Chapter 42

Chapter 42

“What about this one?” Timber asked as she held up another dress for Layana to decline. She has declined every dress Timber has shown her, making Timber wonder if she really is this picky or finding a way not to go to the party.

“Ok that’s the tenth dress you said no to. What’s going on? There has to be something else besides not having something to wear.” Timber pushed for an answer as she was now a little annoyed.

Layana hung her head as she plopped down on a cushioned bench, placing her head in her hands. Timber feeling bad for snapping at her, seeing she was in distress, breathed deeply releasing it before stepping over and sitting next to her.

“Hey, look. I know it’s a lot. But I can’t help if I don’t know what’s truly going on.” Timber’s voice was soft and gentle as she spoke, rubbing large circles on Layana’s back soothingly.

“No it’s not you, it's me. I’m sorry. I’m just not very good at all this.” lifting her head and motioning to everything around her with her hands. “I’m nervous I guess. Andrew has been the perfect mate. He has changed everything I ever thought I knew about mates into something beautiful and I’m afraid I’ll mess it all up.” Layana finally confessed, placing her head back into her hands crying softly.

“Look Layana, life’s complicated. It can be messy and frustrating. Mates are no different. Although, it seems as if you are wanting this mate bond to work out with Andrew right?” Timber asked in a soothing tone still making circles on her back with the palm of her hand. Hearing a small hick-up, Layana picked up her head and nodded while wiping a tear that fell.

“Ok. So. Why do you think you’re going to mess it up with Andrew? He’s being patient and understanding right? A perfect gentleman?” Timber inquired making sure it was indeed not Andrew pushing her into something she didn’t want to do. She nodded her head at Timber's latter questions.

“I’ve… Well, my mother always said mates were no good. That men in general were no good. They only wanted one thing from a female and I was to never give it away without a fight. Everyday I struggle against myself when I am with him. My wolf half wants her mate. I want my mate. My body wants our mate…” she spilled her insecurities out on the floor. Pouring them out like a flood with no end.

She had never felt so helpless and vulnerable like has lately and Layana hated it. She was a powerful witch who didn’t fear anyone or anything, but Andrew? Being with him? This scared her to the core and that frightened her even more. The thought of losing him scared her, and so did the thought of having him. Loving him. She never loved anyone before Andrew and those feelings tore at her soul everyday. Placing her head in her hands once more.

“Layana, I’m going to tell you that once you give yourself over to the mate bond and fully embrace all that it entails, you are going to feel whole. Being with your one true mate completes you in ways no one or thing ever can. I was rejected by my true mate and it left a huge crater in my heart until I was blessed with a second chance mate.” Her eyes lifted from her hands as Layana looked into Timber’s heartfelt eyes, getting a smile in return.

“I didn’t think I was worthy of a mate after living in my first pack and being rejected. But I was so wrong. Being loved and cared for unconditionally by your mate is the most amazing thing you will ever experience. Maybe just for tonight? You give the bond a chance and see where it leads you? What do you say?” Timber finished speaking resting a now quiet hand on her back smiling brightly giving a little nudging nod. Layana, smiling back, nodded her approval.

“Now! Let’s find you a sexy, knockout dress to taunt Andrew with.” Timber stood taking Layana with her going back to the dress racks looking for the right one.

Timber put Layana in a dressing room with four dresses of differing colors and styles. Each one Layana tried on was not exactly the fit they were looking for. Timber stood there for a moment thinking. She turned around looking at the racks behind her, noticing a teal dress hiding between two other dresses.

“Hold on right there!” Timber went over to the rack tugging on it until she freed it looking at it with wide mischievous eyes. “This is going to be the one! I can feel it!” She screeched running back to Layana who was officially done for the day. Pushing towards her, Layana looked at it giving a smirk in approval before turning around to try on one more dress.

‘Oh! My! Acate!” was all that was heard from the dressing room.

“What’s wrong Layana? It doesn’t fit?” Timber became worried that the hunt wasn’t over yet.

Layan stepped out of the dressing room with the biggest smile Timber had ever seen on her face. She twirled slowly so Timber could see every inch of it, her arms out wide. “No! It better than fits.” She said gleefully.

“Oh my Goddess! You look absolutely amazing, Layana! I don’t think Andrew is going to be able to get through the whole party without Rusty mating you on the dance floor!” Timber exclaimed in excitement for her. Layana’s eyes widened at the thought of them mating tonight and a reddish tint filtered over her features.

The dress wasn’t too formal but it was beautiful on her. The teal color accented her skin tone and made her eyes look stormy. It had small straps that left her shoulders in a v-dip, but not showing a lot of cleavage. Just enough to make her look elegant. It was completely backless as it hung low, stopping right before her buttocks. The length of the dress itself was floor length but it didn’t drag.

“Wow! You look… beautiful Layana. Andrew’s going to swoon over you.” Timber said.

“Thank you. You really think he’s going to like it?” Layana questioned.

“No. He’s going to love it!” Timber reassured her.

Layana changed out of the dress back into her regular clothes, finding Timber standing near the opposite wall. “Now let’s go get you some heels to match.” was all she said as she tangled her arms inside Layana’s walking her off to the shoe area before checking out.

When they returned to the pack house they only had an hour left to get ready. Timber helped Layana get dressed, as she herself needed to finish getting ready.

‘Johnathon baby, where are you and Andrew?’ Timber asked him through a mind-link.

‘We are already at the party. Are you ladies coming?’ She heard back.

‘Already on our way.’ she purred into the link sending him loving and naughty thoughts. She heard him growl through the link making her chuckle out loud gaining the attention of Layana.

“What’s so funny?” She asked

“Nothing. Just teasing my mate, that's all.” she smirked as they continued to walk towards the veranda that was built in the open field near the pack house. Layana opened her mouth in an O shape.

“Will I be able to do that too when I let Andrew mark me?” She questioned.

Timber noticed Layana had said when, not if. Making her hopeful that she was indeed going to let Andrew mark her, the when was the unknown question.

“Yes, you will. All mates have that ability once marked. Even those with mates who are out of our species.” Timber confirmed and reassured her as if she asked the question to the last part.

All eyes fell on them as they walked into the party area. Alpha Johnathon growled knowing males were looking at his mate. Andrew was not happy either since Layana was unmarked and there were unmated males around, causing his eyes to deepen in color wanting to throw his scent on her quickly.

They both walked over to their mates pulling them close to their bodies by the waist and inhaling their scents deeply through their hair to calm their beasts. Taking a step back, Andrew’s eyes darkened more seeing what she was wearing. His eyes scanned her body like he was investigating something.

“You look… amazing.” He finally mustered the strength to say aloud. That one comment and look from him earned him a huge smile and small kiss from Layana. “Thank you.” was her response.

“You look delectable, my Luna. If we didn’t have to be here I’d take you up stairs and devour you.” Alpha Johnathon's voice ran raspy as Bane pushed out.

Alpha Johnathon and Timber mingled with their guests, dancing and drinking socially. They were making sure all was going to be well when the time came for the war and to get to know a little more about each community as a whole.

Andrew and Layana danced and drank a little too. He couldn’t keep his hands off her and wouldn’t let her go anywhere without him. That was especially difficult when she needed to use the bathroom. But, Layana loved all the attention she was receiving from him and decided she would let him complete the mating process that night.

“What are you thinking about?” Andrew’s voice came out more husky than usual telling Layana Rusty was at the surface. They were swaying slowly to the song that played when her cheeks became tinted with a rosy shade of red.

“You.” she whispered out trying not to make direct eye contact as she was embarrassed by her thoughts.

“Really? What about me has you blushing?” He inquired, raising an eyebrow. Lifting her head up with his forefinger and thumb, he gazed into her eyes lovingly.

“Nothing specific really. Just thinking about… you.” she smiled looking into his eyes as they continued to sway holding each other.

Andrew slowed their sway just a little, leaned down, pausing ever so closely to her lips as he searched them for unspoken answers, before he kissed them. Layana, holding on tighter with his movement, kissed him back letting him know he could deepen the kiss.

Taking his cue, Andrew licked her bottom lip soliciting a small moan to escape her allowing him to delve his tongue in her mouth. Exploring every inch of its warm inviting cavern. Breaking the kiss, earning a whimper from Layana at the loss of contact, their breaths more of a pant, he said, “want to go somewhere more private?” Her nod was taken as a sign and he took her hand leading her out of the veranda outside.

Timber nudged Johnathon as she watched them leave the dance floor smirking. “Good for them.” He said as she only chuckled.