Chapter 23


    Chapter 23


    LAYLA


    What happened to you?” Daphne asks as I enter the kitchen.


    She is sitting on the stool, eating a sandwich this woman named Eva has made for her. She thinks


    she runs the ce and won’t let me go anywhere near the stove so I had to go talk to Alpha


    Alexander. But, I shouldn’t have. Because now, I am disoriented and floating somewhere between


    the past and present.


    La. Daphne drops the sandwich on the te.


    Nothing, D. Nothing happened. “I mutter and take a seat beside her.


    Her handnds on my arm, softly running up and down to show support. She knows I need it right


    now. She is my best friend. She can tell when I am fine and when I am not.


    I cast a side nce at Eva who has her back to me.


    Eva. I talked to Alpha Alexander. He said I can cook if I want to. So can you please move out of the


    kitchen once you are done? I ask politely.


    w on me.


    She turns around abruptly. Her eyes narrow


    –


    He


    e will never allow it.” She hisses.


    I don’t why this woman hates me. She is old enough to be Alpha Alexander’s mother so I can’t even


    doubt that she is interested in him. She has some other reason and I can’t seem to point it out


    “You can ask him if you want. He really allowed it. “I reason diplomatically with her. I am not here to


    make enemies. She huffs, res at me for a few more moments, and then turns around.


    Daphne and I nce at each other. She presses her forefinger to the side of her head, gesturing at


    me to believe Eva is probably mad


    I suppress a smile and ce my!


    hand o N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    hers. She grins, grabbing the sandwich again


    “Where is A?” I ask.


    I left her with Daphne before I went to Alpha Alexander’s office.


    She is ying with Serafina’s son in the yard. “She shrugs.


    Serafina has a son?” I wonder.


    *Of course, La. And he is A’s friend now so you better get to know him and his mother. That’s


    cool.” She says while munching on the sandwich.


    I sigh in relief. My daughter is kind of a social butterfly unlike me or even her Daddy. She likes


    making friends everywhere she goes and brightens up their world with her giggles. I am d I was


    able to raise her like this


    *Did you bond with your G o d d a u g ht e r? “I look at Daphne.


    She loves me.” She takes her hand off my arm.


    arm and makes a victory sign with her fingers.


    What about the Beta? My brows Jifu


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    Chapter 23


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    She goes still. Her cheeks blush as a heartfelt smile settles on her lips. Her face is glowing from the


    morning. Even I can tell that she is happy about her mate and that’s wholesome for me.


    “Levi and I need some time. I know, La. But, I believe he is the best for me. I—like him already.


    And as we move forward, together, I am sure I will fall in love with him. I want to. Because he is so


    caring and soft with me.” She sighs dreamily.


    Tears well in my eyes. I lean toward her and wrap my arms around her neck.


    The genuine happiness in her eyes makes my heart melt. I wish she stayed like this forever. Happy


    and Bright.


    “I will ept Levi if you like him so much. “I grumble.


    She hugs me back andughs sarcastically. “Thank you, Mommy!


    We stay like this for some time. It’s been so long since I sat with her, talked to her, and embraced


    her.


    “I missed you, D. “I whisper in her ear.


    “Not more than me. I was alone back home with all those disgusting people. I couldn’t even call you


    whenever I wanted. But now, I can. La. I am so happy.” She sighs.


    “I am jealous. Can you two not show affection from a little distance?” The third voice interrupts our


    emotional moment.


    I pull away to re at Levi. He is standing close to us and I didn’t even notice him.


    When I release Daphne, he instantly closes the distance and presses a kiss to her forehead. I


    swoon, but in my head. I still have to act like Daphne’s mother to keep this new man in line. He


    must know that I will find a way to kick his a s s if he ever makes her cry or hurt my best friend.


    But, my stern facade drops when Daphne leans up, puckering her lips. Levi looks down at her, his


    eyes filled with so much affection and respect that my heart warms.


    He is nothing like Alpha Alexander. My mind drifts to the thoughts of the man who spread me on his


    desk and was about to devour me. My checks heat up at the memory.


    I blink, focusing on Daphne and Levi who are now kissing passionately.


    “Eww. Don’t do it in front of me. I am not into watching my bestie getting h o r n y with her mate. “I


    gag,


    Levi breaks the kiss. His eyes move to mine as he shoots me an annoyed look.


    “I can already feel that you are going to l o c k me all the time. The fact that we live so close is


    suddenly unsettling to me. I need to move far away from here to be safe. He groans.


    Daphneughs her a s s off and barely remains seated on her spot. I roll my eyes.


    Don’t hold your breath. I am not interested in your activities. I am just interested in how you treat


    Daphne. If you treat her right, we will be all right.” I tell him.


    “She is my mate. Of course, I will treat her like a Queen. “He states as a matter of fact. His gaze


    moves back to Daphne’s smiling face


    The way he looks at her, like she is his light is enough to make me swoon once more. I


    wholeheartedly give this man my blessings and my best wishes. I hope they both stay happy.


    Deep down somewhere, I feel a little envious too. At some point in life, I wished for a bond like this.


    I yearned for a future in which my mate would look at me lovingly and show the world that I was his


    Queen. But, that’s not possible for me.


    Chapter 23


    Alpha wants to hold the initiation ceremony as soon as possible. Make a list of the pack members


    you want to invite. tells Daphne.


    Her eyes flicker to mine and a silent message passes between us. I don’t want to face the former


    pack members. She knows


    “Is it okay if I don’t invite anyone?” Sadness reflects in her eyes as she looks up at Levi


    I know she wants to call her parents here. It’s her right. And she is ready to make such a big


    sacrifice for me.


    She wants to invite her parents, Levi. She can’t have an initiation ceremony without them. It’s not


    right. Please invite them.


    Istate.


    But, La


    D. I will never forgive myself if you ruin such a special day because of me. Besides, I am not the old


    La anymore. I haven’t done anything wrong. I am strong and I can face anyone. “I cut in fiercely.


    Alpha Alexander wants me to invite Alpha William Benjamin’s family. They are alsoing. “Levi


    informs.


    My eyes widen and settle on his face. He looks confused. But, I—I can’t breathe.


    Alpha Alexander wants to invite them over even after he knows everything Josh tried to do to me.


    How can he do this? Does he luate me so much that he wants to hurt me in this way now?


    Maybe, he was asking about what Josh did earlier because he wanted to know my weakness and


    now he will use it against


    1 can’t face Josh. The thought of seeing him still sends shivers down my spine. When his face


    appears behind my closed eyes at night, I travel back in time and be the same weak girl I was.


    I don’t want that.


    No. He can’t call them here.” Daphne jumps down from the stool hastily.


    Baby, it’s Alpha Alexander’s order. He wants the Alpha toe and sever his bond with you so he


    can initiate you into our pack.” Levi rubs her arms.


    “But, his family doesn’t need to be here for that. Alpha Benjamin cane alone.” She insists


    “I don’t know, Baby. I can’t tell what Alpha Alexander is thinking. “He sighs..


    – Talk to him then, Levi. Those people—they don’t deserve to attend my initiation ceremony. They


    hurt La. And that Josh He” She hisses but stops when she is about to blurt the truth.


    Her defeated gaze moves to my face. I swallow the uneasy feeling bubbling in my throat.


    Jam sorry if this upsets you. “Levi releases a breath.


    “If you are sorry, then stop them froming here. If you can’t, don’t talk to me again.” Daphne


    looks at Levi before storming away.


    “Daphne. “He yells her name in frustration but she doesn’t stop to listen.


    He rubs his nape and res at the floor to calm himself down. I nce to my left to find that Eva


    has left the kitchen.


    Don’t worry, Levi. “I sigh and nce at the man who is shaking his head,


    “We just met yesterday and now we are fighting. He lets out,


    * She gets angry easily but trust me, nothing stays in her heart. When she calms down, she will


    come back to you on her


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    Chapter 23


    own. She can’t stay mad at others for long. So, don’t worry. “I whisper.


    He turns around and faces me. “You know a lot about her, don’t you?


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    “We have been friends since forever, Levi. She always had a pure heart and she tends to show all


    her emotions. This makes her vulnerable but at the same time, she is the strongest girl I know.


    Please always take care of her.” I smile at him.


    You don’t need to doubt that. I will cherish her forever.” He nods.


    Thanks, Levi. I believe you are good for her. Now, I should probably cook lunch. A hasn’t eaten


    anything yet.” I tell him before getting down from the stool and walking towards the stove.


    But, my


    my mind is not cooperating with me. I keep thinking about what Alpha Alexander possibly wants to


    do to me. Maybe, he will make mee across Josh so I can relive the nightmare and this fear


    alone-makes me almost hate my second chance mate.


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