Jaguar Moon ; Redemption

The City

The city was bustling. It was so busy that it took Jax nearly an hour to fight through traffic. Layla and Lacey fidgeted impatiently as Jax parked their Suv near a huge building that looked like a hotel.

It obviously belonged to Aiden, the alpha leader of the city wolves. 

“Wow!” Layla looked around with her jaw agape as Jax escorted both she and Lacey up the steps to the back door of the posh hotel. As they entered, the two young women gasped in awe.

They were in a huge room, filled with people they had never seen before, wolves of all ages, both women and men, all dressed to the nines.

Everywhere Layla looked, women were wearing fancy ball gowns and men were wearing tuxedos. Layla had lived or worked in the city her whole life, but had never experienced the opulent side. This was all new to her, and she wanted to disappear in a cloud of dust.

“Oh no you don’t!” Lacey grabbed her arm. ”No disappearing acts tonight!”

“But, I don’t understand,” she countered, her golden eyes darting to and fro around the room. “This is a business function for Aiden apparently, and I don’t belong here!”

“This is a gala, for all the important people in the city…, and for Axel and Alex. They have invited us, so we must go in and be there for them.”

Just then, they stepped into the building through the double paned glass doors. An usher with a clipboard and an earpiece in his ear was waiting to meet them.”

“Names, “ he said in a gruff voice. He was dressed in a very expensive suit with a gun at his hip. Extra security for the ramped up event.

“Jax, Layla, and Lacey, of the Wildwood pack.” Jax stepped forward and said proudly.

“Oh yes, here you are...You may enter.” The usher/guard moved back, gesturing with his arm for the three to enter the ballroom.

“Oh, damn!” Lacey looked around with awe in her eyes. There in front of them was the most amazing site she’d ever seen, besides her alpha and fela changing into Aztec prince and princess.

People of all ages were gathered, mingling over drinks at various different tables, as they walked in. They parted and bowed their heads when Layla and Lacey came through.

Above them, dazzling chandeliers lit up the great room, and silver and blue velvety curtains adorned the floor to ceiling windows, the color of Aiden’s pack.

Just as Layla was realizing this, the city alpha stepped into view. He was a vision in his black tux with a blue bowtie, and Tonya at his side.

“Layla, Lacey,” he bowed his head at them, giving them a wink .He shook Jax’s hand.

“Welcome to my party, the both of you look amazing!”

Layla’s gaze fell to Tonya, who was wearing a deep blue gown that hugged her curves. Her dark hair was pulled up in a messy, eloquent bun on top of her head, with wisps falling down to frame her face, her blue eyes shining.

“Layla, so nice to see you again,” she smiled. Tonya had a glow about her, one that made anyone who didn’t know any better think the woman had never been through the trauma that Tonya had.

“Nice to see you too, Tonya,” Layla countered. Lacey let out a little growl, but eventually relented, and pulled her old friend in for a hug.

“Good to see you looking so well, Tonya,” she smiled.

“You too, Lacey. Glad to see you don’t want to kick my ass.” They both giggled as they broke through their icy exteriors, and started chatting about old times, things Layla knew nothing around.

“Layla,” Aiden called, ”Come with me.” He gently took her hand, locking her arm in his, and guided her through the sea of partying people.

“You look beautiful tonight,” he whispered as he led her through the room. ”You are the bell of my ball in that golden dress that matches your eyes,” he smiled.

“Better not let Axel hear you say that,” she gritted through her teeth, making Aiden chuckle.

“I can handle that jealous alpha of yours, princess. We have an understanding , he and I.”

“You do?”

“Yes,” he stopped in the middle of the floor. For the first time, Layla noticed everyone staring at her. She tried to hide the blush creeping up to her cheeks, as she slowly turned. Yes, everyone in the room had their eyes on her. 

“Why are they staring at me?”

“Like I said, you are the most beautiful creature here tonight. Not to mention many of my wolves have heard of the brave kitten who saved their luna.”

“But..”

“Rumors have spread wide through my territory that the kitten would show herself tonight, and here you are.”

“How do they know?” she asked

“My darling brothers have blown your cover, I’m afraid. Not to mention by your small stature and golden eyes, anyone who has seen you would know who you are.”

“Oh God,” she covered her face with her hands, trying to hide her embarrassment.

“Welcome to your party, Layla.” a familiar voice said, and she turned around to find the king himself, standing there with his queen.”

“Madden, Aeobheann,” Madden looked every bit the Scottish Highlander King, in his tuxedo top, and black and white tartan kilt. He bowed his beautiful head, and took Layla’s hand kissing it like the gentleman he was.

“Aye ,lass, ye look beautiful in gold, it is befitting of the jaguar princess. A smile crossed his ageless face as he turned to his gorgeous queen with her short red hair. Aeobheann herself was dressed in a dazzling purple gown, her ample cleavage showing. 

“Hello, princess,” she pulled Layla in for a warm hug. ”Axel will be beside himself when he sees you tonight!”

“Wait a minute, did you just say MY party?”

“Aye, Layla,” the king chuckled, “It took us long enough to arrange, but this is our thanks to you

for everything you have accomplished in your young life.”

“But I don’t deserve all this,”  she threw her hands out, gesturing to everything around her.

“Yes, you do, kitten.”

“Axel…” he was a handsome vision as he approached her, his copper hair, which had grown past his shoulders, tied back in a top knot, and his clean shaven face. His hazel eyes sparkled in the glittering light as he approached her in his form fitting tux, with a golden bowtie that perfectly matched her dress.

“Axel, how did you..” 

He covered her mouth with his before she could get another word out, then cupped her face in his hands as he beamed don at her.

“You are stunning, kitten,”

“T,thank you,” Layla stuttered .”But you shouldn’t have.”

“And why not?” Aiden approached, with Tonya at his side. ”You saved my mate, among other things, it’s an honor to celebrate your life, Jaguar Princess.”

Not for the first time tonight, Layla wished she had brought Chalci with her, but the big cat wanted to stay behind and play with Armour, whom Axel had also left behind. Chalci had a retort to any remark, but not Layla. Sometimes it was tough being the quiet one. Right now, Layla was speechless.