In the last five hours, Marley and Layla were inseparable. With the young she-wolf snuggling into her mate and the Doctor's firm grip, the two of them were side by side as every single medical professional and student double checked Layla's nonexistent injuries.

Including Layla's parents.

"Mom," Layla groaned, shaking her head with a smile, "I'm perfectly fine." She glanced over to Marley who was standing beside her speaking with her father and Gabby.

Her mom shook her head, "Don't give me that. Lay, they said that you were dead. Dead. D. E. A. D. Dead." She cupped her pup's cheek.

Layla smiled, taking her hand out of Marley's grip to hug her mother. Marley tightened before letting Layla go, realizing what her mate was doing. "I'm okay. I'm still here, Mom."

Her mother sighed, coming to terms with what had happened. She had tear stained down her cheeks from crying, and her husband had to hold her up as they both rushed to the hospital. 

Gabby snickered, "I have a feeling Marley will be wearing the pants in the relationship." She shoulder pumped Marley, joking with her and Layla's dad. "I mean, she did chase after like thousands upon thousands of rogues."

Marley shook her head, blushing at Gabby's comment. Layla pulled away from her mother, hugging her mate from behind, her arms wrapping around Marley's waist. "It wasn't that many rouges," she pathetically mumbled.

Gabby smirked, "No comment about wearing the pants, huh?"

Coming to her mate's distress, Layla's breath fanned across Marley's shoulder, "She does have me wrapped around her finger." She kissed her mate's cheek before playfully kicking Gabby with her foot.

"Doctor Layla," Doctor Eliza came over to the small group with Luna Denice behind her, "may we speak with you privately?"

Layla nodded her head, giving Marley another squeeze before letting go of her mate. She gently whispered in Marley's ear, "I'll be right back." Layla felt a hand on her shoulder, seeing her father worried look.

"How about your mother and I come with you?"

Layla sighed, knowing her parent's had a time letting their only daughter out of their sights. Knowing that her parents wouldn't give up easily, Layla nodded her head.

The Head Doctor turned to Gabby, but Gabby nodded her head understanding, "I can babysit Marls. Don't you worry."

The eighteen year old grumbled, "The only child here is you, Gabby."

The group snickered before separating.

Gabby and Marley watched has Layla, Layla's parents, Luna Denice, and Doctor Eliza. With Layla glancing behind her, the two of them wave with a smile on their face. Even if Marley wasn't ready to see Layla walk away from her. After all, Marley saw her die, but she also brought her back from the dead.

Her wolf gave a yip, showing how proud she was of her human. Marley missed the presence in her head, having not heard her wolf in a long time.

Gabby looked around, noticing they were alone. She took a deep breath, staring at the side of Marley's head for a moment. The young she-wolf felt Gabby's eyes on her. She sheepishly smiled, confused to what Gabby was doing.

Gabby decided to be straight to the point, "You're from the Moonlight Healing Pack, aren't you?" She watched as her best friend's mate straighten her spin. "Not as a descendent, but actually from that pack. The Moonlight Healing Pack is the one who got attack."

Marley took a deep breath, nodding her head slowly. She knew there was no reason for her to lie. Gabby was in the room when her powers activated.

There was no lying about the truth.

"Marley that is something important for the Alpha to know," she added, gulping, "I understand why you wouldn't tell us."

Marley sighed.

If rogues took advantage of the Moonlight healing pack, they could potentially take over others with their advantage. It could mean a war between rogues and packs where the rogues could actually win.

"But I can't let this piece of information go hidden, Marley. I can't," she started again, taking note of the betrayal flashing across Marley face. "We need to know this. We have to tell Alpha Joey, please."

Shaking her head, Marley backed away. Ever since the day she was born, the most important rule was to keep her family a secret from the world. Marley wasn't the first wolf in her pack to leave and find her mate, and even then, their secret never revealed itself.

Everyone knew how important it was to protect their pack from the public eye.

However, none of them have been caught up in a war, and if they did accidentally reveal themselves, they claim to be a long lost daughter or son from the pack that was whipped out.

Then their pack kept it a secret, not wanting to draw attention.

Before Gabby could react, Marley took off.

She didn't know what to do. Her wolf whined at her to turn back, to go back to Gabby or Layla. The last two years has put more stress and pain than anyone should ever go through, and she couldn't keep up with it anymore.

"Marley!" Gabby screamed, running after her.

———— A U T H O R  N O T E | 20 ————

You guys officially know what pack Marley came from.

Anyways, I have something very important to discuss with you guys. If you guys could share your thoughts that would be awesome. I was thinking of changing the title of this story. I felt it was too generally (if that makes sense). Like everyone has a story of the Alpha's Mate, you know.

I don't know exactly what to change it to, but I felt like Layla and Marley or vise versa would be better.

QQ (#25): Should I change the title? If yes, what should I change it to?