Layla Twist

Chp. 17 Chances

* Layla POV *

* Two Weeks Ago *

"I will be honest with everything, nothing held back. Your pace." Barrett quickly spoke behind me. Goosebumps erupted across my skin. "I don't know much about relationships, but I have been waiting for you my whole life."

Please? Calista whined pacing around.

"Thank you for the truth. What's your name?"

"Barrett Pine."

"Barrett Pine." I try to ignore the wolf pestering me to agree."Have a goodnight, Barrett, I will think it over."

Without waiting for a response I quickly go through the door sliding down the wall next to it.

When I saw him standing there watching me it startled me.

He stood tall at 6"2', his grey-green eyes still clearly visible in the dim room. His brown hair was partially dried and laid over his forehead.

Calista tell me what a mate is now. Trying to push his image out of my mind for a minute to think I give Calista a second before she responds.

The Moon Goddess Selene, Luna Pine told you of her.

Wait, Luna Pine? I asked her suddenly.

Yes, Luna Pine prefers to be called mom or doctor. She explained. Anyway, Selene will bestow a wolf at each conception, each of these wolves have a mate.

She goes on to explain the mate bond between two people. How they are soulmates assigned by the Moon Goddess Selene. Your mate is a strength.

Then going over the topic of going into heat. Some result from going unmated for too long.

It can cause emense pain and discomfort until you complete the mate bond. Before I could even ask she explained. The mate bond is complete through the mark and.... s*x.

My chest feeling heavy making my lungs struggle to breathe.

Almost falling on my face I stumble to bathroom trying to get oxygen in my system.

Layla calm down. You don't have to, it can be something you wait on for a bit. She tried to comfort me, pushing to the surface as I'm splashing water on my face.

I have to have s*x with Barrett and be with him for the rest of my life? My head starts to hurt as I gasp over the sink. I don't even know him, h**l I have never even had a boyfriend. Yet, he is willing to be with me right as he meets me.

Get to know him. You can give it a try, set boundaries on what you can handle and see. Calista purred, calming me enough to take deep breaths. I will support you in your decision, I only ask you give it a try.

* Present *

"Layla?" Naomi chirped from her closet doorway, bringing me back to the present.

"Sorry lost in thought. What did you say?" I quickly responded, embarrassed I was caught spacing.

Giggling she pointed to the bed. "Two options, I am going shopping today if you want to go look for a new one."

Going to the dresses I see two long beautiful evening gowns, both a shade of green.

Drake will be getting his suit today and Barrett will be joining him. Calista reminded me.

"Sure, It couldn't hurt to go shopping today." I join her in grabbing my bag and heading downstairs. She said she mindlinked the boys that we are leaving now and to get the car.

Going through the front door we see them standing by the car ready to go. Drake wrestled Naomi for the passenger seat as Barrett hugged me.

"Ready to go beautiful?" Barrett chest vibrated under my fingers sending tingled through my arms.

"Never truly ready to go shopping." I admit to him, something about crowds made my insides crawl.

"This time it's our family friend who is a private designer, so that way we don't have to go to a crowded place." Kissing my forehead through my loose hair he escorts me to the car.

For two weeks I've been around the three of them and had grown used to being around small groups of people.

Barrett was this big awkward person that would turn into a strong and fierce Alpha in front of the pack. He shared his views on the pack, he was only as strong as the pack is. The pack adores him and trusts his leadership.

Having been lost in thought I barely noticed we arrived at a large black building. There are a few other buildings around, looking just as intimidating.

The Valet took the car to the lot under the building as soon as we cleared it.

Before I could go to Barrett's side again Naomi rushed between us.

"Shopping rules for the events." She said in a clear voice as a matter of fact. "Shopping with the boys presence, isn't allowed. All reveals are for the big night." Squealing some more she rushes me into the building, I wave to the boys before they go to get what they need.

"Welcome Ladies!" A short petite lady with white straight hair greeted us.

"Good afternoon Auntie." Naomi smiled.

Looking between the two quickly I smiled and introduced myself.

"I am Layla, your work is beautiful." She waved her hand in front of her and shushed me.

"You may call me Auntie. I was informed it's two days until the event?" Her pale grey eyes had a strange green shimmer for a second.

"Yes, we were told to have it with the next full moon which is in two days." Naomi kept a relaxed smile on her face. "You are the only one we go to for these events."

"And it will be done with no problems." She clapped her hands leading us into a giant room filled with beautiful fabrics.

"The top of the line samples over here are what I'm thinking." She quickly grabs a book and pulled a tab to reach a particular material.

"These few are beyond any on this part of the world. I do not ask for any outstanding price for it, it will be the same as any of my past work." She reminds us of the rule on the expenses.

"As agreed before, any of the extra expenses would be going to donations." Naomi nodded.

After a few heart warming memories we looked through the samples and found the perfect materials.

We used similar materials to configure the idea of the dresses and how to make an impression in front of the pack.

After exchanging Champaign and discussing the shoes and jewelry we think would match.

Auntie wrote all the notes and place them down on the table next to her letting her short legs tuck under her.

"Layla dear." She gently got my attention. "The ceremony is for your relationship and the elders have an announcement? Is that correct."

"Yes, we have news along with Gramps." I sent my empty glass down on the table and cleared my throat. "Well it's not a secret, the Luna ceremony will be the main event. The Elders are pushing for an announcement after the ceremony."

"Well, I'll be there to support you both in your coming days." Gathering our things she wished us a good evening before heading to the back to work on the gowns.

"Feel real yet?" Naomi looped her arm in mine as we go to the valet.

"Not really, I never exactly saw myself leading a pack alongside an Alpha."