Page 162 of The Alpha King's Curse: Part Two

‘Did the witch say on the eve of your birthday or the evening of your birthday?’ Layla asked.

His budding hope crashed. Those words had been burned in his memory for years, going around and around in his head almost every moment of every day. But as he tried to recall them now, he had to wonder. He could see the witch’s mouth moving. He could hear the sound of her voice. But was it eve or evening?

Fuck.

His hope completely disappeared.

He sighed and pulled his mate into his arms. They were still fully dressed, but their clothes were wrinkled, and Layla hadn’t bothered to wash her makeup off. They looked a mess, but there were people outside already mourning them. They had to go out and tell them to go home.

He released her and took her hand to lead her out of the bedroom. When he opened the door, Dylan fell back into the room. The impact of his hitting his head on the floor startled him awake, and he jumped to his feet in a fighting stance. Dylan blinked the sleep from his eyes and then slowly lowered his fists.

“Holy shit,” Dylan said, then he rushed forward and put his arms around him. “It worked!”

Dylan released him and moved on to Layla, picking her up and twirling her around. He wanted to do that. He wanted to celebrate being given a second chance to live his life with Layla. He wanted to celebrate that Layla hadn’t given up her life for him. But the fear that he would either wake up or die that night instead had already settled in his heart.

“I don’t know if it did,” he answered honestly.

Dylan stepped back from Layla and frowned.

“Of course it did,” Diedre said from the doorway. Micah and Faith stood behind her, and he realised the four of them had all slept on the floor in the hallway.

“I don’t know, Dee. Did she say the eve or the evening? I don’t even know if I’m dreaming right now,” he said hoarsely.

“You know the blood moon only lasts for a few hours,” Diedre said, tears running down her cheeks. “So it can’t be tonight, Jax. It’s over. You’re free.”

And his heart filled again. He released a breath as Diedre’s words echoed in his head. It was over. He was free.

His heart pounded again as he turned to Layla and pulled her back into his arms. His body started to tremble as reality set in. His limbs weakened.

He could have this. He could love Layla for the rest of his life. And Hope.

He looked back at the crib and the sleeping baby. For the first time in years, he could make real plans. He could do all the travelling he wanted with Layla. They could have more children. He would be the one to teach them not to be assholes.

And he could watch his mate shift whenever that happened.

When he let go of Layla, Micah pulled him into a hug. The man who always did things properly and refused to call him anything other than Alpha or His Majesty bent his principles for the first time in his life.

“I wish you had told me sooner. I wouldn’t have rested until I’d found that witch for you,” Micah said.

“And that’s the reason I stayed quiet,” he smiled.

Faith came next, the little Omega who’d always been his biggest fan.

“You really shouldn’t have suffered alone, Alpha,” Faith said with her head lowered. And somehow, he felt thoroughly scolded. Faith had that way about her.

“I’m sorry, Faith. I’ll make it up to you.”

Dee came last. The witch tightened her arms around him, and her tears continued to fall.

“I told you, you stubborn child. I knew she was the one,” Diedre sobbed.

“Hush now. You’ll make the others think I’m dead.”

He took a little time to appreciate them before taking Layla’s hand again and leading her down the hall. On the second-floor landing, he saw Chase and Brax. Of all the Alphas he knew, he never thought these two would end up being there for him in the end. Brax preferred his own company, and Chase disapproved of him as the King. But they still stayed.

They both nodded at him as he continued down the stairs. And when he finally opened the doors, his whole pack was on their feet, heads bowed. The air was full of emotions he had never had from them before. Or perhaps it was Layla they were bowed to.

He looked at his mate and brought her hand to his mouth. She had the biggest smile on her lips, and her eyes kept flashing as all the emotions overwhelmed them.

---