Rejected To Be Your Second Chance novel Chapter 133

　　　　~Kade~

　　A screeching cry was the first thing I heard when all other noise disappeared. I didn’t hear anyone’s breathing or sniffles. Just that cry. My heart began to pull, just like it did whenever I saw Layla or thought about her. My heart would answer because it knew whom it belonged to.

　　The same thing happened now. It began pulling me up, but I refused to let go of her body.

　　"I'm sorry she won't stop." I heard Danielle's voice, and the crying became louder and more painful.

　　The mattress moved; Anna must've gotten up. I lifted my head. The crying didn't stop.

　　"I didn't know what to do," Danielle said in a hushed tone.

　　"Come here, baby," Anna said.

　　However, even then, the crying didn't stop. I lifted my head.

　　My eyes scanned Layla's face, and I slid my thumb over her cheek.

　　"That's..." my wolf said. "Kade, turn to her."

　　My heart continued being pulled. I turned my head and looked at Anna holding a crying baby girl.

　　She was tiny, almost disappearing in the onesie she was wearing.

　　"Kade," Anna said.

　　Danielle's eyes were glowing blue as she looked down at Layla and then at the baby.

　　"What were you doing with a baby?" I asked Danielle and stood from the bed. My fingers were wrapped around Layla's arm. I couldn't let go.

　　"Protecting her," Danielle said.

　　My mother stepped up to Anna; her eyes fell on the baby's head, and then she looked at me warily. Her eyes were brimming with uncertainty.

　　"Who is that?" I asked.

　　My mother raised her head. She had a defensive stance. "You already know," she said.

　　I walked closer, but she held out her hand. Danielle took a step in front of Anna.

　　"Before you do, I need to know that you won't hurt her," my mother said.

　　My heart responded for a reason. Just like it knew it belonged to Layla, it knew now that it belonged to that baby girl.

　　"She's mine?" I asked and felt my jaw click.

　　"She is," Danielle said. Her eyes were still glowing.

　　"Why would I hurt her?" I asked.

　　She was still crying, and everyone was watching her.

　　"She is the result of the love you have... had with your mate, and she is gone. This baby is suffering for your loss," my mother said.

　　"Hand her to him," Analise said as she stepped into the room. Everyone's heads were to her, her voice filled with authority.

　　My mother smiled, and Anna walked up to me. She gently placed the baby in my arms, and I pulled her close. The second her body was against my chest, her crying stopped. Her little eyelids fluttered open, and she gazed into my eyes.

　　I turned to Layla. Even this small, I could still see the resemblance.

　　Analise's friend walked in. She raised her wrist, looked at the time, and then smiled.

　　"It's almost time," she said.

　　Analise bowed her head and smiled brightly. Her eyes lit up in joy. How could she be happy? Or perhaps the question was, why wasn't I? Still, no, how could I be? The mother of my child was dead, the love of my life.

　　"What the hell is happening?" I asked Tarisa.

　　She stood behind Analise. Her hands were on either side of her head, and she drew a deep breath before looking at me.

　　"It's done," she said and looked around the room.

　　The candle on the table flickered its flame, and then it went out.

　　"What is done?" I growled. My wolf and I were both reacting to the energies in the room. It felt like a threat; something was off, and I could no longer hear Analise's heartbeat.

　　"She wanted this, don't forget that. This was the best gift she could have ever gotten from anybody," Tarisa said. Her accent was thick, and her voice was smooth and calm. "Just a few moments now."

　　I listened in. Analise's heart stopped beating, so why was I hearing a third heartbeat?

　　One finger moved.

　　"What the hell is this?" I gasped and looked down at the bed. "Layla?" I fell next to her.

　　Another finger twitched.

　　"Holy shit, Layla!" I cupped her face in my hands. "Is she..."

　　I didn't dare to dream of it. I looked up at Tarisa; I needed confirmation—something that could validate this hope I was feeling in my heart. Her chin went down, and that slight nod was all I needed.

　　"Baby, I'm right here," I said and watched her like a magic show as her eyelids fluttered.

　　Her lashes moved, her eyes began to open, and there they were—those eyes I saw every time I closed mine.

　　"Fuck, Layla. I'm so sorry." I pulled her to my body and sat on the bed.

　　Her arms came around me and weakly held against my back.