Riven gripped the first shifter be could find around the neck, lifted him up and roared into his face.
"WHERE IS SHE?".
"Alpha...",the shifter choked out over the tight grip around his neck. He couldn't breathe and he could feel the muscles of his throat tearing up as Riven's claws emerged and pierced into his skin. If Riven didn't stop, he would die.
"WHERE IS SHE?",Riven roared again, his fury mounting when he didn't get the response he needed.
"Alpha you will kill him!",Cade said as he arrived with Caleb, shifting back into his human form. The shifter Riven held was already choking, blood spilling down the sides of his throat and wetting Riven's claws.
With the way Riven had raced out of the Ancient Temple in blinding speed, he knew something was wrong. And a minute later, the mind linked had reached him about the Luna's disappearance. He and Caleb had shifted instantly, taking off after the Alpha.
Riven didn't bother to acknowledge the words of his beta. He flung the shifter he held away and didn't bother to watch as the body sailed through the air and crash heavily on the ground. He marched into the mansion, ready to grab the next shifter he could find when her scent hit him.
It soothed him instantly, extinguishing the flames of his rage. He inhaled deeply, drawing the sweet scent into his system and his head snapped to the right, his golden eyes alight with fire. He followed that sweet scent, tracing it to the cluster of lush trees behind his mansion. He didn't even spare a glance at the other shifters that bowed their heads, showing their necks as a sign of submission to his furious aura. He walked passed them, his mind intent on just one person. His mate.
And there she was, hidden beneath a rock in the middle of the lush trees. She had curled her body into a tight ball and squeezed herself into the hole. Her feet were bare and he could smell the blood from the wound on her heel. She must have cut herself as she crawled into the rock. Her head was buried under her arms and she was trembling. He could hear the faint sound of her sobs and the sound tore at his heart.
He reined in his fury for the moment. When his mate had been taken care of, he would lash out at those responsible for her predicament. Right now he needed to be calm so he wouldn't scare her away.
"My love...",he said softly and paused in his step as Layla flinched. She curled herself tighter and didn't look at him.
Riven felt like he would go mad with worry. His mate was hurt and he didn't know how to pacify her.
"My love I'm so sorry",he whispered, taking slow steps towards her. He crouched at the front of the rock and continued to whisper soothing words to her.
"I'm sorry I broke my promise to you. I should have been there with you when you woke up, and I curse myself for it",he paused and watched for any signs of calmness from his mate. She kept trembling.
"I'm sorry you were hurt my love. This is all my fault. Please...let me take you and make you feel better". Riven's voice was thick with raw emotion and he stretched his right hand forward, waiting for her to take it.
"Please my love. I promise you, no one will ever hurt you. Just take my hand...you can trust me. I will never hurt you".
After what seemed like an eternity, Layla uncurled her body and crawled out from the rock. She kept her head down but her tears kept flowing down her cheeks. She trembled as she placed her hand on Riven's and let him pull her closer to him. The sparks danced on their bodies as Riven wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his warm embrace.
"You're safe with me my love. I promise",Riven whispered to her and scooped her into his arms, cradling her close to his heart. He got up and turned back to the mansion, heading past the sea of shifters that had been standing at the back entrance.
Layla hid her face in the crook of his neck and her hand gripped his shirt tightly while her other injured arm was cradled on her chest. She didn't know why, but she only felt safe with Riven around and she began to trust him slowly. He kept whispering words to her, soothing words about how sorry he was for letting her get hurt and for not protecting her and she shook her head, unable to say a word.
"Alpha...",Cade stopped beside him and was about to report what caused Layla's disappearance when Riven shut him up with a hard glare.
Riven walked up the stairs with Layla in his arms until he got to the top floor where his chambers were located. He walked up to his room and pushed the door open, shutting it behind him with his leg. He walked slowly towards the bed and carefully lowered Layla on it.
Layla stirred and clung to him, not wanting him to leave her.
"I'm here my love. I'm not going anywhere", Riven assured her softly and waited until she released her grip on him before dropping her gently on the bed. He instantly saw the arm she cradled close, noticing the purple coloured bruise that was already forming.
"You're hurt",he remarked and touched her hand gently, letting go of it quickly when she winced.
"Was it someone in the house that hurt you?", he asked quietly.
Layla nodded with her head down.
"Who hurt you?",Riven asked sharply and Layla flinched at his hard tone. Her tears began to flow again.
Riven kept a leash on his temper and crouched in front of her.
"I'm sorry my love. I didn't mean to scare you. I'm just so angry at whoever hurt you". He touched her hair softly and tried to lift her head up to look at him but she turned her face away.
Riven was boiling with rage but he kept a poker face expression on. He didn't want to scare his mate. He would deal with whoever hurt her when she had been treated.
"It's okay my love. I'm going to call on someone to help you in the bathroom",Riven told her softly.
She nodded again.
"And then when you've washed up, I'll treat your hand myself. Would you like that?",he asked again.
Layla nodded once more and Riven caressed her cheek lovingly. His eyes turned blurry as he mind linked his beta.
[Cade! Get me Henrietta. Now!]
[Yes Alpha]
Riven remained crouched beside Layla, talking soothingly to her until a knock sounded on the door. Henrietta entered the room and rushed over to Layla.
"What happened? Is she okay?",she asked worriedly.
Layla jerked in fear and shifted closer to Riven. She moved her hand away when the witch tried to touch her.
"She's in shock Henrietta",Riven explained to her when Layla drew her arm away. "Something happened while I was in the Ancient Temple. I don't know what, but she's hurt. I think her arm is sprained badly".
"Oh you poor child",Henrietta whispered softly. She watched as Layla moved closer to Riven. The girl was obviously terrified of everyone else except him. She wasn't surprised though, he was her mate.
"What can I do?",she asked Riven.
"Help her out in the bathroom",Riven told her. "And once you're done, I'll need some healing potions and something to take away the pain".
"I'll get the potions once I'm done with her",Henrietta said and nodded at him.
Riven caressed Layla's hair softly and whispered to her.
"Let Henrietta take care of you now my love. And once you're done, I'll be waiting to tend to your arm. Okay?".
Layla was reluctant to be left alone with the witch but she had no choice. She couldn't ask Riven to bathe her. She would die of mortification. So she nodded slowly and her breath caught in her throat as Riven kissed the top of her head. No one had ever shown such love towards her and it made tears pool in her eyes.
"Come on sweet child. Let's get you washed up now",Henrietta said and stood up from the bed.
Riven got up as the witch took his mate to the bathroom. He smiled when Layla turned and looked back at him before entering the bathroom.
Once the door was shut, his smile dropped and a murderous expression came on. He marched to the door in great fury. Someone had been assigned to watch over his mate while he was gone.
And that someone was in big trouble.