Chapter Twenty One: Labor Day

Akila joined Layla in her room after she saw Ethan off as well, few minutes after Alpha Niklaus left her house. They had smooched and reveled in each other's embrace. Ethan had wanted to prolong their cuddling, mentioning it had been long since he had held her, but Akila had ushered him to leave so that she could check up on Layla. She promised that she would visit him on the weekend and they would spend all the time together. "Hey." Layla looked up as Akila walked into her room. "I'm a mess," Layla said, her voice low. "You aren't," Akila countered, pushing a stray strand of hair on Layla's face behind her ear. She sat beside Layla on the bed, the bed dipping beneath her weight. "You aren't with your family anymore," Akila reminded her. "You've been accepted here, and we all embrace you as one of ours. Nobody will look down on you in here. I will ensure that." Layla nodded slowly. "Thanks." "I told Niklaus about your circumstances with your mate." Layla's eyes flashed. "I