Her Safe Place
Chapter 11

Edited

King Axel Pierce

I had held Layla in my arms until she had stopped crying. Her body had shook with the deep breaths she was taking. I rocked us slightly, trying to help calm her down. I was still unsure as to everything that Darcy had said, but I had planned to find out. Whatever it was, it was bad enough to upset Layla. That was inexcusable.

“Layla,” I said. She rested heavily against me. She didn’t reply. I shifted her so that I could see her face. She was asleep. I smiled at the peaceful expression on her face. She had some cuts on her arms and her lip was busted. Aftermath of the fight they had. I remember all too well walking into that hallway and seeing Layla’s face turning blue as she was suffocated. My heart had stopped and I had tackled Darcy off of Layla. I was just happy that Layla was alright and she wasn’t hurt too badly. I shifted Layla into my arms and she grabbed my shirt more tightly. I lifted her from the couch and walked out of my office. I made my way back towards my room. I placed her under the covers. I pulled the covers up to her shoulder and pulled back slightly. She was vision.

I ran my fingers through her hair slightly. I knew I had to do something. Although we were in a good place, I knew that we weren’t making much progress towards being a mated couple. I was going to do something for her.

But what?

Thinking back to our conversation, I realized she had a little brother. I knew she got along with him although she didn’t with her stepmother. Maybe I could have him come and visit.

I realized we didn’t know much about each other. I knew that Layla had been abused and that she didn’t want to trust me fully, but I wanted to make progress.

‘Georgia,’ I called through the mindlink.

‘Yes Axel?’

‘I need a favor. I want to do something special for Layla. I want to help make her more comfortable. Do you have any ideas?’

‘So many.’

-- - - - - - - – -

Layla Andrews

I didn’t remember falling asleep or getting to Axel’s room. I remember Axel holding me. I must’ve fallen asleep then. I sat up in bed and looked around. Axel wasn’t in here. I made my way out the door only to bump into Georgia. Georgia wore a huge smile. “There you are!” she said cherrily.

“Hi,” I replied.

“Axel wanted me to come get you. He is waiting for you on the patio.” Georgia said. She grabbed my hand and led me towards the back doors. She pushed them opened and I noticed Axel standing near the stairs. He smiled when he saw me.

“Layla,” he said. He pulled me into an embrace and held me for a moment. He pulled back, “I have a surprise for you,” he said. He pulled me towards the stairs and onto the back lawn. “Follow me,” he instructed. Although, he never let go of my hand. He led me farther into the woods. We stopped in a clearing. A beautiful lake sat surrounded by trees and mountains. The clear water reflected the landscape.

“Axel, this is beautiful,” I whispered out. My eyes took in every little detail. It was almost like a dream.

“I want to get to know you, Layla.” Axel said. “I want us to get to know each other inside and out.” I blushed deeply. Axel led me to a picnic table. A basket was sat on it. Axel helped me sit down before he took a seat next to me. He began unpacking the bag. “Will you tell me about yourself, Layla?”

“What about me?” I asked.

“Anything.” was his reply.

“Well, I was born to a werewolf father and a human mother. My parents aren’t mates so that caused a little bit of a stir. My mother and father split when my father found his mate, Jane. I lived with my mother, only receiving child support payments from my father. I lived that way for the first fifteen years of my life. My parents split before I was born. When I was about fifteen, my mother left. Because I was under the age of eighteen, I was forced to go to live with my father. I had been living with him for the past few years. That is until you found me.” I said. I didn’t want to go into too much detail with the drama that happened with my mother.

“And you haven’t shown any signs of being a werewolf?” Axel asked.

I looked at my lap and nodded. I glanced at him quickly before asking, “does that bother you? That I’m not a werewolf?”

“No,” Axel said immediately, “you are perfect just that way you are.” I blushed and looked at my lap again. It seemed as though Axel loved to put me to the blush. Axel made a plate up for me and grabbed a water bottle from the basket.

“Will you tell me about yourself?” I asked.

“Of course,” Axel replied. “I was born and raised here, training my whole life to become the king. My parents stepped down from the titles when I turned eighteen, but have continued to help me through my life. Both of my parents are werewolves with my dad being a pureblood. My mother still has the title of Queen Luna as you have not had your coronation yet. I have no siblings, but there is Georgia and Vince who are like siblings to me.”

I nodded as Axel talked. I liked to hear about him, it helped to calm me. I looked over the lake. The sun was shining off the lake, giving it a glow. I stood and walked towards the water’s edge.

“Do you want to swim?” Axel asked, coming to stand next to me.

I shook my head, “I haven’t brought anything to swim in.”

“Its alright, you can swim in your undergarments.” I thought it over.

“Will you swim with me?” I asked.

“Of course,” He replied immediately. I turned around and began to lift my shirt before dropping it. “Are you alright?” I heard Axel ask. I stood there frozen. I didn’t want him to see the hideous scars on my body. “Layla,” he turned me around to face him.

“I-I-I,” I began before swallowing, “I have scars.” I hoped that if he didn’t see them, he wouldn’t think anything less of me.

“From your stepmother?” He asked.

“Some of them,” I replied.

“And the others?”

I shook my head, “my head is a really dark place Axel.” I didn’t look up at Axel, too afraid of what I would see.

“Layla,” he lifted my face with his fingers under my chin. “Did you hurt yourself? I promise, I won’t think anything less of you for it.” I bit my lip and nodded. “May I see the scars?” Axel asked.

“They are hideous, Axel,” I said. “When you see them, you won’t think I’m perfect anymore.” Voicing my fear was somewhat therapeutic.

“Layla, you could burn the world down and I wouldn’t think anything less of you. I love you and nothin will ever change that.” My heart stopped at his words. He loved me? How? How could he lov someon liek me? “May I?” he moved his hands down to the bottom of my shirt. I nodded slowly. Axel lifted the shirt up and over my head. His eyes wander across the scars. “You are still so beautiful.” He whispered out.

Axel helped me get rid of my pants before he dragged his finger across a scar on my stomach. My back was worse. He pulled me close, holding me tightly. “I love you.” He said.

I held onto him tightly, never wanting to let him go. I wasn’t sure I would be able to bare it if he released me in that moment.

After he held me in his arms for a little longer, he pulled back and took of his shirt and pants, leaving him in his boxers. He was chiseled to say the least. He was an Adonis. He held his hand out to me and helped me into the water. I shivered slightly at the coldness of the water, but Axel’s unusually warm temperature, compare to mine, helped to keep me warm. Werewolves naturally ran high in temperature, something that came in handy during the winter.

I tried to keep moving to help keep warm. It helped slightly. I playful splashed some water towards Axel. He whipped hs eyes before he lunged for me. I screamed as he grabbed me. “Plug your nose,” was the only warning I got before he dunked me under the water. He pulled me back to the surface, holding onto me. I smiled and held onto him tightly.

A/N:

Hey guys!

I know this isn't normally a day that I update, however, its my birthday! In honor of being alive for another year, I am updating twice.

I also live in the US so the 4th of July is a pretty big deal to us all.

Thanks so for reading, I love you all

❤️JustMe666❤️

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