Those all too familiar brown eyes met my own and I couldn't believe it, it was the one and only girl who's ever stood up for me.

Her once brunette bob cut was now grown out passed her shoulders. She looked older than the last time I seen her and much more taller. Then realization hit me, Dawn was her daughter. No wonder she reminded me so much of her.

Her eyes went to Dawn who was probably asleep in my arms by now. And that's when she opened the door for me allowing me to step through while she shut it.

"Oh gosh, is she okay, what happened?" she rushed out seeming in panic mode.

I seen a black couch so I slowly laid her down, "Um, nothing." I turned around to face her, "She fell and hurt her knee but, it doesn't look too bad so I uh-"

My words stopped mid sentence when she hugged me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. I was awestruck and didn't understand what to do. Nor did I have the voice to tell her she was squishing me.

Mia mumbled, clearly not liking this sudden show of affection.

The girl quickly caught my energy and backed away from me frantically, "I am so sorry, I just, wow." she sighed looking at me, "I didn't think I'd see you ever again and you're here."

It confused me because, I thought the same thing, although we were in the same pack. Since that day I've never seen her, not one glimpse. But, it makes sense as this house was far from the pack house. And I had no business anywhere really outside of it at the time.

"Yeah, me either." I said, surprise evident in my tone her eyes eyeing me up and down.

"I'm Genevieve, I don't think we've ever got the chance to properly meet." she smiled, her eyes shined with envy while looking at me.

"I'm Layla." I replied, with a small smile.

"I know." she grinned goofily, "You look amazing." she complimented.

Before her expression diminished into sadness, "I'm sorry, that I couldn't help you more than what I did." she muttered, shamefully, "The guys and the girls they uh, their terrible people." her face flashed with pain.

My eyes widen at her apology but, then my mind clouded with thoughts at her last exclaim. I studied how she looked when she said those words. It was like she knew from experience.

"You said something and for me that was enough so thank you Genevieve." I replied gratefully, her face still morphed into pain, "D-did they do something to you?" I asked quietly.

She slowly nodded her head and my heart dropped. I couldn't believe my ears. Then she sat on one of the sofa chairs motioning for me to sit in the other.

"I was eighteen that day I said something, after that for months they'd torment me, using me as an example, they'd do minor things like push me while walking past me, say awful words, trip me." My lips parted in shock, "I couldn't take it, so I stayed away from the pack house all together, moved in here with my grams."

I instantly shook my head and grabbed her hand in my own comfortingly. Her eyes met mine and I felt so sick. They did this to her all because, she helped me.

"I'm sorry Genevieve, if you didn't help me they wouldn't of-"

"Don't apologize please, I only got a sliver of what they did to you, at first I was mad at myself but, then I realized, they did it because, they knew I was right, they should have left you alone." she repeated the same words she had said that day.

This was just unbelievable, it hurt me to know she got hurt for helping me. The room felt cold and sad, so I decided to change the mood. My eyes drifting over to Dawn.

"She looks like you." I said softly.

She chuckled a bright smile coming to her face after seeing Dawn, "Yeah, she got the hair color from her dad though." she rolled her eyes, "After I moved in with my grams, we had gotten new pack members and one so happened to be my mate, I guess you could say we got busy." she laughed and my cheeks flushed at the thought of Landon and I doing it.

But, they got way to hot for my liking, it was like my face was near a bonfire. Then it spread to my arms, legs, stomach. Everywhere felt hot and within seconds, it felt like my whole body was on fire. I fell back against the sofa chair releasing a groan of pain. It hurt, it was like needles prickling my skin pinching at it every second.

Mia stated sarcastically but, I couldn't be bothered with her humor right now.

It felt like someone was throwing acid at me and giving me shots all at the same time.

"Holy shit, luna are you okay?" Genevieve hopped up to examine me before her eyes widen, "Oh wow um, okay, you're um, this is just, wow." she stumbled over her words, releasing a breath of air while I scratched at my clothing.

It was too hot for these, they needed to come off, wait what am I saying, "What, what's happening to me?" I whimpered out, hunching over to clutch my stomach.

"I'm pretty sure you're in heat, you and alpha Landon haven't mated yet?" she asked, like it was the most absurd thing in the world and I shook my head.

This is what a heat feels like, when I overheard people talking about it. I thought they over exaggerated. But, this, this truly was no exaggeration. A loud painful scream came from me as I reached to the hem of my shirt to take off but, she grabbed my hands.

"Woah, there, okay, let's get you to your ma-"

Suddenly, a loud bang was heard followed by a growl that I knew all to well. I whimpered because, my head was clouded with want for him. My body and I wanted every single part of our skin to be touched by Landon. Genevieve's face was speechless as she looked behind me. Then the person I wanted came into my view.

"Landon." I whimpered, looking into his dark eyes, his jaw locked in frustration.

His whole frame was rigid and he quickly picked me up bridle style and my body simmered down. The heat not so painful but, bearable. I curled myself into him as I felt him walk out of the house. On the way I seen the door broken off it's hinges, hanging against the wall. Landon smelled so good, without thinking my lips met his neck with a kiss.

"Layla." he growled and I whimpered realizing what I did so I stopped but, the pain didn't.

I hid myself in his neck, occasionally peeking over his shoulder seeing pack members eyeing us. Some had darkened gazes on me, but, they were all guys. I closed my eyes digging my head into his neck placing my lips against his neck again. My body was sizzling with fire and only Landon could help me. He hissed at the contact but, didn't object so I continued.

The rational part of me was saying stop, that this could seriously lead to sex. But, that's what I wanted or was that just the heat and Mia speaking. Once I seen we turned into the stone path that lead to his house, I squirmed. Tightening my grip on him as he had started jogging to the house. I moaned, a full force of heat hitting me like a brick to the face.

"Landon." I whined, and he kicked open our door with his foot before shutting it behind him.

Then in a swift motion he moved me around to his front so my legs wrapped around his waist. And my arms went around his neck so he could smash his lips to mine. While he carried me upstairs, my lips moved with his at a hungry pace. My hips pushing against his, up and down trying to gain some relief. It was like I wasn't even conscious of my actions all I knew was it felt right.

"Baby." he groaned against my lips, the heat I felt not so extreme as he kissed me.

I didn't even realize we were in the room until my back hit the soft bed. He stood in front of me taking me in, roaming his eyes all over my body. Which felt extremely painfully on fire. I clutched at the blankets, squirming around, a whimper leaving my lips.

"Landon." I begged, reaching for him but, he shook his head.

"I can't, I don't want to do this with you if you just want it because, you're in heat." he looked pretty torn his eyes switching colors.

The way he shook as if controlling himself told me everything. His stare held a pained look while watching me.

"Please." I cried out, another wave of heat crashing into me, prickling my skin.

"Damn it." he yelled, hovering over me and kissing my lips, his hands roaming around my body to give me relief, "I need to know right now that you want this, if not I'll do other things to help you but, I want you to want this even without the heat." he explained, kissing down my neck fast.

I didn't even have to think because, "I want you."

And I did, mind, body, and soul.

😞