Healing Hearts

C H A P T E R | 30

"Marley, you've barley touched your lasagna," Melissa mentioned at dinner. The two mates entered the house after silence came between them. Their conversation was put on hold, and Marley mumbled about telling Joey the truth.

Marley smiled softly before taking another bite.

"Do you not like it?" Melissa continued, hoping she wasn't pushing Marley to eat something she didn't like.

Marley shook her head, "My mother used to make lasagna for me. It's just been awhile since I've had it, I guess." She took another bite, pushing away the memories of her mother serving her and her siblings food. Her younger sister was sunburnt from working in the garden. Her brother would tease the two of them since he was the only one who could heal out of them at the time.

"I hope it's up to her standards," Melissa whispered. The doctor's mother couldn't imagine the situation Marley had to live through — still living through.

"Don't worry; it is."

*•*•*•*•*

Later in the evening, Marley was lying in the guest bedroom. Layla was in her old bedroom, on the other side of one of her four walls. Gabby, despite having her own apartment, decided to stay, was sleeping on the couch in the living room.

Marley was alone, staring at the ceiling. She felt that Layla took her hidden truths well, but the guilt feeling was still in her stomach.

A small knocked echoed on the door, and Marley sat up. She was lying on top the covers, and she quickly slid from the bed without any problems. Her light footsteps were like gentle taps of rain on a window.

She opened the door, her tired eyes taking in Layla's form.

"Layla?"

The she-wolf smiled, "You haven't fallen asleep yet, and my wolf and I were worried."

Marley blushed, rubbing the back of her neck, "Yeah, I was... I was just thinking." She ended it with a yarn, making Layla chuckle.

"Do you want a thinking buddy?"

Marley nodded her head, opening the door as she made more room for her mate to enter. Layla moved inside, quickly picking up Marley. The younger she-wolf yelped as the door closed softly, a click in the silence.

Layla stopped at the edge of the bed, taking a deep breath of Marley's scent before gently placing her on the bed. She carefully climbed beside her before flopping on her back.

Layla relaxed into the mattress, looking up at her mate. Marley was watching her, her head tilting to the side like a cute puppy.

"How are you not mad?" Marley whispered, confusion lacing her eyes.

Layla yawned, and she propped her body up with elbows, "I found the line between people who hurt me on accident and people who hurt me on purpose. You show a lot of your emotions, and I know your actions weren't made based on inflicting pain on me or my wolf."

Marley bit her lip, "But pain is pain — no matter who it comes from."

"That's true," Layla agreed. "I was hurt, and I thought you might have liked Gabby more than me or maybe that I was being too overbearing."

"I'm sorry."

Layla smiled, "Apology accepted, Marley. I know you truly mean it. I'm happy you explained your actions, not a lot of people do that."

Marley nodded her head.

The doctor sighed, "Tell me about your family. You heard all about mine at dinner earlier."