Winning Layla (#2)

Chapter 2

I gaze at myself in the mirror and wonder why I even agreed to this. I mean, it's not like this is a date. At least, I don't think it is. Nash is taking me to a local restaurant. He said it is fancy, so I am dressed in a short white dress and black stilettos. My long blonde hair is in curls that cascade down my back.

After closing the shop, I came home to shower and call my friend, November, who is also Nash's sister. We became friends after Nash and I called it quits. November is Alpha Reece's mate, and she is usually busy taking care of their two pups. I grew up with Reece around. When November moved here and married Reece, she invited me to the wedding. That's where I met Nash again.

I am adding the finishing touches to my makeup when there is a knock on the door. Thinking it is Nash, I immediately open the door. Except it isn't him, it's Rush.

"What are you doing here?" I ask. Usually Rush only visits due to him living in Denver. He started working for the pack defense team there after high school, while I went on to college and Reece became Alpha of the pack.

"I came to talk to you," he explains.

"What is it, Rush?"

"Why didn't you tell me about him?"

* * *

Beta Nash Hendrix-

The drive from my place to Layla's is over thirty minutes long. I'm running late. As I walk up the pathway to Layla's house, I hear yelling and run towards the door. When I walk in, I smell her scent of strawberries and cream along with another scent, which is unknown.

"Layla!" I yell frantically. When I find her, she is in her living room with her brother, Rush, who has his hands on her arms and is shaking her. The terrified look on her face tortures me.

I instantly see red.

* * *

Layla Edwards-

"Who are we talking about?" I ask confused.

"You know exactly who, Layla. He hurt you. Why would you go back to him?" Rush asks and understanding dawns.

"I...I just want to give him a chance to fix what he has done wrong. How is that any of your business?"

Rush has always been protective of me, especially because I'm younger than him. Since our parents live so far away in Oregon, he has been even more protective. Rush is starting to become overprotective and a little overwhelming.

"It is my business, because you are my sister and it is my job to protect you. Which means you will not be dating him. I'm sorry, but that is how it has to be."

"No, it's not. He is my mate and I don't care what you think. This is my life. Do you understand that?" I tell him, starting to feel anger consume me.

Rush's expression turns murderous and I know I have said the wrong thing. He grabs my upper arms and squeezes tightly, instantly making me tear up in pain.

What the hell is he doing?

"Rush, what are you doing? You're hurting me."

"You are not dating him! Have I made myself clear?" He roars in my face.

"Get your f*****g hands off my mate!" I hear Nash growl.

A second later, I'm free from Rush's grip and am thrown onto the couch. I cover my eyes with my hands, not wanting to see what happens next. I have never seen Rush react like this. I hear the front door open and close before a car starts up. Then, rough hands are uncovering my eyes.

"Baby, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

I look up to see Nash. He wipes away the tears that overflow with a soft, gentle expression.

"My arms hurt," I tell him, and look down at the source of my pain. There are red, angry welts on my upper arms which will soon turn into bruises.

"Oh, my."

Nash gazes at my arms for a second before rubbing his hands down his face. "f**k. I can't do this to you."

"What?"

"I can't keep hurting you like this. I'm leaving," he explains. I knew it. I knew he would find some reason to leave me or end us again.

"Well, you know where the door is." My voice is dull and emotionless, but on the inside, all I feel is the pain from his rejection returning.

"What?"

"You said you were leaving, so go. I'm not stopping you."

Nash stares at me for a second, his expression turning angry. "Stop that shit."

"What are you talking about? I haven't done anything remotely wrong here." I stand up from the couch and walk in to the kitchen. I take out my wine and a glass. I can feel him behind me, but that doesn't stop me from downing my glass quickly.

"I thought you were leaving," I say, before turning around to face him.

"Layla," he warns.

"What? You said you were leaving. So, leave."

"Stop that s**t. I'll call you tomorrow and we'll talk," he declared.

Oh, no. No way. He wasn't going to take control over this.

"You do that. But don't expect me to answer."

"Jesus, Layla." He starts to come closer but I raise a hand his way, stopping him.

"No. You said you were leaving. So, leave, but don't try to make me feel better when you know it will end."

"Stop it, Layla. Stop acting so cold and remote. It's bullshit."

"Then go. I told you if you messed up again, I was done. Well you did and I'm done. You are not controlling this. It's my turn."

"I just need to get my head together, Layla. I can't do that here."

"What is there to think about? You don't have a brother who has anger issues. You do not have bruises starting to form on your arms from him. I do. I have to deal with that. That man was supposed to protect me and he failed. As of right now, I don't need anyone, including you. You are officially off the hook. You can go hang out with girls again and forget you have a mate while I spew my feelings to your sister, who is also my best friend, and I know she will take care of me and pick up the pieces."

Nash's face pales and he flinches. "What? I love you, Layla. Always have. I haven't even remotely looked at another woman besides you."

"Then, why?"

"Why, what?" He responds. I can't imagine his reaction, but I need the explanation, so I ask him, "Why did you reject me?"