Chapter Five: Lyla

"This room is reserved for the future Luna," Naomi explained.

The walls were painted a bright blue. There was a queen size bed located along one wall. A book shelf filled with classic series such as Hunger Games and Harry Potter was next to a dresser. A cute nightstand stood next to the bed.

"Oh, this is wonderful," I said to Naomi. It was nice to have a room I could call my own. At the Sunset Pack, I was left to sleep on an old cot in the basement.

"I can't wait to start reading all those books!" I exclaimed while crossing to the bookshelf. There was enough novels to keep me entertained for a few months. "I was never allowed to read at my old pack," I confided to Naomi. "It'll be nice to have some freedom here.

"Of course, whatever you need, we can provide for you here at Midnight Crescent," Naomi told me happily. "Now let's get you something to eat for lunch."

We made our way down to the kitchen, and ran into two guys. Both were tall and solidly built. One was Asian with close cut black hair. The other was tanned with curly blonde hair.

"Hi, I'm Ben. It's nice to meet you," said the guy with black hair. "I'm the pack's Beta and Xavier's best friend.

"Uh, I believe the role of Xavier's best bud is already filled," said the other guy.

"You must be the Gamma," I said.

He grabbed me by the hand, turned me into his arms and dipped me, ballroom dancing style. "The name's Ethan. Enchanté mademoiselle," he said while giving me a kiss on the knuckles.

Suddenly I heard a low growl coming from behind me. I turned my head to see a fuming Xavier standing in the hallway. He strode up to Ethan and pulled me out of his arms, dragging me upstairs.

"Sorry mate, we were just messing around," Ethan tried to explain.

"Leave him be. He's just possessive of his new mate," Naomi said.

I could barely process their words before Xavier took me into his bedroom and threw me on the bed. Panic began to rip its way through me. This is it, I thought. He realizes you're too weak and he's going to make you pay for it.

He's going to reject you, Jasmine said in my mind.

I curled myself into a tiny ball as Xavier stalked his way over to the bed. His eyes were bright gold. Suddenly I was back at the Sunset Pack.

I shut my eyes tight, afraid of what was to come. "Please, not again,". I whimpered. "I can't take it. Please, don't hurt me."

I felt his weight on the bed as he crawled closer to me. "Damian, please stop. Don't do this again."

"Damian?" a low voice growled.

I opened my eyes to find Xavier looking at me, puzzled. As the fear wore off, I started to cry.

"Hey, what's wrong little one?" Xavier said as he moved to sit next to me on his bed.

I curled up into his lap and rested my head on his shoulder. "I thought you were someone else," I explained. "I thought you were going to hurt me like he did."

Xavier began to caress my cheek. "I would never hurt you Lyla."

"It felt like I was back there, in his bedroom. He… he…" I couldn't get the words out.

Xavier turned my head so he was looking directly into my eyes. "Lyla, what happened at your old pack?"

I took a deep breath and began to explain. "My parents died when I was very young. Ever since then the Alpha, Brad, treated me like his own personal servant. I cleaned the house, made everyone meals, and did anything he asked me to. When I was eleven, I realized that my life wasn't normal. I told Brad to stop treating me like this," I sniffled. "That's when the beatings started."

I saw anger pulse through Xavier's eyes. "But you said something about a bedroom…"

I continued. "After a particularly bad day, Brad gave me up to his Beta, Damian. When I got home from school he dragged me upstairs, chained me to his bed and… and…" I broke down into tears.

A look of realization struck Xavier's face. "Angel, did he…?"

After collecting myself, I looked into Xavier's eyes. "Yes Xavier, he raped me.

"Oh little one," was all Xavier said as he wrapped me in his arms and held me. "Is that why you said Damian, you were having flashbacks?"

"Yes," I explained. "You were so angry when you brought me upstairs. I thought you had finally realized that I was too weak to be your mate, your Luna. I thought you were going to hurt me the way he did."

Xavier pulled me in tighter to his embrace. "I would never hurt you Lyla. I would never reject you as my mate. Even though we've just met, you mean everything to me. I will protect you at all costs. I'm sorry I scared you. Seeing you in another man's arms just brought my wolf to the surface."

"I guess Alpha's are even more possessive of their mates, huh?" I said.

Xavier kissed my forehead, sending sparks through my whole body. "We really are," was his only explanation. "I'm so sorry you faced so much abuse from your old pack. I know that it doesn't change anything and it will take some time to work through that trauma. Just know that I am here for you."

"Thank you Xavier," was all I could muster before I fell into a comfortable sleep in his arms.