Fight for Me

Layla’s POV

I need to get away.

Who does he think he is?

He always wants what he wants, and then he gets it.

‘Kiss me back’. I mean, seriously, who just says that? Orders is more like it. And then I go and actually do what he says.

I’ve been walking for about ten minutes and I’m pretty sure I’m lost.

I thought I was walking in the direction of the house, but the trees have become denser, and the light of the moon lesser. Even the howls and voices have become scarcer and softer.

I stop in my tracks as soon as I realize the ground seems muddier than I remember.

It’s official. I’m lost.

Uuugghhh!

This is all his fault.

Crack!

I spin around to the noise. Please let it not be another rogue attack. I’m really not in the mood for that sort of pain right now. Not that I’m ever.

I look, but I can’t see anything, literally. It’s just dark shapes.

But the slight white fur of the hopping bunny contrasts it from its dark and bushy surroundings.

I release a long shaky breath I didn’t even know I was holding, as I hear my heart beat through my chest.

I wonder if anyone will even notice I’m gone if something does happen. Dare I say, - maybe Rebecca.

Ugh. That’s what my life has come to.

The moment I turn around again, I freeze in my tracks at the sight in front of me.

I find myself holding my breath again, as I could hear the quivering in my breath from trying to breathe slowly.

What do I do?

The large shadow is right in front of me, just a step away. Its foggy movements make it look like living, black smoke. If it wasn’t for its closeness I wouldn’t even have noticed its presence here in these dark woods.

But from this distance I can’t tell if it is indeed moving towards me. Though, it does feel like it can suck me in at any moment.

I slowly track backwards trying to put more distance between me and the shadow.

But my foot slips, and before I know what’s happening, I’m rolling down a slope.

I feel a sting in my head as I come to a sudden stop. Lying on my back, I notice the stinging sensation passing through my whole body making it feel almost numb. It feels too exhausting to even move.

Just as I try to move my head to have a better look around, I feel dizziness overtake me.

Seeing the dark woods slowly beginning to spin, I notice the shadow, flowing slowly down the very slope I probably just fell down from.

It’s coming to me.

It’s not difficult trying to feign ignorance of its presence. My world still feels and looks like it’s spinning.

But, for a split second, something catches my eye making me blink again just to be sure.

But the darkness of blinking doesn’t go away. I must have passed out.

Nicholas’ POV

It’s already past midnight and in reaching the gardens on the back porch, I realize that many of the wolves have already returned from the woods.

I shift back into my human form and grab a pair of pants from the extra clothes we keep hidden around the woods.

It appears Rebecca didn’t go for a run. I don’t understand how one can be so reserved, especially a wolf-shifter.

But she seems to have made friends with Melinda and Samantha, with the way they are gossiping about something. I guess that should be good. She doesn’t have many friends here in the pack. Not that she seems to care.

“That felt great.” A shirtless Maxim says as he combs his fingers through his brown and slightly curly hair.

“Yeah. That sure was fun.” Anthony chuckles as he rubs his shoulder.

“Already having muscle pains? And here I thought you were the energetic one.” Tristan teases slightly out of breath.

“Oh yeah. And why are you so out of breath. Out of practice chasing after skirts.” Anthony laughs, but quickly sucks in breath as he sees the frigid look on Melinda’s face.

“Fuck Anthony. Stop trying to cause trouble.” Tristan turns to his mate trying to hold her hands. “It’s not like that Babe. I told you, I am done with that life.”

Though Melinda is just rolling her eyes. “Yeah. I know. You keep telling me.”

Tristan seems nervous. “So,…..not the couch then?”

Melinda sighs. “No. Besides, the last 24 hours have made it clear that Anthony is the last person whose words should cause me any distress.” She gives a quick but cheeky smile to Tristan.

I cancel out the rest of the small talk and focus on my mind link. I feel someone trying to push through.

Alpha. The human.

Without a second’s thought I turn around towards the woods and head in the direction of the link.

I can hear people calling my name, but I have no time to explain. I, myself don’t know what’s wrong.

The patrol’s words were clear. His tone said more.

I know he’s not far. I barely enter the woods, when I see him rushing towards me in a jog. But with a small bundle in his arms.

“I found her in the outskirts of the woods. Don’t know what she was doing all the way out there, but it’s a good thing I was still doing my rounds.”

I hear him, and I know he’s looking at me. But I can’t pull my eyes from Layla. I can’t pull my eyes from the blood dripping from her head.

She’s hurt.

Gggrrhh.

“From how I found her, it seems she must have slipped, fallen and hit her head.” The patrol continues.

I pull her from his arms and into mine without a word.

I finally look up and see the man who helped her.

“Thank you, Micah.”

He just nods and runs off again. Back to his post I presume.

I pull Layla closer to my chest wanting to warm her up, as I carry her back to the pack-house.

Why would she go all the way out there?

I furrow my brows as I remember how she just walked off, and away from me, after our kiss in the woods.

Was she trying to leave? But she wouldn’t leave just like this, would she?

I look down at her state and clench my jaws at how clearly fragile she looks right now.

How the hell can you end up in this state from just a trip Layla?

She’s too reckless, never-minded and stubborn. It is a miracle she has made it alive this far, and without a scratch.