Layan was so frozen he couldn't even breathe.
Tears.
It was the only thing he could concentrate on. And they were running down the beautiful face of that she-wolf who made him lose his patience. He unhesitatingly reached his fingers towards her cheek to pick some of them up but she turned her face away from his touch and managed to release her wounded arm from the alpha's hand that held her and pulled him towards her.
-I hate you-
Were the words that came from Priscilla's lips, all bitten. Resisting the pain she had not allowed herself to let out a sound that would demean her. But the treacherous tears must have played a trick on her and now bathed her face.
Layan's expression at what Priscilla had said was contrite. An unpleasant sensation spread from his chest to the soles of his feet and he could have sworn he went pale.
What was it? That unpleasant knot inside him.
He swallowed dryly and frowned.
-Why do you hate me,- he wanted to mentally punch but couldn't help but ask, -Aren't you the one who always says I'm yours?
-You always do things to me that hurt. I have very little resistance to pain but that never matters to you. You bite me, you do this to me. I may be emotionless but I feel physical pain,- she said sincerely.
She lowered her head letting her hair cover her expression. The tears had stopped flowing but that didn't stop her face from being a mess. Layan clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair in frustration.
He stretched his arms out and wrapped them around the she-wolf's body and pulled her tight to him.
-My method of healing hurts, it's not something I can avoid,- he rubbed her back. He was really shocked after seeing her cry and felt really helpless. Someone who was always strong like her looked like a puppy after being scolded hard.
-You have another method and it doesn't hurt- he heard a sob coming out of her- My arm still hurts a lot and it's bleeding. It's because it's me, isn't it,- her voice was almost a whisper.
Layan squeezed his eyes shut. Yes, she was right, but that other method involved kissing her and he didn't want to do that. Not when he had his emotions overflowing, given the worry and indignation of seeing her hurt by his own sister.
Be that as it may, Priscilla was his temporary bond and no one had the right to touch her.
Sighing defeatedly, he pushed Priscilla a little away and raised a finger to her face. The usual bright silver eyes, were dull. That was his fault. He slowly lowered his head and sought her lips.
Priscilla's put up no resistance and soon opened for his tongue along with his saliva with the ability to regenerate from within to make its way to her. And sure enough, what Layan feared happened. Her control wavered.
He leaned his body forward causing her back to touch the mirror behind. His hip between her thighs caused her legs to wrap around his waist. His large hand pressed on the back of her neck so that the contact of their lips did not break, deepening it even more.
Layan felt his senses brush with the wild. It wasn't just healing anymore. It was something more primal. He needed to mark what was his, what belonged to him. It had only been one event but it had affected him greatly and those feelings wanted to come out. His hand moved down her bare back until it was at her hip and caressed her without getting enough.
Complete the link.
It was what his mind was sending over and over again. It was only a bit of clothing over her body that was holding her back. She had to finish what she hadn't finished that night. That way he would be sure that what was his would not be damaged or hurt. Because it was his. Simply his.
It is destiny.
Priscilla's words echoed in his mind and he shuddered. No, she wasn't right. This was happening because he had bitten her. That was all it was. Nothing more.
He broke away from her suddenly and put distance from that tempting body that made him sin constantly. She gasped and covered her swollen lips. Her eyes were completely wolfish, golden and terrifying.
-Priscilla slowly straightened up making her neck sound somewhat affected by the position.
Her face had nothing to do with the one she had practically a few minutes ago. Rather. She looked completely recovered. She even wiped away the tears that were running down her cheeks.
-Priscilla... you,- Layan felt indignant. Not just because of the out of control she had just had... again. But because for some reason it looked like he had been manipulated.
She raised her eyelashes at him. Her silver eyes had regained their sparkle.
-Don't look at me accusingly,- she checked her injured arm, -I didn't lie when it hurt the first way you healed me.
-And those tears?- he almost growled.
-Just a little drama,- she lifted her shoulders getting off the table and walking towards him slowly.
-You told me you hated me,- she grumbled and realized it was a totally childish question.
-I can't hate you because I have no emotions.
Layan didn't know the reason but backed away in the direction of the door. But after two steps he stopped and faced her.
-These are the things you do to make me annoyed with you- he frowned sharply.
She simply tilted her head to the side.
-Sure, everyone has to get annoyed with me, even if I try not to cause trouble. But what do I gain, besides your contempt that your sister almost tore my arm off- he shook his head as if there was no end to that discussion- I just wanted to check something-
-Priscilla,- he snorted and pushed his hair back, -You're cracking my skull, seriously. It's easier to deal with your damned father.
-So you could have marked him and not me,- he said that with the intention of teasing him but instead Layan burst into a loud laugh.
He put his hand to his stomach and his laughter echoed throughout the bathroom. Priscilla blinked, not knowing what he had just said that made her laugh so hard.
-Layan?
-You really want to see your father as a beast,- he wiped away a tear that used to escape from his eyes, pulling himself together, -You really are bad at jokes.
-It wasn't a joke,- she replied still confused.
He snorted.
-Forget it, go back to the room and clean the arm. The wounds have already closed but the blood is drying on the skin- given the comment his mood had changed at least for the positive.
-Didn't you say we were going for a run?
-Not today, I have some things to sort out after your show but as soon as you are done go downstairs and look for Kei, he will start your training.
Layan told her this and turned around leaving the bathroom, leaving her alone. Priscilla looked at her arm where the skin was already smooth and hid it under her cloak. She had things to do too. Liam was in that pack, but who could he be.
And he wasn't exactly weak. He was strong enough to control Leila and he was surely the one who had provoked that wolf into raping his niece. There was no doubt about it. He had to move really fast or things could get worse and not just for the pack.
He glanced over his shoulder at the edge of the plateau. There were small shards of ice on the edges where she had put her fingers.
Once she had finished cleaning herself she changed into a comfortable outfit and headed down towards the back yard where Kei was waiting for her. Up close the damn guy sure was big and intimidating, but that didn't affect Priscilla.
She stopped in front of him and noticed the wolf studying her up and down.
-How much do you know about defending yourself?
-My uncle taught me a few things.
Kei's eyes narrowed and then he threw a punch towards Priscilla's face. Priscilla managed to dodge it after reading in her mind what he intended but her reading wasn't fast enough to dodge the leg that hit the back of her knees and she fell on her buttocks. She gritted her teeth to keep from letting out a gasp. She had felt the fall all the way down her spine and her knees were shaking.
Kei straightened up, putting her hands behind her back.
-You read my mind,- his tone was stern, -Don't read your opponent's mind, read everything about him, his head, his body, his movements, his face.
She straightened up shaking her ass.
-If you can do that, your opponent won't stand a chance against you,- she threw another fist but Priscila jumped back long enough so he couldn't throw another attack.
-You learn fast,- he didn't praise her. I won't go easy on you,- her eyes changed to gold, -Don't blame me if you get hurt.
Layan gave one last survey of his sister's condition. She was lying on her bed still sleeping but the doctor had told him that everything was fine with her. She was not injured anywhere either. Priscilla had always been defensive. He could have killed her if he wanted to but he didn't.
He closed his eyes. He needed to sit with himself and clear his mind to think hard about what was going on between him and the she-wolf. He wouldn't be lying if he said he wanted to complete the bond, it was normal. But he wasn't too sure about doing it. It wouldn't be right.
Well, he would tell himself that, but that very morning all it took to get his pants off and consummate their bond was a simple line of sanity. And he knew that with the days she would be there it would be worse. What he couldn't deny was that kissing her was the most delicious thing he had experienced so far.
He was melting just thinking about it.
What if by any chance she gave in? What would happen?
Would he be able to deal with the consequences?
-Ahhhhh, I'm going to go crazy- he shouted once he left Leila's room.
He heard the footsteps of a guard running towards him.
-What is it now?- he said stubbornly. Wasn't it quiet in that place for at least one miserable day?
-Alpha,- the wolf hesitated, -Don't you think it would be wise to stop the beta?
Layan shuddered. He remembered that he had told her to train Priscilla. Did he...
He ran off without looking at the guard who was left with the word in his mouth. Kei could be quite aggressive when he set his mind to it. Priscilla had little resistance to pain and she was a young wolf. Surely she couldn't stand up to him and she would most likely be injured.
She jumped down from the second floor of the castle until she reached the back room and opened the door to the large courtyard.
His eyes searched for the two wolves.
But what he saw puzzled him.