Sorry I'm Mated To The Commander novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Supposed To Live Together

With those words, like a thousand paper cuts, the Sullivans’ ten years of so-called kindness were sliced away.

Layla ended the call and blocked Harper’s number, ensuring the starcoins couldn’t be sent back.

She caught her reflection in the window, a flicker of memory taking her back to the day Harper came to the Wastelands-9 OrphanCore. Layla had been genuinely happy then.

Abandoned at the orphanage’s gate as a baby, she’d never known her parents.

Suddenly, she had a family.

Little Layla had walked on eggshells, striving for perfection, desperate not to disappoint Duke Karter and his wife.

She’d worked so hard, only for Xanthe to return and render her obsolete. Her purpose had been served.

‘So, you’re all on your own again, Layla.’

Atlas’s handsome face flashed through her mind, and she shook her head with a self-deprecating smile.

It was pointless to think of him. Their marriage was doomed to be annulled anyway.

Just then, a knock came at the door. It was Annie Knight, her eyes wide with shock. “Layla, you’re actually living in a cramped double like this? It’s a shoebox! Did you really get kicked out of the Sullivan family?”

Children from noble families like theirs all had luxurious single suites. Only students from remote, backwater planets were crammed into these tiny shared rooms.

Expressionless, Layla moved to shut the door in her face.

“Wait, I have to ask you something!” Annie blurted out. “Is it true? That Caleb spent his rut with Xanthe?”

“Yes. Why?”

Seeing Layla’s blank face, Annie mumbled awkwardly, “He’s a total scumbag. You, uh, you shouldn’t feel too bad. You know what they say. When a guy’s a dog, you kick him to the curb. The next one will be better!”

A small smile touched Layla’s lips. “I see. You came to comfort me.”

“I did not!”

Like a cat that had been petted against its will, Annie spun around and stalked off. Layla watched her go, the corner of her mouth lifting.

She’d seen the posts on the forum but was unbothered. Caleb meant nothing to her anymore.

*****

Meanwhile, the Sullivan and James families were meeting to discuss the children’s marriage.

The Jameses had never been fond of Layla; she wasn’t a blue-blood, just an adopted daughter with an impure bloodline.

They had only agreed to the engagement out of respect for Karter and their families’ shared interests.

But now, with the real heiress, Xanthe, back in the picture-and having already bonded with Caleb during his rut-the path was clear.

The Sullivans were obviously doting on their biological daughter, so the James family happily went along with the change.

The new arrangement was settled smoothly, a joyous occasion for everyone involved-everyone except Layla.

While the adults chatted, Xanthe and Caleb strolled through the Sullivan Manor gardens. Once they rounded a corner and were out of sight, Xanthe wrapped her arms around Caleb’s, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“This is wonderful, Caleb. We can get married in two months!”

“Yeah.”

Caleb usually loved it when Xanthe was this sweet and clingy, but for some reason, the image of Layla dousing him with soup at Everdom Commons flashed in his mind.

He glanced around. “Why isn’t Layla here today?”

Xanthe’s smile froze for a second before her expression crumpled. “Layla is really angry with me,” she said, her voice trembling. “She’s been staying at the academy and won’t come home.”

A strange sense of satisfaction washed over Caleb.

So, she was still hung up on him. That must be why she was lashing out at her family.

A smug grin spread across his face. “What right does she have to be angry? My engagement was always with the Sullivan heiress. That’s you. She’s just the adopted one.”

“I know, but… I still don’t want her to be mad at me. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have been there with you…”

“What, you’d rather I found someone else for my rut?”

“No…”

Nolan, who happened to be passing by, overheard their conversation and his brow furrowed in disgust.

Caleb was a real piece of work. If he never liked Layla, why agree to the engagement in the first place?

And to get with Xanthe during his rut while still engaged to Layla… How could a man that unreliable ever make Xanthe happy?

After the James family left, Nolan returned to the living room where his parents were sitting on the sofa. “Caleb is not a good man,” he said, his tone serious. “Are you really going to let Xanthe marry him?”

Karter frowned. “Nolan, what makes you say that?”

“Layla,” Atlas declared, his nine tails swishing with excitement, “we’re married. We’re supposed to live together!”

A muscle in Layla’s jaw twitched.

You’ve got to be kidding me. Were they married?

According to the laws of Alpha Prime, they technically were.

Layla pressed her fingers to her temple. There was no reasoning with him in this state. She turned to the beleaguered-looking adjutant. “Does His Majesty know about this stunt, Colonel Lewis?”

Roger nodded. “The Empress is aware, and she has no objections.”

“But his rut isn’t over!” Layla argued. “He’s not thinking clearly. He should be at home!”

Roger looked pained. “Her Majesty has already given her approval. Our hands are tied. He’s very dependent on you right now.”

Layla took a deep breath, her gaze falling on the prince, who was now inspecting the tiny room with a critical eye, his nose wrinkled in distaste.

“Can I speak with the Empress?”

Roger was Atlas’s subordinate and couldn’t disobey a direct order. But his mother… surely she wouldn’t just dump her son on Layla’s doorstep?

Layla had seen pictures of the gentle, beautiful Empress online. She had to care about her only son.

“I will request a channel to Her Majesty,” Roger said.

A few minutes later, a projection flickered to life, revealing Empress Leilani, dressed in an elegant cream-colored dress. She smiled warmly at Layla. “You must be Layla. You’re just as beautiful as Atlas said.”

Atlas leaned into the frame, beaming. “See, Mom? I told you, didn’t I?”

Layla was speechless. She gave the prince, who was currently a fox, a light shove away.

She then formally addressed Leilani, “Your Majesty, are you truly allowing Prince Atlas to stay here with me?”

“Yes, you are husband and wife.”

“But our marriage was merely a Genetic Pairing Program match,” Layla clarified, “and frankly, it was a mix-up. I wasn’t even aware Prince Atlas was in rut at the time. Given the circumstances, I fully expect him to annul the engagement once his rut is over.”

Leilani listened patiently.

Once Layla finished, Leilani gently posed a question. “Layla,” she asked softly, “do you like Atlas?”