Fight for Me

Nicholas carries Layla to her room.

He mind-links Margret to come to the room with some supplies.

As he lays her down on the bed to sit, he takes both of her hands and examines them, as he gets on his knees in front of her.

Gggrrrhh.

He releases a deep growl in his chest seeing the claw marks.

She tries to pull her hands away, but he tightens his grip on her wrists.

That’s when a door opens and Margret walks in.

“Alpha.” She says as she holds the first-aid kit.

But instead of moving out of the way, he holds his hand out to her. Her brows furrow as she knows what he means, but doesn’t understand why. She hands him the first-aid kit, and he immediately opens it. As he takes out the ointment, he nods at Margret and she slowly turns and leaves the room. She knows she is no longer needed.

Nicholas takes the ointment and rubs it with his finger tip over her wounds. He knows it would burn, and he knows he should be gentle, but he doesn’t know how. Almost shakily, he treats her wounds. But he notices that she doesn’t even flinch.

But that’s when he thinks back to when Cody reported her high tolerance for pain, and the way she can almost instantly heal. Does she even feel pain?

As he kneels down in front of her in deep thought, she puts her hand over his, getting his attention.

“It’s time for me to leave.” She says plainly.

With everything that has happened, she knows she needs to leave. Some have already become suspicious and wary of her, many probably won’t want her here anymore after what she just did, and she knows that her growing closeness with Nick should stop.

This is just a pit stop, and she needs to get back to where she was headed to, - Blake. She knows he should be alive, and she promised to find him, just like he promised to find a place that runaways like them can call home.

But Nicholas is somewhat frozen to hearing what she said. He can feel the lump in his chest again. But it’s not getting warm like it always does. This time, it feels like it’s tightening.

He furrows his brow not understanding what’s happening to him.

Seeing his confused look, Layla explains. “I can’t stay here anymore.”

Nicholas doesn’t know what to say. He always knew she would leave. He just doesn’t know why his body is acting like it didn’t know. He didn’t even realize his grip on her hands was tightening, until she spoke again.

“Nick.” He finally looks up at her. “It’s time.” She gently squeezes his hands back. “This would never have worked anyways.” She tries to giggle, and pulls her hands from his and gets up as she takes a few steps away from him.

Her words hit him with a reminder. He knows she’s right. He takes a small step back from her as well, lengthening the space between them.

“Of course it won’t.” He says plainly, trying to shut out his wolf’s ranting in his head.

She knows she needs to say more. But not for him, but for herself to hear and understand.

“We both said it. We’re just not compatible.” Nicholas just silently nods. “You’re too impassive and unfeeling.”

He nods again. But he too, needs to remind himself of their incompatibility.

“And you’re too carefree, -can’t handle being tied down by rules or borders.”

“We’re just too different.”

She looks up at him, wanting to look him in his hazel eyes. “You will never fight for someone like me.”

After a brief silence, he replies. “And you will never stay for someone like me.”

As the room fills with silence again, Layla feels she needs to end whatever they may have started.

“Besides, you have Rebecca. A perfect Luna. And I,…….I have someone waiting for me.”

Nicholas’ breath hitches for a split second. He remembers her saying she misses someone in her sleep. Even back then he knew they couldn't be together. But why do I feel agitated? His palms are becoming sweaty. Even Layla is starting to play with the tips of her long black hair out of nervousness and guilt. But for what, she’s not exactly sure.

But sudden loud banging on the door pulls their attention away from each other.