[Ayla’s POV]I don’t speak as Aera’s words settle around us, causing the atmosphere to grow heavier and heavier. If we were talking about anyone else, this discussion wouldn’t be so uncomfortable, but since we were speaking about Celia, it was entirely different."You said," Uncle Silas begins, his voice cold. "Celia attempted to kill Ayla."I wasn’t sure if he was angry that he didn’t know about this or if he didn’t believe what was being said, but I knew that he was trying his hardest to not lose his temper."That’s right," Aera confirms, not backing down. "With her freakish fire.""Careful," Isabella warns, fixing a glare on Aera. "Even if what you’re saying is true, Celia is still my sister and my parents daughter. You will not badmouth her in front of us.""And what about Ayla?" Aera demands. "She was almost killed by your sister and their daughter. Does that mean nothing?""Aera," I murmur, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Celia wasn’t herself at that time.""And what of the o
[Aera’s POV]"Do you feel better now that you’ve told your aunt and uncle about your pregnancy?"After finishing their discussion about Celia and about Ayla being on guard for the time being, Silas and Lennox headed out along with the kids.Since their departure, Ayla has been quiet, and I couldn’t help but want to know what was on her mind.When her green eyes come to find mine, I see a flash of unease, but it quickly disappears."About some things," she admits."At least it’s one less thing for you to worry about," I murmur, pulling her into my lap so that she was straddling me. "And if you need help forgetting other things, I’m more than willing to help with that too."As I speak, I begin to slide my hands beneath Ayla’s shirt until they reach the hooks of her bra. Leaning forward, I begin to trail kisses along her collarbones and then her throat while getting the pesky garment out of my way.A small moan escapes Ayla’s lips as I pull her shirt off and then the bra so that her brea
[Aera's POV]Later, I lay in bed staring down at Ayla's sleeping face while fighting the urge to wake her up for another round of fun. Even though we had gone multiple times already, I still just couldn't get enough. Was it because she was my mate that I couldn't stop myself from wanting to feel her against me? To hear her voice screaming my name? And to be by her side at all times?Deciding that had to be it, I let my eyes travel down to her exposed breasts and felt my dick throb with anticipation.'Don't,' Rayze warns as I prepare to grab Ayla's breast. 'She's carrying our pups and needs all the sleep she can get.''One more won't…''Think with your head, not your dick,' Rayze warns, fighting to take control to stop me from doing what I wanted to do.'Fine," I growl, giving Ayla's naked body a look of longing.For now, I would let her sleep since there was something I needed to do anyway. I knew that Silas and Lennox intended to send someone to keep track of Celia, but what if she m
[Ayla's POV]The world around me sways as the sound of the ocean reaches my ears. It's a comforting sound that lulls me in and out of the darkness that surrounds me.Grumbling, I attempt to stay in it, but soon warm light begins to shine through my closed lids, and I know that I won't be able to fight it."Why?" I sigh, slowly opening my eyes to find that I'm on a beach with white sand and sparkling blue water that lazily crashes against the shore and retreats. "Fucking Barren."Sitting up, I continue to take in my surroundings until I spot him making his way toward me in nothing but a pair of swim trunks and sunglasses.When he notices that I'm awake and watching, a broad smile begins to form on his handsome features, and he picks up his pace until he is towering over me."Why?" I sigh, causing his smile to falter. "Didn't I make it clear that I don't want you to continue to find me?""Don't be like that," Barren says, keeping his calm demeanor. "I'm trying to atone for my sins again
[Ayla’s POV]"I know."Barren didn’t need to point out to me how serious of a situation we were in. However, I knew that convincing those around me that this needed to be done was going to be difficult given my… circumstances."Is it him?" He suddenly asks."Who?" "Aera Lebeau."As he says Aera’s name, Barren doesn’t bother hiding his dislike of him."You do know he is playing with you, right?" He continues when I don’t respond. "He’ll end up doing you the same way he did my sister once he is done playing with you."I remain silent as Barren’s words hit me. Maybe he was right, maybe he wasn’t. That would be for me to see in the future, but I had decided I would give him a chance, and I didn’t intend to go back on that."If we’re done here, I need to...""Ayla!" Barren snaps, reaching out and grabbing me again. "Are you really going to reject me for him?""I am," I confirm.When the words leave my lips, it feels like a thousand tiny little knives stab into my heart, and breathing beco
[Ayla’s POV]"You and who?" Aera’s voice is cold, and his expression is dark as the words leave his lips. "I don’t think I heard you correctly."Rolling my eyes, I try to ignore the irritation I feel due to his possessiveness. I was an adult and could do whatever I wanted with whoever I wanted. However, I knew that if the roles were reversed and it was Aera and Corinna, I’d probably feel the same.Did that mean that I had already fallen? Shit, I was in trouble."We are the only ones that can go freely in the dreamworld," I explain, hoping that he would understand better. "Because of that, it has to be us.""Why can’t the bastard take care of those creatures himself?" Aera demands. "He’s an alpha and should be able to...""They’re much stronger than that," I explain, remembering being thrown by one like I was a damn ragdoll. "It’ll take more than just him, and I’m his only other option.""You?" Aera repeats, his eyebrows raising. "Did you forget that your abilities are locked away?""M
[Aera's POV]"Ah, Aera, faster!"Ayla's pleasure-filled moans echo around us, mixing beautifully with the sounds of her juices sloshing around my fingers as I move them in and out of her core, building her up and then stopping until she comes down and then building her up again.If she was going to be alone with that prick Barren in the dream plain, then I was going to make sure that her mind, body, and fucking soul remembered me so that Barren had no chance of sneaking in."Oh goddess," Ayla moans, collapsing on her stomach and spreading her legs wider to give me better access. "I'm going to cum."At her words, I pull my fingers out and watch as liquid explodes from her pussy, soaking the sheet beneath her. Fuck, I would never get tired of that sight. I'd never been with a woman who came with so much force.Gasping, Ayla stays in position as I climb up behind her and grab her hips, sinking my fingers deep into her skin and then pulling so that my dick pushes into her still-twitching
[Ayla's POV]I watch with wide eyes as Aera throws Barren out the window and then dives out behind him while I and the rest of the patrons of the fucking shop we are in watch.Shit, what was this man thinking doing something like that in public? Didn't he realize that he could be easily recognized given his position? I needed to stop them before things went too far!Cursing, I jump up from my seat and hurry outside to find Aera pinning Barren to the ground while his fist connects with his face. As he lifts his arm to prepare for another blow, Barren lets out a laugh of amusement. Was he actually enjoying this?"Aera!" I hiss, reaching out and grabbing his shoulder. "Stop! You're causing a scene!""This isn't a scene," he points out. "I'll show you what an actual scene is!"As he speaks, his fist connects with Barren's face again, and a yelp of shock escapes me."Stop it now!" I push, attempting to get between them so I could use my body as a shield. "This isn't the way you solve probl