Layla's pov~

I didn't realize I was injured until Christian carried me to the pack hospital. The doctor calmly explained to me a pregnancy test was necessary.

"Layla, we need to identify the perpetrator," the pack's emergency room doctor implored, casting a sympathetic gaze in my direction. "It's crucial to prevent this from happening to anyone else, and you need justice as well, miss."

"I assure you, it won't happen again. He's my ex-mate, and that's all I will disclose."I said looking down shame as I sat on the hospital bed getting my blood pressure taken. 

Christian's eyes blazed with fury as he spoke, his voice a low, seething undercurrent. "He will be punished, Layla. I couldn't let it go the first time, as difficult as it was. But to allow it to happen again and again? What do you want me to do? Wait until he kills you?"Christian's frustration boiled over, his clenched fists slamming onto the table.

"It's not your body—it's mine, If I wanted to bury it and move on, that should be my choice, shouldn't it?"Tears streamed down my cheeks once more, caught in the maelstrom of conflicting emotions, torn between the desire to move on and the need for justice.

"Fine, Layla, but there won't be a next time. Goddess forbid if I see him again, there will be no stopping me!" Christian's voice echoed through the room as he stormed out, his determination palpable in every word. I knew it was best to give him space to cool his smoldering rage.

"I can tell the alpha truly cares about you. You have no idea how difficult it was for him to just walk away. In most situations, we would be recovering a body. If you hadn't reined in his wolf and drawn attention to yourself, there would have been no stopping him. He's just too powerful," the doctor said.

" Yeah, Christian has been a wonderful friend to me," I replied.

*****

I was told I would have to return in 2 weeks to receive an additional pregnancy test because it would take 2 weeks to show up on any test. 

In wolf society we don't have plan b, we believe in taking care of our responsibilities, and doing what's necessary to prevent pregnancy.

Abstinence is highly regarded and expected, from wolves who are unmated, which is pretty fucked up for situations like mine.

Sexual assaults are pretty unheard of as well as violence of any kind in a pack is pretty rare so there weren't really any protocols for this situation. Alpha's are usually pretty good about keeping the pack members in check. 

Christian waited patiently outside the examining room.  After the doctor left he entered my room, his eyes were glossy and his hair was disheveled. 

He seemed lost I knew he was hurting seeing me like this. 

****

I never really looked very closely at his tattoos but now I was getting up close and personal with them. 

He had the most beautifully detailed tattoo on his chest that stretched into his sleeves. 

On his chest were two wolves, one black and one that looked just like Carley.

They were howling at the moon together. 

It was a tattoo that depicted the name of our pack, the moon was a crescent shape, and there was a pack of wolves behind the two wolves howling.

  Humans who would see it would not realize it was depicting our pack, but wolves would completely understand, and make the connection. 

The other tattoos were roses and some sugar skulls. I had daydreamed that one day my name would be there, wishful thinking I guess.

"Layla? Are you okay? I'm sorry I snapped at you. It's just that sometimes you can be incredibly stubborn. I want you to understand that I only want the best for you. It's as if you've grown so accustomed to being treated like this that you let people get away with things. As soon as I'm Alpha, I promise you will never have to worry about any of it again."

Christian said taking my hand in his with a grimace.

I smiled softly."Yeah." 

"I don't know why I'm not more upset, I guess after a while you just get used to being treated like shit, and you come to expect it from everyone you know.

I'm just so incredibly grateful that you're here with me you can't imagine how much this means to me."

I said looking down fiddling with Christian's shirt.

Clearing his throat attempting to smile, "I was wondering if maybe when you feel better would you want to grab a bite to eat with me? It could probably help you take your mind off of all this. But I want you to know I don't expect anything from you."

"If you're not feeling up to it anytime soon I can completely understand you've been through a lot."

"I gulped, you mean like a date?"

Christian stammered " no!... I mean yes.

But, if you don't want to.. "

I interrupted him. "Of course, I would love to go on a date with you!"

I said grabbing his hand and pulling him closer.

I thought I felt tingles They were very weak, but they were there.

"Did you feel that?" 

I asked him in shock.

Christian arched an eyebrow giving me an inquisitive look.

"Feel what?"

He smirked.

********

Christian's perspective ~

Layla nodded her head," never mind." 

I scooted into the hospital bed, stroking her hair and placing it behind her ear.  No Matter what happened to her or how she looked she was still absolutely perfect in my view. 

I hesitated to broach the topic of the mate bond, especially after the recent events. When she inquired if I sensed it, I simply smiled—I couldn't bring myself to deny it or deceive her. Yet, my wolf raged within, questioning why I didn't reveal the truth to her. "Why didn't you tell her?" he growled within me, his frustration evident. "You know what just happened—it's still bad timing." I calmed him, "Besides, I'm not going anywhere, and I believe she knows that now," I reassured, soothing my wolf's unrest.

"Everything's going to be okay Layla.

I promise I'll be here for you no matter the circumstances, and as long as I'm around, you'll never be hurt again I swear to the Goddess." I felt it was important to reassure her and never wanted her to second-guess me or feel like I wasn't there for her. 

I let her snuggle into my chest and I noticed she was inhaling my scent, letting it ease her nerves.

I don't believe Layla even realized she was my mate or comprehended that the reason she felt so connected to me, at ease when she breathed in my scent, and found comfort in my embrace, was because she belonged to me. All I could do was hope that she would recognize it soon because I didn't want to impose it on her.

"Can you excuse me for a second?"  She asked, "I need to go to the bathroom will you help me up?"I gently lifted her in my arms setting her down at the bathroom door. "Let me know if you need anything" I said tucking her hair behind her ear. 

  When she got to the bathroom I was horrified by her appearance, her hair had dirt and twigs in it among other things I hadn't noticed before because I was too Lost in her loving gaze.

I also noticed fresh bruises on her face and  arms.  When the gown Lifted slightly it revealed large marks on her hips, black and purple bruises in the shape of claws we're down her sides. I had to abruptly walk away to reign in my beast.

*****

Layla's perspective ~

My eyes and face were swollen from crying, mascara ran down my eyes,  and blood was smudged on my lips I  looked like a ravenous zombie.

  I searched for something to brush my hair, and I found a comb in the mirror. I couldn't believe Christian had seen me like this, I looked like shit. 

Still Attempting to brush the debris out of my hair, I ended up pulling out a large clump and that was it.

I couldn't hold back the tears anymore now that Christian wasn't next to me.

The day's events Hit me hard, I began sobbing uncontrollably as I half-heartedly tried to clean myself up. Suddenly I heard loud footsteps run to the bathroom. 

"Layla?

Are you okay?" 

"Yeah I guess." I answered lying.

"Are you decent can I come in?" 

"Yeah." 

The scent of hot chocolate and marshmallows filled the room instantly calming me.Christian sat down on the tile behind me, I was sitting between his legs.  He gently wrapped his arms around me from behind hugging me.

"It's going to be okay." 

He whispered into my ear sweetly...

" Christian?" 

"Yeah?" 

"What if I'm pregnant?" I said sobbing into my hands. 

" No matter what happens, we are going to make it through. Whatever you choose I got your back." Christian said with sincerity.

"Okay"  I said with a sigh of relief.

Thinking to myself, I'm so lucky he's such a great friend, just imagine if he was my mate.

"You're going to make someone very happy someday, your mate is so lucky."I said to Christian with a grimace, wishing it would be me...

Tucking my hair behind my ear once again, he mumbled "you have no idea."