~Layla~
I sat down with Nathaniel at the table. Candles had been lit. The girl smiled at me when they walked past, and they acknowledged my existence. Never had I been reminded of our need for societal acceptance as I had since coming here. Not having anyone talking to me was a mental torture that competed with the spell on my chest. However, another thing I also realized was my part in this game. To survive and win, I needed to become exactly what Nathaniel wanted me to be, and it didn’t feel too far-fetched from who I was.
I looked around the room and saw the girls standing by the exits.
“Leave us,” I said and looked at them.
They, however, turned to Nathaniel in confusion and awaited an order.
“Did you not hear me?” I asked. I looked at the younger girl, the one who walked me to the throne room.
“Leave,” I repeated more sternly.
She bowed her head and left the room. The others glanced at Nathaniel, who gave a subtle confirmation nod, and with that, they left.
He cut into his chicken and drank from his wine.
“I thought you were friends,” he said.
I cut off a piece of the roasted potatoes and looked up at him through my lashes.
“I don’t have friends. I have power and a job to do, and I expect everyone to respect that from now on.” If you couldn’t build relationships, burn them and build respect from the ashes.
“I’m glad to hear it. Welcome to the team,” he said with a smirk. A deep frown formed between his brows as he scanned my eyes. He didn’t know if he could believe my words, but he would soon enough.
“Have you heard from Jackson?” I asked, trying to hide any and all emotions from my face to the best of my abilities.
“No, he’s on assignment. I’ll hear from him soon,” Nathaniel answered. His brows punched tighter, and he stared at the plate while he cut into his food.
“Where is he?”
“Why do you want to know?” he countered, and a hard glare hit me as he raised his head.
“Wouldn’t it be weird if I didn’t want to know? Considering your ominous warning a few hours ago,” I said and leaned my head to the side.
A little tug on his lips let me know I had him in a good spot, and the subtle nod verified it further. I exhaled, my shoulder fell in relief, and I kept my strong persona. It was time I learned the game, the rules and the stakes because this needed to end, and I was the only one who could end it.
“You are right. Jackson is headed on assignment to your former pack, the Red Moon Pack, currently ruled by Alpha Kade, if I’m not misinformed.”
I felt a frown coming on as I looked at Nathaniel in a shock I couldn’t hide.
“Wait, what?” I asked. He chuckled and wiped his mouth.
“A lot of things have happened since you came here. The world didn’t stop turning just because you left.” A growl rumbled within me, but I suffocated it before it could cause any damage.
“What is his business at the Red Moon Pack?” Damn it, Layla, don’t ask questions you don’t want answered. Fuck, I needed my heartbeat to stay calm, and not a single drop of sweat was allowed to show, but in all honesty, I was terrified of hearing his answer.
“You really want to know?”
No. “Yes.”
“He’s making sure that I remain a man of my word. I see you, Layla. I see reforming, becoming your true self, the woman you were meant to be all along. I see her in your eyes, and I’m going to pull her out of you until she is all that remains. She is a queen, a glorious being of power and virtue, and she has stayed hidden for too long, but no longer will I allow her to hide. I’m here, at your side, and I will never leave, nor will you.” He wiped his hands and stood from the table.
My eyes flickered down to his lips as he dragged his thumb over them, the gold ring glimmering under the light of the candles. His eyes dangerously heated as he walked over to me, dragging his chair behind him.
“Don’t you?” he asked. “Don’t you feel her?” He put the chair down next to me and sat down. His hand reached out and grabbed my chair, and in a swift move, I was pulled closer to him.
My legs captured between his, his hand caressed my chin, and the other graced my thigh.
“I see her in your eyes and hear her in your voice. You feel her, you see her… you’re choosing her.” Nathaniel licked his lips.
I pulled my lip between my teeth and looked into his dark eyes.
He leaned in.
Keep your calm, Layla. Don’t let him see you sweat, don’t let him feel your nerves, and don’t let him get the satisfaction of hearing your heart beating out of your chest.
“Nate,” I breathed.
“Layla, I see our future, even if you don’t. It’s you and me on that throne together, leading our people into the bright future that has been lined up and awaiting your arrival. It’s you, darling. You’re the future.”
There was a promise in his eyes. It went deep into his soul and started poking at my heart. What was my future? What was my job in this world, seeing as everyone had different visions of it? How could I have been born to be the key to destruction with a power that nobody had ever seen? Also, somehow, I was supposed to be a savior and protect the thousands of people I set out to kill. How could I be so many things and still not know what to do?
My head was starting to hurt from all of the questions that rummaged through the bank of my mind.
“Layla, you need to keep a straight head,” Clara said.
What I need is for you to step back. You are only contributing to my confusion, and I need to think. I need to figure this out, or I swear I’m gonna explode.
“It’s not a question. You’re not who he says you are, but if you pretend much longer, then who knows how long it will take before that mask becomes your actual face.”
Leave me alone.
“No, I may not be your favorite right now, but you are mine, my human. My powers and mind are yours, and I will forever be your voice of reason even when you don’t want me to be.”
I felt the tears pressing against the back of my eyes. I was squeezing my nails into the palm of my hand to keep them from falling.
“Layla, trust me.”
You have nothing left for me to trust in.
Clara growled loudly. Her claws scratched against the floor of my mind. Her pain and regret filled my body and overtook my senses.
“There is a reason for my secretive behavior and why you are feeling scattered with your emotions.”
Clara, stop…
“You’re pregnant, Layla. You’re pregnant with Kade’s child.”
