The Lion’s Arranged Marriage

The Lion’s Arranged Marriage Enemies to Lovers Paranormal Romance Beaufort Creek Shifters Book 5 Layla Silver Copyright © 2023 by Layla Silver. All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of the book only. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form, including recording, without prior written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations in a book review. Contents Chapter 1 - Neil Chapter 2 - Gwendolyn Chapter 3 - Neil Chapter 4 - Gwendolyn Chapter 5 - Neil Chapter 6 - Gwendolyn Chapter 7 - Neil Chapter 8 - Gwendolyn Chapter 9 - Neil Chapter 10 - Gwendolyn Chapter 11 - Neil Chapter 12 - Gwendolyn Chapter 13 - Neil Chapter 14 - Gwendolyn Chapter 15 - Neil Chapter 16 - Gwendolyn Chapter 17 - Neil About the Author Books by Layla Silver Chapter 1 - Neil “There’s no way that’s going to happen in less than three days.” How many times had I said that at this point? Three? Four? Several? Pride wouldn’t allow me to say anything else. My alpha sat on the couch next to an empty bag as I paced the room. I snatched up a black turtleneck from one hamper and a pair of snug, flattering black jeans from another. A pair of socks hung over the fireplace. They had little pineapples on the black fabric. “I thought I’d be able to wear these out on the town.” My nose wrinkled up. It was less disgust and more disappointment. “Trekking through the wilderness to where the mountain gods decided to banish their own while wearing these fancy little shits is still good enough.” “It’s the swamp, not the mountains.” I feigned a gasp and then winked. “That’s even worse.” “If I had known you would be a diva about it, I’d have sent my other best assassin.” “You mean Veronica?” He smirked confidently. “Who do you think is going with you, dingus?” His precious mate was more than just a protector—she was trained in the art of the kill. Just like me. The smirk on his face brightened. “Though it’s not her mate that needs rescuing.” “Just when will that happen again, do you think? Her rescuing you?” His eyes narrowed. More out of pensive thought than suspicion or disdain. “That’s why I plan on putting an end to this.” It should have been a joke. Just a jab to keep things light and healthy. But all I had done was remind him what was at stake. Time to deflect. “You sure this woman I’m going after even wants to be rescued? Has anyone asked her?” “Mates bond spiritually during high-stress events.” Right, because consent has nothing to do with it. “You would know better than anyone about that.” The smirk returned. “I would, thank you. I’ve experienced it. Unlike you.” “I don’t need to experience it to mate with someone.” I sighed. “Though I suppose it doesn’t really hurt either. I just want to make sure she’s fully on board with this, Alpha.” I dropped the clothes I had collected into the bag. One change of clothes was enough for a rescue mission. Any more than that would indicate a vacation. Which I so desperately needed. I cleared my throat. “Better be getting a good honeymoon like what Jermaine and Elva got.” “You want to go to the mountains?” I pawed the air. “Do I look like a mountain lion to you?” His chuckles stung my pride—but that was all well and good considering it was nice to see my alpha laughing instead of sighing sorrowfully for once. My attempts to lift his spirits had mostly succeeded. “No, but you could have been in the circus,” he teased. “Aunt Minerva would have never approved.” “You mentioned you had considered it.” Something else stung then. Not my pride. That was intact. But my heart was coming undone. All the stitches were unraveling from years of careful sewing. The poor muscle had gone through the worst of it. I would be sure to protect it better these days. Especially in the days ahead. “I didn’t want my poor aunt to roll over in her grave.” “I’m sure she’d be proud of you either way. I’m sure she is proud of you, Neil.” Time moved too slowly for my tastes. Far too slowly. It made my throat muscles lock up and my chest heave and that weird rising feeling surged through my chest like I had a cold coming on. It was the worst of the worst. It was a memory I didn’t need poking through the surface of the canopy to peek at the forest beyond. No, that wasn’t something I needed to see right this second. It wasn’t necessary for the mission. Before the black hole could suck me under, an arm circled my shoulders. My alpha wrapped me up like a burrito in a blanket. He angled me toward the couch. He sat me down. He rubbed circles into my back, an activity that I kept hidden from the others because it was hard being seen as weak after killing as many people as I had. Weakness and greatness simply didn’t coexist. It wasn’t right. If I was to uphold a proper image, then I had to be the infallible lion, capable of slaying ten men in under three minutes. Which other shifters could boast of such an accomplishment? Other than our dear Veronica, of course. I leaned into my alpha. His strength, his comfort, his support washed through me. Just a few rubs put me back into a standing position. I dropped the blanket. A firm nod sent me back to packing my bag. I knew why he was still sitting there. It wasn’t just the comfort. It was to make sure I fulfilled my duties, too. But he would know better than anyone that I was dedicated to this pack. Beyond words and worlds, I was committed to