Nalya
"Since you've already missed work. Stay with me a while longer," Alpha Layth said. He was right. There was no point in rushing to go back now. I nodded, and he seemed surprised.
"What?" I asked gently.
"You won't fight me about it?" he asked.
"There's no point. You are a very persistent man," I said.
"That I am," he winked and ate his eggs.
After breakfast, I showered and changed into a lovely gown Layth brought me. We went to the garden.
"Are you not working today?" I asked.
"No, I just want to spend this time with you," he answered. I sighed and stopped walking.
"I don't want a relationship right now," I said. Layth didn't look disappointed or upset.
"I know. I also know that soon you will be ready," I still didn't see a future with him.
"I don't-"
"You didn't let me finish," He interrupted me. " I know when you're ready to be with someone, it's Rhaegar you'll choose because you still love him," he said. I was silent for a long time before I opened my mouth to speak.
"If you know that, why are you being kind to me?"
"I just want to savor this moment with you. I don't remember when last I felt this way for someone," He held my hand and squeezed it. Layth seemed at peace with whatever was happening. " Plus, I get to anger the prince," he chuckled. I gasped.
"You're using me to anger him?"
"Yes, that was what I was doing at first, but not anymore," he said truthfully.
"Why don't you like each other?" I asked.
"We are both young alphas who took over at the same time. There was always a quiet competition between us, but there was no strong ill will against the other," he said.
"Our mothers were cousins. Rhaegar was the beloved Prince of werewolves. He was always notorious, and praised for that while I was in his shadow,"
I've always wanted to know why Rhaegar hasn't taken over as king yet, but I will ask Ella or Nate. It would be inappropriate to ask Layth.
It was late afternoon when I decided to go back. The Summer Moon Pack was a breath of fresh air I didn't know I needed.
"Thank you for everything, alpha Layth,"
"I'm honored you spent time with me, Princess," he said. I blushed.
I turned my phone on and found several missed calls from Kiyana.
I decided to call Kiyana, and she answered on the first ring.
"Babe! Babe, are you alright?" she asked.
"Yes,"
"I was worried about you," she said.
"I'm sorry, Kiya. I went with Layth after work, and it was too late to come back,"
I heard voices in the background.
"Where are you?" she asked.
"I'm approaching the town. Will be there in ten minutes," I said.
"Babe, Rhaegar and the others are coming to you," she warned, and Layth stopped the car abruptly.
"Fuck," he hissed.
"What?"
"I'm defenseless against Rhaegar. He has his people. We need to go back," he said.
"They can't attack you, can they?"
"He is angry and won't be able to control himself right now when he sees me,"
He turned the car, and we heard howls. They were closer to the forest near the town.
"That was fast," he mumbled.
"Wait. I'll get out and stay in the car. It will enrage him when I go with you," I said. He seemed unsure but nodded. I got out of the car just as Rhaegar and the others came. My eyes locked with Rhaegar's while he glared at the man behind the steering wheel. He wanted Layth's blood.
"You! I warned you to stay away from my mate!" Rhaegar roared, approaching Layth's car menacingly. I stood in his path. He looked at me for the first time with an intense gaze.
"I'll talk to you later," he growled, gently pushing me aside, but I stood firmly in his path.
"Nothing happened, Prince Rhaegar. We just talked... I promise," I murmured. I touched his heaving chest. I glanced at the trio who were watching. Why weren't they doing anything to calm their friend? Kendrick was anticipating a fight.
"Remember what I said about killing him if-"
"He didn't touch me,"
"I think I'll kill him for the sake of killing him now,"
I glanced back at Layth. A smirk formed on Layth's lips, and I glared at him. Did he want to die? Rhaegar reacted badly and leaped towards the car, but Nate pulled him back.
Layth turned his car around and quickly left.
I exhaled. Rhaegar was growling.
"I was so worried about you," Ella hugged me.
"I'm sorry, Ella,"
After Nate managed to calm his best friend, he caressed my cheek gently, and Kendrick smiled at me.
"We'll go ahead, stay, and talk to Rhaegar. He was worried and didn't sleep a wink last night," Ella said. I glanced back at the Prince. He didn't meet my gaze. He was angry at me.
The three went ahead, and I waited for Rhaegar to reach me. We were walking silently side by side.
"I should have told someone I was safe. I'm sorry for worrying everyone,"
"Are you close?" he asked. His voice croaked.
"Not really,"
"I don't understand," he said.
"He likes me, but I told him I'm ready for a relationship right now," I looked up to him, and he was looking at me.
"But when you are. Will you want to be with Layth?"
I wanted to say no, I really did, but as bad as it sounded, seeing him desperate to have me made me happy.
"He's good to me," I said, and he stopped walking. He held my hands and put them on his chest.
"I was an idiot, Nalya. Please forgive me for the hurt I caused you. I didn't know how I could love you. I was scared you'd be hurt, or I'd be hurt because the mate bond can be so cruel and strong. I thought I was protecting us," he breathed in, and I exhaled. Tears stung my eyes, " I don't want to lie and say I'd let you go be with another man if it makes you happy. I don't want you to be happy with another man. I want to be the one to make you happy. I want to fix every wrong thing that happened to you, Nalya. I don't want to lose you, please,"
He was breathing in deeply again. Agitated, he brought his hands to my face.
"I don't want to lose you. I don't want to live without you. Forgive me," It felt surreal... him telling me all this. I was overwhelmed and couldn't look at him anymore without bursting into tears.
"You say you want me yet, Juliana, is still in the picture," I said.
"Don't worry about her. I'll talk to her face to face, and she'll understand," Prince Rhaegar was sure of his words. I didn't say anything else and followed him to town.