Chapter 43

Note: I give a small (very small) insight of what is going on with Dylan. This chapter is mainly a small sneak peak of their future.

Chapter 43

Two months later…

“Happy Birthday!” I yelled, jumping into Jared’s arms and making him stumble back.

“Easy,” Layton said, coming behind me and slightly pulling me against his chest. I smiled when I saw the jealousy in his eyes. It was something that would never go away with him.

“Thanks, Cass,” Jared said, giving me a squeeze before letting me go.

Layton drastically relaxed behind me, making me roll my eyes at his antics.

“Everything’s ready,” Tyler said, coming to join our little group.

It was Jared’s birthday, and planning for it had been huge. Initially, Jared only wanted something small. He wanted a celebration between friends, and to have Zev and some of the guys over.

Surprisingly, Micah and Jared had grown close. It was nice to see the packs really getting along. They weren’t being careful, or holding back, like they had been a few months ago.

“Are Blake and Christy almost here?” Layton asked Jared.

He pulled me along to one of the tables, which was nicely decorated, thanks to some of the younger She-Wolves in the pack.

Jared and Tyler pulled out a chair each and joined us, knowing Layton was going to start questioning them to make sure everything was ready. Soon enough, Nick and Jackson had joined our table as well.

“Christy called me. They’re about an hour away. They both need to get ready, but I think we’re set to go by seven,” Jared said, turning to look at Tyler, who nodded in agreement.

“It’s five. We should also be getting ready for the party,” Layton said.

I yelped in surprise when Layton picked me up from the ground and carried me over his shoulder.

“Put me down!” I complained, slapping his back.

The guys were cheering him on, and that only made Layton ignore me. He carried me over his shoulder the entire way. I stopped slapping his back, because every time I did, Layton would tap my bottom.

The more I squirmed in his arms, the tighter his hold was. It wasn’t helpful that his hands kept roaming closer to my inner thighs. I was well aware that he was doing that on purpose.

“Quite a show,” I said once he put me down on the ground, which wasn’t until we made it to our room.

“You’re welcome,” Layton said, smirking at me teasingly.

“You’re such a little boy,” I sighed, going over to the bed to make sure Layton hadn’t moved my clothes.

“Do you really think that?” Layton asked.

I blushed furiously when I saw his eyes roaming over my body, while he was tugging on the hem of his shirt. “I can show that I’m not a little boy,” he said, coming over to me.

“No need,” I said, barely missing him from catching me in his arms.

“Maybe next time then,” he grinned.

Alpha Blake, from Imperial Pack, was going to visit. Christy, Jared’s twin sister, had found her mate a few months ago. No one more than Layton had been more surprised that Christy, who had gone Rogue years ago, was mated to Alpha Blake.

I had met Christy a few times before, and it was always nice to see her. However it was surprising to hear that her take on packs was similar to what Liam thought, except Christy had toned it down after she and Blake met.

After Layton and Zev became Alpha, they visited a few packs, and I had gone along with them. They were doing almost everything together these days, and I was getting a kick out of that.

Alpha Blake seemed like the other Alphas I had met. The only difference was probably that he was younger. He was nice, charming even.

I rarely got the chance to speak to him. I had seen him twice before, after he met Christy. She brought him over so that Jared could meet him. Jared, being Layton’s Beta, had already met Blake before.

Apparently, Alpha Blake was rumored to have had a thing with the Luna of another pack. Said rumor had been started by Christy, and she had brain-washed everyone into thinking that Blake was a player.

That rumor did not go down too well the first time Jared and Blake spoke. Jared threatened Blake every way he possibly could about taking care, loving, and protecting his baby sister, not that Christy needed any protection.

I had seen strong She-Wolves in our pack and in Zev’s pack, but no one had been as strong or as determined as Christy. I loved that about her.

I noticed that it didn’t matter how relaxed and comfortable Christy was in our pack, Alpha Blake was mindful of his behavior whenever he was around us and it was obvious that he didn’t want any trouble.

Even though both packs were on good terms, and a treaty had been made— thanks to Christy’s insistence— Layton was still cautious around Alpha Blake.

Lately, Blake was hanging out with another Alpha, Alpha Dylan. Layton told me that a massive war was starting between several packs, and Blake was supporting one of the sides.

Layton and Zev wanted to stay out of it. Zev and his father were friends with one of the Alpha’s fighting, Alpha Nicolas. Layton and his father were friends with the Alpha on the opposite side, Alpha Dylan. In order to stay on neutral ground, Layton and Zev had decided not to join either side.

The problem was that Alpha Blake was fighting with Alpha Dylan. Zev didn’t want Alpha Blake there, but there was little he could do.

I liked Christy, Layton cared for Christy, and Jared was Christy’s twin. There was no way Zev could do anything against that, and he didn’t try. The two times Alpha Blake had been there, Zev had kept his distance from him, both of them trying hard not to cross each other.

Things were tense the both times that Christy visited, but I was glad that Zev didn’t stay away. It was nice to have his support. And lately, Blue Bloods and New Elite were practically like one pack, because Layton and Zev were getting along really well.

“Cassidy!” Christy said, coming over to me and embracing me in a tight hug.

Alpha Blake was walking at a casual pace behind her, and there was a grin on his face. “Christy, have you ever been that excited to see me?” Alpha Blake asked, joining us.

It was half past seven. They were a little late, but I was simply glad they had finally arrived. Jared had been pacing the area, growling and complaining because his twin was late… again.

“Happy birthday, Christy,” I said, tightening my arms around her.

Christy laughed against my neck, and I realized Alpha Blake had pinched her sides.

“How was the trip?” I asked.

They were supposed to arrive sooner. When I ran my eyes over them I realized they were both dressed up.

“You guys changed?”

“We had to make a stop,” Blake said, rolling his eyes and shaking his head at Christy.

“What happened?” I asked.

Zev had arrived about an hour ago, and he was helping Layton around with last minute things. When I looked over to them, I realized they were laughing about something. That made me smile.

“Christy here-” Blake started to say, bringing my attention back to them. Christy slapped her hand over Blake’s mouth and completely shut him up.

“I… I… had to… to… I was hungry,” Christy said, obviously lying.

Blake rolled his eyes once again, and he chuckled when Christy started blushing. I wasn’t sure why they were delayed, but I assumed it had something to do with Christy, and she was embarrassed by it.

“It’s okay. At least you guys are here already,” I shrugged, smiling at both of them.

I was surprised when Blake leaned closer to me, and gave me a side hug. Not a second later, I had Zev pulling me away from Blake and into his arms.

“Blake,” Zev nodded.

“Zeverus, it’s good to see you,” Alpha Blake replied, dryly.

“Oh, you two, please don’t start this crap again. I don’t want a pissing match on my birthday, during my party,” Christy whined. “It’s nice to see you, Zeverus,” Christy said to Zev, before pulling Alpha Blake away towards the tables.

“Did he really have to come?” Zev asked me.

His arm was still wrapped around my waist, and I leaned into him. “He’ll be gone by tomorrow.”

“Does that mean I can have more time with you? You can put my mind off of it,” Zev said, smiling down at me.

“You’re so bad. I can distract you though.”

“I like the sound of that,” Zev chuckled.

“Actually, it’s an idea that I have,” I said, interlacing my arm with his, while I dragged him to the nearest table.

“What’s up?”

“Well, you know what I am,” I whispered the last part.

“Right…”

“I want the guys to have some friendly matches. You know, for fun. But I think it can also be good practice.”

“Like tournaments?”

“Yeah, something like that,” I replied.

“You think they can keep it playful?”

“Of course they can! Everyone has been getting along really well.”

“You’re optimistic,” Zev laughed.

“Wolves can be very competitive. I think they would like having friendly matches against each other. Jared told me that the Wolves join sports in school. I don’t think that’s fair for the humans. It would be so much better if we did our own thing.”

“Actually…” Zev slowly said.

“You don’t like that?” I asked, hearing my voice fall.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Zev finished.

“Really?” I asked, a happy grin taking over my face. “I was thinking that I could join in on the fight a couple of times. After all, I am stronger than you all,” I teased.

“Shut up,” Zev said, giving me a light shove.

“So, did I distract you?”

“I was serious, Cass. Christina could have made the trip without her mate.”

“Like if that was going to happen. Layton would never let me go away without him tagging along. I doubt Blake has any interest in letting Christy out of his sight,” I stated.

“True,” Zev agreed. “But everyone loves you. Layton wouldn’t have anything to worry about. I can give you a long ass list of people in this party who don’t like Christina and who hate a certain Alpha,” Zev said, nodding in Blake’s direction.

“Zev…”

“He’ll ruin the party for me,” Zev complained.

“Hardly,” Layton added, coming over to us.

When he saw Zev and me together, he tugged on my hand and brought me over his lap. It had been a discreet move to get me away from him. It was strange to see how much more tolerant Layton was with me hanging out with Zev.

“I think Blake can stand you just about as much as you can stand him,” Layton told Zev.

“How is that helpful again?” I asked, shaking my head at Layton.

“They don’t have to get along. All they have to do is not kill each other, especially during Jared’s party,” he finished.

“Layton!” I snapped, slapping his chest.

To my surprise, Zev chuckled along with Layton. “Just don’t start… fighting,” I said, before walking away from the pair.

The music was loud, mainly on the dance floor that the guys had set up in the middle of the backyard. While most of the younger Wolves— or those still unmated— were hanging out in the party, a lot of the older Wolves had ditched us around ten. My parents, who were still getting used to Werewolf life, were gone long before that.

But even with a few Wolves gone, the party was still going on full swing. There were people hanging out on the tables, talking or eating. The squared, somewhat spacious dance floor was filled, mainly with people fooling around.

Christy and Blake were there, and that was strange. Tyler was dancing with one of the She-Wolves from Zev’s pack, but I had already seen Christy smack him in the head about three times during the same song.

I laughed every time she did it. The girl that was dancing with Tyler seemed annoyed by it, but Tyler continued messing around with Christy.

It got to the point where Alpha Blake had to drag Christy away, towards one of the tables that had less people.

Since everyone in New Elite Pack had been invited, all of the people that came with Alpha Blake were there, and most of our Wolves were present— we made up quite a large crowd.

Layton and Zev were still talking. They were standing near the swimming pool, which had little rose candles floating over it. Those had been my idea, and one of the only things Jared and the guys paid attention to. They didn’t want to turn it into a ‘girly thing’, as Tyler and Nick had called it.

If I wanted to, I could’ve heard what Layton and Zev were saying. But it was nice to see them talking, and laughing about stuff without having to interfere. They really were getting along.

It had been important to me for so long. Having Layton and Zev hating each other had been hard to handle.

But it wasn’t just that. Now that they were talking, I could see how laid-back they were around each other. Sometimes when we were hanging out, I was easily left out of conversations while Layton told Zev something, or vice versa. It was amusing, really. I loved it. The other guys weren’t far behind.

Tyler and Nate getting along had been something that most of us probably feared though. They liked to terrorize the packs, and they really enjoyed pranks. The only good thing about it was that I was usually in on it. They knew I had fun watching Layton go Wolf after they both caused some sort of commotion.

“You’re quiet,” Layton said, approaching me slowly.

“I’m thinking.”

“About?” He asked, pulling up a chair beside me. He wrapped his arm around my waist, and pressed me to his side. I ended up practically sitting over his lap.

“This,” I said, motioning at everyone in front of us.

“The packs?”

“No, just everyone,” I replied.

“What about everyone?”

“We’ve come far.”

Layton chuckled at my words. “We’ve only come this far because of you.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “The day that Liam came, you and Zev would have found out that he had been the one responsible for the attack all those years ago.”

“If Liam had attacked my pack, I would have thought that the attack was coming from Zev. If you wouldn’t have been here, Zeverus and I would have been trying to kill each other.”

“You think?”

“I’m sure of it. I wouldn’t have given him a chance to explain. I would have attacked. Marcus and Zev would have responded to the attack.”

“Thinking about you two fighting,” I said, feeling something inside of me twist.

“I know,” Layton agreed. “There would be complete chaos in our world. There are already five packs going into a war. If Zeverus and I fought, we’d bring more packs into the mix. It wouldn’t be a good thing for Werewolves,” Layton stated, seriously.

I snuggled against his chest, and nuzzled my nose against his jaw. Layton kissed my forehead and cupped my face so that I was looking up at him.

“You look beautiful,” he said, leaning down to brush his lips against mine.

We were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. When I looked up, I found Zev taking a seat on the chair I’d emptied beside Layton.

“Can’t you two do that in the privacy of your room?” Zev asked.

Teasing each other about everything, and everything really went when it came to them, was okay. But I had noticed that the teasing never included me. It was like Layton and Zev had an unspoken agreement when it came to me. I didn’t understand it.

I only knew that one day, a few weeks ago, Layton and Zev had talked.

It was after that day that everything really went back to normal. Layton had gone to see Zev. I had been completely against the idea. Things were still tense between them, and Zev had been given the Alpha title just days before. Layton and Zev locked themselves in a room. I wasn’t even allowed to be in Zev’s house while they spoke.

I didn’t know what went on during that talk, but after that, Layton and Zev changed. At first, I noticed it on Layton. I spent more time with him though, so that might’ve been why.

“I’m thinking about it,” Zev was saying.

I hadn’t realized he and Layton were talking. I had been too caught up with my own thoughts.

“So what are the plans?” I asked, interrupting Layton.

“The plans for what?” He asked.

“For everything. What do are we supposed to do? Just… be?”

I felt like other packs had something going on. Mainly, it was all the packs going to war. The war was everything everyone seemed to be talking about. I hated it, and I hated that so many Wolves were interested in fighting.

Layton and Zev wanted to stay as out of it as they possibly could. I was proud of them for that. Layton and Zev also didn’t want anyone outside the pack finding out about me and using it against them.

My parents agreed. They all thought the world was out to get me, the lone Legen.

“The packs are together. We’re stronger like this,” Zev said.

He turned to Layton, who nodded in agreement. “Cassidy, you make it sound like it’s going to be peace and quiet around here,” Layton said.

“It’s felt like peace and quiet,” I commented.

“I thought that was a good thing,” Zev said.

“It is,” I agreed.

“Don’t be too sure. Maybe we’ll be the next packs going into war,” Layton said.

My head quickly snapped in his direction, and I found him grinning at him. “I’m kidding,” he said, squeezing me tighter in his arms. Zev chuckled, even though I didn’t find Layton’s comment funny.

“Don’t even joke about that. I like peace and quiet,” I said.

There were no guarantees about the future. But I was with Layton, and I knew I could always count on Zev. Both packs— Blue Bloods and New Elite— were more united than they’d ever been. My parents were genuinely happy that we had moved there. They didn’t have to say it, but I could see it in their eyes.

It seemed like I was finally catching a break with being a Legen. The guys loved to train with me, because they always thought they would win. They never did, but it was fun to get a bigger challenge.

I had Layton and Zeverus on either side of me. Truly, in that moment, I could not have asked for anything more.

I want to thank everyone who waited patiently for me to finish this. It really means a lot. I hope you guys liked the story, and the ending. Comment and vote if you’d like! Cheers!