Poisonous Gifts

The smooth rumble of his heartbeat welcomed me back from dreamland. Dean moved his arm from around my shoulders as I stirred.
“We’re home, Babe,” Dean said.
I rubbed my eyes. The journey back to the castle was a few hours. It felt like two. My nap hadn’t been long enough. I wasn’t prepared to be back. To face the lies and see Gabe again. He must have jumped with glee when I ran. He probably spent the whole day telling Dean “I told you so.”
“It’s okay. Everything here is fine.” He rubbed my shoulders.
“What about the pack members? What do they think?”
“They knew we desperately wanted to find you and many of them went on the search too.”
“Seriously?”
Dean nodded. He held my chin and my gaze. The car rolled to a stop. Dean made Lyle drive so he could sit with me in the back.
“Anyone bothers you send them to me.”
“I can handle myself,” I mumbled.
“Yeah, I’ll love to see you rip someone’s head off.”
“Geez, I won’t do it like that.”
I didn’t have any clothes I arrived home in Eight’s old clothes. Dean hadn’t been too pleased with that. Lyle and the others went about unpacking their bags. Dean grabbed one dufflebag from the back and draped an arm over my shoulders.
“Your friends were worried about you,” Dean said.
“Now I feel worse.”
“You can check in on them later. I think we deserve to be alone for a few days.” He kissed the side of my head.
“Days?”
“Just you and me locked in our room.”
“Sure maybe in another house.”
“That can be arranged.”
Drawbacks of dating the Alpha King. He barely had a moment to himself.
“Alpha,” a beta said, marching up to us. See what I mean?
Dean growled, “What now?”
The young beta stared between us. “We have… a situation in the field.”
“What situation?”
“Locus Lake. There’s a girl…”
“Fuck. Layla, go to the room.”
But I was already behind the young beta.
“Damn it Layla,” he grumbled but followed us.
“When did it show up?” I asked the young beta. He could have been around my age or a year older.
“We can’t say but the omegas noticed Lexi crying out of the castle they followed her and the damn thing was just there.”
“Wait Lexi?” I paused to shake my head then continued.
“How did she get out? Her room was locked?” Dean barked.
“I have no idea Alpha. We haven’t had time to investigate. She won’t respond to anyone. She’s just crying.”
Dean grabbed my arm. I paused as the beta marched ahead of us.
“Hey, you don’t have to go with us.”
The thing creeped me out but I had a theory the feminine voice that nearly made me jump out the window was connected to the lake.
“No, I want to go.”
“Layla,” he deadpanned.
“We’re wasting time talking.”
Kenzie, Gabe and Dec stood in front of Lexi and a pond like lake. Why didn’t they just grab her. The lake stood still like oil instead of light water.
“I told you they would kill me!” Lexi bellowed. Sobs rattled her body.
The Locus Lake leaped forward and appeared close to Lexi’s toes. She screamed but couldn’t shift. The betas jumped back.
“No one’s dying Lexi.”
Dean moved from my side. My heart leaped forward. What is he doing? He approached Lexi. Even his brother thought he was mad.
“This is your fault. You sacrificed my life for that slut.”
“Hey. I said no one’s dying.”
“Don’t you see… the death trap at my feet? They know I told you about Cora. I can’t move.”
Fear crippled her body. Dean took another step. Tears stained Lexi’s flawless face. She shook her head and sobbed.
“At least you know your bitch’s tied in with this. She either pissed them off or has something they want. You’ll regret protecting her.”
The maroon water rose, I turned away but not quick enough to see the water descend on Lexi. Her terrified scream pierced my heart.
“No!” Dean yelled. “Get help now.”
Lexi collapsed in his arms. She appeared as if she’d been under water for days. People ran back to the castle, shouting for help. The trees and the people blurred around me. The maroon lake retreated into the trees like a wave goodbye.
“See you soon, Layla.”
***
I paced the length of my room. Lexi was dead. I knew it when they carried her away to the healer’s house. Her body looked like a weak old corpse. Whoever killed her had a bone to pick with me. They already tried to kill me that lake had called me more than once. I had no way to block the voice out.
Dean had been gone since. They had history it was natural he was heartbroken. Or did he blame me for bringing this on his pack. Owen’s pack would be in danger if I went there too. The handle shook before the door swung inwards.
“Dean,” I said.
He ran a hand through his hair and bit his bottom lip. He kicked the door shut. It rattled the frame and vibrated the tables in the corners of the room. He turned around, waited a heartbeat and locked the door.
“Why did you do that?”
His eyes took me in. I couldn’t comprehend what his gaze meant. He hated me. Blamed me. Was he scared? My legs hit the wooden end of the bed. He snaked his arm round my waist and tugged me to his chest. I buried my face in his chest and inhaled.
“I’m sorry about her,” I whispered.
“Don’t be.”
“It was because—”
“Don’t. Don’t say that. She chose to alley with the wrong people.”
“What do we do now?” I asked.
“I have no idea right now Mate. What I do know is I’m going to keep you safe. If they come for you, they’ll have to go through me.”
I pulled back. He cupped my cheeks. “You have to trust me Layla.”
“I do…” Dean needed to know about the stone. Its powers were untold. As a gift from the goddess it had to be strong enough to fight off the threats.
“Dean?”
He raised his brow. “Why did you lock the door.”
“Because… I have to keep you safe.”
“So a locked door supposed to do that?”
“Layla, I’m going to keep you safe which means you and I are staying in this room the entire time.”
“You mean me! I’m locked in here.”
“Here where I can see you. This is a magic proof room.”
“Have you forgotten I was drawn out of this room and made to climb out a window?”
“Fuck.” He spat. “Then I’ll have it magic proofed again.”
“This is ridiculous. I’m a warrior.”
“You’re my mate and we’re staying here. That’s final.”
So much for not being locked up again!