Fight for Me

The next day

Since last night, everyone in the pack-house has been quiet.

Nicholas kept himself busy in the office trying to avoid any of his nosy brothers.

But he himself is more curious.

Why does she have all those passports? And with all that cash, there was no need for her to be drifting about. What is she running from?

“Nicholas.”

He looks up to see an angry Rebecca standing in front of him.

He grunts at her from annoyance. He knew she liked attention, but he never thought she was the type to so willingly want to bring others down.

“Nicholas. I need to talk with you.” She starts walking from side to side.

“I think you’ve done enough talking.”

But she ignores his glare as she continues.

“Why are you protecting her? I don’t get it. How was I supposed to know that she was apparently your guest? You told me she was just a maid.”

“And that gives you the right to have acted that way?”

“I was just trying to look after this pack,…after you. The way she’s been worming her way in here, she has to be up to something.”

“What is this Rebecca? I thought you were a logical thinker. I told you that she was just going to stay for a month and then be on her way. So why act so irrationally?” He gives a deep sigh as he leans back in his chair. “You have greatly disappointed me.”

“What?” She asks confused, but worried.

“I thought I knew you. I saw you as a strong warrior wolf, logical, fearless and selfless. I thought you would make the perfect Luna for this pack and for me. But it’s clear that I was wrong.”

“What? What are you saying Nicholas?”

“What I’m saying, is that you have given me much to think about concerning you as this pack’s future Luna.”

“You can’t. You can’t be serious Nicholas. I have been devoted to you and this pack for years. Everybody expects me to become this pack’s Luna.”

“This decision isn’t just because of what you did, but also because of the doubts of my members.”

“The members? They-,….they doubt me? From a simple thing like that?” She says with a sarcastic laugh.

“You really think it’s that simple? Have you already forgotten what we wolves fought for our entire lives? Freedom and justice.” He says, raising his voice.

“But, that is-.”

“No!” He slams his fist on the table as he shoots up, giving her a deadly glare. “My father, my brothers and I fought for years trying to free wolves oppressed by their Alphas. We did not force them into our packs. We gave them a choice. We offered them a place where we as Alphas will not force our power on them based on our apparent birth right. But to protect them and respect them, earning our title as their Alphas in return for their loyalty.”

Rebecca is quiet, feeling the anger of Nicholas’ wolf.

But she tries to speak nonetheless, though, it comes out more like a whisper.

“I was just trying to keep the pack safe.”

“I thought I told you to never lie to me.” He clenches his jaws.

She gasps as she hears her own heart beating faster. She knows he must hear it too.

“Not only did you disrespect a pack member, but also my guest. You acted against my better judgement in keeping this pack strong and safe. It’s clear you want power, but you can’t handle it.”

“Can’t handle?” She scoffs. “You can’t take this away from me Nicholas. I deserve it. You’re putting too much thought into the members’ concerns. You’ll never be able to please them all. So just because a few of them mention something against me, now you’re going to what? -postpone the Luna ceremony?”

“You’re not ready for it.”

“I am.”

“If you were, you would have been prepared to accept the consequences.”

A silence fills the room.

Rebecca starts to chuckle softly.

Nicholas raises a questioning brow.

“You know,…..this is probably the most we’ve ever spoken to each other. The most you’ve ever spoken to me.” And all because of her. She thinks to herself. “Fine.”

Nicholas looks up, wanting her to continue.

“I will accept your terms. The way I see it, I just have to wait for you to come back to me.” These words carry a far more deeper meaning for her. “We both know I am a perfect Luna. I understand everything about this pack and you. Without finding your mate, I am your best choice.”

She straightens up and leaves him alone in the office. Leaving him with questioning thoughts he never thought he’d have.

Cody is sitting on his bed, staring at his quivering hands covered in fading splotches of ink.

Hearing a knock on his door, he quickly takes the journal and pen next to him on the bed, and shoves it in his desk drawer.

“Come in.” He says dejectedly.

Looking at the opening door, he sees Layla walking in, but she looks sad too.

They both just stare at each other, both clearly aware there is something wrong with the other, but not knowing what.

They slowly walk towards each other, meeting in the middle of the room. They grip each other in a tight hug, knowing they both want it and need it.

“Where have you been?” She asks in his chest.

He pulls away to look at her, trying to smile, but barely.

“Just around.” But he can hear her sigh lazily. “So what’s gotten you so down?”

She knows he doesn't know. He wasn't there last night.

“I realized, I’ll have to leave. Soon.”

Cody sighs. “Me too.” He says softly.

She looks up to him with furrowed brows. “You’re leaving too?”

He hesitantly speaks. “I don’t think I can stay here anymore.”

Layla grips his hands. “Why don’t you come with me? We can leave together.” She says hopeful.

“No.” He gives her hand a slight squeeze. “You have your own journey, and I’ve already decided mine.”

She lazily smiles in defeat. But from the corner of her eye, she sees that ominous shadow in the far corner of the room.

She squeezes his hand back.

“Cody?” She looks in his eyes. She wants to tell him that she loves him. That he’s the little brother she never had. She’s afraid of what this shadow will do to her. But she doesn’t want to say it. She doesn’t want to say goodbye.

She smiles gently. “How about we head to the training ground and get our minds off things?”

He just nods. But before she can walk off, he grips her into another tight hug. When he finally lets go, he leads her to the training grounds.