Layla entered the dimly lit house of her friend Seren, who lived alone. The air was thick with tension as Layla couldn't take her eyes off Seren and the man in front of her, who had been quiet since she arrived. Layla could sense the wildness of his energy even though he looked calm.
Seren introduced him as Lucian, one of the members of the pack. ' I wonder what kind of trouble this girl has gotten herself into with this kind of guy. She's always a troublemaker, ' Layla thought.
"So, what do we have here?" She teased, her tone having a mischievous edge, as if Seren and the man had something going on.
She looked at Lucian again, who just sat not knowing what to do or say.
' I knew this witch of a friend would ask what's going on,' Seren thought with disappointment, knowing that she had a lot of questions to answer.
" Um.. like I said before, this is Lucian, a member of the pack, and he came here for treatment. It turns out we knew each other before," Seren said, hoping Layla wouldn't suspect she was hiding something.
"So, I invited him for lunch with me after the treatment, since it's been a long time," Seren said quickly, looking at Lucian, who seemed confused.
" You said you had something important you wanted to attend to, right?"
" Uh.. yeah," he said, getting up." Thanks for the meal. Bye."
Seren walked him to the door, wanting him to leave before she faced Layla. As Lucian stepped out of the house, Seren turned around and saw Layla standing and looking at her like she was going to rip her apart.
A split second of stunned silence was broken by simultaneous screams of joy that filled the hallway. Their faces were bright with infectious smiles as they ran towards each other, closing the gap with a burst of laughter.
In an instant, they hugged tightly, the warmth of their friendship rekindled in that long-awaited hug.
" I missed you," Seren said." I never thought you would come here so soon."
" Me too. I couldn't stand being away from you , trouble," Layla said, hugging Seren again. She let go of Seren and looked at her seriously. " Now tell me everything about that guy, because I know you're not expecting me to not sense that you were hiding something from me back there."
" Just go and freshen up first, you smell, " Seren said, clearing the dishes. " When you're done, come and eat."
" How did you even get to this place easily? " Seren added. " Long story trouble," Layla responded.
*****
Layla wrapped a towel around her body and walked back to her room. She was about to get dressed when she noticed a scroll on the bed, partially hidden under the pillow. She picked it up and examined it curiously. 'Did Seren leave this here?'
She raised her voice and called out, " Seren! Is this your scroll? It was under the pillow."
" No." Seren answered from the kitchen.
"Then whose is it?" Layla wondered aloud. She couldn't think of anyone else who could have put it there. "Are you renting this place to someone?"
"No… Why do you ask?" Seren sounded puzzled. She left the kitchen and headed towards Layla's room. Layla met her in the hallway and handed her the scroll. Seren recognized it immediately.
It was the scroll that Lucian had clutched tightly when he came for treatment.
'Did he forget it or something?' Seren thought. "Oh, this belongs to one of my patients," she said.
"Why are you treating patients at home?" Layla asked, turning around and walking back to her room. She felt a bit awkward in just a towel.
"Uh, That's…" Seren hesitated, not sure what to say.
" How about I show you around the settlement?" Seren suggested, changing the subject.
"Sure, that sounds good," Layla agreed, hiding her blush. 'Maybe I'll get to cross paths with that hot guy who helped me the other time.'
"I know what you're thinking," Seren said, following her. " Shut up," Layla retorted, closing the door behind her.
" Get dressed and come have some food, then we'll go out," Seren said.
*
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Seren and Layla strolled through the bustling settlement. Seren wore a hoodie to conceal her identity, while Layla marveled at the lively scene around them. They reached the market, where people traded goods and services with each other.
"This place is so peaceful and vibrant. There are more people here than in our settlement." Layla commented.
The market led to the town square, where the training center for the pack members stood. It was also where Seren had been humiliated and rejected.
Seren felt a pang of anxiety as she touched the cross bag she carried. 'Is this worth the risk?' she wondered.
"That's the training center over there. The alpha's office is inside too," Seren pointed out.
" Let's go and check it out. Maybe we'll see some hotties guarding your…" Layla suggested, winking.
"No!" Seren cut her off." Uh, we can't just go in there. We need an appointment with the alpha or someone from the pack," she lied.
"Fine. Where do you want to take me then?" Layla asked, losing interest.
"There's a place I know you'll love. Trust me." Seren said, smirking.
"Are there hot guys there?" Layla asked, hoping for a yes.
"When will you stop this flirting act?" Seren teased, glad that Layla was following her. "Maybe when I get a hot mate," Layla answered.
They walked up a hill at the end of the street. Layla senses that Seren was hiding something, but she decided to keep quiet for now.
They arrived at the observation deck on the hill. Layla gasped at the sight of the settlement bathed in the warm glow of the sunset.
"Wow," was all she could say.
" Beautiful and calming, right?" Seren said, proud of her favorite spot. "My parents and I used to come here often when I was young."
" Uh, Layla, I need to check on one of my patients nearby," Seren said." I'll be back soon."
" Okay, but don't leave me alone for too long," Layla said.
"I won't," Seren promised, and walked back to the settlement.
She reached the gate of the training center and pushed it open. She paused and looked around, making sure the alpha or the beta were not there. She could see them.
She pulled her hood over her head and entered. She approached a guy who was training and asked him for the beta. "Excuse me, do you know where the beta is?" The guy turned his head and looked at her.
"No, but I can call him for you if it's urgent," he offered. He had a baby face and blonde hair.
"Yes, if you're not…"
" Who are you?" A voice behind her demanded. It was the voice she dreaded the most, the voice of the alpha, Graham. His words were sharp and cold, making her shiver. She was terrified to turn around and face him. Her heart raced and her breath caught in her throat. She wished she could disappear, or that someone would save her from his fury.
She didn't get a chance to reply. He reached out and yanked her hood off.
"She's with me. She's my person," another voice said, surprising everyone. They all looked at the person who had the guts to challenge the alpha.