Chapter 17 You Are My Mate
{Warren POV}
"My love, how was your day?" Layla chuckled as she shifted in her seat, her big brown eyes piercing in my direction.
I looked at her briefly, taking in her beauty before focusing back on the road. Her hair was packed in a neat ponytail, and her plump lips were painted with pink gloss.
"It was great, and yours?" I answered, moving my hand on the steering wheel.
"Great," she laughed softly, crossing one leg over the other as she admired her nails. "Your mother is a wonderful leader. She took me around the pack, and I got to meet the wonderful wolves of the Moonlight Pack."
A smile pulled at my lips as Mathias’ words about her talking rudely to the pack members came to my mind. I clicked my tongue. “Are you really sure about that?”
There was a pause, long enough for me to look her way. She forced a smile at me. "Of course, my love. I love everyone in the pack, they're much more friendly than the people in my pack. Moreover, I'm going to be the Luna soon. It’s my duty to love and take care of them."
A slight scoff escaped before I could stop it, a sudden irritation settling in, but whenever my eyes met her's I felt a sudden pull, strong, almost unnatural. Like she was the only one that existed. The longing was always there. My eyes trailed to her lips before I looked away.
"Yes, Layla. I know you're going to be a good Luna," I mumbled.
She smiled, her cheeks flushed. "And the best part is, I'm going to be with you. I feel butterflies whenever I remember that you're my mate, the one I've waited so long for."
Layla sighed dreamily, leaning her head back against the seat.
"You don't understand, Alpha Warren… I've waited my whole life for this. I used to pray every night, imagining the day I would finally meet my mate. I wondered what he would look like, how he would act, how he would hold me." Her fingers brushed lightly along her arm as though she could feel those old dreams. "And when I saw you at Tonia’s party that night… it felt like everything made sense. The lights, the music, the moment I felt the bond pull me… I knew my mate would be strong and fearless."
I smiled a little at that. "I’m strong, yes. But not technically fearless. Every human is afraid of something. Even wolves too. The only fearless person I’ve ever known is my mother, and was able to be that strong due to wars she had fought and won."
Layla chuckled. "She does look powerful."
"She is," I said. "She never hesitated, never backed down when things got hard. I’ve always admired that about her."
Layla shifted closer, her perfume spreading through the car. She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on my cheek. “Well, I think you’re strong in your own way. And you have a sweet scent," she whispered. "I love it."
Her kiss made me smile. "You have a sweet scent too," I murmured. "I like it… a lot."
She giggled, low and warm. "How about we spend the night together then?" she whispered. "I would love to feel you… and your strength… in bed."
I smirked softly, shaking my head. "We shouldn’t rush. There’ll be plenty of time for that after the Luna Ball party."
She pouted as I drove past the mansion gate which had slide open as I got close, I packed the car in the parking space and was about to step out of the car, but Layla placed her hand on mine, her fingers slow and warm.
"Warren…" she said, her voice dropping into something soft and seductive. She leaned closer, her lips almost brushing my jaw. Her scent grew stronger, almost dizzying.
My breath hitched. Something clouded my chest, like confusion wrapped in desire, and I fought to clear my mind. She moved closer again, her hand sliding up my arm.
I cupped her chin gently, brushing my thumb over her lips. Her breath trembled as she leaned close to me, her gaze never leaving mine.
And then I kissed her.
I meant it to be brief. Just a soft kiss to calm the tension, but Layla grabbed hold of it like she’d been starving. She kissed me back hard, moving her lips with so much hunger that my head fell back slightly. Her hand raked through my hair as she deepened the kiss.
When I pulled back a little, she didn’t stop.
She kissed down my neck, hot and needy, making my body react in ways I didn’t expect. Her fingers trailed down my chest, down my stomach, and she reached for my trousers, her hand sliding dangerously low.
But I grabbed her wrist quickly. "Layla," I said, my voice low but firm. "I’m not in the mood."
She froze.
The bond tugged at me strongly, but underneath it… something felt off. A strange feeling crawling under my skin. Like a warning. Like my wolf flinched.
I cleared my throat and let go of her wrist.
"We shouldn’t rush," I repeated.
I stepped out of the car and walked around to open her door. She stared at me a moment before taking my hand.
When her fingers intertwined with mine, she held them tightly. "Warren… I’m your mate," she whispered. "I love you."
She looked deep into my eyes, almost worried, like she was searching for something in me, something she feared was missing.
I didn’t understand why she looked like that, but I forced a calm breath. "I love you too," I said quietly. "But I’ve had a stressful day. I need to rest."
"You’ll be fine," she whispered, rubbing my knuckles lightly. "You’re a strong man."
I smirked a little but didn’t say anything as we walked toward the mansion’s entrance.
Her hand stayed locked in mine the entire way, warm… but the uneasy feeling in my chest refused to fade.