She had brought him back to life, even if it was just for a season.

When she called out his name and her muscles squeezed him, he buried his face in the crook of her neck and joined her. Her scent was all around him, inside him... she was everywhere, and his gums itched to seal the deal.

“Bite me, Jackson,” she moaned.

Like after the first time she’d said that, he sucked on the spot on her neck and felt her start to cum again. His whole body reacted, spilling his seed a second time. But it wasn’t enough. He knew what they needed, but it was something he would never follow through with.

‘Bite her!’ Cain ordered.

His face tightened, and his teeth scraped against her skin before he realised what was happening. He wrenched his lips away, quickly untangled himself from her limbs and put some distance between them.

Cain was still trying to take control of him as he watched Layla fall back against the smooth rock. Disappointment laced her emotions.

“Layla...”

‘Alpha, we have a situation at the main gate. Alpha Kendrick’s Beta has sent his messengers.’

He didn’t want to deal with that shit. He wanted to make love to his mate until she was sated. Until that disappointment was gone. Until she passed out with his name on her lips.

‘Alpha?’

Layla moaned and put her hand between her legs as if she hadn’t just exploded a few times. But it was his job to deal with whatever was happening. He had to take care of everyone, not just Layla.

Didn’t he?

‘Alpha?’

Chapter 73

Layla could hardly walk when Jackson led her out of the woods. He had carried her most of the way, and now she clung to his side for support.

He smiled at her smugly before the weight of what he had done settled on his shoulders.

He’d openly chosen his mate over the pack.

There were warriors on patrol and trainees who’d finished for the day walking around the packhouse grounds when he walked towards the house. They all stopped and lowered their heads to show respect, but he could feel their judgment.

Not only had he been ill, but he’d also hidden away with someone they all thought was a rogue. His reputation had taken a big hit lately.

The moment he opened the door, Dylan was waiting with Micah in the lobby.

“Alp... Jax,” Dylan said. “We really need to talk.”

“I’ll go and find something to eat before I go back to our room,” Layla said quietly.

Our room.

How right that sounded.

He smiled down at her but tightened his hold on her. He would take care of her like a mate was supposed to. If he only had months left to do that, he would do it right. He would live the rest of his life the way he wanted to.

“I’ll take you up and have some lunch brought up.”

Looking back at Dylan, he didn’t miss the glare he gave Layla or the way she tensed beside him. Dylan was still the one he had to keep an eye on. Layla wouldn’t be safe as long as his Beta considered her a threat. Maybe they had to talk after all.

“I’ll be back down shortly.”

He kept Layla at his side as they walked to the stairway, and at the foot of the stairs, he picked her up, bridal style.