Jaguar Moon ; Redemption

The Surprise

“Come on kitten,” Axel took Layla by the arm, guiding her through the sea of people.

“Axel, wh, where are we going?”

“Why to have dinner, of course,” he smiled down at her. Layla looked around in awe as Axel led her to a table in the middle of the room. .A table for two. It was adorned with a wine colored tablecloth, different than all the other tables which were covered in white cloth.

“For my princess,” he lifted her hand to his, planting a soft kiss on top of it, then pulled out the chair for her.

All around Layla, other couples were streaming in, taking their seats at their reserved tables.

“This is amazing!” Layla gushed, ”How did you get all these people together?”

“We’ve been planning this for a while, kitten,” Axel brushed his lips against hers, then sat down across from her, pouring her a glass of red wine.

That was one of the perks of being in with a bunch of wolves-they didn’t go with the age of twenty one for drinking. If eighteen was old enough to vote and go to war, it was good enough to partake in alcoholic beverages. Layla wasn’t about to complain, as she had come to love any form of red wine. It didn’t hurt that it calmed her nerves either, and she would need that tonight.

Dinner was delicious, with a three course meal followed by dessert, and yes, more wine. All night, members of the city pack as well as the Highlanders came up and either introduced themselves, or said hi to Layla.

 She stiffened when Adam and Ian approached.

“Hey, kitten,” Adam’s face lit up as he hugged her, but Ian stayed behind his older brother, obviously afraid Axel may tear his head off.

“Hey Adam,” Layla blushed when Adam kissed her hand, with Axel emitting a low growl behind her.

“Here we go,” she muttered under her breath, but instead of causing a ruckus, Axel let out a hearty laugh. ”Hey you two,” he shook Adam’s hand, and scowled at Ian.

“I trust you aren’t here to try and steal my mate away from me this time,” he raised a brow at Ian.

“No,” the young wolf shook his head, ”I am here to apologize to the both of you, especially you, Layla,” he looked at her with sad puppy dog eyes as he stepped in front of his brother. .”Layla, I am so sorry for the way I acted and what I put you through, I only hope you can forgive me in time. I can see that Axel is your true mate, and I should not have interfered. I not only shortchanged you, I lost a good friend. I see that now.”

He hung his head, turning to leave, only to be grabbed and pulled into a hug by Layla.

“I forgive you, Ian,” she said with tears in her golden eyes, “Besides, I missed my friend too!”

“Alright,” Axel chuckled, “I’m glad we’ve all made up, but they are clearing the dance floor, and I want to have the first dance with the woman of the hour. He held out his hand to her, “Layla, come,”

She gave him a wicked grin as she took his hand, and let him lead her to the dance floor.

“Is my big bad wolf calming down?” She asked as he pulled her in close for a slow dance.

“Maybe,” he grinned, “Besides, I am starting to realize you only have eyes for me.”

“Well duh, you big dummy,” she laughed, ”I love you, and only you. Thank you for the party by the way.”

“You’re welcome, kitten, and I love you too….Speaking of, I believe some people have some things to say about you..”

Layla turned her head to the stage that was set up in the front of the ballroom. The lights came on, and Madden appeared, looking all regal in his kilt.”

“Hello everyone,” he said in his lilting Scottish accent. “We are here to celebrate someone near and dear to us! Layla,” he gestured to her, “Come on up here lass, let us celebrate your young life and how you have affected us all.”

Layla covered her head with her hands, blushing crimson as Axel led her up the stairs and onto the stage, where the spotlight was on her.”

“Don’t leave me,” she begged.

“I won’t, kitten.”

“Well,” Madden smiled as he spoke into the mic, ”It seems Axel will be with us as well, supporting his lovely mate.”

For what seemed like forever to Layla, different people came up on the stage, singing her praises. From Liam to Aiden and Tonya, they all told stories of how Layla had affected their lives.

Though it embarrassed her, it was a fitting tribute to Layla, including Miyo and Papa Bear giving details of raising an unruly teenager in a biker gang, to her stint as the kitten, effectively blowing what little cover she had.

When she thought everyone was done, and turned to walk off the stage, Madden stopped her.

“Not yet, lovely Layla,” he smiled a predatory smile, ”There is one last person who would like to say a few words about you.”

She was utterly speechless when Axel took the mic from Madden and turned to face her, taking her by the hand.”

Layla,” he started, and she wondered if Axel was nervous for the first time in her life, “before I met you, I was going through the motions of life, with blinders on.”

She turned to look out into the crowd, who were listening intently as Axel went on.

“That was, until a certain little spitfire wound up in my hospital, running for her life. “ He looked down on Layla with pride in his eyes.

“You were wild, and impulsive, smart and savvy, and within a few days, you had stolen my heart.”

Everyone in the crowd clapped as Axel rained praises down upon her.

“You have saved my life and stood by my side when no one else would, and I love you…”

“Wait a minute,” she thought to herself. This was starting to sound like more than just a speech about her.

“The time we spent together at Madden’s cabin will always be a memory I will cherish, and I am proud to call you my mate, but I want more.”

Layla nearly fell backwards when Axel bent to one knee, “Layla Del Gato, will you marry me?”

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small blue box. When he popped it open, Layla gasped. In it was a ring adorned by a huge square golden topaz, adorned on the sides by sparkling diamonds.

Layla, once again speechless, covered her mouth in surprise as tears sprang forth from her golden eyes.

She knew Axel loved her, but maybe she wasn’t aware how much. Since they had come back from Highlander territory, things had been no picnic, with Axel being jealous, and not letting her out of his sight. Maybe she realized why now. Maybe, just maybe, all of his crazy actions had been leading up to this moment; a moment she never expected to come. 

As if he read her mind Axel spoke up, ”Yes, I’ve been nervous, planning all of this for you. I wanted it to be perfect, and I was afraid, for some reason, that someone would steal you right out from my nose before I could get you here. I love you Layla, please forgive me for being an ass. I promise you, that from now on, I will be a loving husband and partner to you, if you will have me.

She could see his eyes glossing over as he said those words to her. ”What do you say, Layla? Will you be my wife? I know you’re young, but we are supposed to be together for the rest of our lives. I know it’s already official, but let’s celebrate it! Will you marry me,  kitten?

“Yes!” she pulled him up into his arms as the whole place erupted in cheers.

He stood tall as he placed the ring on Layla’s shaking finger.

He and Layla turned to the crowd, and everyone bowed to them as they clapped.

“‘Thank you, Axel,” she tiptoed, and whispered in his ear ,”For everything.”

“You’re welcome, beautiful, now let’s go home and celebrate..”