Chapter 23-- Blood on my shirt

“Alright Layla, I’m going to give you something and I want you to concentrate on it,” Matt told me.
I glanced at Dean. He sat quickly on a two-seat sofa with his hands stuffed in his pocket. He winked at me when he sensed my nerves. It was a day after my first session we decided to go early before breakfast.
Matt handed me a spinning wheel. It only started spinning when it landed in my hands. That made me believe it had some sort of magic laced in it.
“Concentrate only on it.”
It looked like a kid’s toy made from wood It was shaped like a wand with blue paper around it with blue and red strips painted through the middle. Just like last time the sound from the room vanished and everything behind the toy disappeared.
I started breathing heavily. I didn’t know if I was going to get used to this feeling. Feeling like I was being ripped from my body. I heard laughter and iron hitting iron. I saw myself with my same chestnut hair and violet eyes, but I was younger. My cheeks were fuller and my hair was certainly longer. I turned to someone. At first, I could only see his legs.
“Dad…”
My eyes popped open before I could see the man’s face. I sat up and my shoulders ached.
“Hmm, this session must have been more aggressive than the last time. I don’t understand.” Matt said.
“What do you mean?” Dean asked.
“Well, these are my mildest methods. I honestly didn’t believe she would respond like this.”
My shirt stuck to my chest. I patted my hand on my face and realized I was drenched. Sweat or did someone drop a bucket over me? No, not a bucket insight.
“Did you remember anything?” Matt asked.
Dean made it clear that I wasn’t too sure anything about my memories, not even Matt and he was the man helping me.
I nodded, “I did. Not much.”
Matt scratched his beard if you could call it that. It seemed he hadn’t shaved in a few days. “We should resume tomorrow. Too much could be bad.”
“I agree.” Dean stood.
Back in Dean’s truck, my mate turned to me with questions in his eyes. I let out a shaky breath and leaned back in the seat.
“I think I remembered my dad. Not his face.”
“What else?”
“Xander. That’s his name. Chance and Kris too, but I have no idea who they are.”
Dean nodded and started the car.
“Isn’t this great? I’m not alone.”
“Relax, there’s still a chance he betrayed you or something.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“I don’t want you to get your hopes up for nothing.”
“Why can’t you just be happy for me? Do you think I like knowing I don’t have any family in this world? You have Gabe.”
His hand landed heavily on my thigh. I had half a mind to shrug it off, but his touch was soothing for me.
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“You can’t protect me from everything Dean. Is that why you won’t tell me about the Dare Pack? Would you rather I asked someone else?”
He cast me a side glance. “You know how it’s going to sound when you go around asking about an enemy pack?”
“Like I’m curious?”
He let out a defeated breath and I smiled triumphantly.
“They’re a pack of hybrid wolves, but the wolf we saw last night was one of the worst I’ve seen. They usually blend in with humans. They mask their scent. Most times they don’t need to shift into wolves to possess incredible power.”
“That’s why you can never catch them,” I stated.
Dean nodded. “They’ve been perfecting their ways for years… before I even became King. Their pack has only gotten bigger.”
“How? Do they go around the country looking for hybrids?”
“No. You have to swear allegiance to Sinclair. A demon she-wolf.”
“A demon she-wolf? You’re kidding right?”
“I wish I was Little Wolf.”
I rolled my eyes when he cast me a naughty grin. The nickname annoyed me considering I didn’t even have a wolf. How did they know it was little? Dean laughed and raised his hand to my thigh.
We made it to the castle. Dean grabbed my cheeks and made me face him.
“I wanted to veer off into the woods and put you on my lap, but I’ve got important stuff to do sweetheart.”
“Important stuff like?”
“Nothing you need to worry yourself with. I’ll be back in a few hours. Promise to stay out of trouble?”
I gave him a pressed smile, “Like I ever get in trouble.”
I moved to get out of the car before he could respond, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back. Our lips collided. An explosion went off in me. Like the first time we ever kissed. He caressed my cheek and deepened our kiss. I fisted his shirt and pulled him closer.
“Ugh, babe, we can’t.” He said between kisses.
“You started this Dean.”
“You provoked me.”
I laughed and brushed my hair out of my face. Dean didn’t like that I ended our kiss. He pulled me back for a few more.
“You’re so beautiful I can’t control myself.”
“You don’t have to,” I said, leaning on the chair.
Dean ran his thumb on my bottom lip. “I’ll see you when I’m back.”
One more kiss and I was out of the car. The house seemed pretty busy so the last thing I wanted was to get in anyone’s way. I went up to my room. I still hadn’t finished unpacking my stuff. Thirty minutes later I realized I still needed more stuff from a pharmacy, but the nearest pharmacy was down the mountain. That would take hours. I couldn’t drive, but I needed toiletries.
I went downstairs to see if anyone was willing to drive me to town. I ran into Killian instead. Ran straight into him.
He grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back.
“Where’s the fire?”
Imagines of houses on fire flashed in my memories. I shook them away and cleared my throat.
“Fire?”
“Looks like you’re running from something.”
“No, I just need to get to town. Going down the mountain by the foot is going to take forever.”
“Good thing there’s a shorter path through the woods don’t you think?” He raised his brow.
Something about Killian didn’t sit right with me. It was like I was talking to darkness or maybe I was just paranoid. I still needed to put enough distance between us.
“Or I could take you myself and you can tell me about your sessions with the rogue.”
I stepped back and rounded him. “No, thanks. I’ll walk. I’d love to see the trees anyway.”
He took a step closer like a lion about to pounce. “Come on Layla. Don’t you want to talk?”
I was almost compelled to say yes. I stared into his eyes like they held the promise of gold and diamonds. I could have sworn his eyes got brighter.
“Come with me, Layla.”
I shut my eyes and shook my head. What the hell?
“No, bye Killian. Some other time.”
***
“Thank you,” I told the pharmacist after handing her the money.
She gave me a cute white bag so no one would see what I was carrying. Killian was right the path through the woods was short than down the mountain. I was at the mall in ten minutes. I was tempted to say and grab a milkshake if only I hadn’t spent all my money in the pharmacy.
“I didn’t think I would see you so soon Layla.”
I turned toward the familiar voice.
“You?” Standing in front of a goddess fountain was the man from the bar. “How did you find me?”
“Find you? Seems you came to me. I’ve been here all day.”
“Do you usually laze around at the mall all day?”
He barked out a laugh. “Let’s grab a seat sweetheart.”
“Why?” I held my bag to my chest as if he was some crock about to rob me. Honestly, I didn’t know him he could do anything even though he did pay for my beer.
“We’ve got lots to talk about. Aren’t you curious?”
“Curiosity killed the cat.”
He moved closer and whispered. “There are snakes in that castle. They’re going to bite your ankles and before you know it you’ll be dying of poison.”
“What does that mean?”
He motioned for us to sit near the fountain. It was a beautiful stone statue of a woman with flowing hair that ran down to her feet. I noticed there were carvings of wolf heads on her dress. Whoever she was she was gorgeous.
“The moon goddess. Ever heard of her?”
“I might.”
“She’s the protector of the wolves. She gave them life, mate bonds and protection. Her connection with the wolves is something difficult to explain.”
The statue gave me chills. It was almost like I knew the woman immortalized in stone.
“Who are you?” I snapped.
“A friend.”
“What do I call you?”
“Call me Eight. It isn’t safe for you to know my real name. We’ve spoken enough for today. Be careful of your mate. He’s more than just a King.”
Eight stood looked around and started to walk away.
“Wait, how do I contact you?”
“You don’t. We’ll meet again.” He walked off in zigzags and disappeared.
Of course, Dean was more than a King he was a ruthless warrior. There was a huge chance Eight was just someone with a bone to pick with Dean. Speaking to him was a mistake. When I got home the stars were coming out. I didn’t mean to be out so late.
Two cars drove onto the property violently that the cars jumped off the ground. The doors burst open. Lyle and Dec got out of the car behind while Gabe and Bane burst out of the first car. Kenzie burst out of the house and raced to the car.
What the hell?
“Tell me what happened?” Kenzie demanded.
“It was an ambush. Dean was the target.” Lyle said.
The bag in my hands slipped and crashed.
“Dean?”
Gabe and Bane pulled my mate from the car. Dean was drenched in blood. He growled with every step they dragged him to the house. Claw marks that had to be three inches deep dug into his back.
“Dean!” I darted after him.
“Get her out of here,” Gabe ordered.
Lyle took my arm, but I shoved him away. “Get off me.”
“You can’t help him.” Lyle hissed.
They took Dean up. He was in tremendous pain that I felt it.
“Get the fuck out of here Layla.” Gabe blasted when I appeared in the room.
“No! All of you get out. I need my mate.”
“You need a freaking healer. She can’t do anything for you.”
“You’re not listening. Get out. Now.”
I took the opportunity and appeared by the bed and grabbed his hand.
“You’re going to okay.” I kissed his knuckles.
“No, babe I won’t.” He grunted.
“Don’t say that.”
“Listen to me, Little Wolf. You need to be strong.”