Riven was clearly shocked at what Layla wrote on the parchment.
'Caleb told me you imprisoned the woman who hurt me and the other one called Alex. It wasn't his fault. Please release him'
He looked back up at Layla, watching as she pleaded with her eyes. He was utterly amazed and he couldn't refuse her request. He was helplessly enslaved to her and she didn't know that.
"Alex was supposed to keep anyone from entering the room",he said to Layla. "If he hadn't allowed Cara in, you wouldn't have been hurt".
Layla slowly took the parchment and scribbled on it.
'I know. But it makes me upset to know he's imprisoned because of me'
Riven read what she wrote and smiled at her. He couldn't bear to refuse her request.
"Alright my love. I'll let Alex go. Only because you asked".
Layla beamed and touched his hand shyly, her way of saying 'thank you'. Riven watched her with adoration. He would have to tell Henrietta about her inability to speak. Maybe there was something that could be done to bring her voice back.
Something must have silenced her voice, something terrible. And while he was curious to know about her past and what she had been through, he also knew he had to be patient. She was slowly getting comfortable around him and he didn't want to scare her by questioning about her past. He didn't want her to retreat into that shell of fear. There was plenty of time to know about her past, so he wasn't in a hurry. She was his mate, and no one would take her away from him.
"Would you love to have lunch with me now?",he asked.
Layla nodded eagerly. She suddenly felt hungry after skipping breakfast because of the little incident with Cara. She watched Riven walk up to the large walk-in closet and withdrew a black case. He opened it and pulled out a peach colored dress with long sleeves and a matching pair of shoes. Riven walked back to her and handed the dress to her.
"I've made arrangements for a new wardrobe to be made for you",he told her. "Everything you will need. Clothes, shoes, everything. But until it arrives, I want you to wear this. It's very special to me, and I'll tell you why some day"
Layla looked up at him, tears brimming in her eyes. Back in Madame Parker's home, she was never gifted with dresses or shoes. Not even a hair brush. Madame Parker always made her dress like a slave. And here she was with Riven, holding a very beautiful dress with a promise of more to come. What had she done to deserve all what Riven did for her? She didn't know how to express her gratitude so she just threw herself into Riven's arms, tears falling freely down her cheeks.
Riven held her close, breathing in her sweet scent and relishing the feel of her luscious body against him. Seeing that dress again brought back bittersweet memories and he knew he did the right thing by giving it to his mate. Maybe one day he would tell her why that dress was so important.
He held her trembling body closer and dug his fingers into her soft hair. "Don't cry my love. I know you've been through a lot. Maybe you're not ready to talk about it, but I will always be here for you when you're ready".
Layla nodded and tightened her arms around his neck, sobbing against his shoulder.
"You're the one I've been searching for, for centuries. My Luna. I'm ready to give you everything you need my love. You only have to ask".
Another nod from Layla and she sniffed. She hoped whenever she was ready to tell Riven about her past, her voice would be open again. For now, she would enjoy the way he spoiled her. And Riven really did spoil her with unending love.
"Come on. Let's have lunch together",Riven said and gently moved her back. He wiped the tears from her eyes, tracing her rosy cheeks with his thumbs. He would never get tired of staring at her lovely face and divine beauty, and all the years he had been waiting for her was worth it.
Layla took the dress and walked to the bathroom to change. It was a lovely dress and she was grateful for the long sleeves. It would cover the scars on her hands and the dress was long enough to cover her legs. She never bothered about the scars while in Madame Parker's home but now that she was with Riven, she wished they would just disappear.
Standing in front of the large wall-to-wall mirrors, she stared at her reflection. A few weeks back she had been ready to end her life. To escape the cruelty of life and the wickedness of the world. But standing here now, alive and finally loved by someone, she was grateful to Fate. It seemed Fate had been guiding her all through, pushing her to meet Riven because she belonged to him. She would never forget the hardship she was subjected to in Madame Parker's home but now she was happy. She was free.
She took off Riven's large t-shirt that she had been wearing and folded it neatly on the tiled counter. Taking the peach dress, she pulled it over her head and it glided down her body like a second skin, clinging to her curves and spilling down her legs. She looked back at her reflection and a beautiful woman stared back at her, looking lovely in the dress.
Riven's eyes moved swiftly to the bathroom entrance as Layla stepped out. He got to his feet and just stared at the beautiful sight before him. She was simply enthralling, and giving her that dress was a good idea. Without saying a word and letting his eyes speak volumes, he walked up to her and took her hand in his.
Leading her back to the bed, he sat her down and knelt in front of her. He took one of her legs and placed the left shoe slowly on it. It fitted her perfectly, like it had been made for her. He did the same with the other shoe and gently placed it on her other leg.
Layla tried not shiver from the tingles that ran up her legs. Riven's hands felt so warm against her skin and that feeling returned. That feeling she couldn't understand, that feeling that started at the pit of her stomach and expanded to the rest of her body. She stared into his eyes when he finished putting the shoes on her legs, her heart flipping when he gave her a charming smile.
"Are you ready my love? I want to show you to my people",Riven asked her.
Layla felt the fear again. The fear of being looked down on. What if the rest shifters weren't like Riven? What if they saw her as a mute girl who wasn't fit to rule beside Riven? She began to breathe hard and her hands trembled slightly.
"Look at me Layla. Look at me",Riven said and held her face in his warm palms. He stared deep into her eyes and smiled reassuringly at her.
"Don't be frightened. No one will try to hurt you. They will respect you, just as they respect me. And you don't have to say anything. Just smile and nod. Okay?"
Layla nodded. Smile and nod. She could do that. She looked up at Riven as he asked again.
"You trust me right?"
She nodded. She really did trust him. And if he said no one would try to hurt her or look down on her, then she believed him.
"Good. Come with me. It's time the people saw their Luna. They've been dying to see you",Riven said to her and pulled her up. The gown swirled around her legs when she walked.
Layla tried to smile while her stomach became a riot of nerves. She could do this. She could do this.
Riven held her close and began to descend the stairs. As he walked slowly with his arms around Layla's waist, he mind linked Cade.
[Prepare everyone to meet their Luna]
Cade's response was one of shock and anticipation.
[Yes Alpha]
The walk down the stairs was slower than usual and Layla felt her heartbeat increasing with each step. They got to the bottom and her eyes widened at the crowd that gathered at the large dining room, eyes fixated on her. She felt Riven squeeze her waist comfortingly and she took a deep breathe, squared her shoulders and gave a dazzling smile.
"Shifters, your patience has paid off",Riven began addressing the crowd, pride evident in his eyes as they all stared in wonder at Layla.
"I present to you, your future Luna".