We got to the packhouse early the next morning and Damon led me to his father, Elijah. Elijah,a towering figure with piercing eyes,stood up. "Damon,you've brought your mate". Elijah said. "Layla,welcome,I've heard so much about you",Elijah added,his voice warm.I saw Damon's hand trembled slightly but smiled and touched him to calm down.The pack gathered and Damon introduced me to his beta and bestfriend Sam who also had a beautiful human Selina,as his mate.He introduced me to his nanny Natasha,who took care of him when his mom passed away.
**The pack gathered for dinner and Layla charmed them with stories. Natasha laughed "You are perfect for Damon".Sam nodded "A true partner".Marcus,the packs youngest,playfully spilled juice on Layla. Layla laughed, unfazed. Damon chuckled. "sorry,senorita".Elijah placed a hand on Damon's shoulder. "Damon you've chosen well".Elijah said. "Layla,you're one of us now".The pack welcomed Layla. Warm smiles and open arms,Layla felt at home. Damon's tension dissipated. Layla's acceptance validated his love."Layla I'm proud of you",Damon whispered. Layla's eyes shone."Damon,i love you",Layla said. Damon's heart swelled. "Forever,Layla".Damon said.**
Later in the evening,Elijah announced,"Tonight,we celebrate Layla's induction. The pack cheered.My eyes widened as the pack led me to a sacred circle. Damon stood beside me,holding my hand. Elijah raised his hands."By the moon's light,we welcome Layla".The pack echoed,"Welcome Layla".Then a warm glowing light shaped as a moon enveloped us and disappeared inside us leaving a moon-like-tattoo on my neck and Damon's.The pack echoed "Welcome our future Luna".Damon turned to me,"Forever and always my love".I smiled."Forever and always".Music and laughter filled the night.I danced with the pack. Damon's eyes shone with pride.Sam raised a glass."To the future Alpha and Luna,may their love shine bright".The pack cheered. Early the next morning,we got ready to go shopping when Damon had a phone call.He came back looking lost and said we should go without him.I tried talking him to come but he remained adamant.We came back later in the evening and i couldn't find Damon. I asked his dad who said he was in the study.
**Im the study,she found him staring out the window,his expression unreadable. "Damon?"Layla approached him cautiously. He didn't turn."I need space,Layla".Layla's heart sank."What's wrong?".Damon's voice was detached. "Nothing. Just pack business".Layla sensed something deeper."Is it me?Did i do something?".Damon's silence was deafening. Layla left the study and went ahead for dinner and got ready for bed.She approached Damon again who was sitting on the couch,staring blankly. "Damon,what's going on?You've been distant all day after that phone call".Damon's expression remained impassive."Just tired,Layla. Don't worry about it".Layla's eyes narrowed. "Don't worry about it?"You're scaring me,Damon."What's changed?".Damon stood,his movements mechanical. "Nothing's changed,i just need space"."Why did i think i could do this?he muttered. "I'm not worthy of her love".Layla slammed the kitchen cabinet,frustration boiling over,"This is ridiculous! He's shutting me out,and i don't know why".
Sam,Damon's beta,entered the room,"Layla,i don't know what's going on,but Damon's under a lot of pressure. Give him time". Layla's eyes flashed. "Time?"He's had time.Now i need answers".Layla blocked Damon's path,her eyes blazing. "Enough!You're shutting me out and i won't take it. What's going on?".Damon's mask slipped,revealing a glimpse of pain."You deserve better than me,Layla. I'm not good enough".Layla's heart broke."That's not true.You are worthy of love,Damon".Damon's eyes dropped. Layla's words echoed. But Serene's taunt lingered."I'm I truly a monster?"Damon wondered. Layla sensed his turmoil. "Damon,look at me,Layla said."Who called you today?".
"It was my first mate,Serene,and she said I'm a fucking monster who will never be loved and will never deserve love. Before that,she aborted any pregnancy she had with me,saying I'm a beast and she can't bear to have my children. She left me for someone else. Damon revealed. Layla's gaze locked onto his."You are not a monster",Layla reaffirmed."You are my mate,my love"."And i will be more than happy to carry and birth our children,Damon".Damon's lips claimed Layla's,their kiss igniting the air.He lifted her onto the kitchen counter,their bodies pressed together. Layla's hands explored Damon's chest,her touch sending shivers through him.