Chương 32: Assault!

Due to the event that occured the previous night with the creature from Tartarus, Layla didn't sleep a wink. The image of the creature kept appearing behind her closed eyes; its terrifying appearance, its evil looking teeth and claws. When she managed to grab a few seconds of sleep, she was plagued with horrible nightmares of the creature attacking her and almost killing her.

Caleb had tried his best to calm her, assuring her that the creature wouldn't return. But Layla heard none of it. She was greatly terrified and needed Riven by her side. He had been gone over an hour, and she stayed awake waiting for him to return, afraid of going back to sleep.

It was in the early hours of the morning when Riven returned. He didn't find the creature and it troubled him greatly. The creature was sent from Tartarus, a place he didn't want to think about. He was troubled because he had no idea what that creature wanted with Layla. He didn't know if the creature took her blood with it. He ordered the shifters to keep an eye out for the creature and dismissed Caleb and Alex.

Layla finally found comfort, cradled in Riven's arms and it was when the sun was peeking over the horizon that she was able to fall into a deep slumber. There were dark circles around her eyes from restlessness and lack of proper sleep and due to her tiredness, she slept in late.

It was exactly 11am when Layla opened her heavy eyelids. The room was dim because the curtains were drawn to keep out the bright light. Riven always did that. On the days she didn't wake up early, he would make sure the curtains were dropped so the brightness wouldn't disturb her. It was so thoughtful of him and Layla was glad for it.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes and sat up on the bed. She was alone. The spot beside her on the bed was cold, which meant Riven had been long gone. She yawned and stretched her slender limbs before climbing off the bed.

She walked up the window and drew the curtains apart, smiling as the rays of the sun bathed her in its radiant glory. Her dazzling smile could compete with the brilliant rays of the sun and if Riven was there with her, he would certainly agree.

The view was breathtaking. Riven's room faced the east and Layla could see high mountains in the distance, mountains that surrounded the entire island. It was so magnificent to look upon. The island stretched out for thousands of miles and the waves of the ocean crashed against the shore.

The shore where Riven told her he found her. Layla now knew why she had survived that fall she took. She wasn't human. She only wished her mother was alive to tell her about herself. Even with the new discovery of being a powerful Sorceress, she still had so many questions to ask. She didn't even know how to control her powers. Riven already told her that Henrietta would coach her and she couldn't wait to begin.

Moving away from the window, she walked towards the bathroom to freshen up. Riven had provided her with all she needed and more, and it fascinated her that they could journey to the human world and return. She wished she could go too. But the fear of being caught by Madame Parker whom she thought was still alive and that Vampire Lord prevented her from telling Riven about it. She knew Riven would agree to whatever she asked, and he had proven it so many times. She only needed to ask.

A deep sigh escaped her. She was getting spoiled with the way Riven treated her. A part of her enjoyed the endless attention and love she got from him. But she knew she needed to act matured. She was twenty three, an adult already. She needed to stop acting like a spoiled baby and more like a matured adult.

Taking a quick bath and washing her mouth, she wrapped Riven's thick white towel around her body. She liked the way Riven smelled and would always wear his clothes so she could smell like him. It amused Riven greatly.

She walked towards the large closet and stared at the huge mass of clothes, shoes, jewelries and so much others that she couldn't name. Riven really outdid himself because it was as if he ordered an entire boutique just for her. She chose a simple white t-shirt and blue jean. A blue flat sandal completed it and she stood in front of the mirror examining herself.

The scars and bruises she got from Madame Parker's whipping were gradually fading off. The ointment Henrietta gave her did its work perfectly. The whip marks were almost gone while the other bruises were totally faded. Her arm that had been broken by Cara was totally healed and the purple bruises were gone.

Even with the bruises cleared from her skin, she still didn't have much courage to leave Riven's room. Apart from that one time that she had eaten lunch with the rest of the shifters, she had never stepped out. She still felt insecure about herself and the fear of being looked down on remained with her. Madame Parker had told her that no one would ever want her. And even with her voice back, the fear of rejection remained with her.

She was only comfortable with Riven. And thinking of Riven made her remember the moment they almost kissed that night. The thought brought a warm blush to her cheeks and she giggled softly. She didn't want to ruin her mood by thinking of the pain that followed next. So she closed her eyes and brushed her hair, thinking of the past instead.

She found it hard to believe that it was she who was looking so healthy and alive now. She that had been subjected to torture for as long as she could remember. She that lost the zeal to live and took her own life. She had Riven to thank for everything. He literally saved her life. And the least she could do in return was to be a better mate. Riven already told her she was the Supreme Luna of his pack, and she knew she had to be strong like Riven. The shifters wouldn't want someone weak and scared. She had to be brave.

And it started with leaving Riven's room.

She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She could do this. She hadn't really seen the other parts of the mansion. In her travel to the past, she had seen a little of it. Now was the perfect time. Maybe she would even see Riven.

"I can do this. I can do this...",Layla chanted the words quietly. Her heart was already hammering in her chest but her mind was made up. She dropped her hair brush, leaving her hair free over her shoulders.

When she opened the door and stared into the empty narrow hallway leading towards the stairs, her courage almost deserted her. But she thought of Riven and how proud he would be. This renewed her courage and she stepped outside the room.

Her heart remained lodged in her throat but she continued, placing one foot after the other. She got to the end of the hallway and paused, looking down the stairs. She could hear voices and she gulped nervously.

Taking a deep breathe, she continued down the stairs. She knew the shifters would all stare at her and she would be uncomfortable with it. But she remembered Riven's words. Smile and nod. She would do just that.

She was in the middle of the stairs, and her fear was slowly disappearing when someone suddenly yanked her back and slammed her into the wall. Her vision blurred as pain exploded in her head.

"Bitch!",her attacker hissed in anger. He grabbed her away from the stairs and shoved her into a dark passage, slamming her into the wall again. Layla saw stars and she whimpered in pain. A rough hand clamped over her mouth and she looked up at her attacker, terror evident in her eyes.

"That's right, be scared!",the man growled furiously. "I hope you feel the pain and fear I felt when my Alpha was killed". And he wrapped his hands tight around Layla's throat, strangling her.

Layla began to tremble and choke as her air was cut off. She tried to drag his hands away but she wasn't strong enough.

RIVEN!, she screamed his name in her mind.

She was dying.