Chapter 19-- The King

*Layla POV*

Killian was supposed to be dead. Was he captured and tortured? He was on the verge of death. Three shifters came running. They carried him away to a healer. Lyle led me away from the wolves carrying. Killian into the castle.
“Alpha first.”
“I really can’t explain why I ended up in another trance.”
“He still needs to know.”
Lyle spotted Dean talking to Bane. Dean heated glare said he wasn’t happy about this situation. Where had they kept Killian if he was captured? He was in pretty bad shape the base probably wasn’t far from here. That wasn’t a good thing. And that lake. The last time it showed up a couple days later Gabe’s pack was invaded. I swallowed the lump in my throat as Lyle walked up to Dean.
What if Dean kicked me out of the pack? We had just been together hours ago. The safety of his pack had to matter more than me. Dean’s expression went from rage to fury in a matter of seconds.
“Oh no.” I muttered.
He dismissed Bane with one warning glare and the Beta vanished. Running would only make it worse. It would compound my guilt. My after sex glow and the buzz of shifters roaming around with their eyes and noses being drawn my way was not a good blend. Dean’s eyes landed on me and narrowed.
Time to go inside. What did Lyle think? He knew about the first Locus Lake and now this one? His suspicions had to arise.
“Layla.” Gabe’s voice came out calm yet sparked enough fear in me to paralyze me.
I felt him stand behind me. Saw his shadow appear to my right.
He span me and shoved me against the wall by the open window.
“Gabe, I haven’t done anything.” I spat.
Thankfully, we were along in the hall on the second floor. Most of the commotion was on the ground level.
He trapped me on the wall with his arms.
“What do you want Gabe?”
“You’re glowing.” His eyes ran down my exposed skin on my chest.
“So? Doesn’t mean I’ve done anything wrong.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Gabe ran his nose down my neck.
I shivered and shoved him back. His back hit the wall, rattling the wood of the castle.
He groaned and straightened him back. My mouth hung open.
“I didn’t mean to push you so hard.”
“It’s true. You are a powerful wolf.”
“I can’t feel my wolf. What if it isn’t there?”
“Then you can’t be so strong.”
He closed the gap between us again. Ugh, I should have run. Gabe was up here that means he hadn’t heard about Killian or the lake. Especially the lake part. He pressed his body against mine, stealing all the air from my lungs.
“I can feel your heart. I know you’re not a hybrid…”
“Of course not.” I whispered.
Gabe tilted my chin up and caressed my cheek. “What are you hiding Layla?”
His eyes drew me in, but I didn’t want to be mesmerized. In fact, I didn’t want his hard muscles pressed against mine. I didn’t want to feel his washboard abs through his shirt and have his scent send my senses wild. Everything was happening so fast, I shouldn’t even have been on the second floor.
Gabe ripped his hand from my face and backed into the wall across from me. He wrapped his arms over his chest and crossed his legs at the bottom. What the heck?
Seconds later Dean appeared. His eyes adjusted to seeing me then a mask of disdain fell over his face when he realized his brother was there.
“What the hell?” He directed his words more towards me.
He wasn’t serious about me not talking to other males was he?
“I was on my way to my room.” I said, lifting my chin. Gosh, I hoped I wasn’t flushed.
“Killian’s been found.” Dean turned to Gabe.
“Dead?” Gabe raised his brow.
“He’s alive. He said he was captured then tossed in the Calovari River.”
Gabe grinded his teeth together. “What did he tell them?”
Dean shrugged, “Haven’t been able to question him. I wanted you to be there.”
“I have no reason to be here so I’m going to let you brothers talk. Goodbye.”
Dean caught my wrist and stopped me from moving any further.
“Upstairs. Wait for me.” He ordered, power radiated off him again. His face alone told he wasn’t up for an argument with me.
But, it was on the tip of my tongue. I was itching to tell him I wasn’t his Beta. He couldn’t just order me around. I tugged on my jacket and left. Anywhere to put distance between Gabe and I. I rounded the corner to the stairs and pressed my body against the wall.
“I don’t like to repeat myself little brother.” Dean growled.
“What you mean?” Gabe asked casually which aroused my mate’s rage.
A body slammed against the wall and I was sure it wasn’t Dean’s.
“She’s mine Gabe.”
“I don’t give a damn about a spy.”
“Don’t give me that crap. I can smell your jealousy. I would never share her.”
“Neither would I!”
“Lay off her Gabe. You can have any woman you want. I wouldn’t want to fight over her.”
I wasn’t sure if Dean meant an actual fight or not. In this world he might have. Either way I didn’t want them fighting over me. I didn’t want Gabe cornering me either. What if Dean showed up a second earlier next time?
“I’ll stay away from your Little Wolf, but what are you going to do when you find our she’s a spy?”
Another slam against the wall. Gabe cursed.
“Question Killian now.”
“Yes, your highness.” Gabe spat. I could only imagine the annoyance and tension building in his muscles. And the way Dean’s shoulders rose when he flexed his power.
Dean growled in response. That was my queue to scram. If I was a spy, I hoped I would find out first so I could leave before I saw the disappointment on Dean’s face and the triumphant on Gabe’s face.