5:I'm supposed to be dead

Riven's mansion was a chaos of movement. All shifters, both young and ancient, werewolf and lycan, all moved around the pack house, running different errands. Everyone got orders from the Alpha that hadn't left his room since the previous night.

Ever since Caleb ran through the entire rooms of the mansion like a mad beast, informing everyone of the arrival of the Alpha's mate, the entire household had gone into a state of restlessness. No one slept a wink through out the night. They all gathered at the entrance of Riven's chamber, wanting to have a look at the long awaited Alpha's mate.

But Riven was having none of that. The only person allowed into his room was Henrietta, the ancient witch. Not even Cade, his beta was allowed. He was in a state of protectiveness and he didn't want his mate to be disturbed.

After Henrietta checked on Layla and recited a spell to know what Layla's ailment was, she reported her findings to Riven and told him of the herbs she would need in healing Layla.

Riven then passed the information to Cade and Caleb who were waiting outside the door of his room. Every shifter was to go out into the forest and look for the numerous special herbs Henrietta would need in making a healing potion. And that was how it all started.

The herbs were found and Henrietta instructed them on what to do. Some parts were grinded, some boiled, some burned and the smoke trapped in an incense tin. It was a riot of activities.

While in Riven's room, Henrietta sat beside Layla on the large king-size bed, moving her palms over her entire body and muttering strange spells. She looked young, like she was in her early thirties. But everyone knew Henrietta had lived for centuries, almost as long as Riven. The witches were known for using their magic and spells to make themselves look younger even after so many years. Henrietta was almost a thousand years old and yet she looked thirty, with bright red hair and sharp blue eyes.

Riven sat on the other side of Layla with her tiny palm held in his. His eyes were fixated on her face, never leaving it. He watched for signs of wakefulness but Layla remained unconscious, her chest rising and falling in deep slumber. Her paleness scared him and he couldn't help but wonder how she got into the ocean.

"She will be fine Riven",Henrietta said softly. Her hands were no longer hovering over Layla's face. She now stared at Riven, her blue eyes filled with concern. She knew how Riven felt right now. She and Riven had known each other since the beginning and she knew how long he had waited to find his mate. To see her unconscious and looking so pale would be too much for him to handle.

Riven sighed but didn't take his eyes off Layla. "When I found her at the shore, I thought she was dead. And then she opened her eyes, and stared at me. There was so much confusion in them, like she didn't know where she was".

"Maybe she doesn't",Henrietta said. "Maybe there's a reason why you found her in the ocean. Surely Selene has a reason for making you wait this long and bringing her to you this way. Have patience, your questions will be answered".

"Right now all I'm concerned about is making sure she's okay",Riven said smoothly. He traced his other hand over her soft palm. She was still dressed in that awful sack but he hesitated to take it off. When she showed signs of recovering, he would take care of that.

"How much longer?",he asked and finally took his eyes off Layla. Worry had darkened the shade of his eyes to a golden brown and he stared at Henrietta.

"The healing spell should have taken hold of her by now. It is time to apply the potion".

Riven dropped Layla's hand gently on the bed and walked towards the door. Cade and Caleb seemed to be waiting and they both strained their necks to look inside as Riven opened the door.

"Alpha? Is she okay?",Cade asked worriedly.

"I don't know. I can only hope",Riven said. "Bring in the potions. And Cade, please keep the crowd back. They will all get to see her. But not now".

"Yes Alpha",Cade said and left to pass the order to the rest.

"Caleb get some water for me",he said to the gamma.

"Water, right. In a bowl? Or a cup? Or..." Caleb trailed off and Riven resisted the urge to snap at him. This wasn't the right time for him to act stupid.

"A bottle of water Caleb",he said in a calm voice.

"Right away Alpha",Caleb said and marched off.

Riven shut the door and turned to the bed just in time to see Layla's eyes flutter open.

...

Layla knew instantly that she was in a room, on a warm soft bed. She could feel the warm blankets over the rough dress she wore. The room was warm too. She heard voices, they sounded close by. A door was shut closed and then silence.

Her eyes fluttered open and she saw him again. The golden eyed stranger. He was staring back at her and he moved quickly towards the bed and sat beside her, taking her hand in his. Delicious tingles danced up her skin at his touch and she drew her hands away, surprised by it.

Riven felt hurt as she swiftly moved her hand away from his. But he couldn't blame her. She had no idea who he was so she was bound to be wary of him.

"Hello dear",Henrietta whispered softly and Layla turned her eyes towards her, surprised that there was someone else in the room. She stared at the woman, taking in her beautiful appearance. Her red hair seemed to glow brightly and her blue eyes were friendly. But Layla trusted no one, not after the cruelty she had gone through in the hands of Madame Parker.

Her eyes suddenly widened. Madame Parker! Had she been caught? Had she been sold to the highest bidder who would make her his sex slave? Her breath began to come out in harsh pants and she tried to leave the bed, panic filling her eyes when she realized she couldn't move. Her body felt like lead.

"She's terrified",Henrietta said and looked worriedly towards Riven. "If she doesn't calm down, she would hyperventilate".

"What do we do?",Riven asked, fear laced in his voice. Layla kept trying to get away from him and wouldn't allow Henrietta touch her. Her eyes moved around the room wildly, as if she was scared of something. Something was definitely scaring her and his heart broke as tears spilled down her eyes.

Without thinking twice, he moved closer to her and drew her into his arms. Layla tried to fight him off, terrified and thinking he was the man who Madame Parker told her about. She struggled for a while but Riven didn't let her go. Instead he began to whisper soothing words to her.

"It's okay my love... you're okay. You're safe here. You're safe with me and I won't let anyone hurt you, I promise. I won't let anyone hurt you, I promise my love. Please be calm for me. You're safe with me... you're safe with me..."

Layla gradually ceased struggling as Riven's soothing words caressed her ears. The tingles erupted in her skin and it made her shiver. It made her want to feel more. This couldn't be the same person Madame Parker told her about. This stranger was kind to her, treating her like she was the most important thing to him.

"You're so important to me my love, and I will never let any harm befall you",Riven said softly, as if he had been listening to her thoughts.

Layla remained still in his arms, letting him hold her. Strangely enough she didn't feel scared anymore. She felt safe, and she believed his words that he wouldn't hurt her. She started to look up to his face when she felt the darkness calling to her again. She hated the darkness because she felt so alone there, so frightened. She tried to fight it but it pulled her under and her eyes closed.

"She's out again. Henrietta we need to begin the healing ritual now",Riven said as Layla went limp in his hands. Her bouts of wakefulness and unconsciousness were making him deathly worried.

"I will bring the things I need",Henrietta said and walked out of the room.

And before the darkness completely pulled Layla under, a thought formed in her head.

I'm supposed to be dead.