Layla felt her breathe catch in her throat at the beautiful sight before her. She sat up further in the seat, staring at the magnificent golden wolf standing before her.
He was huge, about three inches higher than her waist. His fur sparkled like melted gold and it ruffled softly in the cool breeze that blew in from the window. Sharp looking claws curved over the hard tiles on the ground and she could see the outline of the thick muscles under his fur. His fluffy tail that was bronze tipped wagged happily and the sight brought a smile to her lips.
It was his eyes that mesmerized her. They were twin pools of hypnotizing golden hue and she felt herself drowning in their depts. The wolf tilted his head to the side with his tongue lolling out and a tinkling laugh escaped Layla.
She stretched her hand forward tentatively, wanting to feel his fur on her palm. The wolf sat still so he wouldn't scare her away. It felt like years before she got the courage to touch him. Her fingertips grazed his fur softly and she gasped at the tingles that danced up her hands.
The wolf whined, encouraging her to touch him. Layla looked into his captivating eyes just as her palm touched him, moving slowly through his fur. She was so engrossed that she didn't know when she moved her other hand and ran both her hands through his fur and up to his ears.
Riven was delighted with her touch. The sparks surging through him made his fur tingle with excitement. He slowly moved closer to her and nudged her face with his nose, making Layla laugh softly as his breathe tickled her. Getting bold, she ran her hands over his soft ears and held his face, her eyes twinkling prettily, her face alight beautifully with the dazzling smile gracing her lips. She looked so lovely in Riven's eyes and as he gazed lovingly at her, he was rudely interrupted with his beta's mind link.
[My apologies Supreme Alpha. Alpha Dave from Silver Moon Pack is here. And he's causing quite a scene at the entrance]
Riven resisted the urge to curse at him for the interruption. Cara's father had to choose the wrong time to arrive, just when he was having the sweetest time with his mate. He could have ordered him to leave but he wanted to iron out the offense of his daughter.
[I'll be there. Subdue him if you must. That's an order],Riven commanded through the mind link.
[Yes Alpha]
[And send Caleb up here]
[Right away Alpha]
Riven looked down at his mate who was no longer on the chair. She was now on the ground and her hands were wrapped halfway around his furry neck. He nudged her and licked her nose, making her giggle sweetly. He hated to leave her but he just had to. The matter at hand couldn't be ignored.
Slowly he shifted back into his human form and placed his arms around her slender frame. Layla looked up at him surprisingly, questions clearly in her eyes. She let him scoop her into his arms and drop her gently on the bed.
"I'm sorry my sweet Layla, but I have to leave you for a while",Riven told her softly.
Layla frowned and looked away from him. She didn't want him to go. This was the first time in ages that she actually enjoyed someone's company. Someone that didn't see her as a burden. And she was worried too. What if someone else came in like the last time?
Riven watched the different emotions play across her face. It gladdened him immensely that she didn't want him to go and he crouched in front of her.
"I promise my love, I'll be back soon. I just have a pressing matter to attend to". He caressed her hair and traced her cheek with his thumb.
Layla picked the pen and quickly scribbled on the parchment.
'Someone might come in when you're gone. They might hurt me again'
"No one would dare hurt you",Riven assured her. "While I'm gone, someone will be here with you to watch over you until I'm back. Is that okay with you? Or will you come with me?"
Layla promptly shook her head. She wasn't ready to meet anyone else yet. She only felt comfortable with Riven and wasn't sure if it would be the same with others.
'Who's coming to stay with me?'. She wrote and showed it to Riven.
"One of the other shifters. Don't be frightened", he said quickly when she began to shake her head. "Don't be frightened my love. He's very nice, and he will keep you company until I'm back. I want him to be in here with you so I'll be rest assured that you're safe".
'Does he know I'm your mate?'. Layla scribbled.
Riven smiled at her, noticing how her heartbeat increased. "Everyone knows you're mine. And they won't dare to harm you".
A knock sounded on the door and Layla looked up instantly. Her eyes flew to Riven, filled with fear and apprehension.
"Do you trust me?",Riven asked suddenly.
Layla stared into his honey brown eyes for a while, rolling the question over in her mind. Did she trust him? She trusted no one, Madame Parker made sure of that. And all she had gone through were abuse and torture. Yet Riven was different. Riven made her feel safe, made her feel like the most important person in the world. And she believed him when he told her he would never hurt her. He already proved it to her. So did she trust him?
'Yes. I trust you',she wrote on the parchment.
Riven felt his relief flow through his body. She trusted him. That was definitely a good sign and he knew she would open up to him soon enough.
"I'm glad you do my love. Then believe me when I say Caleb won't hurt you. He's very friendly".
Layla nodded at him and watched him walk away to open the door.
"Alpha",Caleb said the minute Riven opened the door.
"Come in Caleb",Riven said and walked back to where Layla sat on the bed.
Caleb couldn't believe his luck when he was told to stay with the Luna until Riven returned. He felt his jaw drop when his eyes landed on Layla. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He couldn't wait to tell the rest shifters.
"No one enters the room while I'm gone Caleb. No one. Is that clear?",Riven asked as he combed his fingers through Layla's hair. This was something he enjoyed doing when he was close to her.
"Crystal clear Alpha",Caleb replied immediately.
"I'll be back soon my love",Riven said and kissed her hair softly. Another blush bloomed on Layla's cheeks and she smiled shyly. She picked the parchment and wrote on it.
'Don't stay too long'
Riven grinned at her. "I won't". He got up and exited the room. A second later, he mind linked Caleb.
[Don't try to start a conversation with my mate unless she initiates it]
[Yes Alpha. But why...]
[She can't speak. And I don't want you making her uncomfortable. Don't go close to her. Don't touch her. Just watch over her]
[Yes Alpha]
Riven closed the mind link and made his way to the entrance of the mansion. As he got closer, he could hear Dave's raised voice. The shifter had some guts to raise his voice and cause a scene when his daughter had commited an atrocity.
"This is clearly a disrespect to me",Alpha Dave was saying. "You tell Riven that he better come out now or..."
"Or what Dave?",Riven asked as he arrived in front of the mansion. His eyes were blazing pools of fury as he glared at Cara's father. The other shifters that were gathered and the ones that accompanied Alpha Dave moved backwards, suddenly subdued by the dominating aura Riven exuded.
"You dare address me by my name, cause an ugly scene in my pack and try to threaten me? Have you lost your mind Dave?". His voice was both cold and chilling.
Alpha Dave turned round and glared at Riven, trying not to show how intimidated he was.
"You have my daughter imprisoned here Supreme Alpha",he said, wise enough to use Riven's title. "If you won't let her go free, then you will be prepared to mark her and make her your mate".