Chapter 83

☆ ☆ Layla ☆ ☆ 

I awoke. The mattress was more comfortable than the floor, and the blankets and pillow were a nice touch. However, I was still being held captive, borderline isolated, with only the occasional guard coming around to hand me a meal or escort me to the bathroom. The only two beings I saw regularly were Kara's true mate, who was stuck in his shift, and the Luna of this pack.

I fumbled around and found my cell phone tucked inside my pillow. Alpha Kayn had typed a message into the text box asking me to contact Kara. He was starting to feel as betrayed as I had and was now realizing that perhaps the Ulfric didn't have anyone's best interests at heart aside from his own.

Though I was still pissed and him and my husband Liam, I was grateful that he changed his stance and was allowing me to do what was best for Kara. Rayne would have been glad that he finally put their daughter first. I made sure there was no one present aside from my neighbor, who was dreaming in his sleep.

Jayce whimpered and whined as his feet moved furiously in his sleep. There was no doubt he was dreaming about making his way to Kara. I felt terrible for him because regardless of the outcome, I knew he would never have his mate, her heart, and chosen James, and there was nothing anyone could do or say to change her mind, and that meant she would likely die at the teeth of the Ulfric. 

I turned my phone on briefly to see if Kara had gotten my message or replied. I would leave it off the majority of the time to preserve the battery life, and thankfully, Alpha Kayn had charged it before slipping it to me after that meeting. I hid the light from the phone as best as I could with one of the blankets as it booted up and had silenced it previously before turning it off to ensure its stealth.

After giving it a few seconds, I lifted the blanket to see my notifications, and two texts came through. Kara explained that Sylas was the one who attacked her but that she was doing better and she had James to thank for saving her. I knew deep down that James wasn't the one who put her there. I just had a gut feeling about it. 

The second text asked if I knew anything about the werewolves making a pact with a witch, which, if they had, was news to me. She also asked if there was anything that they could do to help me while I was imprisoned, which was sweet, but right now, they just needed to worry about themselves.

I would be fine in the long run, but I was most concerned about her safety and survival. I responded, "I'm okay. Please focus on your own safety and survival, sweet girl. I don't know anything about us teaming up with a witch, but I will do my best to find out. I'll try to talk to Morgana; she's the Beta of this pack and has been very understanding and sympathetic to my cause." 

I thought I heard something, so I paused texting and quickly shoved my phone under my leg. I laid back down and pretended to be asleep as I listened carefully for several minutes. Once I determined that the coast was clear, I sat back up and continued my message, " I'll only be turning my phone on when the coast is clear, so don't fret unless you haven't heard from me after thirty-six hours."

I reread my text and added, "Given that I am being held captive, I'll have to trust that the information that I'm given is accurate, so take everything with a grain of salt. I love you, sweet girl. Take care." I pressed the send button and then turned the phone back off and tucked it away inside the pillowcase. 

Jayce, her mate, was still sleeping and had started inhaling deeply before letting out a loud huff. His chase had ended, and his paws were still for the moment. I laid my head back on the pillow and closed my eyes. The sun hadn't risen yet, and they wouldn't serve me breakfast for several more hours; sleeping was the only way to pass the time. 

...

Jayce woke me up by pacing back and forth in his cell and panting heavily. I reached my hand through the bars and asked, "Are you okay?" He came to me and nuzzled my hand, seeking comfort. The pack members who usually checked in hadn't come by yet, so I yelled loudly, hoping that someone might hear me, "Kara's mate is distressed and needs assistance!" 

I heard the door from upstairs creak open and could smell the breakfast that was being prepared. Then footsteps fumbled hurriedly down the stairs. A member who was apparently on kitchen detail had heard my cry for help and came down to investigate. She asked, "What's wrong? Do I need to get the Luna?"

I shrugged my shoulders and said, "I'm not sure. While in this form, he can only communicate with his father or the Beta from his pack. He was pacing and panting heavily. Then came over to seek comfort when I offered it." She turned and darted back up the stairs. A few moments later, several sets of footsteps trudged down the stairs to help.

Alpha Garren, Jayce's father, and his Beta emerged first, followed by the Luna. Alpha Garren asked, "What's going on?" I bowed my head and replied, "I don't know. He was pacing and seemed very distressed; he'll need you to communicate with him so that he can let us know." The Luna unlocked the cell door and entered to check Jayce over while he used his mind link to talk to his father.

Alpha Garren said, "Tell me, son, what's going on?" He paused briefly as Jayce communicated to him through their mind link. Jayce whimpered on the outside as though he was in a great deal of pain. I sat down on my mattress and observed their interaction to see if I could pick up on anything. 

Unfortunately, hearing only one side of a conversation made it difficult to discern what they were discussing. After a while, Alpha Garren replied, "Son, I'm sure it was just a bad dream. Don't worry; we will get you to your mate in time." Jayce didn't seem pleased by his father's response and howled loudly in protest.

After checking him over, the Luna said, "He's fine." She stood and exited the cell. Jayce backed up to the opposing wall before kicking off of it to provide him with more speed and slammed his body into the cell bars. I let out a gasp and then heard the Luna say, "Jayce, if you don't calm down, we'll be forced to tranquilize you again. Be patient; everything will be fine." 

I interjected, "Alpha Garren, what was wrong?" He replied, "It was just a bad dream, I think. The poor pup just kept saying that his heir was in danger." I thought to myself, his heir, not Kara, was in danger. Was it really a dream, or perhaps a premonition brought on by the prophecy?

It wasn't outlandish to think that, given his permanently shifted state of being. Who knew what he was experiencing? Did that mean they would successfully capture Kara, mate her to him, and she would give birth to a Lycan King? It was speculation, sure, but I didn't have much else to go on. 

As the three turned to leave, I asked, "Luna, would it be possible to speak to Beta Morgana?" She replied, "I'll let her know that you are asking for her." I bowed my head, "Thank you, Luna." She walked off with the others, and I turned to Jayce, "Don't worry, dear. We're going to do everything in our power to make sure everyone survives this."

He lay down in the corner of the cell furthest from me and whimpered before letting out a huff. I looked upon him with pity; if only he knew the Ulfric's plans, I'm sure he would stand with me against him. Breakfast would be served soon, and I was hoping that Beta Morgana might be the one who brought it to me so we could sit down for a more extended discussion. 

I had to find this out for Kara to help keep her safe. One of the usual members brought me my plate, and I asked, "Do you know when Beta Morgana will be down?" He grumbled as he turned to leave, and his message was unclear. I played with the food. I was too anxious to eat right now, and I would feel much better after I had spoken to Beta. 

Another hour passed, and the same member came down to take my plate and escort me to the bathroom while he waited outside the door. While exiting, I caught a glimpse of her long, silky black hair and called out, "Beta Morgana, I'm so glad I caught you. Do you have a moment to talk?"

She turned to me and smiled warmly, "Of course, Layla. I was going to meet with you in just a minute. I had to feed Beta Darius and make sure he was back in bed resting. What can I do for you?" I looked at the other member nervously before asking, "Do you mind if we speak in private?" She shooed him away and said, "Do you want to take a walk? The fresh air will do you good." I nodded and followed her out the back doors of the pack house.