After her confession, Riven went totally still. His mind registered it, his heart acknowledged it. His eyes turned misty and a lone tear drop spilled down his cheek. He stared at her with eyes that shone with love, eyes that seemed to come alive in the glow of the lantern. He touched her face softly, trailing his fingers over the soft blush that bloomed on her cheeks. His beast purred in contentment, his heart felt elated. He had longed to hear those words from her. And now that he heard it, he couldn't contain the different sweet emotions he felt within. His eyes spoke volumes and slowly, he leaned forward and rested his head on Layla's forehead.
Layla was shocked at her own confession. She hadn't expected the words to actually flow out. It had been on her mind, right from when Riven confessed to being terrified for her. And when he swore to always protect her, even to his last breath, her heart had swelled with so much love. Love she didn't know had been there, just waiting to be spoken out.
She watched Riven stare at her quietly, emotions evident in his hypnotic eyes. She slowly touched his cheek when a single tear drop spilled from his eyes. He didn't need to respond to her confession. She knew he loved her, he already told her countless times. And his eyes told her now.
When he traced her cheeks and rested his forehead on hers, a sigh left her lips and she closed her eyes, enjoying the sparks that danced over her body at his touch.
"Henrietta told me you haven't been eating",he said quietly.
"I always feel queasy",Layla said softly.
"I understand my love",Riven said and kissed her forehead. He dropped another kiss on her nose, making Layla giggle sweetly. "How about I prepare something for you? We can have dinner together"
Layla nodded eagerly. Riven was going to cook for her? She was elated.
"Should we return to our home now? We can stay here if you aren't ready",Riven assured her. He needed to be sure she was comfortable with going back to the mansion. He knew she wouldn't forget that horrible incident for a while, but she had to get over it. She had to be strong.
Layla took notice of the fact that Riven used 'our' and it warmed her heart. She knew going back to that mansion would rouse horrible memories of what happened. But she didn't want to be scared again. She wanted Riven to see her as a strong woman. She wanted to be a strong Luna beside him. So she stilled her heart and nodded.
"Let's go home",she whispered.
...
All the way to the mansion, Riven cradled Layla close. Her hands were wrapped tightly around his neck and she hid her face in the curve of his neck. Riven could feel that she lost some weight and it weighed down his heart. Ever since his mate arrived, so many incidents had occured. And her life had been constantly endangered. He wished everything would just be perfect and he longed for a realm where it would be just him and Layla, living peacefully.
Just as he promised, he prepared a sweet delicacy for Layla. Fried pasta and roasted beef with sweet cinnamon sauce. The heavenly aroma wafted through the mansion. Layla sat on a high stool in the large kitchen with her hands resting on the table, staring at Riven in surprise. It never occured to her that he could cook. For the first time since that terrible incident, her stomach grumbled hungrily and she couldn't wait to eat.
Caleb appeared inside the kitchen, wondering who was cooking such mouthwatering food. He received the greatest shock of his life when he saw Riven wearing an apron and holding a spatula in his large palm. Riven, Supreme Alpha and Alpha King of all shifters was wearing a silly apron and cooking? Did having a mate make Riven turn soft suddenly? Would he also turn this way if he found his mate? He shuddered, thinking of the crazy things he would do just for the sake of his mate.
Layla noticed him and smiled at him, pointing to the spot beside her.
Caleb's eyes lit up. Of course he wouldn't miss this opportunity to taste Riven's cooking. Oh, he couldn't wait to tell the others.
"Hi",he whispered and was about to sit beside her when Riven's mind link reached him.
[Don't even think about it]
Layla looked up at Caleb, wondering why he suddenly froze.
[Go away Caleb],Riven told him through the mind link without bothering to turn around.
"Stay",Layla said to him, unaware of the mind link between him and Riven.
Caleb looked between Riven and Layla. One wanted him to stay while the other didn't need him. While contemplating, Riven mind linked him again.
[Caleb! If I find you there when I turn....]
"I really shouldn't. But thank you anyway Layla",Caleb said quickly. He nearly choked on his saliva when Riven turned and glared at him.
"I mean...Luna",he quickly corrected himself and fled out of the room. And he went straight to the other shifters to tell them about what just happened.
Layla turned to Riven and narrowed her eyes at him.
"What?",Riven asked innocently.
"Did you chase Caleb away?",she asked softly.
"Of course not. I didn't even talk to him",Riven denied and flashed her a playful smile. He was amused with the way she tried to glare at him, with her hands planted on her waist. She looked absolutely adorable. And he didn't mind that he was being unreasonable and selfish. He wanted Layla all to himself.
Layla knew he actually chased the gamma away using the mind link. Riven could be so possessive sometimes. She loved it when he was possessive but it was beginning to tire her.
Not one to talk much, she pushed it out of her mind and let Riven feed her. Surprisingly the food tasted really good and she began to wonder where he learnt how to cook so well. When she asked, Riven only told her he would tell her some day.
After dinner, Layla slept off instantly in Riven's arms. The stress of what happened and her lack of proper sleep the previous night took its toll on her and she didn't even stir as Riven carried her up to his room.
Riven lay her down on the bed and pulled off her sandals. He stayed beside her for a while, watching her sleep. He could stay beside her for hours, just staring at her. She was perfect in every way and he would never get tired of looking upon her great beauty. He leaned forward and touched her cheek, trailing his finger down to her jawline. A lock of thick dark hair fell over her face and he gently removed it, feeling the soft texture between his fingers.
Slowly he leaned down and kissed her cheek when Cade's mind link reached him.
[Alpha, there's something you need to see]
As much as he wanted to ignore the beta and stay beside his mate, he couldn't. Cade's mind link sounded urgent and he knew the beta wouldn't disturb him if it wasn't important.
Reluctantly, he left Layla's side and walked towards the door. Cade was waiting on the other side when he came out of the room.
"What's the problem?",he asked.
"The warriors were making their rounds around the forest and they found this",Cade said and showed Riven what he held.
It was bronze in colour and very hard. It had a glassy sheen on the surface and tiny spikes around the edges. Riven took it from him and examined it.
His eyes darkened suddenly.
"Where and when did they find this?",he asked darkly.
"The night the dark liquid creature was here",Cade said. "They found it at the entrance of the forest"
Riven fisted his hand and smashed the hard object in his hand.
It was the scale of a dragon.
A dragon had been spying on the mansion that night. And only one thing could be the reason.
Layla.