Chapter 20

“So, are you going to tell me what’s going on?” I asked Layton once we made it to his room.

Just like he promised, he’d gone to pick me up from school. The entire ride from school to his house had been silent. Layton had a deadly look in his eyes and he honestly looked dangerous. I felt like if I spoke up, he would snap at me.

It wasn’t until we got to his house that he seemed to visibly relax.

“A couple of Rogues trespassed our territory. Nothing happened, but I still had the pack doing rounds and following their trail. I knew you were safer in school. That’s why I didn’t go get you sooner.”

“When did it happen?”

I was thinking of a way to alert Zev. He needed to know what was going on. If Rogues had trespassed Layton’s territory, they might’ve passed over to Zev’s side. After all, both packs were close off to each other.

“I was still at your house when someone made the call. I didn’t want to wake you up. I had the some guys watching over you so I knew you were okay.”

“I hate having shadows,” I told him, frowning and crossing my arms over my chest.

“Wolves, both Rogues and from other packs, are starting to find out that I found my mate. They don’t know it’s you, but I can’t risk leaving you exposed.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Layton walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest.

“I’m going to give you guards.”

“I am not-”

“Every Luna gets guards and you won’t be the exception. This isn’t up for discussion.”

“Just like that, without asking me?”

“I’m informing you that you’re getting guards. Trust me Cassidy— it’s not safe having you out there. You’re too important to the pack. Other Wolves who might want to hurt me will know that,” Layton said.

“I can take care of myself,” I told him.

He shook his head and didn’t even take my words into account.

“Even a strong human can’t compare to a Wolf, not even close. You’re guards have already been chosen.”

Layton kissed my forehead, and began walking towards the bathroom.

While he went in there, I took out my phone and sent Zev a message telling him about the Rogues. I knew he’d been worried and at least now he would know what he was up against.

I wasn’t sure how dangerous a Rogue was, but since it had Layton worried, it must’ve meant something.

“Who are you texting?” Layton suddenly asked.

I looked up and found him staring at me, a few steps away. I’d been too distracted with my phone and didn’t realize Layton had stepped out of the bathroom.

“Nobody,” I quickly replied.

I scowled myself after doing so, because I sounded defensive and it seemed to make Layton suspicious.

“Who did you just text?” Layton asked again through gritted teeth.

He wasn’t joking around. The hard look on his face told me he wasn’t going to drop it until I gave him an honest answer.

“It’s not important. Are you getting ready to leave?” I asked, trying to distract him.

Layton reached for my phone and easily took it away.

“Give it back!” I shouted.

I started slapping his chest, but it didn’t do me any good. Layton was looking through my phone, not even affected by my hits. He was almost a foot taller than me, which made it easy for him to hold it out of my reach.

When Layton turned to face me, his eyes weren’t their usual grayish-blue color. Instead, they were black and he looked beyond furious.

“You texted Zeverus to warn him about the Rogues?” Layton harshly asked.

He wrapped his hand around my arm and held me close to him. I tried to take a step back, but we’d been standing really close to the bed, so I didn’t have anywhere to go.

“He needs to know. What if the Rogues go and attack his pack?” I was trying to hold my ground, but my voice faltered when I spoke.

“Their Alpha didn’t take pity when they attacked us. Why should we?” Layton growled.

I couldn’t deny how intimidating he looked. The way he was staring at me— it was like he was telling me to submit to him.

“His pack didn’t attack you. It was Rogues,” I told Layton.

I didn’t know it was possible but suddenly, Layton looked angrier than he did before.  

“So now you’re on his side? What did he do? Brainwash you, and now you feed off his every word?” Layton spat.

“No! I just know he’s right. But you’re too stupid to realize that what he said was the truth.”

I turned my back on him and tried to get away.

Somehow I managed to climb on the bed, and circle around Layton. I hadn’t even reached the door knob when Layton grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

I yelped loudly when Layton threw me in the bed roughly.

“Don’t ever, walk away from me. And I don’t want to hear you repeating what you just said,” Layton threatened.

I chuckled as I rested my back on the headboard of the bed. I couldn’t deny that I was shaken up, because I was. I just didn’t want for Layton to notice that his little stunt had actually gotten to me.  

We were both staring at each other, and in that moment I couldn’t tell who was angrier, him or me.

Neither of us broke eye contact when John barged into the room.

“Layton?” John asked.

I had to look away from Layton then. John was looking between Layton and me worriedly. He could probably tell that something was up between us.

“What is it?” Layton finally asked his father.

“You tell me,” John said, taking a few more steps into the room.

“Everything’s fine,” Layton told his father.

John stared at him for a while, but he let it drop when neither of us said anything.

“Cassidy, I’m glad you’re here honey.”

“Hey John,” I told him, giving him a small wave.

It was hard for me to pretend like nothing was going on. I felt like I wanted to choke the life out of Layton for what he had just done.

“I was actually going to ask you if you could find a way to spend some nights here. With what’s going on and the Rogues that trespassed— Beth and I would feel safer if you were here,” he said.

John noticed Layton’s angry expression and the way I kept glaring at Layton when I looked at him.

“What happened?” John asked, frowning at Layton.

“We had a misunderstanding, but I sorted it out,” he told his father.

I felt my blood boiling because of Layton’s patronizing attitude.

“Actually John, I can’t stay here tonight,” I told him.

I didn’t want to get him involved because he had been really nice to me. It wasn’t his fault he had a terrorist as a son.

“Are you sure? Maybe you could make some arrangements. I’m sure Beth could call your parents to ask them about this. She can be quite convincing.”

“I don’t doubt that,” I told him, smiling.

John chuckled in return, and turned to look at Layton for support.

“I just don’t want you out there alone when there’s a possible threat around the neighborhood.”

John sounded concerned and if it wasn’t for how mad I was with Layton, I would’ve easily agreed. But, that wasn’t the case.

“I’m sure I can’t. A friend invited me over tonight and I can’t cancel. Sorry,” I replied.

When I said those words, Layton eyes quickly landed on me.

“What friend?” Layton asked.

Both John and Layton waited for me to reply his question, but I never did. When John noticed I wasn’t going to be answering to Layton, he continued talking.

“Well, you could bring her over to the house. We’ll just make sure no one shifts in front of her. You could just have your sleepover here.”

John looked happy with his solution and so did Layton. I smirked at him thinking that it was perfect time for payback.

“I doubt he would be welcomed here. But if it helps, I’m sure that he can take care of me,” I told John.

While John looked confused by my words, Layton was fuming. I almost laughed out loud at the face he was making.

“You are not leaving with Zeverus!” Layton growled at me, closing the distance between us.

“Layton, calm down!” John snapped.

We could both easily tell that Layton seemed a step away from shifting into his Wolf.

“You are mine!” Layton stated, practically shouting the words at me.

“What are you talking about?” John asked, looking between Layton and me.

“Zeverus is trying to steal my mate. He’s been lying to her and trying to get her against me!” Layton spat at his father.

“Zeverus? Marcus’ son?” John asked, frowning.

“Yes,” Layton replied harshly. His hands were in fists at his sides, and his dark glare was focused on me.

“He has been after Cassidy since he found out she was my mate,” Layton told John.

I knew for a fact that his words were a lie. Layton was just too self-centered to think that Zev perhaps liked being my friend and wasn’t just out to get him.

John turned to look at me and smiled sadly.

“Honey, I’m sorry you got involved in all this, but you must know that Marcus and his pack are not good people. You need to be careful with them and stay away from Zeverus. They could harm you.”

“Zeverus knows no boundaries,” Layton added.

“You’re the future Luna of this pack, Cassidy. I’m not sure if Layton has told you, but no one from Blue Bloods is allowed to have any ties with New Elite.”

I didn’t want to argue with John. It was unfair that Layton was letting him get involved, but I still nodded my head and stayed quiet. I felt like it would be disrespectful of my part to fight with John about it.

I just hated the fact that he thought Zev was a bad guy. I knew it wasn’t true and I felt bad for not defending him.

“Good. Now I’ll leave you two to work this out.”

John looked between the two of us. He offered me a warm smile and I couldn’t help but return it.

“Layton, control yourself and watch how you talk to Cassidy.” John was looking at Layton disapprovingly and I was happy that at least he got in a little bit of trouble.

Layton nodded his head and waited for his dad to leave before he spoke.

“You are never to speak to Zeverus again. That’s an order,” Layton stated firmly.

I laughed at his ‘order’.

“Sure,” I said, but the sarcasm was clear in my voice.

“You don’t want to see what I’ll do if you continue speaking to him,” he said, threateningly.

“Can I have my phone back?” I asked, changing the subject. He was standing next to the bed, glaring down at me.

“No,” Layton replied, without hesitating.

“Fine, then I guess I can’t tell my parents that I’m staying here, which means that I will be going back home.”

Layton narrowed his eyes at my words, but handed me my phone back reluctantly.

I did text my dad to tell him that I was staying at a friend’s house to finish last minute homework. When I didn’t get a reply from him, I assumed he’d get back to me when he got out of work. Zev had sent me a reply to my text from earlier.

Are you okay? Do you want me to come get you?

I didn’t want to worry Zev. Even though Layton was an idiot sometimes, I knew we’d both cool off later on. There was no point in causing a bigger problem by having Zev come get me.

I’m good, just stay safe. I’m sleeping over at Layton’s, so I should be fine. I’ll text you if I hear anything else.

I texted Zev quickly, not wanting him to worry because I had taken long to reply. Layton was staring at me suspiciously, but he didn’t ask me any questions.

After I was done with my phone, I lay down on the bed and turned away from Layton. I could hear him moving around behind me, but I expected him to leave.

Instead, he got into bed right next to me. His hand wrapped around my waist, and settled on my stomach. I laughed in amusement when he pressed himself against my back.

“You are so strange,” I told him.

He didn’t say anything.

I didn’t understand why I didn’t just leave Layton. He was complicated, mean, arrogant, cocky, and bipolar. I just couldn’t stand the thought of being away from him.

“I like that you worry about me, you know,” I told him, putting my hand over his. “I just hate your way of showing it,” I finished saying, closing my eyes.

He still didn’t say anything.

About five minutes later, Layton turned me to face him. The hard look remained in his eyes, which were focused on my lips. I didn’t push him away when I noticed him leaning closer to me.

His kiss was rough. His fingers were digging into the skin on my back, while his lips were moving against mine hungrily.   

I was letting him take control. It seemed to be what he wanted, to show me who was in charge. His tongue kept asking for entrance and Layton was biting down on my lower lip. When I didn’t let him in, he dug his fingers deeper into my skin.

I smiled against his kiss. I was sure he felt it, because he groaned and squeezed my waist when I did.

We were making out for a long time before I faintly heard knocking on the door. Layton kept kissing me, running his hands over the side my body. He was completely ignoring the person at the door.

When the knock was ignored for a second time, the person at the door banged on it louder and for a longer time. Layton parted his lips from mine, but didn’t get off of me. 

Layton closed his eyes and let out a loud growl. He placed a kiss on my shoulders before moving up and getting up from the bed.

I tried to fix my clothes and my hair. It wasn’t really necessary either way. Once Layton reached the door, he blocked the person from being able to look inside the room.  

It was Nick who came to inform him that another round had taken place and Blue Bloods Territory had been swept. Layton didn’t say anything, only nodded his head and dismissed Nick.

I thought Layton was going to take off, but he returned to the bed and sat on the edge of it.

“You’re mine,” he said in a low voice.

He reached out for me and easily moved me over his lap. It was the first time Layton and I were as intimate as we were being in those moments. It felt strange, but in a good way. His skin against mine was literally electrifying.

I couldn’t describe the feeling— I just knew I didn’t want it to stop.  

“I need to go and make sure everything is running smoothly. I’ll be back in an hour. If you’re hungry, tell my mom to make you something,” he said.

Layton left me alone in the bed, looking disheveled and with my hormones all over the place. I felt hungry when he reminded me that I hadn’t eaten. I went to the restroom to fix myself before leaving the room.

Even though the Rogues were gone, everything at Layton’s house was hectic. I went to bed alone because Layton hadn’t returned. It was almost nine, which was too early for my bedtime. Every time I left the room, I had everyone’s attention.

They were really nice to me, too nice. Everyone wanted to please me and hand me everything. It got to the point where I couldn’t walk around the house without having somebody after me, trying to get me water or food or a drink or anything I asked for.

When I got into the room, I decided what I needed.

“Cass?” Zev’s voice sounded worried when he picked up the phone.

“Yeah, it’s me. Can you talk?” I asked him.

We were on the phone for almost an hour before I started getting sleepy. Talking to Zev was enough to sooth me. It did help that he was joking about everything, mainly to lighten the mood. He kept asking me if something was wrong, but I didn’t want to tell him about the fight with Layton.

I was asleep when I felt movement around the room. Layton showered and came straight to bed afterwards. I knew that even though we had made out after the fight we had in the afternoon, he was still mad at me.

I knew it because every time he was mad, he would still be around me, but he was rougher than usual.

His way of showing how mad he was any time we argued was by not talking to me when we were together.

I set my phone alarm to go off at five forty-five. I wanted to go home and get ready for school there. Everyone had been really nice to me, mainly because I was Layton’s mate and he was the future Alpha.

Despite that, I still felt strange and out of place. 

Layton stirred in his sleep when the alarm sounded. I got up quietly and changed into the jeans I was wearing yesterday.

I had burrowed some of Layton’s clothes to sleep, so I left them on the couch after I finished changing. I washed my mouth and my face, while also trying to make my hair look decent. I thought I hadn’t made too much noise, but Layton had woken up.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Layton asked me, as he sat up in bed. He was rubbing his eyes, but it didn’t make him less alert.

He had slept about four or five hours, so I knew he must’ve been tired.

“I need to go home and change,” I replied, while rummaging through my bag.

“You’re not going to school today so get back to bed,” Layton ordered.

“I’m not missing school. I need to go home right now so that I can be ready on time.”

I walked to the door and I could hear him getting up. He was going to try to stop me. I was not in the mood for his Alpha attitude. I was going to school whether he liked it or not.

When I opened the door, Layton slammed it shut and kept his arm blocking the door.

“Come on, I want to go to school. Didn’t Nick say that they were already gone? Everyone yesterday said that we were safe,” I reasoned with him.

I attempted to open the door a second time, and Layton took the opportunity to completely block it. He looked down at me and crossed his arms over his chest.

He looked intimidating and strong. Physically, I wouldn’t be able to take him. But with telekinesis, the possibilities were endless.  I could at least throw him around a bit. I fantasized about that because I knew I wasn’t really going to expose myself to him, not over something I could compromise with.

“Please? I promise I’ll be careful. I won’t even leave during lunch,” I told him, thinking about how much lunch would suck if I had to stay in the cafeteria alone.

“Did you leave with Zeverus yesterday during lunch?” Layton asked me, his voice turning into a growl.

“Uh…. You were gone,” was the only thing I replied.

 “You were supposed to stay in campus! That is the only reason I allowed you to go to school!” Layton shouted at me.

I backed away from him, and went back to sit on the bed. I didn’t know why, but his words really got to me. It took me a moment to realize it had mainly been the tone he’d used. It was so powerful, and it made me shy away from him.

Layton followed after me, and he cursed under his breath.

“I didn’t mean that,” he said, kneeling in front of me.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, and kept trying to get my attention.

“I didn’t mean to yell at you. I shouldn’t have done that. I didn’t think you would back away from me. I thought you were going to keep arguing,” he said, apologetically.

“You’re Wolf is really strong,” I whispered, still shocked from the moment before.

Layton ignored my comment, and continued trying to get my attention.

“I don’t want Rogues to get to you. The only thing that keeps me sane now is you. You’re mine, my mate,” he stated.

I looked up at him when he said that, and noticed the serious expression on his face.

“You yelled at me,” I said, but I’d calmed down from how I’d been before.

“You always yell back,” Layton retorted. “You’re going to be my Luna, Cassidy. You’re my equal. I just thought, I didn’t think you’d back down,” he said, sounding surprised himself that I had walked away.

Layton nestled his head in my neck, and began brushing his lips against the claim in my neck. His lips against my skin made me tingle all over, and it was enough to calm me down.

“I’m sorry baby,” he said.

I smiled at the way he was talking to me. It was so unlike him, but I liked it either way.

“Does it ever go away?” I asked him softly. I placed my hands on his shoulders and Layton pulled away to look at me.  

“What?”

“You’re so overprotective and get really jealous over anything. Does that ever go away?”

“It’s going to get worse, actually. Right now my claim on you is driving my Wolf crazy. He wants us to mate.”

He left me dumbfounded with that. Layton hadn’t pressured me into anything, but I knew he wanted to go further. He was ready for that, but I wasn’t yet.

“I still want to go to school. I promise I’ll be careful,” I told Layton, changing the subject.

He was in a better mood. I was hoping he’d give in, especially because I could still see the guilt etched in his features.

There was no way I would get through the door if Layton didn’t let me.

When he sighed and shook his head, I could practically see myself walking into school.

“Why do you have to be so difficult?” He asked.

“Is that a yes?” I excitedly asked, wrapping my arms around his neck tighter.  

Layton sighed again, and nestled his head against my neck once again.

“Layton?” 

“Fine, let’s go. I’ll drop you off,” he reluctantly agreed.

I chuckled, and just tightened my arms around him.

It wasn’t exactly what I’d been expecting, but at least he was agreeing to let me go.