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Chapter 13 - Chapter 13

The werewolf she knew as Marco had told her they had seen her kissing Rowan in the stairwell so she knew they were watching her. And although she longed to run out and use the pay phone to call Rowan she couldn't make herself go out into the inky darkness once again. How many of them were still out there? Layla was not easily shaken and part of her was furious at herself for letting the fear take over. But another part reminded her it wasn't everyday you learned werewolves were after you.

Clutching the business card Rowan had given her with his personal number scrawled across the back Layla paced before her window. She had drawn the curtains so that a sliver of moonlight was allowed in the room. She didn't want anyone to be able to look in on her but she wanted to know the moment the sun came up. She had tried to settle down and sleep but the aches and pains of her wounds coupled with the frightening images appearing when she closed her eyes prevented her from even a slight doze. So Layla paced, the minutes rolling by slowly on the cheap alarm clock.

When the morning sun's warm rays finally touched her window Layla threw back the curtains searching for any possible threats lingering in the daylight. Seeing none she took a deep breath, eased the door open, and sprinted across the empty space to the vandalized payphone. Her heart beat raced as she continued to scan the parking lot, listening to the phone ring.

"Hello?" the familiar yet groggy voice seemed to have an immediate calming effect on her. Just hearing him made some of the fear dissipate.

"Rowan?" she couldn't help the shaking in her voice.

The voice on the other line was suddenly alert. "Layla? Kitten what's wrong?"

"Rowan, I need you," she said her voice so thick with tears she could barely get out another word. "Please," she pleaded quietly hating the weakness in her voice.

"I'm on my way. Don't worry Sweetheart. I'll be there," the promise gave her courage.

"Thank you," she whispered before she hung up and hurried back to her room.

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The vibrations of his phone shook Rowan out of his doze. After leaving Layla he had returned to finish the work Eva had neatly arranged for him on his desk. The first few hours were torture his thoughts continued to stray to Layla and the kisses they had shared. His wolf ran wild in his mind replaying the feel of her writhing body against his and the sweet scent of her arousal. His wolf was trying to punish him for leaving his mate after her obvious submission. When his wolf began inventing new erotic fantasies starring Layla, Rowan growled in frustration and mentally wrestled with his wolf until we lay down in the back of his mind. It took another hour but he was finally able to get some work done. Rowan was nearly done when he had dozed off, his head resting on the desk.

The call from Layla brought fear to his heart. He could hear the shaking in her voice and his wolf sensed fear from their mate. Jumping up he pulled on some clothes and rushed out the door. Ignoring the stares of the few people awake at this hour he rushed to the car and sped away.

Getting to his mate consumed him. He barely paid attention to the few cars on the road and nearly ran over a few pedestrians in the parking lot. Double parking, Rowan took the stairs two at a time. Taking a moment to catch his breath he softly knocked on the door trying not to startle his mate.

"Layla? Layla it's Rowan," he called anxiously. He was surprised when the door flew open and his mate flew into his arms. He could feel the trembles sliding through her small frame as he lifted her up and stormed into her room slamming the door behind him. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed Rowan held his mate close.

Anguish and fury clashed with deep feelings of relief. His mate was safe in his embrace, alive but terrified. He had no idea what happened to her but he had briefly seen her bruises and bandages before she had catapulted into him. He never should have left her he seethed. Something bad had happened his irate wolf could feel it and he was furious that he wasn't there to protect her. Holding her close as she shook Rowan began to scent his mate. Her lovely scent, though contaminated by fear, comforted him and his wolf while also assuring there was no serious damage. Mingled in with her scent was the faint smell of another shifter sending an angry rumble through his chest. Another shifter dared touch his mate? Rowan vowed to find him and make him suffer but first he needed to tend to his mate. He wouldn't be leaving her unprotected ever again.

Rowan rubbed her back soothingly as the trembling faded away. Looking up into his beautiful worried eyes Layla blushed and began to disentangle herself from Rowan's strong embrace.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled embarrassment causing her to look away from his troubled gaze. "I'm not usually like this. I don't usually throw myself at men. And after last night I don't even know what you must think of me," standing Layla wrapped her arms around herself missing the comfort and warmth of Rowan's arms.

Reaching for her Rowan pulled her close gently examining the wounds that covered her upper body. Bandages were taped over her arms and peeked out from under shirt. Bruises marked her once unblemished skin. Sorrow coursed through Rowan, furrowing his brow. How could he have let this happen?

"What happened?" he whispered. "Who did this to you?" Layla was touched by the grief in his voice and all she wanted to do was comfort the man before her. She couldn't believe that he would be so distraught over her. No one had ever cared that much.

"It's okay. I'm okay" she murmured, stroking his cheek softly. Turning his head Rowan kissed her hand then drawing her in he placed a soft kiss on her waiting lips. Closing his eyes he laid his head on her chest drawing comfort from the sound of her steady heartbeat. Layla wove her fingers through his silky hair enjoying the simple intimacy

"I shouldn't have left you. I should have been there to protect you. I will never let this happen to you again. I'm so sorry," he whispered. Rowan's eyes snapped open when Layla's body began to shake followed by the sound of her laughter. Rowan stared at her dumbfounded as his wounded mate laughed incessantly wiping tears from her eyes.