Chapter 118
Layla's POV
The silence that followed was deafening. Kael looked as if I'd slapped him. His grip on my wrist loosened, then fell away entirely. The absence of his touch left my skin cold.
"I can't do this right now," he finally said, his voice hollow. He ran a hand through his hair, leaving it standing in disheveled spikes. "I'm going back to my pack."
My heart dropped, a physical sensation like falling. "What?"
"I'll gather allies like we planned," he continued, not meeting my eyes. He shifted his weight, looking at the door instead of me. "But I need... space."
I stared at him, disbelief washing over me. My mouth opened but no sound came out at first. "You're leaving? Now?" The words tasted bitter on my tongue.
"It's better this way," he said stiffly, shoulders rigid like stone. "Thor can take you to Stormhowl territory. You'll be safe there."
I waited for him to say more, to take it back, to fight for us. My heartbeat thudded in my ears, each second stretching painfully. He didn't move.
"Fine," I whispered, the word like ashes in my mouth. My lips felt numb forming it. "Go."
For a moment, I thought he might reach for me, might apologize. His fingers twitched at his side. Instead, he turned to Thor, not sparing me another glance.
"Keep her safe," he said, his voice tight. "I'll be in touch about allies."
He walked away, each step crushing my heart. His footsteps faded, leaving only my ragged breath. I didn’t call out—pride or pain kept me silent.
Thor's hand settled on my shoulder, steady and warm. His thumb brushed against my collarbone in a soothing gesture. "He'll come around."
"I don't care if he does," I lied, my voice brittle. The words tasted false even as I spoke them.
Thor squeezed my shoulder. "I'll call Conrad to bring the plane."
The next hour passed in a blur. Thor made calls while I sat numb.
Conrad arrived faster than seemed possible. His boots squeaked against the polished floor as he entered, face flushed from hurrying. As we boarded the private jet, he looked around in confusion, head swiveling from side to side.
"Where's Stone?" he asked, then caught Thor's warning glance. Conrad's mouth snapped shut with an audible click of teeth.
"Not coming," Thor answered flatly, guiding me to a seat with a gentle hand on my lower back.
The plane ride was wrapped in heavy silence. The engines hummed, the only steady sound besides our breathing. Conrad attempted small talk twice before Thor shook his head subtly, and the Beta retreated to the cockpit, the door closing with a soft thud behind him.
I pressed my forehead against the cool window glass, watching clouds drift by beneath us. My reflection stared back—hollow-eyed and pale.
"Kael's an idiot," Thor finally said as we crossed into Stormhowl territory airspace. The leather seat creaked as he shifted to face me. "Maybe he deserves this punishment."
I stared out the window, watching mountains roll beneath us, their peaks dusted with snow. "I never thought he'd actually leave." My breath fogged the glass.
"He'll regret it," Thor said confidently. His hand found mine, fingers intertwining.
I turned to him, studying his face—the strong jaw, dark eyes that missed nothing. "Why are you being so nice about this? Shouldn't you be happy we're fighting?" My voice sounded hoarse, even to my own ears.
Thor's dark eyes met mine, unwavering. "Not when it hurts you." His thumb traced the back of my hand, the simple touch oddly comforting.
His honesty caught me off guard. I'd grown accustomed to having both men around me, despite how selfish that might seem. The absence of Kael left a hollow feeling I hadn't expected, like missing a limb you'd always taken for granted.
"Emotions are complicated," Thor said, reaching for my other hand too. His skin was warm against mine, callused but gentle. "But nobody wants to share the person they love."
I remembered our game of truth or dare, how I'd joked about being open to a threesome. The memory made heat rise to my cheeks, burning up to my ears.
"I was just joking before," I mumbled, studying our joined hands instead of his face. "About... you know."
Thor's fingers tightened around mine. I could feel his pulse, steady and strong. "I'm not like Kael."
"What do you mean?" I looked up, meeting his gaze.
"Some people want to be with you to possess you, to own you." His thumb traced circles on my skin, sending small shivers up my arm. "But I'm different, Layla. I want you to become the invincible victor you're meant to be. I want all your wishes to come true."
I shook my head, not believing him. The plane hit a patch of turbulence, jostling us slightly. "Nobody loves like that. You just think you do." My voice was quiet, almost drowned by the engine noise.
"Why won't you believe me?" His eyes searched mine, brows drawn together.
I thought of Kael, of how we'd fought side by side against David, how he'd nearly died for me. The memory of his blood—so much blood—made my stomach clench. "Kael and I cared for each other deeply, but we still fight. He still doesn't understand me."
My voice cracked with bitterness. "Why should I forgive him for Olivia when I can't even speak to another man without him questioning me? Just because he's an Alpha?" The words tasted sour, like old coffee.
"I don't think it's about loving more or less," Thor said quietly, his voice a rumble I could almost feel through our connected hands. "It's about loving differently. But right now, you shouldn't focus only on this. We have bigger problems to solve, remember?"
I glanced at him, his steady gaze grounding me. Despite everything, he remained focused on the larger goal. His presence was like an anchor in stormy seas.
"Don't think you're unlucky," he continued, his voice warm like honey. "Meeting you, knowing you—it's the greatest luck of my life. Kael's a fool not to see what he has."
"Do you really feel that way?" The plane began its descent, my ears popping with the pressure change.
"Yes," he said without hesitation, squeezing my hands.
I looked into his eyes, seeing nothing but sincerity. The pain of Kael's departure still throbbed like a fresh wound, but Thor's presence eased it somewhat. Like a bandage over a cut—not a cure, but better than nothing.
"Then stay with me," I said, squeezing his hand. My nails left little half-moon indentations in his skin. "Help me find the truth. I need revenge. I need to understand everything."
Thor nodded, his expression solemn. The plane dipped lower, making my stomach lurch. "I promise."