Page 160 of The Alpha King's Curse: Part Two

He nodded and got out of the car. He helped Layla out while Micah went around to get Hope so he could take her to the room where a nursery had been set up for the younger children. Micah had spent a lot of time with the little girl lately. He knew it was because he missed his child. He’d given his Gamma the option to bring Cassie back, but his daughter had settled well with the other pack. And Micah probably wanted her out of the way in case the witch attacked again.

He hooked Layla’s hand in his arm and walked towards the doors. The town hall was the only place big enough for the whole pack to sit comfortably. At the first dinner at the packhouse, he’d only introduced Layla to a few members. They all knew who she was now. She’d fought for them and had been willing to sacrifice herself to the Hunters to save them. And they had heard she had gone toe to toe with the Circle. It was only right that he made everything official.

They walked down the short entryway, and then the two young boys at the hall doors lowered their heads as they pulled them open.

The whole pack quietened as they rose and lowered their heads.

He looked around at the pack he had given up so much for and felt the knife through his heart again. They were in a good mood; it was his birthday party, after all. But he was about to rip that away from all of them.

He looked down at Layla, and she gave him another little smile. And then he walked down to the front with her on his arm, as he should have the first time. As he would have if they’d had more time so he could marry her.

Chase, Braxton and Dylan were already at the table set at the top. He helped Layla into her seat before they all sat down.

The chatter began again. The drinks were already flowing, and a space had been left in the middle for dancing.

“Happy birthday, Your Majesty,” Chase said with a bow. “May the Goddess grant you what you truly desire.”

Unlike most people in the room, Chase hadn’t asked why he was celebrating his birthday a day early. And he, Dylan and Diedre were the only ones not celebrating like the others.

Layla slipped her hand into his under the table and gently squeezed. It was only mildly soothing.

“Thank you.”

“And you look radiant, Ma’am,” Chase said to Layla.

Chase and Brax had yet to ask him about what they had seen in Diedre’s room. Brax, in particular, who’d been searching for the red wolf in the forest after the attack, was practically vibrating in his seat. Out of everyone he knew, Brax would probably have been the first one to accept Layla.

“Thank you,” Layla smiled shyly.

Brax repeated the sentiment, then his gaze remained on Layla’s neck. “And congratulations on finally getting mated.”

Chase almost choked on his drink. He coughed and spluttered, drawing attention to himself before he leaned over to look at Layla’s neck. And then the Alpha he’d made a blood oath with met his gaze with so many questions in his eyes. He’d made Chase go through the oath to protect Layla and Hope, only to turn around and mark her and kill her anyway. But he would still be bound to Hope, so that was enough for him.

He looked away from Chase to the dancefloor as the servers started to bring out the food. Between trying to stay alive and fighting the bond, he and Layla had only danced together once at Brit’s party. They never had the chance to do things that people in love often did. Dinner. Movies. Travelling. It was too late now.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked his mate.

Layla bit her lip and blinked back some tears as she nodded. Maybe she’d had the same thoughts he had.

He led his mate to the dancefloor and pretended there was no one else in the world as he held her in his arms. Their last dance. When her tears started to flow, he held her tighter. The room had already quietened down. He couldn’t hide how he was feeling anymore.

When the last note played, he released his mate and smiled at her.

‘Are you ready?’

‘Yes,’ Layla replied in his head.

The one person he actually wanted in his head, and he hadn’t been able to enjoy it.

He led her back to the table and pushed away their uneaten meal. And then he clinked his fork against his wine glass to get everyone’s attention. With a breath, he stood and looked at all the faces he had protected even before he had become king.

“Thank you all for coming out tonight at such short notice; it means a lot to me. I know it hasn’t been a good year, and most of that was my fault,” he started. “I have something I need to confess.”

He looked down at his mate and almost backed out of it. He didn’t want to see her crying again. But Layla smiled and nodded for him to carry on. Looking back at his people, he saw all the worry on their faces. For the first time in his life, he couldn’t look anyone in the eye.

“First, I would like to officially introduce you to your Luna, Her Majesty Layla Carlisle,” he started. “She has been the light in my life for almost a year and has shown me compassion that I didn’t deserve. I’m honoured to call her mine.”

Faith was the first to clap. She had been indispensable the past few months, and he truly hoped the young Omega would go on to achieve great things.

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