For many days, Layla drifted in and out of consciousness. She was plaged with nightmares of Madame Parker capturing her and selling her off to some brutal men. She would wake up trashing, her legs tangled in the bedsheets, sweating profusely and crying out in fear.
And each time she had those dreams, Riven was always there to soothe her. He was there to whisper safe words to her, calming her with his voice and the tingles that danced each time their bodies touched. Layla found a safe haven in his arms and she stopped fighting him off. She knew as long as he was there with her, she was safe.
The healing ritual was done and the potion applied to Layla's body. Soon the sickly paleness disappeared and colour gradually returned to her skin. Her cheeks retained its rosy colour and her eyes lost its dark circles. Her veins that had been visible receded and her wild looking eyes became calm.
She was still not totally free with Riven and certainly not to the crowd of shifters that waited anxiously to see her. She was slowly warming up to Henrietta who would sit with her for hours and just talk.
As for Riven, he was extremely kind to her. He always made sure she had everything she would need and he never failed to remind her that she was safe with him. A part of her felt safe and believed his words but the fear of her past life held her back. Living with Madame Parker had sucked out her self confidence and she trusted no one. She would just keep watching Riven and with time, she would know if she could trust him.
Layla woke up one morning feeling much better. She was alone in the room and she stretched languidly on the bed, covering her mouth as she yawned widely. She sat up on the bed and looked around the room, noticing it for the first time.
It was simply magnificent. The large four-poster bed was so comfy and warm that she felt like going back to sleep again. The room was painted white and gold and the other furnitures in the room were gold. The couch at the corner, the doors, the rims of the large mirrors, the bedside table. Everything was literally gold. It was like living in a castle. Even the white pillows had golden frilly edges.
This must be the room of the stranger. She tried to remember his name and came up blank. Then she pushed the covers off her body and swung her leg over the edge, jumping down the high bed. Her nose wrinkled in distaste. She was still dressed in the sac material she had worn the night she escaped and she smelled terribly. She needed a bath. She walked up to the mirror and grimaced at her reflection.
Her face was back to its normal colour but she looked malnourished. The bones in her neck were prominent and her eyes had deep circles underneath it. Her hair was vibrant though, combed back neatly from her face. She wondered who did it. Living in Madame Parker's house, she never brushed her hair and it had turned into thick clustered wads. Now it flowed through her fingers freely.
As she stood staring at her reflection, she began to think of the night she escaped. She clearly remembered jumping off the cliff and falling downwards, watching as the ocean rushed towards her. She remembered hitting the water and sinking downwards, and then the darkness had claimed her.
Had she survived that deathly fall? If she did survive it, then where was she? She was certain that she was no longer in that previous city. She moved towards the windows and stared at the long expanse of ocean. This was an island and she had arrived here strangely. There was only one person that could answer her questions and that was the handsome stranger, the one with the golden eyes.
She began to wonder how she would ask him. She tried to speak but no sound left her lips. It saddened her. She would have loved to thank him for saving her and also ask some questions.
She was still at the window when she heard raised voices from outside the door. Two persons were having an argument, a man and a woman. She could hear snatches of the conversation.
"...can't let you in Miss Cara. It is the Alpha's orders".
Alpha? Was that his name?, Layla thought.
"I don't give a damn about you following Riven's orders. I have never been stopped from entering Riven's room so get out of my way!". The woman who spoke next had a chilly voice and Layla felt her body shiver nervously. The woman was trying to enter the room.
"I'm sorry Miss Cara but I can't disobey the Alpha's orders. I can't let you in",the man maintained his refusal.
"By order of rank I am an Alpha's daughter and I am higher in rank to you. Do not let my father hear of how you disrespected me. Now. Get. Out. Of. My. Way!"
The words were delivered icily and Layla heard a scuffle behind the door. Before she could make up her mind and run to hide in the bathroom, the door was pushed open and Layla felt her heart skip a beat.
A blonde woman stepped in, looking like she just emerged from the cover of a classy magazine. She was dressed in a blue gown that clung to her body like a second skin. Her rich blonde hair was swept over one shoulder and her green eyes assessed Layla silently. There was a pair of silver boots on her long slim legs.
Layla suddenly felt self-conscious in the grey sac she wore. She looked like a discarded rag doll compared to the beautiful woman in the room with her. And she was sure the stench from her body could be perceived by the woman and the other man in the room with her.
"Miss Cara please",the man pleaded and took a step forward. He deliberately avoided looking in Layla's direction because he knew she wasn't used to strangers.
Cara ignored the lycan beside her and slowly walked towards Layla and Layla moved back in fear, lowering her eyes to the ground.
A mocking smile lifted the corners of her bloodred lips and she laughed scornfully.
"So this is Riven's mate? What a shame!".
...
Riven was in a meeting with the other ancient shifters. Cade and Caleb stood on either side of him and listened to the latest news about the approaching enemies.
"The rogue attacks are getting more brutal",Zeke, one of the ancient shifters was saying. "We need to find a way to put an end to it".
"We can place the strongest warriors around the territory",Xerxes, another of the ancient shifters suggested.
"That won't work. We can't leave the main city without protection",Zeke countered him.
"What do you think Supreme Alpha?",Ren, an ancient female shifter asked Riven.
Riven's mind was faraway. He kept thinking of his mate. Now that she was recovered, he would get a whole new wardrobe of new clothes, shoes and every other thing she would need. He was ready to spend his entire fortune on her and he missed her already. He needed to return to the mansion and make sure she was okay. She would be awake now.
His eyes refocused on the three ancient shifters seated before him and he opened his mouth to speak when a panicked mind link suddenly reached him.
[Alpha, Luna is missing!]
And Riven was out of there in the next second.