IMPORTANT - when Layton says bitch, they mean female dog/wolf. This is explained later in the book as to why he does this - he's NOT disrespecting Gemini!

Chapter Ten

Angrily, Layton stormed into the room. "What happened?" he growled out, furious. I had only been home a matter of minutes - but I was still crying from Andrea's humiliation. Seeing Layton was nice; he was a familiar for me.

I ran to him, and quickly flung my arms around him. Layton was shocked, and stood rigid for a few seconds, as I gripped his shirt and sobbed. But after a momentary pause, he picked me up and walked us over to the couch.

He didn't show any sympathy for me, simply held me close as I cried. My head buried itself in his nape, as I gripped his shirt - almost ripping it with how hard I held on. "The entire pack hate me" I wailed, my tears wetting Layton's shirt - yet, he didn't complain.

"No they don't" Layton told me, a fierceness in his voice.

"You're their Alpha Female, they adore and respect you. If they didn't, I would

kill them all. Now, tell me why you'd think like that?"

So, I told him what Andrea did. I cried as I told him, occasionally hiccupping in between words - the more I told him, the more I got upset. "They believed her, Layton, they all believed her" I finished.

"Get yourself cleared up" Layton snapped, angrily, as he moved me off his lap and stood up. I looked up at him, with confusion. "Go, change your clothes and sort your makeup out. And, get me a shirt while you're up there".

I did as I was told, and quickly changed. I grabbed Layton a dark blue shirt, and carried it down to him. He quickly changed his shirt, before grabbing my hand. "Layton, where are we going?" I asked, scared, as he pulled me towards the door.

Pausing, Layton turned to face me and cupped my cheeks in his large hands. "I am not going to allow Andrea to get away with this. I will make an example out of her. I'm going to set every member of this pack straight". He dropped his hands, before taking my arm and pulling me out the house.

We walked down to the Pack village; well, I walked, Layton's stormed. He was furious. I was nervous about what he had planned; I was terrified that he would make me responsible for someone's death. "Layton, you really need to calm down" I hissed, scared.

"No I don't. No one treats my mate like that". When we reached the village, Layton's grip on my hands tightened slightly. It neither reassured me, nor scared me. But, it made my worry increase. The village was busy; people everywhere. "Silence" Layton screamed - almost everyone cringed and submitted. I had to stop myself as well.

"Someone get me Andrea Falster, now" Layton ordered, "and I want every man, bitch and child here within the next three minutes. No matter what they are doing". His voice was loud, dominate and full of rage. He sounded like a true Alpha.

Layton was such a contrast from me; confident, direct, full of control and power. And I was the complete opposite. We were so different, yet, for some reason we kind of worked together.

Even if I things were complicated and confusing between us, it didn't mean that I didn't care for Layton or want to be with Layton. There were times - a lot of them - where I was terrified of him, but there were also times - a lot of them - where he showed me how much he cared about me, even if it was in the wrong way.

When the entire Pack was gathered, and Andrea was brought in front of us, Layton addressed everyone. "As every pack member here is aware, there was a lunch today arrange for all the females of the pack. As I'm sure most of you were aware, I took a mate recently. And my bitch - your Alpha Female - was there at lunch. However, today some of the females today took a disliking to my new mate". He gestured to me.

"One of the pack bitches decided to make her dislike towards my mate - towards her Alpha Female - very public knowledge. She made up spiteful lies, to hurt my bitch, and purposely spoke badly of her". He gestured to Andrea, who stood in front of Layton with scared eyes.

"Everything she said about my mate; the way she manipulated me into choosing her, the fact she falsified a pregnancy and how she is only out for my money. All of those are lies. First off, my mate and I met at the Mating Ceremony - for the first time. Second of all, my mate was a virgin before she met me. And lastly, my mate has spent none of my money - and I had to actually force her to allow me to let me to buy her clothing". A few pack males laughed, and even I smiled slightly.

"However" Layton continued, "even if these rumours were to be true - which they're not - my mate is still the Alpha Female. None of you would disrespect me like that, so never disrespect my mate like that. Understood?"

Everyone in the area nodded, before I heard a chorus of; "Understood, Alpha". There was a momentary pause, before Layton turned to Andrea.

"What you have done is inexcusable. So, now, you will be punished". Layton paused, looking at Andrea. Her red hair was messed, where she had fought with the pack members that brought her to us, and her eyes were wide and wet with unshed tears. She looked as scared as I first felt when Jacob pushed me into Layton; a few weeks back.

Layton raised his fist and punched. I flinched, shocked with his actions. Andrea screamed, before falling to the ground with a strangled cry. Layton's face was completely blank - emotionless and empty. He wasn't Layton then, he was the Blood Alpha.

Stepping forward, Layton advanced on Andrea and continued to beat her. His fist, his foot, his elbow and everyone other part of his body he could, he used to inflict pain on his former lover. I was tearing up as it happened - it was horrible to watch.

I glanced around the Pack members, and noticed how most of the She-Wolves and children were looking away. They also, couldn't stomach it. A few still watched, as did the males in the Pack. I had a feeling it was a normal occurrence for them all.

I looked at Layton and I realised something; he wasn't a mean person, he just had a vicious temper. Even though Layton had a straight face, I could see the fierceness in his beautiful green eyes. No one was as close to him as I was, so they couldn't see.

But I could, he was losing control. Andrea was unconscious, but he continued to beat her. His eyes were turning from angry, to wild. He was losing control over the little humanity he had.

I rushed to his side, and I saw a few males step forward in worry. "Layton" I whispered in a low voice, hoping no one else would hear. "Layton, that's enough. You'll kill her if you carry on" I hissed.

Layton paused, before he glanced at me. Blood had sprayed all over him - covering his outfit, hands and face. His knuckles looked bruised. He looked at me, really looked at me; as if it were the first time he was seeing me. Then, he stepped away from Andrea's unconscious and bloodied body. Her face was disfigured and bruised, I felt sick just looking at it.

I stopped the bile, rising in my throat, by swallowing it down. I turned to the man nearest us - it was Beta Strider. We weren't close, in fact I was scared of him. We'd only met once, but he'd threatened to beat me and I didn't like that. I didn't think our relationship was any better, but he was the closest to me.

"Get the pack doctor, she needs immediate treatment" I ordered. It was odd speaking to anyone like that, but I knew Layton was too angry to think of medical attention for Andrea. But, I may have not liked her, but that didn't mean I wanted her dead.

Beta Strider frowned, not looking happy with me telling him what to do. "Yes, Alpha Female Vetteriano" he replied - through harshly gritted teeth. He turned away, to locate the doctor. I quickly turned back to Layton, and took his bloodied hand.

"Let's go" I pleaded. Layton nodded, and we left the village. It was a silent walk home, a heavy tension between the two of us. When we reached home, I could tell Layton was back to normal - which relaxed me greatly.

Layton headed towards the lounge, but I pulled his hand back. He froze, giving me a look of confusion, before I pulled him in the direction of the bathroom. "Let me clean you up" I said. Layton nodded, and I pulled him after me.

I sat Layton on the bathtub rim, before grabbing a cloth and running it under the water. I stepped up to Layton, and began to wash the blood off his face. Even sitting on the bathtub, he was taller than me - but only slightly.

He was watching me closely, analysing my every move. Reaching out, Layton slipped his arms around my waist. He pulled me close. Our faces were mere inches apart, our breathing getting mingled together.

"She deserved that" he told me, hot breath fanning over my face.

"I know" I replied. Layton ignored me, and carried on as if I hadn't said anything.

"She deserved that, and so much more. She deserved to die in the most horrible ways for what she said". He paused, taking a deep breath. "You are an angel. You're so good, and pure, and kind, and sensitive. You're an angel. And she's nothing but a devious, lying, little-"

"Layton calm down". I dropped the cloth and took Layton's face in mine - the hint of stubble tickling my fingers. His green eyes held an emotion I had never seen in Layton before. Vulnerability.

"You fit" he whispered to me, resting his forehead against mine. "You fit with me, it was meant this way. You fit".

The following morning, I woke up in Layton's arms. Usually he was gone by the time I awoke, but that morning he stayed. My head rested against his chest, as his arms were wrapped around my waist. "Morning" Layton said, as I turned to smile up at him.

"You stayed late today, I'd thought you'd be at the office" I grinned, "not that I'm complaining". I couldn't deny that I enjoyed being in Layton's company. It was the first time - since the Mating Ceremony - that I was happy that Layton had chosen me. I was glad he was my mate.

"I wanted to stay with you this morning" he replied, pushing a strand of my hair away from my face. "I was supposed do some important paper work today" he laughed. It was nice to hear him laugh.

"But?" I giggled.

"But I decided that you were much more important than that 'important' paper work". Pushing my hair behind my ear, he held my face. I giggled slightly - I liked when Layton was like that.

"Well, how about we start the day with breakfast in bed?" I suggested, leaning up to run my hands through his dark hair.

"I think that would be prefect" he nodded. I smiled, before leaning up and pressing a kiss to his cheek. I blushed brightly, before climbing out of the bed and heading downstairs to the kitchen.

As I began to make the breakfast, I heard movement on the stairs. "It's not breakfast in bed, if you're not in bed" I commented, as the bacon sizzled in front of me. Layton chuckled, as his arms went around me. He placed a kiss on my neck. I turned around to face him, he kept his hands on my hips.

I realised - in that moment - how good my life had become. When I used to think of my mate, I thought of someone who took care of me. And Layton did that. When I used to think of my mate, I thought of someone who cuddled me in the morning. And Layton did that. When I used to think of my mate, I thought of someone who I wanted to spend every day with. And that was Layton.

With that realisation, I smiled up at Layton. He just looked at me with wide eyes. "What?" I asked, suddenly worried.

"You're feeling desire for me, real desire" he smiled brightly. It was the first time I had ever seen him smile fully - he was beautiful when he smiled like that. "You want me" he whispered; speaking more to himself than me.

I chuckled slightly, before reaching up to cup his cheeks. "Yes, Layton, I want you". Then, he kissed me.