The woodsy smell of the forest filled my nose as well as the wet rain starting to pour. Even at that my running was inevitable, my paws hit the puddles, mud beginning to form. Nothing was going to stop me from running until I couldn't breathe. I didn't want to stop, not even when the rain started to pour harder, making my fur damper than before. Not even when the wind blew me back as if to taunt me, telling me to stop, that I deserved to feel the pain.

I deserved to feel the pain, instead of trying to push it away by punishing myself. As I ran deeper into the forest all I seen was Layla's terrified face, directed at me. Something I never wanted to see, something that made me feel so sick. I'm supposed to be her protector yet I am the one who terrified her. Terrified her by showing her that cruel image of me, an image she's lived through over and over.

When I first heard her scream I thought she hurt herself but, knowing Rachel did it. It pushed me over the edge, I was fed up. Never in my whole life had I put my hands on a women and I did it today, for Layla. Which is something I never want to do again, ever. I was just sick and tired of people hurting her I guess I lost it, she's mine and no one should lay a finger on her.

I will do anything to protect her.

At that thoughts of her beautiful face passed through my mind, like the day in the hall where I found her making her way to her room. Despite me telling her I was coming back.

"I know I just wanted to be in my own room and you were taking so long."

That quiet, angelic voice sounded in my ears as if she was right next to me. Then they drifted to the broken, scared one I heard merely minutes ago.

"L-Landon."

At that my legs pushed faster, Jake growling loudly as water could be heard from our paws landing in the mud. We didn't mean to lose control but, we did and we hurt Layla. I, we, can never forgive ourselves for that. While I ran more images of Layla played in my head like a flash flood.

The first morning she woke up next to me.

"Um.....good morning."

To the way her lips formed an adorable pout, as she read animal farm.

"I think when boxer dies it's upsetting."

Lastly the way her hands felt against my face as she held it in her hands when I told her about my father passing.

"I'm sorry."

I shook my head as I ran, I don't deserve her.

Thump!

My body went rigid and it raked with pain from the blow to my head. I had landed on my back, breathing in slow. In a slow motion I lifted myself up and turned to see what I hit, a tree. Fuck, did it hurt like a bitch too.

Jake's voice was heard, sounding completely and utterly defeated.

We did.

It was late at night when I decided to come home, I'm lucky I even let myself. Mere hours of running in the rain wasn't enough punishment to mend how I hurt my mate. The door creaked when it opened up and I shut it behind me, locking it. Nothing could be heard as I sniffed the air catching scent of Layla, in the living room. When I walked in, there she was huddled in a ball, her head on my mothers lap.

Both of them sound asleep, I wondered what they had talked about while I was gone. For them to be in such a comfortable position. I know I hurt my mother when I touched Rachel the way I did. The thought of her being disappointed in me, pained me as well.

"Landon." My mother's voice broke me from my distress, she lazily looked up at me.

"Mom." I said almost at a faint whisper, while our eyes locked.

The look in her eyes was soft, a small smile graced her face, "Sit." she whispered back, my eyes darting to Layla when she squirmed a bit.

The fire place crackled and I went to sit on the opposite couch in front of my mother. I had no idea what to say, she did though.

"When you left she had a panic attack." My heart raced at that, "She kept saying no, thought I was Brad." her hand caressed Layla's hair while she looked down at her.

I now had a sudden urge to grab her into my arms but, I don't deserve to.

"I was scared she would faint, she couldn't calm down." I wanted my mom to stop talking yet I kept telling myself I deserved to hear about what I caused for her, "But, one mention of your name and she started to, I figured talking about you brought her some stability so I might've spilled a little stories about you." My mom looked up giving me another soft smile.

Knowing my mate found comfort in me despite what I did just made me feel more in pain, I failed her, "Mom, I'm so, so, sorry." I managed to find my voice and tell her.

"I know you are but, I'm not the only one who deserves an apology." she was talking about Layla no doubt but, I knew she was also talking about Rachel.

My wolf growled,

That was a point, but, right now I just wanted Layla. I don't think she'd want to wake up in the same bed as me so I'd probably take her up to my room. While I slept down here. That's going to be such a pain.

With that I cleared my throat and stood up, "May I?" I asked my mom, motioning to her as she nodded her head

Once she got up with my help, without disrupting Layla, I took her spot, "Do you-" Before I could ask my mom if she needed help upstairs she was already walking away.

Huh.

My attention was turned to Layla when she whimpered. One of her hands found there way to the hem of my shirt and she gripped it, her body scooting closer to me. Like she knew I was here, especially since she gripped my shirt. A habit I find she does quite often. It made me feel content having her close again but, I still felt in pain from hurting her.

With a sigh I picked her up bridal style, her hand clinging to my shirt, forcing a groan down, I walked upstairs. Layla's scent surrounded me in ways I couldn't explain. As I made it to my room I was for once annoyed to see it because, I knew I couldn't be in it with her. Once I pulled back the covers I laid her down, in which her eyes flew open.

It was as if she had me locked in a trace, her arm was still around my neck while the other remained clutching my shirt. My right hand held me up as to not crush her small frame while my other was still around her back. I scanned her whole face, how flushed her cheeks were, her green eyes as they took in how close we were. To her pink, soft lips that were parted, her breathing slowed. Now if I'm being honest it had to be by far the sexiest thing I've ever seen.

The hand that was behind my neck slowly slipped away, to rest on my jaw, almost warily. An actual sigh of content left me when I felt her run her thumb across my cheek. My hand from her back slipped away to place it on the bed, trapping her between me. Those captivating eyes had me completely under her spell as they seemed to stare right through me. Yet even when I tried to even get a feel of her lips on mine she sank away from me.

God I knew it was a stupid move but, there was no way to stop myself from trying. The tiniest whimper came from her, making the pain ten times worse. With all my will I pulled away from her and she took her hands away. Silently, I pulled the covers over her and started to make my way out.

"Landon." her voice was soft and quiet but, there was an urgency to it that made me instantly stop.

I turned to look at her, where she was already sitting up, "W-where are y-you going?"

A soft smile spread across my face, "Just downstairs, I'm going to sleep on the couch, I thought you'd be more comfortable that way." I explained to her, she nodded slowly.

"O-okay." she breathed out, I nodded once and turning around leaving the room.

This girl, the one with those gorgeous emerald eyes, my mate.

Layla, will certainly be the death of me.