Chapter 28: Mate
Layla
Akon's eyes meet mine, his expression intense. "Because I care about you, Layla," he says, his voice low and husky. "And I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe." His finger lightly grazes my cheek. “I will keep saying it until you believe it. As for my other brothers, they will come around in time. Trust me, Layla," he says, his voice low and serious. "Let me help you."
I hesitate, my eyes locking with his. But there is something in his gaze, an intensity that I cannot resist. Slowly, I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. "Okay," I whisper, my voice barely above a whisper. "I trust you, Akon. Just don’t make me regret it.”
He chuckles softly. “I wouldn’t dream of it, warrior princess,” he teases. His eyes light up, his expression softening as he smiles. "Good, very good," he says, his voice low and satisfied. "Now, let's get you settled. You need to rest, and we'll figure out our next move in the morning."
I nod, my body relaxing as I lean into his touch. Akon stands, pulling me to my feet as he leads me to a nearby bedroom. This room is different than the one I had woken up in. There aren’t any symbols on the walls. Was I in some sort of ritual chamber before? The room I am currently standing in is luxurious, filled with plush furnishings and soft lighting. A large bed dominates the space, the sheets turned down in invitation.
Akon gestures to the bed, his eyes burning into mine. "Get some rest," he says, his voice low and husky. "I'll be right outside if you need me."
I nod, my heart pounding in my chest as I climb into bed. The sheets are soft and cool against my skin, and I feel my body relax as I settle into the mattress.
Akon stands by the door, his eyes never leaving mine. "Sleep well, Layla," he says, his voice low and serious. "I'll be here when you wake up."
I smile, my heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Akon," I whisper, my voice barely above a whisper. "For everything."
He smiles, his eyes burning into mine. "You're welcome, Layla," he says, his voice low and husky. "Now, get some rest. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
I nod. After he closes the door, I tiptoe to the door and press my ear against it. Outside is quiet. I bend down and look out from under the door. There are no shadows, only the soft glow of candlelight. I say in my mind to Alden, “It looks like they left us alone in here. The door is unguarded and unlocked. Oddly, I feel kind of safe now.”
He answers softly, “Then we should rest. I will stay up a little longer to keep you safe. Let’s rest, and then we will figure something out.”
I get back into bed and pull the covers around me. I lay my head on the pillow and as my eyes drift closed as I snuggle further into the pillows. The last thing I see is Akon's smile, his eyes burning with intensity as he watches over me. But I am not ready to sleep just yet.
I pull Alden out of my pocket and place him on the pillow beside me. He talks in my mind. “I think earlier was a test. I don’t think they intended to rape you, but I don’t regret running or helping you. In a few days, I should be almost back to normal, and then we will figure something out. But how do you feel right now?”
“They are my mates. I don’t know how, but I know the bond. Adrik, I can’t read, and that scares me a bit. I need around Ayden and Ashton to get an opinion of them, but Akon…I think Akon was genuine just now.” Alden moves closer to my face, and his warmth relaxes me. As I drift off to sleep, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. For the first time in days, I feel safe, protected not just by Alden but also by the man who claims to be my mate.
But as I sleep, my dreams are filled with images of Kai, his eyes flashing with anger as he pursues me through the corridors of the castle. I run, my heart pounding in my chest, but he is always one step behind me.
I wake with a start, my body drenched in sweat. Akon is sitting beside me, his hand on my shoulder as he watches over me.
"It's okay," he says, his voice low and soothing. "You're safe now, Layla. Kai can't hurt you."
I nod, my heart still pounding in my chest. "I know," I whisper, my voice trembling.
Akon's expression darkens, his eyes flashing with anger. "All tribes want the black diamond," he says, his voice low and dangerous. "But they don't know what they're dealing with. You're not just a dragon shifter, Layla. You're something more."
I frown, my mind racing as I try to process his words. "What do you mean?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Akon's eyes meet mine, his expression intense. "You're a hybrid, Layla," he says, his voice low and husky. "A unique combination of dragon DNA. That's why the black diamond is fused to your heart. It's what makes you more powerful than your father was."
I sit up, my eyes widening as I process his words. "A hybrid?" I repeat, my voice trembling. "But how is that possible?"
Akon smiles, his eyes burning into mine. "It's a long story," he says, his voice low and satisfied. "But we'll have plenty of time to talk about it later. For now, just know that you're safe, Layla. And I'll do whatever it takes to protect you."
I nod, my heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Akon," I whisper, my voice barely above a whisper. "For everything."