Fight for Me

Layla’s POV

I can’t even remember how long I’ve been in this darn cell. Then again, it’s not my first time and I know how easy it is to lose track of time.

Fudge nuggets! I hate my life. If I’m not running for my life, I’m stuck in chains because someone wants to torture me.

Why can’t I just have some normalcy in my life just once.

I miss Nick.

The aching muscles of my arms that have been strung up by chains since I got here tense the moment I hear a metal door screeching open.

Oh fudge balls. He’s back.

He's probably here to interrogate me about my mother's experiments again. He always asks yes or no questions so he doesn't have to remove my gag. But he clearly doesn't understand nor believe that I don't know anything about my mother's experiments.

A shiver runs down my spine as I hear the sound of his heavy footsteps slowly approaching.

He stops right in front of my cell as expected. And as always, he’s grinning quite happily, showing all his teeth.

“You’ve been waiting for me, I see.” He says as he unlocks the cell gate and approaches me.

Though, this time, he comes uncomfortably closer than he usually does. Close enough to nudge his nose in my sweaty hair and sniffing me.

I can hear him growling in delight, but I swing my head against his jaw as hard as I can, hoping to hurt him in some way.

He must fear me somehow. Why else would he keep my hands chained, and my mouth tied with a rag. He was even avoiding all forms of contact with me since the day he caught me, as he made his men drag me around like a rag doll with a rope around my neck.

I will not let him get comfortable in my personal space now.

“Uurgh!” He grunts as he takes an involuntary step back, rubbing his chin.

But I regret doing it, a little. Especially with the stabbing headache I just got in return. Regardless of what I am, I still have the body of a human, and he still has the hard physique of a wolf.

But my headache just gets worse when I feel the back of his hand slapping me across the face.

I hear him chuckle and from the corner of eye, I see him lick a drop of blood from his lower lip.

“Feisty, as always. But you will learn to respect me.”

Learn? Crap. So he plans on keeping me here for a lot longer. Crap, crap, crap.

Another round of laughter leaves his lips.

“Oh, don’t think so hard. I can practically see the wheels turning in that little head of yours.

He roughly grips my hair, earning a yelp from me.

Dammit. I miss they days I could barely feel any pain. I know I shouldn’t, because those were the tell tale signs of me losing the last bits of my humanity. – The beginning of a curse that would have left me burning this insufferable world to the ground. I would have turned into the very thing that this self-named Alpha King feared me to be.

He pulls my head back, forcing me to look at him.

I can’t help but scrunch my nose in disgust. His tall figure, soft-looking brown hair and those deep hazel eyes that search mine with intensity. He has the very same features, but he is nothing like Nick. Nick would never hurt me like this. Despite the misunderstandings that kept us apart, I can’t help but miss being with him. I was used to being alone for so long, and rightfully so, I was raised that way. But I don’t think my parents ever accounted for the possibility of me being a wolf’s mate. Nick’s mate.

I miss him. And I hate Erickson. And honestly, I don’t think Nick would mind if Erickson were to die anytime soon.

“That’s such a lovely look in those eyes.” He grabs the side of my face with his other large hand as he rubs his rough thumb on my cheek.

His touch angers me, I preferred it when he avoided getting within my personal space.

I’m not even sure I have properly figured it out yet, but I hope with the intensity of my anger, my eyes would do that thing where it turns black and blue again. That always gets people to back off as if they had just seen their own demise.

I must have done it, because all of a sudden, I can see a glimmer of a large wolf’s head hovering over him, as if staring back at me. -I can see his spirit animal.

But this time he laughs so loudly in my face, I can practically smell his breath. -A clear hint of whiskey,….and blood.

He steps forward pressing his whole body against mine, shoving me against the wall behind me. A fearful shiver runs down me, as I feel him pressing something hard against my stomach and his nose back in my hair.

“Do you know what you smell like?” He pauses like he’s waiting for an answer. Which is ridiculous because he knows I have a gag in my mouth. I won’t even bother trying to entertain him with my mumbling. “Like power.”

A deep growl rumbles from his chest when his nose nuzzles my neck, my mark.

Is he really annoyed with Nick’s mark on me? I’ve learned that wolves are possessive, but I’m not even his.

He slips a hand around my waist, rubbing his body in mine.

“Soon, you’ll be mine.”

I can’t help but flinch in his hold. The whole kidnapping and imprisoning thing isn’t new to me. But for the life of me, why do people keep trying to make me their personal toys? There is nothing alluring about me.

From his speech last time, I thought he just wanted to keep me for his propaganda in trying to get this war going. But now,…he wants to make me his? But he knows I’m his son’s mate. That I bear Nick’s mark. An alpha’s mark.

He pulls his head back staring at me with lust-filled eyes.

Gargle noises come from me as I try to curse at him, even knowing that my PG vocabulary won’t hurt his ego. And for a second I actually forgot I had a gag in my mouth.

“Do you know how rare it is for cross-species to be true mates?”

Here he goes again. Asking questions like I'm supposed to answer them. I’m pretty sure he just loves hearing himself speak.

“It’s even rarer for them to procreate.”

Where is he going with this? It’s not like I’m pregnant. I don’t think so. And I know it can happen, it is possible. But it’s rare, as he so adequately put it.

“But with your mate’s blood running through me, it shouldn’t be that hard to get you pregnant with my seed.”

What the freak?!

I yank at the chains and wriggle my body to just get him away and off of me.

He laughs as he takes a step back, leering at my body.

Ewe. Why are men such creeps? Well,….most men.

“Just imagine. My heir. Half wolf, alpha of course, and half celestial. He will be the most powerful being anyone had ever witnessed. Possessing the power of a god. My legacy.”

What is wrong with him? That’s not how it works.

I can hear the blood pumping in my ears as I consider for a split second telling him the truth of my kind. But I’m thankful for not just the gag in my mouth, but also for my hesitancy. I can’t tell him a thing about me, -about us. A man like him can’t know a thing about us. He can’t know there are more of us out there. I promised them.

After escaping from Blake’s torture prison, I had decided to follow Melinda’s advice and go south in the hopes of finding someone that can give me answers. And find I did.

I will not bring any danger to them. Our kind have already managed to escape one genocide. They don’t want another. They just want to live in peace, even if it means to live in hiding.

Looking up I can see Erickson looking at me with questioning eyes, as if hoping I would try and argue with more mumbles.

But I avoid his intense eyes.

Crap. I’m not good at lying. And I’m incapable of even speaking right now. Get it together Layla.

I look back at him with as much disgust as I can. That’s not an emotion I need to pretend on.

I hear the sound of that metal door screeching again and hear multiple footsteps walking down the hall.

Probably another prisoner.

They occasionally drag people down here. And I’m pretty sure they are shifters and witches. They’re always chained in silver, or some talisman. And the screams of pain I hear at night make it obvious they’re torturing them, or experimenting on them. I’ve seen too many things to not consider it.

And so far, all the screams I’ve heard have only come from men. I don’t know how I should feel about that. It just makes me question what they are saving the women for.

“The full moon is in two days.” Erickson continues, bringing my annoyance back. “I will take you then.”

He waits, smiling at the look on my face.

What is it with wolves and the full moon?

He grabs the tip of my chin to look up at him, but of course I yank it away.

But looking past him, I look in confusion at the woman which the men, wearing their BioCorp T-shirts so proudly, are putting in the cell right opposite mine. She looks weak, clearly not even able to stand or walk. But what’s strange is that the chains on her aren’t made of silver.

They must have drugged her.

“I will have someone come down tomorrow to feed and wash you properly.” Erickson turns and finally leaves.

The nerve of that man. I can see now why Nick always gets annoyed when his father is brought up.

And what does he mean someone will wash me properly?

Even hearing his retreating footsteps annoy me. There is obviously a skip in his step, like someone walking at the top of the world.

But I refuse to focus too much of my intention on him. I refuse to believe that he fathered Nick or any of his brothers. They are all every bit of a man that Erickson clearly isn’t. The way Maxim always looks after Abby, he would never lay a finger on her when he’s so afraid to just see her cry. And even though Melinda is here, I know Tristan would never give up on her. He’s borderline obsessed with her, always running after her like a lost puppy. Then there’s Anthony, the jokester, yet so shy when it comes to Jason. And then there’s Nick. I was in denial for so long that I could want someone like him, that I would need him. I was afraid that I was destined for a lonely life. But he kept on fighting. And that’s one thing I can count on. Nick will never stop fighting for me. I am his and he is mine. Forever. Even in death.

Hearing soft coughs, I look back at the new inmate.

“Rgghmmmhh.” I roll my eyes, forgetting that I had this thing in my mouth.

Pursing my lips I give it another try. “Rrreeevvaaah.”

I know I probably sound like a mumbling child, but at least the noise got her attention.

She lazily sits up against the wall, squinting at me. I can’t help but smile at my success, but confused at whether she will be pleased to see me. I know she never liked me, and there was a time I was so close to hating her too. But I had other problems to focus on than some potential girl fight tension.

Her eyes relax as recognition sets in.

“Layla?” She whispers.

“Mmmhhb.” I sigh, having forgotten yet again about my current lack of speech.

“They got you too?”

I slowly nod.

“Damn. What did you do to get yourself chained up like that?”

“Mmhh.”

Annoyed at my weak memory, I rattle my chains with frustration.

She sighs deeply as she makes herself comfortable on the floor.

“I must say, I’m actually relieved to see you here.” She chuckles which extends when she sees my confused and annoyed look.

“Don’t get me wrong. As much as you annoy me, I would never wish this on anyone, especially you.”

Now I’m really confused.

“You’ve had to deal with this kind of shit for far too long. I’m just relieved because I know Nick will come for you.” She peeks at my neck even though my hair is most likely covering my mark. “And he’s definitely brining an army.”

“Mmaaih” I try mumbling, hoping she knows what I’m trying to say.

And seeing the instant smile on her face, I know she does.

“Mike?”

Damn, I guess the rumours were true. And knowing him, he will definitely treat her like a dime.

“He’s great.”

I know he is. She’s lucky to have him. I’m so happy for her. A weird feeling to have, but I still am. Rebecca actually has a very beautiful smile. And I prefer that than having her scowl non-stop at me.

She chuckles with an annoyance in her tone. “He’s going to be so pissed off.” Rebecca looks at me, realizing I can’t really contribute to her conversation. “He wanted us to leave before this bloody war got to us. I told him we couldn’t outrun it, and that we shouldn’t. And he said he didn’t want me to fight. Which is ridiculous, I’m a warrior wolf after all.”

She sighs as she looks at me and I can’t help but notice how she cups her flat tummy.

“I don’t know how it could have happened. We’re not even true mates.” I can hear the quiver in her voice.

Wait. Is she-

“Mike knew we couldn’t run away from this. We were getting ready to go to his cousin’s pride, but we got attacked. I don’t even know if he is okay.” She says in a shaky but firm voice.

“Bbbaabvvyy”

She chuckles. “Yes. I guess baby is a better term. Mike and I couldn’t figure out if we should call it a pup or a cub.”

My breath hitches at her confirmation. I know how this goes. I’ve been imprisoned long enough to know. They brought her here to experiment on. That’s why she’s not wearing silver chains. They don’t want to risk harming the foetus.

“No need to look so glum. They will come. Mike-“ I hear a slight whimper and hesitation. “Mike will come for us.”

Dammit. How will I get us out of this? It might still take Nick and his brothers a while to move along with his plan and find this place. He probably doesn’t even know I was caught. This wasn’t part of the plan.

I hope Mike is okay though.

This is all so screwed up. And me being chained and gagged is not making any of this easier.

A shiver runs through me as another cold breeze wafts against my skin.

I miss Nick. He was always ready to hold me. To keep me safe,…and warm.

Dammit. I don’t know it it’s this mate bond that’s making me so love sick, but I can’t sit around and mope. I have to find a way out myself. But my hands are literally tied. I can’t do anything. And Rebecca is too drugged up to even stand.

But as if hearing my prayers, I see a dark shadow from the corner of my eye. We make eye contact, and this time I don’t get scared, having a clear understanding of what this shadow’s purpose and capabilities actually are.

I can’t help but smirk as the dark shadow slowly approaches me.