on the edge of Layan's desk.
Layan looked at him and growled.
-I have enough hair on my head to make it fall out thanks to my sister,- he said.
-Miss Leila was my sage in doing so,- he teased the older wolf, trying to calm the dense atmosphere in the study.
-Speaking of her, it's been days since I've been able to sit down and have a proper conversation,- he said.
-Well, maybe because she's romancing her new partner and you seem to be focused on the princess besides work. Do I still wonder how it's possible that her virginity is intact when she smells like she's almost in heat and besides, knowing you, there aren't many she-wolves that can resist you?
-You speak as if he were a wolf focused on sex alone.
Victore's smile grew bigger.
-Not at all alpha. It is well known that he respects the she-wolves he is with, but for you to have a sweetie so close to you and also have the princess's qualities kind of makes me wonder about his sexual proclivities.
Layan made a grimace on his face.
-Firstly, I am quite clear about my inclination and secondly, you said it yourself, I respect who I sleep with. If Priscilla really doesn't want to have sex yet I can kind of wait, though- he grinned mischievously- That doesn't mean we haven't done things already-
That threw Victore off balance and he almost fell off the edge of the table watching the alpha head for the door.
-Wait, alpha, tell me the details, ALPHA.
But Layan had already closed the door, he had no intention of giving details of his intimate life and less to Victore who would surely run to tell Kei about it. If his Commander focused more on his private life he would surely do better with his beta, but who understood the twisted mind of that wolf.
With his hands in his pockets he walked around looking for Priscilla, maybe if she accompanied him he could work up an appetite and maybe eat her too. The conversation with Victore had turned him on in a way. He was aware of how rich Priscila smelled and only he knew what he had to restrain himself when he was around her.
What he didn't know if he was going to control himself when he rounded the corner and found his she-wolf next to Litus. The alpha was kissing her and she... was letting herself.