I couldn't get my words out. I was in utter shock – Layton had a girlfriend. The Blood Alpha had a girlfriend, and her name was Andrea. The woman was beautiful, perfect even, I was nothing compared to her. Nothing.

"H-his girlfriend?" I stuttered out, tears filling my eyes. I was so confused and hurt. If Layton already had a girlfriend, then why did he choose me? Why force me to be his mate, if he already loved someone else? I was so confused and scared.

"Yes, I'm his girlfriend" she nodded. She had a cold smirk on her face – she could see how much she was hurting me, and she was getting some sort of sadistic pleasure from it. "And even though you are his mate, he only did that because if he didn't choose someone – then he may have lost his title".

"What do you mean?" I sniffed.

"The Alpha's of the other packs were saying that an Alpha can't be without an heir or a mate. So therefore if he didn't chose at the Mating Ritual he would be removed as Alpha" she told me, smirking smugly. "He chose you because you're weak and he can manipulate you. It's that simple".

"I don't think Alpha Vetteriano would do that". A few rouge tears slipped out of my eyes. I was scared – if Layton didn't want me, then how long would he put up with me and my obsessions.

"Oh, but sweetie, he would" Andrea replied. Even though she called me sweetie, she didn't seem nice – she was condescending. She looked to be in her mid to late twenties; older than both me and Layton, yet she looked at me as if I was small child who didn't understand her.

"Why did he choose you then?" I asked bravely, scared for her answer.

"I'm older than Layton, so I was already chosen by someone else when we met. But my mate is dead now, and we were supposed to be happy and together. Then, he was told he'd lose his Alpha position – so he chose you".

Pushing past me, she walked into the room. I squeaked in shock as she strolled casually into Layton's house and took a seat on the couch. I didn't want to be left alone with Andrea; she scared me and what she was telling me just made me upset.

I ducked into the kitchen, and was surprised to find a note from Layton on the fridge. 'Any problems call me – L'. Under the scribbled text was a phone number. Taking Layton's phone from the stand, I dialled the number.

"Alpha Vetteriano speaking" Layton's voice boomed out. I jumped at how scary and dominant he sounded.

"It's me, Gemini" I squealed, scared again. It wasn't right to be scared of Layton, he was my chosen mate, yet I was terrified of him.

"I told you only to call me if there was a problem. Is there a problem?"

"Alpha Vetteriano, I'm sorry to bother you...but there is a woman here...Andrea". My voice was small and hesitant. There was a long drawn out pause on the other end of the phone, then Layton sighed.

"Andrea, my girlfriend. Yes, she won't hurt you" he told me. I gulped, a few tears falling. Andrea wasn't lying, she really was Layton's girlfriend. "But, I can see how this could be problematic, I'll be back soon". Then the phone cut off. The dialling tone rung in my ear and I put the phone down.

Awaiting Layton was terrifying. I was so scared he was going to tell me that everything Andrea said was true – that I was only chosen to ensure Layton's Alpha position. It saddened me and I felt more tears spilling. I just wanted to go to home – to Jacob, to my mother, to Donald.

When Layton returned, I still hadn't left the kitchen. I heard the front door slam, and heavy footstep walking inside. "Gemini, get in here. Now" Layton shouted, and I ran out to the lounge.

Layton looked annoyed, his jaw set and hard. He wore a black suit; which was tight over his muscled, tight, body. He looked good, scary, but good. As I walked up towards him, Andrea stood up and strutted up to us. "Layton, baby" she smiled.

"You've never called me baby before, stop trying to make Gemini jealous" Layton stated, glaring straight at Andrea. The woman looked slightly taken back by his directness, but I couldn't help but feel slightly smug. Although it still stung to know that Layton and Andrea were in fact dating.

"Now, let's get everything straight here because I have work to do" Layton growled. He turned to me, "Andrea was my girlfriend, get over it". Then he turned to Andrea, who looked smug. "Gemini is my chosen mate, not you. So leave".

I wasn't sure who was more surprised by his words; me or Andrea. Her mouth fell open, and her eyes were in shock. She hadn't expected Layton's words; and neither had I. "But, you wanted me to give you an heir" she shouted.

Layton shrugged, "I was out of options, and I did need a pup to take over as heir. I do need an heir. But, Gemini will give me a pup. She is my chosen mate, not you".

"But she is weak" Andrea screamed, her face going red in anger. "I heard the pack saying how she only scored a two for her strength. A two! That's pathetic, why the hell would you want to be with her over me?"

Her words hurt, and my bottom lip trembled. Layton noticed my upset, and growled at Andrea. "You made my mate upset" he snapped at her, "now leave. If you return I will rip your throat out with my teeth". To get his point across, Layton let out a deep menacing growl.

Tears spilled from Andrea's bright eyes, and stained her made up face as they ran. She turned to me, nostrils flaring in anger. "I'm sorry" I told her – more out of impulse than anything else.

"Screw you" she shouted, before turning on her heel and storming out Layton's house. The Alpha didn't seem even fazed by her reaction, and still looked completely emotionless. It was scary, it unnerved me. If a scene like that didn't call up some emotion to his face, then I didn't know what would.

"I have work to get to" Layton told me, "don't leave the house". Then, he left.

I watched him leave in shock; I wasn't sure what to say or how to feel. Should I have been upset, jealous or upset? I didn't know, so I just sat down on the couch and thought about everything.

I felt bad for Andrea. I didn't think she was a bad person, maybe a little condescending, but not a bad person. Layton had been her boyfriend, and Layton had said he wanted her to have his pups. Yet, as soon as he chose me; he dumped her without a second thought. I honestly felt sorry for her.

Frowning, I wondered whether Andrea had been right about Layton only choosing me because he would lose his title otherwise. I questioned it, in my head, and it made sense. He didn't really want me around, so it wouldn't have surprised me. But, then, if that had been true why didn't he just take Andrea as a mate. I would have to ask Layton.

I turned on the television, and watched a movie or two until lunch time came around. After that I got bored and went exploring around the giant house. I looked through the large bedrooms, and the numerous bathroom, before I found a big library.

I explored some more, before I got tired of walking around the house. And decided to take a bath in one of the large bathrooms I saw. I filled the hot water with a range of scented products. The bath was steaming, with soft bubbles on the top of the water.

I took my clothes off, and slipped into the scolding water. I cringed at first, but quickly got used to the heat and relaxed. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the rim. I continued to think about Layton and Andrea as I bathed.

The water was cold by the time I thought about getting out. But, before I had the chance, the front door slammed shut. "Gemini?" Layton shouted, and I froze. I hadn't brought any clothes with me into the bathroom. I hadn't expected to be so long in the shower. "Gemini, where are you?" he shouted, angrier that time.

"I'm in the bath, Alpha Vetteriano" I shouted back.

"It's Layton" he grumbled back, as I heard him shuffling outside the door. I quickly got up and wrapped a towel around me. The material was thin and only covered half of my body – I grimaced, but I was glad it covered all the essential parts. "Are you coming out or not?" Layton growled in annoyance.

"Yes, but I...um..." I trailed off, not sure if I had the confidence to walk out in such a skimpy cover.

"But what?" Layton snapped. I didn't reply, simply blushed brightly. "Gemini, you better answer my damn question before I break this door down".

"I'm not decent" I finally answered. My voice was small and weak; my embarrassment obvious. There was a long pause on the other side of the door, before Layton spoke again.

"You're my mate, I should know what your body looks like. You have five seconds to open this stupid door before I come in". He didn't have to tell me again, I opened the door. My hands were shaking in fear, and anticipation, as I came into view of Layton.

He stood there, eyes staring at me – expression giving nothing away. I was still blushing crazily, as I gripped the towel tighter. Then Layton said something that made me choke on my own spit. "Drop the towel".

"I-I don't think that is a good idea".

"I don't care what you think" Layton replied, taking a step forward so he was right in front of me. On impulse, I dropped my eyes in submissiveness. Layton grabbed my chin roughly, forcing it up so that our eyes met. "Drop. The. Towel".

I did what I was told.

Layton took a step back, eyes roaming over my body. His face was impassive, no way could I read what he was thinking. When I tried to cover my body with my hands, he growled at me. I instantly dropped my hands to my side, shifting from one foot to the other as he stared at my nude body.

For what felt like hours, he just stared. Then he reached out and ran a finger down my body – his index ran over my chest, including my nipples, and then down my stomach; finishing on my thigh. I stood there; frozen.

Then Layton sighed heavily, and stepped away. He was frowning deeply, forcing creases on his large forehead. Then he shook his head at me, as if in disapproval. "Nothing. You are not showing any desire. Absolutely nothing".

"Sorry, Alpha Vetteriano" I apologised.

He sighed, "how many times do I need to tell me that my name is Layton?" He ran a hand over his face, and stumbled chin, as he shook his head once more. "Just get dressed, we're going out to dinner".

I nodded yes, and scurried off. I was glad that Layton had chosen me over Andrea, but that didn't mean I wasn't terrified of him. My mate was the Blood Alpha, and he terrified me to my very core.