Wrapped in My Enemy’s Arms

Chapter Eight

Ayla’s POV

All I could think about was him—my mate. Every rational thought, every attempt to control my wolf fell apart when he was near. My mind screamed for restraint, but my body had its own urgent need.

I tried so hard to keep it in, but my restraint exploded the moment he got near me.

Earlier today, a storm of emotions had raged through me: anger, then bitter hatred, especially after overhearing Kael speak with that old man. That hatred had twisted into pain, then sadness and now uncontrollable desire– all directed at the man the goddess chose to be mated to me.

I didn’t notice when I rose to my feet and grabbed Kael by his shirt before slamming my lips into his.

Something raw, primal and scorching rose from within me as my mouth found his. Every nerve in my body came alive. It was exactly what I needed, a release I didn’t realize I had been starving for.

“Ayla… you’re not in your right senses. No!” Kael snapped, pushing me back.

“This is just part of your awakening symptoms. You don’t mean it!”

On hearing this, my body calms for a moment. I glanced around and spotted Kiara standing in the corner, hands folded across her chest and an unreadable expression on her face.

She nods once. And at that moment, every wave of desire in me was washed away and was replaced by embarrassment.

I almost see a small smile form on Kael’s lips. Was he seriously finding this amusing?

“Ohh, I—I’m sorry” My cheeks grew warm.

When they leave the room, I run straight into my bed and scream directly into my pillow.

This damn wolf in me.

I shouldn’t have let my wolf accept him as my mate. Mistakes like that carried grave consequences and now that he knows I’ve accepted his bond, I’d have to share his emotions with him and so many things I don’t care to know about that man.

I clean up the mess in my room and proceed to the kitchen to get some food.

As I walked down the hallway leading to the kitchen, I kept getting stares and people kept murmuring.

It’s not something new to me but I low-key had faith in starting afresh in this place.

“If you move too close to her, she might curse you” Someone said to another as they walked past me.

I catch Sebastian’s scent in the air before I see him coming.

He stops at my front, I try to pass by him but he only blocks me from walking again.

“What do you want from me?” I snap, with my arms folded on my chest.

“I need to talk to you.”

“Well, I don’t have anything to say to you so can you get out of my sight now?” I replied.

“I know I’ve wronged you but can we please talk this out. I’m sorry” He whispers the last two words.

“Look, just hear me out. I have something important to tell you” his eyebrows draw together and he puts on that face he always does when he wants me to do his bidding.

Sebastian led me to a secluded corner, and when we were finally alone, I turned to face him.

“What is so important and secretive that you have to bring me here ?” I questioned, pointing my hand around.

Sebastian’s lips formed a coy smile, my instincts immediately screamed danger but the moment I turned to leave, I was stopped by two men who I could sense were wolves and behind them was Cian.

Shit.

I turned back towards Sebastian,

“Sebastian, I need to leave right now,” I say pointing towards the exit.

“Or what?” The hoarse voice came from behind.

“You’ll do us like you did your best friend?” Cian said with a smirk. They all laughed in response.

Tears had begun brimming in my eyes—but no, I didn't let them fall.

Cian rushed towards me from behind, but before he could land a blow, I dodge and turn to him before sending my fist right into his face. He staggered backwards and this time, the other two guys he came in with ran towards me— but before they reached me, I slid past the first guy and managed to land a blow on the second.

Cian claps slowly, then wipes the corner of his lips which was now dripping red.

“You know, I’ve been taking it easy on you, rankless b***h!” He growled

“But you’re the one with the busted lips” I return.

At this point I could almost see smoke coming out of his nose. His breathing paced.

I shouldn’t have made him angrier but I wasn’t going to make him think he was going easy on me.

Cian rushed towards me, and just as I was about to run again, Sebastian held me by my arms. I hadn’t noticed when he got behind me.

“Sebastian, release me now!” I mutter through clenched teeth.

But before I could think twice, I was on the ground, Cian’s palm struck my right cheek, swinging my face to the left.

I tried to free myself but the other two men had joined Sebastian to hold me down, leaving me exposed to Cian.

Metallic taste filled my mouth and my vision was dulling after taking several hits from Cian, but when I saw Cian loosening the belt on his trousers, panic clawed up my throat so I mustered strength to break free… but they didn’t budge.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle and qui—“

He didn’t complete the statement when he was sent flying into a nearby wall.

“You dare disobey your alpha?” Kael roared. I could hardly see his face but he looked different. His eyes glowed red and his hands were tightly fisted.

Cian stood up and fell to his knees,

“Forgive me Alpha. She started it—“

Kael turns to me and picks my almost lifeless body from the ground.

“Take them.” Kael says to Riian who I didn’t notice before. Riian responds with a nod and I look into Kael’s eyes.

His eyes softened, “I’m sorry, Mate.”

I tried to speak but my vision finally faded.