Things became more complicated than before as the Elders found a crucial point against Layla, her father.
Dr. Mathew Alex Thompson, a single father who lost his wife at childbirth has a history of being an overprotective dad. According to sources, he could do anything to find his daughter if she doesn't come home in two months. How Elder Montero and his people got the info I don't know but they said their source is reliable.
Two months's a long time but still short because I and Layla are bonded forever.
I tried bypassing everyone at the table's judgment about Layla but I know my point can't hold them down for long, I have to do something.
I can't make her Luna yet, not when half of the council is against it, I have to find a way out of this very soon before things turn for the worst.
But I can't deny the fact that I'm fuming.
All I'm seeing is red as Elder Montero kept on ranting about the dangers this pack could face if I keep her as mine.
"You can't just attack him like that Guy, you have to think, he's an Elder and he has half of the table on his side," I said, trying to stop Guy from doing the things he wanted to do to this old man
"Well if I at least rip off his head, the people on his side will fear us and stop opposing our decision" he growled back at me
"No you're wrong, it'll only cause an internal battle and this pack will crumble from within and I'm quite sure you don't want that right?" I said hoping he would reason along with me
"Argh!" he grunted before calming down and pacing around in my head
After hours of debate, I dismissed the meeting with a warning to Elder Montero.
I told him if he doesn't watch his mouth and attitude to me next time, I wouldn't hesitate to keep him shut forever and that they all shouldn't forget I'm the Alpha of this pack and I know what's best for me and my subjects.
It was already late when we left the conference hall and that only made me angrier, those fuckers made me go away from my mate for a very long time and they dare to be laughing while exiting?
Climbing into the car alongside Xander who kept on yapping about me calming down and treating the situation on the ground with patience, we zoomed off to the pack house
"I've heard all you said Xander, please cut me some slacks okay," I said rolling my eyes as I climbed off the car
"I know your situation isn't so rosy but you have to..." he started before I cut him off
"Xander" I warned "keep it," I said before walking in
"Okay, whatever," he said as he tried to match my fast pace
Walking into Layla's room, eager to meet her and then introduce Xander for the first time, I found out she wasn't there and that she hasn't even been there for hours as her scent wasn't as thick as it should be
"Call Emily and ask her where my mate is," I told Xander who rushed off to obey my order. I then brought out my phone to call Layla myself only to find out her phone was in the room as I heard it ringing
Pissed off and feeling slightly uneasy, I decided to pace around for a bit to calm down both I and my wolf who isn't helping the situation at all
"Guy nothing can go wrong on my pack perimeters, and you know it, so stop huffing around and calm the fuck down" I growled as I stopped pacing and used my head
I called Claire and then Scarlett but their numbers weren't reachable, Scar's own ringed but she didn't pick up and Claire's own was switched off and that was when my animal instincts started kicking in.
Are they in danger? What the fuck is going on? Did Montero knowingly delay me so I won't know the harm he's about to cause me? Did he take things into his hands already?
Of course, he can't do that, he's still my subject and he knows better than to piss me off... right?
"Damien they're in Claire's makeshift office," Xander said as he walked back to where I was pacing around, walking in circles and fuming while trying to make sense of the situation on the ground
On hearing their location I didn't even wait to reply, I ran there with the support of Guy's extra speed.
Opening the door without knocking, I took in the shock that spread on Claire and Scarlett's faces as they saw me barge in unexpectedly but I wasn't in the mood to give a care about it.
I scanned the room for Layla and immediately I set my eyes on her I pulled her into a tight hug. For a moment there I thought she was in danger and that I had lost her, I know it's sort of absurd but I know my enemies and friends and I know what each side is capable of doing.
Breathing in her scent as a reassurance, it calmed both me and my wolf down and I couldn't help the purr of satisfaction that came out of my mouth.
Releasing her to see her expression which was surprised laces with happiness, I turned her around and checked her body for any harm before I busted out in anger
"Why the fuck did you forget your phone in your room, Layla! And where the heck is your phone Scarlett! and you, Claire..." I stated while sending eye daggers to her "why didn't you charge your phone! You all have phones so you would be locate-able in case anything happens so why the fuck do you all lose your phones!" I fumed
"So firstly, I didn't forget my phone, I decided to drop it in my room," Layla said with a hint of a smile on her face
"So this is amusing to you right?" I questioned anger slightly lacing my voice
"I'm sorry brother, I didn't notice my phone died," Claire said apologetically
"And I also dropped my phone at home since I didn't know I'd be out this late" Scarlett said and I huffed as they all had excuses
"Would you just calm down Damien?" Xander said and I glared at him. None of them understands the sort of horror that passed through my head at Layla's slight disappearance
"This shit should never happen again okay?" I said authoritatively and they all nodded in approval
"And why hello to you too Damien," Emily said bringing my attention to her for the first time since I entered the room
"Emily" I acknowledged but I know she has some words stuck in her mouth with the expression on her face and that she's so ready to spew them
"Oh wow, so I'm not invincible," she said as if she was surprised
"Emmy," Xander said moving closer to her
"Don't you touch me" she said moving backward "I didn't know with a stomach this big I could disappear to the extent that my mate wouldn't even find me"
"I'm sorry love, I was just..." Xander started saying before she walked out in anger
"You fucked up," Scarlett said shaking her head and Xander glared at her before making a move to run after her
"Where'd you think you're going?" I asked
"After my wife" he replied and looked at me as if I had two heads
"I need you right now," I said with a straight face but deep down I know I'm teasing him
"What?! Excuse me Alpha, I'd like you to know I'm not your only subject, feel free to ask anyone else for help, I'm going after my wife" he said and didn't even wait for my reply for zooming off
Facing the three females in front of me I had no choice but to sigh in relief
"What were you guys even doing here?" I asked
"Gisting and keeping up with the Bane's," Layla said with a laugh
"Well, that will continue another day. Claire, call on Seb, we're taking Layla's stuff to the main house" I ordered
"Which the main house?" Layla asked curiously
"My house"
"But why? I'm just getting adjusted to my new room and I'm already changing again" she complained and I rolled my eyes
"You'll adjust to your new room just fine, now come on," I said pushing her out of Claire's make-shift office
"Scarlett help with the task," I said as I walked out of the office
"Bossy ass" I heard Claire grumble but I didn't bother replying
"Why the sudden change of place?" Claire asked as we walked to the car
"Well particularly, it isn't safe for you anywhere except my side, especially not in the pack house" I replied as I helped her into the car, entered the driver's side, and started the car
"But Claire told me I'm on the safest floor" she deadpanned
"As I said, nowhere else is safe for you except my side" I repeated the truth.
If she were by my side all day I wouldn't have to be that worried about her. In fact, I never want to be that worried about her ever again.
All she did throughout the ride him was sulk while I felt content, at least sulking is better than being in danger and I'm not ready to take chances.