Betrayed luna: daughter stolen by her mate Chapter 08

Mia didn’t mess around. She grabbed Dante by the hair and slapped him. Hard. Multiple times.

“Dante. Moonlight Pack agreed to let Layla be with you because you promised her happiness. And now? You couldn’t even protect her pup.”

Mia and Dylan took me home. Drove me straight back to the Moonlight Pack house.

“Layla, are you sure this will work?”

Dylan gripped the steering wheel, flexing his wrist.

“If this fails, I’m going to Vegas. I’ll tear that city apart until I find Bella.”

I stared out the window and sighed.

The moment I realized Maria was planning to use her own life to pressure Dante, I called 911.

What I didn’t expect was the whole ceiling fixture coming down. When I saw her face covered in blood, I genuinely panicked.

On the way to the hospital, I texted Mia.

Maria had set the stage. It would’ve been rude not to play my part.

“You’re an idiot. You hurt your wrist beating up a guy who wouldn’t even fight back.”

“I was so pissed. I finally got the chance to hit him. I lost control a little.”

Mia rubbed Dylan’s wrist. I sat in the back and watched them. Couldn’t help but smile.

At least I wasn’t alone.

I stayed at Moonlight Pack for a few days. Dante called. I didn’t answer.

Maria’s condition was serious. Dizzy spells. Vomiting. In and out of consciousness.

“Layla, you have a follow-up at the hospital tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah. They need to check how my bones are healing.”

“When Dylan gets back, have him drive you home to grab your medical records. You’ll need them.”

I nodded and went back to playing with Lily.

Dylan dropped me off at the Silvermoon Pack house. He wanted to come in with me. I told him no.

“Relax. Dante won’t lay a hand on me.”

I could feel him inside. My wolf sensed his presence.

I walked in. Dante was in the kitchen cooking.

I acted like I didn’t see him and went straight to the bedroom. I started digging through the drawers for my paperwork.

“Layla. You’re back. Are you hungry?”

I ignored him. Found the records. Started pulling out clothes.

“Layla, what are you doing? You’re still mad, right? I’m sorry. Just don’t be mad anymore, okay?”

“Let go of me.”

“Layla, Mom’s condition is bad. They found brain damage. The doctor says there’ll be long-term effects.”

I shook his hand off my arm and stepped back.

“What does that have to do with me?”

“What do you mean? She’s sick. She needs you.”

“What she needs right now isn’t me. You know exactly who she’s been desperate for this whole time. Did I make her sick? Did I cause her to hurt herself?”

“Dante. You know where all of this started. You just refuse to see it. Do I really need to explain why your mother tried to kill herself?”

“You’ve changed, Layla. You weren’t like this before.”

“I haven’t changed. I just finally woke up. I could live with your flaws. I could spend my life with you just fine. But Maria’s obsession with Bella made something clear to me. In your heart, Emily will always come first. Before me. Before Maria. Before everyone. So why should I stay?”

“That’s not true, Layla. You matter too. You all matter.”

“Just never more than her. I love you, Dante. I nearly died saving your life. But the person you love? It’s never been me.”

I hauled a huge bag of clothes to the front door. Dylan was already there.

Behind me, Dante was still trying to explain himself. Then he saw my brother and the words died in his throat.

Dylan took my bag and shot Dante a death glare. He turned and pressed the elevator button.

“Dante. Once your mom is stable, we should talk. About breaking our mate bond.”

Just before the elevator doors closed, I heard Dante shout.

“I’m not breaking our bond! You’re the one I love. Not her.”