Layla Twist

Chp. 19 Innocent

* Layla Twist *

Naomi and I take off out of the room to go get breakfast, leaving the guys to sleep a bit more. While blasting Michael Jackson through the kitchen, we twirl around making a mess with flour and sugar. Berries scattered on the surfaces.

After maybe an hour of goofing off and dusting flour off our clothes we finally were finishing up with the food.

Drake comes tumbling down the stairs in just his PJ pants still looking asleep.

"Good morning sunshine!" Naomi giggled grabbing plates while I finished cooking the rest of the sausage.

"We were awake 4 hours ago. How are you so cheerful?" He grumbled while starting to make his plate.

"Morning." Barrett comes jogging down the stairs wearing a suit and tie.

"Morning, when do you start?" I asked leaning into his side hug before he grabbed two plates going for the food.

"Really two plates?" Naomi complained before going to serve herself behind him.

"One is for Layla, so she doesn't have to. I already know what she eats." Shrugging he continues to place my usual breakfast on a plate. "The Alpha's from allied packs are arriving throughout the day. I don't really have any times."

Sitting down with the plates all full He waits for me to sit before eating. Drake waited to eat as well, a rule enforced by their parents that they have grown to appreciate, family eats together.

With the last of the sausage cooked I turn off the stove top and take my seat.

Looking at my plate I see Waffle, sausage, bacon and eggs neatly assorted with a small little pile of fried potatoes in the middle.

My appetite has grown over the last few days, shifting really changes your metabolism, but I still don't eat as much as the guys or Naomi.

Halfway through our plates Barrett groans and stands up before talking.

"Sorry, the first of the Alpha's have arrived for tomorrow. You can keep eating, I have a few meetings to attend with him before showing him around." Giving me a kiss on the head and telling Drake to get showered and dressed he went to greet his guest.

Fumbling with my food Naomi waits for Drake to excuse himself and take care of the finished plates.

"What's wrong Layla?"

"Will the other Alphas have an issue with me?" Ever since being released from the hospital I can't stand crowds and lash out when people touch my back.

"Won't I make him look bad, as Luna?"

"Oh shut up." Standing from her place she drags me out of the room. "Let's go to the park."

We were dressed in jeans and a sweater, grabbing boots and overcoats to go for a walk in the snow.

Once we make it to the park we sit on the bench cleared of the white powder.

We watched the children of all ages play on the playground for a few minutes. They wore many layers to play, when they get their wolf and with that connection they will soon find themselves no longer needing to worry about big jackets and pants.

"Are you worried about the pack judging you?" Naomi quietly asked. She was entranced by two little girls dancing on the side.

"I know people will judge me, there is no way around." Quickly going to finish my thought I see the girls laughing as they tumble. "I never expected this life, the changes, but through it all I still have you and Drake. Meeting Barrett is a fairytale, I don't want to mess it up."

"You won't."

We discuss the ceremony and how to work on my anxiety for an hour before deciding to go back. We have an early dinner to host for the Alpha's who have arrived up to that point.

"Miss!" A tiny voice stopped us.

Turning around I see one of the girls run up with her big puffy jacket.

"Miss, my mommy said you will be dressing like a princess for us." She pointed proudly to a very embarrassed lady standing on the side.

"How old are you?" I asked, She had these cute blonde space buns on either side of her head.

"I'm 6!" She holds up her fingers proudly. "My name is Sophie."

"Good Morning Sophie." Smiling down at her, I hold out my hand shaking her small one. "I'm Layla, I will be dressing up for you, I hope I can meet princess standards for you."

She giggled clapping her hands hopping in place as a piercing scream rings through the park.

Naomi immediately crouched down growling.

"Layla, run!" She darts past me intercepting a wolf aiming for Sophie.

She shifts into her wolf tackling the rogue to the ground.

Screaming erupts from every person around. Rogues come running from different directions scattering the pack members.

"Sophie!" Running towards the girl I shake off the dazed state and scoop her up trying to get to her mom. Two wolves noticed me and forced me to retreat into a different direction.

Rushing towards the pack houses I shift around a corner grabbing Sophie by her jacket in Calista's jaw. She held her nose up high keeping the girl away from the ground.

Letting Calista Run through the snow we reach the pack house in 15 minutes. Pack warriors rushed past taking on the rogues that tailed me. I see Barrett with another man rush around the house sporting the n**e.

"Calista?" Barrett gently grabbed the girl making sure she was okay.

Before I could shift back she rushed towards the stranger.

"Daddy!" He held her close giving her a kiss on the head.

"Sophie let's go inside, Mom will be here soon." Nodding a 'thanks' to me, he carried his daughter inside.

"Naomi helped clear out the rogues." Barrett ignored the lack of clothes and pulled me into his arms taking deep breaths. "Thank you for coming here of all places." My stomach fluttered lightly before I remember.

"They chased me away from her Mom. Why wasn't the alarm sound?"

"I don't know, I'll have Drake help me look into it. Right now we need to get ready for dinner." Standing straight he picked me up bridal style. He kept his Grey-Green eyes on mine the whole time.

"It's not that late is it?" I try to focus on anything but his arms on the scars or the lack of clothes.

"The park is an hour walk from the pack house, you were gone while I was in a meeting at the start of the attack.." Chuckling he lightly squeezed with his fingers. "Calista carried Sophie the whole way back." His chuckle sent vibrations sent tingles through my side.

The strong smell of oranges tingled my nose, being so close makes me feel alive and relaxed all in one.

"You keep making that face." Entering the house he carried me up the stairs to my room.

"It's just a face." Setting me down I gather my things for a shower.

"I gotta go get ready. See you soon my love." He left the room without saying anything else.

He would always leave my room without a response from me. I know when I see him next just what to say:

'One more night until forever, Love.'