Chapter 57
LAYLA
I sat there and held Ayla for a long time. Alpha Alexander kept asking me to leave her to him but I couldn’t shake the strange
fear from my heart.
It was like she would disappear if I even blinked. But after a little more convincing from Alpha Alexander and his confession that I stank worse than a dead fish. I had to get under the shower.
So, here I am now, standing under the running water and staring at the mirror in front of me. My fingers graze the round pink mark on my left boob before dropping to the similar mark on the side of my stomach. No doubt those are bullet marks but those have healed perfectly, like they are closed and look old as if I have already rested for a year.
It’s strange. I am not sure any potion is capable of this level of recovery in such a short amount of time.
Shaking my head, I run my fingers through my wet hair and decide to wash up first. I can ask Alpha Alexander about my
wounds later.
My heart flutters when I think about him. He promised me softly that he would stay with Layla in his room until I returned, and now, I am taking a shower in his washroom. He is right outside, waiting for me to come out and it’s making me oddly
nervous.
Calming my idiotic heart, I continue to wash myself with his body wash. By the time, I am done, I am enveloped in his musky scent
I wipe my body with the towel and wear a white T-shirt with a pair of blue jeans. Running my fingers through my wet hair to untangle it. I step out of the washroom and find him sitting on the edge of the bed while Ayla lies in the middle, snoring lightly.
Unconsciously, I rush to the bed, crawl atop it, and planit a soft kiss on my Baby’s cheek. My fingers caress her forehead, finding solace in her presence.
Your hands are cold, Layla. She will wake up. “Alpha Alexander catches my wrist and pulls my hand back.
I sit on my knees beside him and finally meet his gaze. He is already staring at me while his fingers stroke the vein in my wrist delicately.
–
She is really here. “I whisper.
She will always be with us. I won’t let anyone take her again. I promise.” He says, sliding my hair behind my ear with his
other hand
My breath hitches in my throat. His fingers linger on my earlobe, caressing the sensitive skin with his calloused fingers.
Thank you. “I murmur.
“For what? “The dimple appears beside his tempting lips as he smiles.
*You thanked me for not dying. I am saying thank you because you didn’t let me die and because you are here. “I shrug, pulling away from his hot touch nervously.
Alpha Alexander lets me go. I sit down at some distance and direct my gaze to Ayla again. My heart aches in my chest.
Do you think Ayla will be able to forget this kidnapping?” I wonder.
We will make her forget everything bad about life. He replies, his voice low and raspy:
the sheets between my fists.
Alpha Alexander-.”
Alexander.” He cuts in.
“What?” I breathe, before pulling my lower lip between my teeth.
“You can call me Alexander. You can’t continue calling me Alpha Alexander for the rest of our lives, Layla.” He states, as a matter of fact, his gaze lowering to my lips.
I can. You are an Alpha. I should address you with the respect you deserve.” I utter stubbornly while my cheeks start to barn. I have never called him anything other than Alpha Alexander even in my thoughts except for calling him Alex a few times when I was too out of my mind.
*I like respect. “Alpha Alexander looks into my eyes. ” but I don’t want this kind of respect from you.
“What—What does that mean?” My eyes roam around the room as I try to pretend to be oblivious to his nerve-wracking
*I want you to respect me as a man, not an Alpha. “He whispers, reaching for my hand.
My body heats up, leaving me breathing heavily. His knuckles graze the back of my fist which is holding onto the sheets for dear life.
Id-do. I respect you. But you don’t seem to share the sentiment. “I stutter.
“I will. His knuckles rise higher, crawling up my arm and leaving goosebumps in their wake.
“What?” I shudder.
“I will respect you. And I will give you everything else that you want. All you have to do is to tell me and if I don’t know how to give it to you—teach me, Mio Tesoro. I will learn all worldly sentiments and gestures for you. His knuckles brush my cheek, forcing me to look into his silver orbs.
“Why would you do that for me?” I lean into his knuckles unconsciously.
* Because I want to. I want to do everything for you. Whatever you want. “His thumb presses into my bottom lip, earning a harsh breath from me.
My heart beats out of rhythm, unable to make sense of this change in him. What does he want? Does he still want me to sleep with him only once so he can get me out of his system?
“I—”
I open my mouth to say something but a knock sounds on the door and cuts me off. Alpha Alexander keeps his gaze steady on me while he waits for the person to enter,
Surprisingly, it’s Daphne. Instinctively, I jump down from the bed and run into her arms. She hugs me back almost instantly and squeezes me tightly.
*You scared me, Lulu. I was preparing to come after you in hell.” She murmurs in my neck, trying to sound funny but I can sense the tremor in her hands.
A lump forms in my throat. Now, I realize how scared I was when I got shot and how bad it hurt. That’s Daphne’s effect on me. She makes me want to spill all my emotions instead of holding them in.
Daphne L.Itry to speak but my throat clogs.
“We can talk later, Layla. You should go meet Theo. He is waiting for you downstairs. She whispers in my ear.
Does he know? “I blurt, forgetting about the overwhelming emotions for a moment.
Alpha Alexander and Levi had to take you to his pack’s infirmary when you got shot. You got your initial treatment there. before the Alpha brought you to our pack. “She informs, pulling away from me.
My brows rise to my hairline at the revelation.” He must be worried.”
He is. He won’t stop pacing. You should see him before he drives himself crazy.” She huffs.
* Can you stay here until I-..”
“Yes.” She replies before I get to finish.
I nod towards her and make a beeline for the door to see Theo. In the heat of the moment, I almost ignored the goosebumps rising on my skin after I readily avoided Alpha Alexander and decided to rush into another man’s arms.
When I enter the living room, I find Theo pacing the area just like Daphne said. He turns to me right after I come inside before he appears in front of me and gathers me into his
* I thought you were f u c k i n g gonna die, Layla. “He swears under his breath, squashing me between his muscular arms. It’s rare for him to swear so I can tell how scared he must be.
“I am alright, Theo. “I rub his waist from over the shirt, trying to calm him down.
-Thank f u c k i n g Goddess.” He swears again, surprising me.
I let him hold me close to him as he makes sure that I am perfectly fine. We split apart after some time and he cups my cheek to tilt my head back and make me look at him.
You barely survived, Layla. Barely. Do you get me?” He whispers, leaning in.
“I am fine, Theo. Really. Please don’t worry, “I smile awkwardly.
“Promise me you won’t do something like this again. “He steps closer, ending the little distance between our bodies.
I inhale his masculine scent and softly nod my head. I promise.”
Theo’s lips meet mine right after the words fly out of my mouth. My eyes widen as he drops his hands over my waist, tugs me closer, and deepens the kiss hungrily. I moan, my lips parting for his tongue.
He kisses me, long and hard, unlike what I am used to, with him. I receive his yearning and fears through his lips and softly kiss him back to calm him down. He pulls back when I am out of breath.
Heat trickles down my back, making me shudder and gasp for breath. I glance over my shoulder to find the handsome man standing in the corner, watching us with his cold eyes.
Da m n. I lick my wet lips while looking into those dangerous silver orbs. Theo cups my cheek and makes me face him before his lips meet mine again. This time, he kisses me harder and longer as if he wants to devour me and I don’t do anything except let him do it.