Layla
My heart was about to leap out of my chest.
Kayden's hand still gripped my wrist, the touch searing like a brand. Seven years—I thought I'd forgotten this feeling. When he touched me, the blood beneath my skin would boil, nerve endings would scream, every cell crying out for more.
How pathetic.
Even though our mate bond had been severed for seven years, my body still remembered him.
Diana whimpered inside me, yearning to draw closer, craving that sense of wholeness. But when she tried to reach out through the bond to sense him, she touched only emptiness—that thread that once connected us had been severed by his own hand seven years ago.
The broken end still ached faintly, reminding me of that Full Moon night's despair.
"What can I do for you, sir?" My voice trembled. Damn it, why was my voice trembling?
Kayden's eyes traveled across my face—from my forehead to my eyebrows, to my eyes, to the tip of my nose, finally settling on my lips.That gaze was too focused, too scorching, as though he wasn't looking but caressing every inch of my skin with his eyes alone.
"Kayden Blackwood." Kayden introduced himself slowly, as if he truly believed my assumed identity. But his gaze locked onto my eyes, forcing me to avert them again and again in embarrassment.
I couldn't meet his eyes. I realized with near desperation.
And more desperate than that—his thumb began tracing slow circles on my wrist, light, barely-there friction that sent my heartbeat into chaos.
"Mr. Blackwood, please let go." I tried to pull my hand back, but he only gripped tighter.
I could feel him restraining himself. His instinctive pressure nearly crushed my wrist bones. When I let out a soft hiss of pain, he suddenly eased up, maintaining just enough force to keep me captive.
"Why?" Kayden stepped forward, closing the distance between us. "Why should I let go? Miss Ross looks... familiar. Perhaps we should talk properly, make sure I haven't really mistaken you for someone else."
He was too close.
Close enough that I could smell him—ten times stronger than when diluted by the crowd, overwhelming, inescapable.
This mingled with his Alpha's wild scent to form a lethal temptation, making my breathing quicken. Diana began humming with excitement.
His voice, his warmth, his relentless advance... all too familiar. Familiar enough to remind me of that night by the lake, the kiss under moonlight, the tenderness in his eyes when he called me "my Layla."
No. Don't remember those things.
Those were all lies, all illusions, all weapons he'd used to hurt me.
If this continued, if he kept questioning, if he investigated and found out about Kai...
I had to do something.
I bit my lower lip, using the pain to force myself alert, backing up a step to create distance. I suddenly raised my voice:
"Mr. Blackwood!"
My voice rang out especially loud among this crowd of aristocrats accustomed to hushed tones, immediately drawing the attention of several passing guests.
Kayden froze, surprise flashing in his eyes.
"It seems you're quite interested in today's exhibits." I continued loudly, plastering on a professional smile. "Since it's rare to meet such a discerning guest, why don't I give you a proper introduction?"
Several guests glanced our way curiously, whispering among themselves. I saw Kayden's jaw tighten, a flash of reluctance in his eyes, but under all these watching eyes, he had no choice but to release my hand.
"Then... I'll trouble Miss Ross." He said, his voice suppressing some unreadable emotion.
