My mouth was basically watering, my mind going crazy with need and want. The need to mark her, the craving to feel closer to her. It was all I wanted in this moment, especially since she was so close. Jake wanted to just as badly and he couldn't control himself any longer so I had to take control. I now had the urge to claim her as mine just as bad, so everyone could see she belonged to me, mine.

"Layla."

My voice came out strained and hoarse from how much I was holding myself back. Her scent alone pushed me to mark her but, I wouldn't not without her consent. Plus her sounds of pleasure drove me absolutely insane, especially knowing I'd be her first. It hurt me to say but, she wouldn't be mine, Jake growled at that but, I was a kid doing reckless things after my dad passed. I hate the fact that I didn't save myself for her, especially her.

"What?" her soft tone replied, her breath fanning on my neck, making me groan.

Without thinking I pushed my hips up to meet hers just to hear her breathy moan of surprise, right in my ear. God, I'm just setting myself up now.

"I, I want to mark you." I managed to get out before placing yet another kiss where I would mark her, feeling how she shivered under my touch, "Please." I begged, now breathing hard from how much she's turning me on and having to hold back everything.

She didn't say anything but, I could hear her rapid breathing, "Can I?" I asked again, feeling my canines start to come out.

Without thinking I let them graze where I'd mark her, "Yes." she whispered, which took me by surprise at first but, pushed me nonetheless.

My teeth sank into the structure between her shoulder and neck. Feeling our mind link solidify, I know we shared one already but, it made it stronger. Layla whimpered which pained me but, eventually her moans filled my ears causing me to bring her closer into me. I retracted my canines, licking the wound and blood that was trickling down. Until all that was left, was a wolf howling at a moon that had my name on it.

An approving growl left my lips at the sight and I felt Layla sink into me. I wrapped my arms around her securely, knowing the marking probably took a lot out of her. Her scent wrapped around me, and my wolf and I both felt content knowing she bared our mark. Her arms wrapped around my neck and I smiled when I felt her clutch my shirt, even in her sleep she does it. I sat up, feeling how she clung to me even unconscious.

"You're all mine, baby." I whispered in her ear rather possessively, as I scooted us further up her bed and laid down once again, with her on top of me.

I knew I was going to be even more protective of her now, since we haven't mated. Just the thought drove me wild though and I pulled her closer to me. If that was even possible. Her whimper broke me from my thoughts and I felt her push herself into me more. I rubbed her back soothingly and turnt my head to kiss her cheek.

As I held her I wondered how Brad, Steven any of those sick bastards could ever hurt my mate. It always made me sick to think that all of that happened under my nose. Yet I had to stop thinking about that or I'd completely lose it.

All that mattered now was that they would never touch her again, she's mine.

As I began to wake up the next morning, I felt a slight touch on my cheek that trailed down to my jawline. It had me sighing in content knowing who it was. I opened my eyes to see her forest green eyes, staring at me with a sparkle. A shy smile crept it's way onto her face as she retreated her hand and I smiled.

"Good morning." she whispered, and I swear my heart sped up even more just from the sight of her.

I noticed she was still on top of me, her chin resting on my chest looking up at me, "Good morning, how do you feel?" I asked, searching her eyes for any sign of distress but, all I found was that same sparkle in her eyes.

That seemed to draw me in more than ever.

"I feel fine." she replied and I brought my gaze to the mark.

"Just fine?" I let out a breathy laugh watching as she began to sit up but, I held her hips as to not get worked up over the friction.

"Happy." she restated, "I-I feel happy." hearing that made me grin.

I sat up with her and cupped her face in my hands, "Good, I always want you to be happy." I brought her to me, kissing her lips shortly but, sweetly.

Knowing she feels happy made me long to make sure she stays happy no matter what. Now that we were also on good terms, I didn't want her staying in the pack house anymore. I want her with me where she should be. Yet I also want her consent with that too, I never want to make her feel like she didn't have a choice because, she did. I also want to spend the day with her, only her because, even if it was a couple hours we didn't see each other I still missed her.

"Landon." her voice accompanied by a small giggle broke me from my thoughts, "Are you okay?" I only now noticed her hands were on either side of my face.

Did I really just zone out thinking about her, "Yes I'm fine, just thinking." I grabbed one of her hands, kissing the inside of her palm.

I love when she blushed and she in fact did then I placed one on her wrist where her scars were. They were already healed but, without Mia there to help her, they scarred over. Either way she was perfect, I grabbed her other hand kissing it the same way.

"W-what were you thinking about?" she asked curiously, eyeing my movements.

"You, always you." I said softly, caressing her hands in mine, she looked down.

"Really?" she asked disbelief in her tone but, it was true, ever since I found out she was my mate, she was all I thought about.

Even if I was the alpha and had a whole pack to rule over, including some pack work I still haven't gotten to.

"Yes and how I want you to come live with me." The words just fumbled out of my mouth and her cheeks blushed once again, "Will you?"

Watching her she seemed conflicted but, a smile started to make its way onto her face, "I love this room, i-it was all I had after my parents left me." her voice trailed off but, got higher, "But, I have you now." she looked up at me and interlocked our fingers which made me smile yet again, "So yes I will."

Hearing that I couldn't feel anymore relieved I was about to reply but, she beat me to it, "Now, could you tell me what happened." she looked down raising our interlocked hands, eyeing my bruised knuckles that were faint now.

A sigh escaped my lips, how do I explain this to her without seeming like a complete child who threw a tantrum?

"When I left your room I was so angry at Rachel, at myself mostly for what I did and how I hurt you, so I put all my anger into the punching bag." I explained watching her as she ran her thumb over my knuckles.

Layla nodded slowly and I went on to tell her, "I apologized to Rachel, though." she looked up at that.

A small smile formed at the corner of her lips, "You did?" she asked softly, and it was my turn to nod.

"That's good, I'm glad you did but, you should probably know s-she did what she did because, she likes you." she explained and hearing this my eyes widen.

What in the actual fuck?

"What makes you say that?" I asked rather taken aback by her claim.

Rachel liking me makes no sense. I've never given her a reason to think I was interested. Yet even if that's why she hurt Layla, she still hurt her and I don't care what her reasoning was.

"She told me that while she was caring for your mother she was doing it for you." she was looking down again at our hands, "S-she also said you were probably faking w-what you feel t-to hurt me." her eyebrows creased together in a thoughtful way.

I quickly took my hands from hers and grabbed her face so she'd look up at me, "She's wrong, she couldn't be more wrong Layla, the way I feel about you is more real than anything I've ever felt, understand?"

My tone was gentle but, firm enough to get my point across. It was true, all my life I've always felt angry, vengeful about my dads death, which turned me into a closed off, vicious person. Rachel didn't know what she was talking about she was obviously speaking out of jealousy and hatred. Which I wasn't going to let ruin what progress Layla and I have made together.

That beautiful smile spread across her face, this time showcasing her pearly white teeth which as always amazed me.

"Okay." she whispered softly, I heard it but, just to hear her laugh, I gripped her sides lightly, tickling her.

"Okay?" I questioned again as laughter began to spout from her and she grabbed my hands to stop me.

"Okay!" she restated a bit louder this time, her head falling back releasing another fit of laughter.

I watched her as she laughed while I continued my tickle torture. Seeing her vibrant smile, her face lighting up, her hair messily surrounding her, made me feel grateful. Grateful because, she was here with me, grateful because, she was happy and that I could be here to see it. That smile on her face, the laughter coming from her, it made my heart ache at the fact that, this wasn't her only a month ago. Yet it was now and I love every second of it and I would in fact;

Do anything to keep her this way.