"I present to you, your future Luna".
The crowd of shifters around the dining table stared in awe at Layla. When Caleb told them how utterly beautiful she was, they didn't think much of it. But seeing her now, they knew Caleb had been right. They were used to Cara's wild and sassy demeanour, but Layla's divine beauty and calmness totally astonished them and for a while, no one spoke.
Layla began to feel self-conscious with the way they all stared at her but she forced herself to keep the smile on her face. She noticed something peculiar about them though. It seemed a number of them were born as twins. For instance, Cade and Caleb. They looked alike so much that she wouldn't have been able to tell the difference if she hadn't spent a little time with Caleb. There was also another man who looked so much like Alex but she knew it wasn't him. This one had dark hair while Alex hair was shaved. It totally fancinated her.
Cade forcefully cleared his throat and gave the shifters a meaningful look. They understood and bowed at Layla.
"Welcome to Dark Creek Pack Supreme Luna",Cade said on behalf of the shifters. "We swear our loyalty and allegiance to you. And we will protect you with our lives until our dying breathe".
Layla remembered what Riven told her, to just smiled and nod. She smiled at the crowd and nodded slowly while her heart slammed against her ribcage.
Riven took her towards the seat beside his and gently lowered her on it. After he sat beside her, the shifters all took their seats and lunch began. A few smiled at Layla, noticing the dress she wore. They all knew the history of that dress.
"You look so beautiful Supreme Luna",a young shifter sitting beside Caleb whispered. Layla turned to the little boy and smiled sweetly at him. He was about fifteen, with a head full of bright red hair.
"That's enough Rudolph. You're at the table, where are your manners?",Caleb chided him. Rudolph stuck his tongue out at Caleb and the sight made Layla laugh softly.
Riven touched her and she turned to look at him. He dropped a dish in front of her and Layla's eyes widened at the mountain of food set before her. There was no way she could finish this and she wished the parchment was here so she would tell him.
Riven understood and chuckled lightly. "It's okay my love. Eat as much as you can". He cut the beef into smaller pieces so she wouldn't have difficulty cutting it herself.
Layla looked round the table as she ate. There had been no reason for her to be worried. The shifters were totally kind and no one looked at her like she was nothing. No one was disgusted by her inability to speak. Had Madame Parker been wrong when she said no one would want a mute girl? These people treated her like she was a goddess and it brought happy tears to her eyes.
Some of the shifters stared at her, wondering why she had tears in her eyes but a sharp command from Riven through the mind link made them look away promptly.
Layla finally felt comfortable with the crowd and her tense shoulders relaxed. She began to eat earnestly and her hunger returned with full force. The baked potatoes tasted like melted butter in her mouth and the roasted beef was like honey syrup. She never had the luxury to eat such nice delicacies while living with Madame Parker and she relished every bite.
Beside her, Riven watched her with amusement. He could stare at her for hours and never get tired of it. He barely ate, placing most of his food on Layla's plate and watching her eat them all up. His eyes twinkled with mirth when she cleared every bite.
They were still around the table when a shifter ran in and stood by the door of the dining area.
"Alpha!",he said and waited for permission to speak.
"Yes Drake",Riven's response was low, while he used a napkin to wipe the corners of Layla's mouth.
"Lord Brandon's ship just arrived on the island!".
The entire shifters around the table went still just as Riven's hand froze. His composed expression cracked and his eyes turned furious. What did that blood sucking vermin want in his island? He had banished Brandon from ever returning to the island after the murder he commited centuries ago. And now the bastard was back. For what this time?
He looked down when Layla touched his hand tentatively. Her eyes were worried and scared because in the space of a few seconds, Riven turned extremely furious. He didn't mean to scare her. The fact that Brandon was here in the island meant he was back for a reason.
Suddenly it dawned on him. Layla. His rage increased and he had to close his eyes so he wouldn't scare his mate with his flickering iris's. Brandon must have heard through his spies that his mate had been found. Then why was he here? What business did he have with Layla? Or maybe it wasn't because of Layla. Maybe he was just letting his rage control him into thinking things.
He gained control of himself again and opened his eyes when he was sure they were its normal colour. He smiled a little at Layla to reassure her but his eyes were still furious.
"Where is he?",he asked Drake.
"At the shores. The warrior lycans are holding him back from advancing".
"Subdue him if you must. I will be there soon",Riven told him and abruptly got up from his seat. He took Layla's hand in his and walked out of the dining that had gone deathly quiet. Everyone knew Lord Brandon, the vampire that murdered Riven's twin centuries ago.
Riven arrived in his room with Layla and locked the door behind him. He took her to the bed and sat her down, crouching in front of her.
"I'm sorry my love. Did I scare you?",he asked gently.
Layla shook her head and began to reach for a parchment when Riven held her back.
"I know you have questions",he said. "But until I'm back, I want you to stay in this room with Caleb. Do not step out no matter what happens".
Layla began to shake her head, her eyes looking terrified. She didn't like the way Riven spoke to her, like something terrible would happen.
"Don't be scared my love. Nothing's going to happen",Riven reassured her. "But I want you to stay in here until I'm back, okay? Caleb and Alec will be here with you until I return".
Layla had no choice but to nod. This wasn't the time to act spoiled. Riven was clearly disturbed about something and it had something to do with the visitor that arrived.
She watched him walk towards the door just as Caleb and Alec, whom she assumed to be Alex's twin brother, came in.
"Guard her with your life",Riven said in a cold emotionless voice. "I don't have to remind you of what would happen if anything should happen to my mate".
"Yes Alpha",Caleb and Alec responded promptly.
Layla watched Riven disappear through the door. He didn't even look back at her and she wished he allowed her write to him. She wanted to tell him that the name, 'Lord Brandon' sounded strangely familiar to her. But he was already gone.
...
Riven shifted into his lycan the moment he stepped out of the house. His bones popped loudly and reformed. His transformation completed and he stood there on powerful hind legs, a golden lycan. Terrifying and dominant.
He turned to the shifters behind him, who were also in their lycan forms.
[Cade! Take a dozen of the shifters and come with me. The rest, stay back and protect my Luna]. The order through the mind link was sharp and precise.
[Yes Alpha]
Riven didn't wait for Cade to carry out his order. He tore through the trees, running at a blinding speed towards the shores where he could see the large mast of a ship. The sickly smell of vampires assailed him and it only increased his fury.
In a matter of minutes, he arrived at the shores and shifted smoothly into his human form.
"Brandon!",Riven's voice came out sharp and cold, filled with venom. "You made a mistake returning here".
Lord Brandon turned around and grinned evilly at Riven, his milky white eyes filled with hate, his fangs glistening white.
"Long time no see Riven",he said darkly. "I believe you have someone that belongs to me".