AYLA

I wake up to do my usual routine in the morning. I stretch and yawn. I sigh when I realize it's just another day. I get up, but I am met with a sharp stinging pain in my back. That was when I remember the events that only occurred last night. I look around the room and realize it wasn't the attic. I wasn't at Kendrick's house. I wasn't at his back. I was back at the Blood Moon Pack. I was back home. I just stood there for a moment and let this sink in. I guess being trapped for five years makes me question this. I am still cautious and wonder whether this was even real or not. I smelled around and instantly recognised that this was Solomon's room. Of course he would put me here. 

I walk towards the window and look outside, it was the morning. I could see people walking around, going about their morning routine. The warriors were doing the workout while others were doing border patrol. Mothers with their pups, walking them to their school. Mates, kissing each other goodbye as the males leave to do training.

Everything was so normal. I turn around and make my way towards the door. I slowly open it and as I see my feet take a step, I felt a sense of freedom, I can come and go whenever I please. I look around the hallways and couldn't help, but smile. I know these halls. As I continue to walk and look, memories flood my mind. I look at the door of the library, one of my favorite places to be whenever I visited Solomon. I sometimes didn't even come to see Solomon, I would just come and go straight to the library. And he would waltz in to grab something and see me drowning in blankets with books surrounding me. 

I keep going until I saw the stairs. My hands touch the rails as I slowly descend, making quiet steps with my bare feet. I look around and wondered where my son was. I hear a noise, if I remember right, it was coming from the kitchen. I follow the sound and also the smell of eggs and bacon.

I poke my head through the large entrance. I saw people. A man was cooking in the kitchen. He was very...large. In a muscley sense. He was very intimidating. I looked closer and saw that it was actually Noah. I remember him. He was the guy they found with Xander. He has definitely grown up. There was a very small woman also making coffee.

I keep looking around. I don't know any of these people. However, my eyes widen when I saw a girl. Zapora. I was very fond of her, she was like a little sister to me. But obviously not anymore. She was a fully grown woman. She was standing next, who I am assuming is her mate. She also had two little girls sitting around her. Zapora had her very own family. 

"Ma?" My heart skipped a beat when I heard my favorite sound. My eyes searched the room frantically. As soon as I saw my son, I ran for him with my arms wide. 

"MA!" He screamed in excitement. I fell to my knees as Milo jumped into my arms. I held him so tight against me. I thought I was never going to see him again. 

"Oh, my baby," I whispered, "Mama missed you so much."

"I missed you too Ma." We separated and I cupped his face and smile. I gave him a big kiss on the cheek and he giggles. 

"Ayla." I look up and Solomon standing there watching us. His eyes were soft as he stared. I cough awkwardly and stand up. 

I bowed my head, "Hi."

 I didn't know how to act. I haven't seen him in five years. It was strange seeing him in the place...it was like time had frozen and I never left. 

"AYLA!" I heard a scream. I looked to my right and so Zapora running for. I smiled brightly. She gave me a giant hug. "Oh my goodness! It really is you!"

"It's me," I whispered. As I looked at her face she had tears gathering in them. I frowned and said, "Don't cry over me, Zay. I'm here now and I'm okay."

She nods her head while wiping her eyes, "I know. It's just so good to see you. I thought I was never going to see you again."

I smiled, "I know...it's so good to see you again Zay. I thought about you a lot when I was gone."

She gave me another hug, "We have a lot to catch up on."

I smile and nodded my head, "I'd like that."

She took a hold of my hand and pulled me further into the room, "Come and meet my family!" I let her lead, however, I took a quick glance back at Solomon, he was still staring at me. 

"Okay, so this is my mate, Eddie. Eddie, this is my old friend Ayla."

Eddie was handsome. He extended his hand and I took it politely, "It's nice to finally meet you."

"likewise."

Zay moved more to the right and revealed two beautiful girls. "And this girl here is my eldest daughter, Lily, and my younger daughter, Genevieve."

I bent down and smiled, "Hi there. You two girls are so beautiful."

They both giggled and looked down shyly. I stand back up and faced Zay, "Your family is beautiful."

She looked at them softy and said, "Yeah...they are. Anyways! Let me introduce you to the rest of them! A lot had changed since you left."

"I can tell."

We went towards the kitchen area, "I am sure you remember our not so little Noah."

He turned around and I could see he recognized me. He bowed his head with an expressionless face, "Ayla. I'm glad you're home safe now."

I bowed my head back, "Thank you." I responded quietly.

We approached the lady that was making the coffee, "And this is his mate, Mia."

She turned to me and smiled brightly. Very different to the emotionless Noah. I was surprised when she pulled me in for a hug, "It is so nice to finally meet you, Ayla. I have heard a lot of good things about you." I liked her. She seemed nice and kind. I felt instantly welcomed when she treated me so comfortably. 

I gave a small smile, "Thank you. It's nice to meet you too."  Mia still smiled brightly and bowed her head. 

"I have a few clothes that I wanted to give to you actually. I don't really wear them, so I left them on your bed." She said. 

My eyes widened slightly. I shook my head, "Oh no, please. You don't need to give me anything. I'll just figure something out."

Mia waved her hand, "Nonsense. It's fine. I wanted to give them to you. Please, Ayla, take them."

"Thank you so much."

That was when Xander came in the room. But he stopped instantly when he saw me. I inwardly cringed. We never saw eye to eye. We always argued when we were younger. But back then he was a very broken and dark boy. 

Zapora cautiously leads to Xander, "And you obviously remember our oldest brother...Xander."

I took a deep breath and bowed my head respectfully, "Xander."

He was silent for a moment, but then he said, "Ayla," in a very uneasy tone. 

I gulped and looked away. From him, but before he frowned at my behavior. I was very sassy and would be a smartass to him sometimes. I guess seeing me like this was a change for him...as well as everyone else. 

"Where is Lizzy?" Zay asked him.

He looked at his sister and said, "She's feeding our daughter." I was surprised when I heard this. He found a mate? Interesting. I never thought he was the mating type. 

"Xander has a mate now named Elizabeth. They have two kids together. The oldest is Xavier and they only recently had a baby girl."

I turned to Xander, "Congratulations."

He nods his head and then walks away. It was so strange seeing everyone. They were all grown up. They weren't teenagers anymore. Everyone had mates and kids. It was crazy. 

Milo grabbed a hold of the skirt of my dress, and excitedly pulled me down, "Ma guess what!"

I smiled softly and said, "What is it?"

Milo had a massive smile on his face, "I made a friend! A REAL friend!"

"That's great baba! Who is this friend?"

"His name is Xavier. He is the Alpha's son."

I smiled and kissed his forehead, "I am so happy for you Milo."

"Lamp won't get jealous though right?"

My heart broke. He never had friends. Proper friends. He considered the lamp as one of his best friends because it lit up. But that face that he had to as far as making friends with lamp made me feel sad. I shook my head, "No Baba, Lamp would be happy for you."

He smiles, "That's good. Can I go out and play with Xavier in the field?"

I didn't want him to. I don't know where Kendrick is or what he is planning. He could be kidnapped Milo so easily and I wouldn't even know it. 

"Ummm..." 

"It's okay Ayla," Solomon came and stood next to me, "I doubled the guards and the patrolling team are working double time. He'll be safe."

I gulped and reluctantly nodded my head at Milo. He raised his arms and cheered as he ran off outside. My heart was beating fast. I didn't like Milo going off on his own. Maybe I should go outside and just watch him and make sure he's okay. Anything could happen at any moment. My mind was running through every scenario that could happen if Kendrick were to plan an attack. How would I protect Milo? 

Suddenly my mind stopped thinking at high speed when a large hand rested on my shoulder, "Calm down Ayla. I can see you're freaking out," I look up at Solomon who was staring at me. He was looking at me with such concern, "Milo is safe. I wouldn't let him go out into the field if I didn't think he would be perfectly protected."

I nodded my head silently. I felt very uncomfortable with his hand on my shoulder. It felt weird being touched by a male and...I guess not expecting pain. As strange as that might sound. I stepped away from Solomon and let his hand fall from my shoulder. He noticed this action. He coughed in his hand and looked away. 

We were both standing in silence for a moment, "I'm a little worn out, I might go back to the room." I said quietly. 

Soul nodded his head, "Of course."

I bit my lower lip and asked, "Ummm...I would like my own room as well." 

Soul looked away and took a deep breath. He smiled, but I could see it didn't reach his eyes, "Of course. That's totally fine. I'll get one of the maids to set up one of the guest bedrooms."

"Thank you," I said politely. I turned around and I leave the room without saying a word. 

SOLOMON

Okay. That was hard. This was going to be way harder than I thought. Ayla was not Ayla right now. She is not the girl she once was. 

She acted like she hardly knew me. She acted as if she had just met me. She was uncomfortable around me and she hardly looked at me at all. 

It hurt a little bit. Especially when she asked for her own room. But I've decided I'll try to be as understanding as possible. I need to show her that I'm not some raging asshole anymore and that I can be a good mate to her...and a good father to our son.