Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Layla
The morning sun spilled across the apartment steps, turning the puddles into pools of molten gold.
I stood in the doorway, watching Kayden load four suitcases into the trunk. Deep blue luggage—three large, one small. Everything Kai and I owned from our seven years in Baltimore.
"That's it?" Kayden closed the trunk and walked over.
"Yeah." I held Kai, his eyelids drooping with sleep, little head resting on my shoulder. "Everything else was rented furniture. Nothing to bring."
"Mommy..." Kai mumbled drowsily. "Teddy bear..."
"It's packed." I patted his back. "In the suitcase."
Kayden reached out. "Here, let me take him."
I hesitated.
Last night at the hospital, after everything that happened, we'd somehow naturally become... something. But now it was daylight. The morning sun made everything painfully clear, and the awkwardness crept back in.
"He's heavy," Kayden said. "Your shoulder's still injured."
"I can—"
"Layla." His voice was soft. "Let me help you."
Let me help you.
Something in my defenses loosened.
"Okay."
I passed Kai to him.
Kayden took him carefully, like handling something fragile. Kai nuzzled against him, found a comfortable position, and kept sleeping.
"Let's go." Kayden headed toward the car.
I followed, watching his back as he carried Kai.
That image...
A tall man with a small child in his arms, morning light washing over them—like any ordinary father and son.
Was this... what family looked like?
Kayden opened the back door and gently settled Kai into the car seat—one he'd somehow installed this morning. He buckled the safety belt, made sure Kai was secure, then closed the door.
"Get in." He came around and opened the passenger door.
One hand braced against the frame above—so gentlemanly I almost laughed.
Was he worried I'd hit my head?
I slid in. He closed the door. For an instant I caught his scent—cedar, morning dew, and something... cologne? Had he put that on deliberately?
It smelled good. My face warmed.
Layla, what are you thinking?
Kayden circled to the driver's side and got in.
"Buckle up." He reminded me, fastening his own.
The engine started. The car pulled away from the apartment building. I watched it shrink in the rearview mirror, emotions churning.
Seven years. This place had been my refuge. But now... now I was going back.
"Your cheating strategy worked pretty well." I glanced at Kai sleeping in the mirror, couldn't help smiling.
Kayden laughed, the sound warm as honey melting in morning light.
"You gave me the opening," he said, fingers tapping the steering wheel lightly. "You could've said no."
"How could I say no?" I sighed. "Looking at him like that—could I really refuse?"
When Kai looked at me with those big silver eyes, little hand tugging my sleeve, whispering "Please, Mommy," my heart melted.
"And..." I paused. "He does need a father."
After I said it, silence filled the car for a few seconds.
"Thank you," Kayden said quietly.
"Don't thank me." I looked out the window. "It's what you deserve."
The car merged onto the highway. Baltimore's skyline blurred in the rearview mirror. Morning light scattered across the ocean like shattered gold.
"I didn't expect we'd go back to the pack," I said, watching the forest emerge ahead. "I thought you'd find somewhere else in Baltimore..."
"Kai needs a stable environment for bloodline guidance," Kayden said. "And the pack has the best healers, the safest protection."
He glanced at me, lips pressed tight—his thinking expression.
"Last night wasn't random. If vampires are targeting you, they won't stop."
My fingers tightened.
Right. That note. Those three vampires.
"But there..." My voice dropped. "I don't really know how to face it."
Too many memories in that place.
Parties where Sophia Bennett threw wine in my face.
Rainy days forced into the forest gathering herbs.
The engagement ceremony where everyone called me a murderer.
And that cliff... Nothing good. Seven years I'd spent healing myself, forcing myself to forget, to escape.
But now I had to walk back into that abyss.
I felt a slight tightness in my chest.
"Layla." Kayden steered with one hand, reached over with the other, and took mine. "Look at me."
I turned. Morning light streamed through the window, dancing in his silver eyes—so beautiful my heart skipped a beat.
"I'll handle everything," Kayden said, each word clear and firm. "No one will hurt you again. No one will dare gossip."
"If anyone tries..." Gold flashed in his eyes. "They'll learn the Alpha's mate isn't up for discussion."
My throat tightened.
"Okay," I said softly. "I trust you."
Kayden's hand squeezed tighter, then released and returned to the wheel. But my palm still held his warmth. I curled my fingers reflexively, trying to keep it—
Layla! What are you doing!
Suddenly, my face heated. I stole a glance at Kayden focused on driving, saw he hadn't noticed, and quietly exhaled in relief.
Such an act.
Diana yawned lazily, gloating.
Shut up. You're the one drooling over him.
I bit back, rolling my eyes internally.
The car entered the forest. The tree canopy blocked the sun, light and shadow dancing across the hood.
I knew this road.
Every turn, every tree, even every roadside stone. Seven years ago, I'd walked it countless times. Gathering herbs, fetching water, and... sneaking off to watch Kayden train.
"Mommy, look!" Kai had woken somehow, little face pressed to the window. "Such a big tree!"
"That's an oak," I said. "The oldest in this forest. Over three hundred years old."
"Wow..." Kai's eyes sparkled. "So tall!"
"When you're all better, I'll take you climbing," Kayden said, watching Kai in the mirror.
"Really?"
"Really."
"But Mommy says I can't climb trees, I'll fall..."
"That's because she doesn't understand boys' fun." Kayden shot me a mischievous look. "I won't let you fall."
Kai bounced in his seat. "I wanna climb! I wanna climb the tallest one!"
"Okay, okay." I pressed my temples, gradually realizing Kayden maybe wasn't the reliable father I'd imagined. "But first you need to get healthy."
"I'll be good!" Kai promised.
Watching his excited little face, warmth flooded through me.
He'd never been this happy.
These six years, raising him alone... what he wanted, I couldn't give. But Kayden could.
The car emerged from the forest. The view opened up. Silver Moon Pack territory spread before us. Stone houses, winding cobblestone streets, the training grounds on distant hills...
My breath caught.
Seven years. Nothing had changed.
But I had.
I wasn't that worthless hybrid orphan anymore. Not the Layla anyone could push around. I was Ella Ross. Kai's mother. And...
Kayden's mate?
I snuck another glance at him.
Kayden was still focused on driving, his profile sharp in the morning light. God, the way he handled that wheel one-handed was criminally sexy.
Mate? Maybe. At least...
At least I was willing to try.
The car passed through the pack center square. Several early-rising pack members stopped when they saw it. They recognized the Alpha's car and peered inside curiously.
When they spotted me in the passenger seat, shock crossed their faces.
I shrank into my seat instinctively.
"Don't be afraid," Kayden reassured me. "They won't dare say anything."
The car continued toward Blackwood Estate.
The massive stone structure came into view. Morning light washed over ivy-covered walls. The oak doors stood closed.
I'd never been inside.
Seven years ago, I could only stand at a distance. Watch light spilling from those windows, imagine what it looked like inside, wonder which room was Kayden's, what he was doing, if he ever remembered the lowest hybrid...
I laughed softly. Kayden heard it, looked confused, almost foolish when our eyes met.
Now he was right here beside me.
The car stopped at the entrance. Kayden got out, came to the passenger side, and opened the door.
"We're home," he said, standing before me backlit, hand extended like a true god.
Home. Our... home?
I flexed my fingers, lifted my stiff arm, placed my hand in his palm, and let him pull me out.
Kai had napped briefly and now woke, rubbing his eyes. "We here?"
"We're here." Kayden smiled and pinched his cheek. "Welcome home, Kai."
I lifted Kai from the back seat. Sleepy again, his head dropped to my shoulder. Kayden and I walked forward side by side. He reached for those doors—tall as several of me.
The oak doors suddenly swung open from inside.
A figure appeared in the doorway.
Victoria.
She stood there with several robed elders behind her—Drake and others I didn't recognize.
My heart sank. I sensed danger.
What was she doing here?
"Kayden." Victoria's voice was ice. "What is this?"
Her gaze sliced over Kai and me like knives.
Kayden stepped forward, blocking us.
"Who I bring home isn't your concern," he said, voice colder, carrying Alpha authority. "Victoria, remember your place."
"My place?" Victoria laughed bitterly. "I'm the future Luna the old Alpha had chosen for you. I have every right to question—"
"You don't." Kayden cut her off. The words "future Luna" clearly ignited his anger. "You have no rights whatsoever."
"And..." His eyes narrowed. When he chose not to be the fair, impartial Alpha, his wickedness was infuriating. "Your extreme reaction to Ella makes me suspect the malicious leak about Miss Ross was connected to you."
He was bluffing her.
Victoria's expression flickered but recovered quickly.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Then she looked at me, lips curving in mockery. "But I do know... this Miss Ross's true identity."
My arms tightened around Kai. No, stay calm... I forced myself to breathe steadily, but her next words shattered my composure instantly.
"She's not Ella Ross."
Victoria lifted her chin slightly, looked at me with contempt, and spoke loudly enough for gathering pack members to hear.