LAYLA'S POV
The castle was quiet.
Everyone had retreated to their quarters hours ago. I had finally curled up on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My chest still ached with all the words I hadn't said at dinner. My heart still throbbed from the humiliation.
I wouldn't defend myself anymore. There was no need. Let them think the worst of me. they had already made up their minds about me.
And there was Allora. How could she be so cruel? I had served her for years? Why did she turn against me so soon? Did she want them for herself?
The thought of her wanting the triplets made it feel like a knife was twisting in my chest. She was the perfect woman for them. She was powerful, beautiful and from a noble family. She had all the qualities of a great Luna.
And me? I was a lowly omega, not even fit to sit at the same table with my mates. The thought of it all made my tears burn hotter. My wolf howled in sadness. I wiped my tears angrily.
There was no use crying. It wouldn't solve anything.
I had almost drifted to sleep when the door slammed open.
I bolted upright. It was Kaiden. He had a killer look in his eyes.
Kaiden stormed into my chambers. His presence filled the room immediately. His eyes burned with anger. His jaw was tight as if he'd been holding it in for hours.
"You think you can walk away from me like that?" His voice was loud. I could feel his dominant aura pouring out from him. "From us? From me?"
I blinked. The sight of him made my heart start pounding. "What are you doing here?"
"You know exactly why I'm here," he snapped. He stepped closer. His alpha aura rolled off him in waves. It pressed against my chest until I had to grip the blanket to steady myself. "The east tower. Why were you there? What were you hiding?"
Heat rushed to my cheeks. But my anger flared up as well "I already told you. I wasn't hiding anything! Why is it so easy for you to believe her over me?"
His eyes narrowed. "Because you've been secretive. Because you avoid questions. Because I see it in your eyes. You're keeping something from us."
I rose from the bed "Maybe you wouldn't feel that way if you actually treated me like your mate"
My words made him flinch a little. I saw the small emotion in his eyes but he hid it quickly.
"Stop avoiding the question"
"Why does it even matter what I say? I avoid questions because no matter what I say, you twist it into something ugly. You've already decided I'm guilty, Kaiden. Why even bother asking me?"
He let out a growl. "Watch your tone."
"No," I snapped. My tone surprised even myself. My voice trembled, but I didn't lower it. "I'm tired of watching my tone. I'm tired of walking on eggshells around you as if I haven't given enough already. If you think I'm some liar, then say it to my face!"
For a heartbeat, there was silence us. It was thick and heavy. His breathing was rough and his fists were tight at his sides.
Then, his alpha aura rolled out. It crashed into me…hard. The force of it hit me at once. I couldn't help but stumble back a bit and his aura wasn't even in full force. He was holding back. I could feel it.
My knees weakened. I could feel my wolf whining deep inside, urging me to lower my head, to submit.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to keep my chin lifted.
"You can intimidate me all you want," I said through clenched teeth, "but it won't make your accusations true."
His eyes darkened. He hated my defiance. He hated how stubborn I was. he hated that I wouldn't bow down to him and submit like an omega would. I could see it in the hard set of his mouth. But beneath the anger—there was something else. It was a hint I almost missed. I saw the emotions in his eyes - Hurt. Fear. Desire.
"You think this is a game, Layla?" His voice lowered till it became husky and dangerous. "You think I enjoy tearing myself apart wondering if I can trust my own mate?"
The word mate sent a shiver down my spine.
"I think you enjoy making me feel small," I bit out. My heart was racing now, not just from fear, but from the way he was looking at me. As though I was the only thing in the room that mattered. "You want me to explain? Then trust me. But you don't. You never do."
None of us was willing to bend.
But the bond… oh, the bond pulsed in my veins. The feeling was hot and demanding. I hated it. I hated how aware I was of him—the way his chest rose and fell wit heavy breaths, the way the veins in his neck stood out, the way the heat of his body seemed to reach me even from a distance.
How could someone so gorgeous be so cruel?
The sight of him made my body come alive in ways I couldn't explain. I wanted to slap him and kiss him all at once. He infuriated me that much.
He's still your mate, my wolf whispered. He's still ours. Don't fight it. Kiss him.
"No," I hissed back at her in my head "I won't give him that satisfaction."
But she pushed harder. Her longing burned inside me until I almost swayed toward him. I hated myself for wanting him.
"Layla," Kaiden's voice broke through my thoughts. His chest heaved. His eyes kept searching mine with a rawness I hadn't seen before. "Tell me the truth. Why were you there?"
My throat closed. "I don't owe you an explanation."
That broke him.
He lunged forward. I gasped. For a moment, I thought he was going to hit me but his hands grabbed my wrist. His grip was firm but trembling, like his own control was slipping through his fingers.
"Kaiden—" I started, but before I could form another word, he yanked me against him.
The air whooshed from my lungs as I collided with the heat of his body. His heart pounded against mine. I could feel how wild the beat of his heart was. His hands tightened around me as if he couldn't let go even if he wanted to.
And then his lips crashed against mine.
The kiss was desperate. It was fiery. It wasn't careful, not gentle. It was hunger and anger and desire all tangled into one.
I gasped against him. My body was frozen between pulling away and melting into him. My mind screamed betrayal, but my body—oh, my body leaned into the fire. My body kept trembling with need I had buried deep.
His mouth moved against mine like a man starved. His hands trembled where they held me
I felt torn down the middle. I could feel it all – the rage burning in my chest, confusion in my mind, and yet the bond pulled. The pull of the bond was hard and undeniable.
And in that kiss, I realized just how dangerous Kaiden truly was to me. I realized how dangerous all of them were. I always knew it anyway. Not because of his strength. Not because of his power.
But because no matter how much I hated him in that moment… part of me wanted more.