Chapter 42

Donil had spent the last three hours pacing and contemplating his choices. The right thing to do was contact Laylah, apologize and try to make it up to her, somehow. But Stefan, his mother and Jacques were telling him to stay away. Then there was the issue of Zina: too many variables and not enough options.

He knew his family and friends were skeptical about Laylah being his mate. He didn't care. In his heart and soul, Donil felt the mate bonds that bound him to her. Laylah probably felt it too, but didn't understand the feelings. He desperately wanted to tell her the truth about her heritage. He wanted to see the joy in her eyes as she discovered what being a Were really meant.

"Not yet, though. Soon. And I have to tell her about me." The clock's red 1:00 am glared at him. "She should be asleep now. Laylah, I'm coming." Decided on his course of action, he left the study and went to his room.

The air was cool against his skin. Weres ran higher body temperatures than humans and winter tended to be a favored season. At least, it was his favorite at any rate. Donil considered the type of dream he wanted to give Laylah. Nothing overly romantic that might scare her or make her angrier. "Hmm, I think I know." He flopped on to the bed, concentrated on his telepathic and mate bonds with Laylah, and reached for her sleeping mind.

"Sweet dreams," he whispered as his eyes closed and he pulled them both into the dreamscape he wove.

~***~

At first, the darkness confused and frightened Laylah. Where had the room with her animal friends gone?

A bright light blinded her and she cried out, instinctively shutting her eyes. She stumbled backwards and bumped into something that grabbed her. She shrieked and fought to wake up. This wasn't a dream. It was a nightmare!

"Shh, Beautiful. I've got you."

Arms wrapped around her in a hug. That voice, she would know anywhere. "Donil? Please, help me! I can't see!"

"I know. I'm sorry. Give me a minute."

Abruptly the light was muted and, after a few hard blinks, Laylah was able to see. "A garden! Where did this come from? I don't dream of gardens!"

"Calm down, Laylah. I did this. I picked this setting."

"But why?" She turned around, reluctant to step free of his arms. It put her flush against his body, but the familiar fear of being close to another didn't surface.

"Trying to talk with you while your zoo of animals eye me is uncomfortable. I thought I'd bring us some place neutral. I hope you don't mind." Donil rested his chin on top of her hair and breathed in her scent. It was a heady mix.

She wanted to be angry but she had to admit his choice was a good one. She felt at peace here, surrounded by the beautiful scenery and him. "Don't think because you gave me a pretty location that it makes up for the last two months."

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest, and she gave him a mock glare.

"I know it doesn't, but at least it's a start. C'mon. Let's take a walk."

He moved away from her and she felt bereft. Her heart gave a painful thump and she wondered why she felt so lost at such a simple movement.

"My lady." Donil offered her his arm.

With a giggle, Laylah accepted and they spent several minutes strolling and admiring the myriad of flowers that he pointed out. Covertly, she watched his every move. He looked tense. Had she done something wrong?

"It's funny how one moment of forgetfulness can cause so much pain," he whispered as he stopped and faced her.

She froze and her breath caught in her throat. She felt panic and was afraid that he would tell her that he wasn't interested in her except as friends. She stiffened and he snarled which only succeeded in making her flinch.

"I'm sorry, Beautiful. I don't mean to scare you. You got that beaten look in your eyes and I don't like to see it. I can feel your fear and I don't want you afraid. I blame your family for making you this way."

"What do you know about my family? Why do Jacques and Father dislike you so much? How long have you known Britta? Are you dating her?" She couldn't seem to stop the flow of words from her mouth. This was her only chance to get answers and she was going to take it, even if it wasn't what she wanted to hear.

Nonplussed by her burst of questions, Donil collected himself and tried to respond. "Slow down, Beautiful. I'll answer as best I can, but some truths should come from your father or Jacques." He put a finger to her lips when she started to object. "We do it this way or not all. Your choice." He stood watching her.

"Fine, Donil. Your way." Laylah wasn't happy, but she said nothing else and looked down at the ground.

"I know quite a bit about your family. Your parents used to be good friends with mine. Then things changed. My dad and your mom died, and life was never the same after all that."

At the mention of her mother, she glanced at him, curiosity burning bright in her gaze. "My mother?"

"Yes." He continued on, not giving her a chance to ask another question. "As to why your dad and Jacques have issues with me, you'll have to ask them to tell you."

"What? That's not fair! What kind of answer is that?" Angrily, she glowered at him, distracted from pursuing the issue of her mom. She crossed her arms over her chest while putting some distance between them.

"And as for your last two questions, they're easier to answer. I've known Britta since she was a baby and, no, I'm not dating her."

Slowly, Laylah raised her eyes up until her gaze collided with his. Her lips parted in surprise at his words and hope showed on her face. "Are you seeing anyone else?"

He closed the gap between them and gently pulled her against his body, her head resting on his chest. She was shorter than he, but holding her like this felt natural and special. She was rigid at first, but the longer they stood together, the more relaxed she became. "Not at the moment. High maintenance ladies wear me out."

"Why do I believe that I'm safe with you? I barely know you, but I feel as if we've been friends forever. Oh, I'm sorry! That was a dumb thing to say!" she stammered and tried to break the embrace.

He simply tightened his arms and she stilled. "Laylah, I'm not your father. I won't yell at you for telling me your feelings. And like my dad once told me, 'only stupid people don't ask questions'. I think it's safe to say you're not stupid."

He chuckled when she gave an indignant snort. "If it makes it any better, I've experienced the same emotion. In my case, I like knowing that there is someone who understands me."

She peered into his eyes, studying his face for any lies. All his feelings showed in his gaze. After a moment, wonder transformed her face and she gifted him with a happy smile. Shyly, Laylah stroked his arm and broke eye contact.

"Donil, uh, you said you aren't with anyone. Right?"

"That's right, I did."

She cleared her throat and suddenly her words spewed out. "Well, if you don't have anyone maybe you can go with me to Britta's party Friday."

He caressed her face and her breathing sped up. "I'd be honored, Laylah, to go with you to the party. I'll pick you up, say, around seven?"

"I'd like that!"

He laughed. "See, that wasn't so hard," he teased.

"Yes it was! I'm glad you said yes."

He kissed the top of her head and gave her one last hug before releasing her.

She made a sound of protest, but didn't move toward him. She was disappointed and relieved at the same time.

"I'm sorry, Beautiful, but dream time is over. You've got things to do and I have to get to work. I'll contact you to arrange a pickup spot. Good-bye for now, my sweet lady." He gave her one final encouraging grin that she answered with one of her own, though he saw her bottom lip tremble.

As Donil let go of the dreamscape, he saw Laylah's sad wave. Darkness filled his vision and he hurtled back to wakefulness.

~***~

Donil woke and stared up at the ceiling. He could still feel Laylah through their bond and her unique smell lingered.

She was an interesting mix of scents — not all wolf and not all panther. She smelled of snow-covered mountains and the humid heat of the jungle, all of it intoxicating to his feline senses. He grinned. He would keep going slow, but one day soon, he would prove to her how much he did love her.