Fight for Me

Layla’s POV

The only way I knew the next day had come was when two guards came down to my cell.

One had a plate of bread in his hand and the other had a bucket of water. It was obvious that they were here to fulfil Erickson’s demands.

I look over at Rebecca and she’s still zoning out on something on the floor. They had given her something earlier when they brought her food. I don’t know what, but from what I could tell, it definitely got her high.

She couldn’t keep a conversation going and only made comments very unlike the stern Rebecca that I know her to be. -Saying that I’m so cute and if she was gay, she would totally have gone for me. And then things took a weirder turn when she started crying, saying she misses her beast-man. -That her lion always knows how to make her feel very much better with his very skilful muscles.

Whatever that’s supposed to mean.

The shorter man with the plate walks closer to me.

“Careful.” The other one whispers to him loudly and giving an angry look.

Uhm. Okay.

Cleary the guy in front of me is letting go of whatever fear he had of me in the recent days. Everyone always carried a weapon and a piece of rope when they came around me. But not today.

Well, except for the angry looking man still standing by the open gate and next to bucket of water. He still has a short sword tied to his hip. The talisman on its hilt always kept me interested. I don’t know what it means, but I bet it belongs to a witch. They probably swiped it from a witch they brought in.

“It’s fine. After all this time, she’s obviously harmless.” He says as he removes the gag from my mouth.

I can’t help but take big gulps of air through my mouth, appreciating the feel of being able to breathe through my mouth.

But suddenly, a piece of bread is shoved in my mouth. I almost choke on it as I try to chew the tough bread with barely any saliva to ease the chewing. I know I shouldn’t fear dying, even if it’s from starvation. But I can already feel my stomach trying to digest itself, and I’m not looking forward to a slow death either.

I try chewing as I continue to watch them and the shadow lingering unknowingly around them. But the man isn’t bothered ro aware, as he breaks another piece off and shoves in my already full mouth.

I choke and spit the dry crumbles out.

“Shit. Dude. Come on.”

“What?” I hear the other man speak. “Fine.” He sighs as he picks up the bucket of water and brings it closer to me.

He cups his hand as he dips it in the bucket of water and hurriedly brings it to my mouth.

Isn’t that water suppose to be my bath water?

I can barely think as he shoves his hand over my mouth, forcing me to drink whatever droplets are left in his hand. I can’t even be bothered by the thought of where this water came from. Quite frankly, this is by far the kindest she has been treated in all her times of being imprisoned.

The man dips his hand in the water again and brings another cupped-hand full of water to my face. I eagerly drink it knowing I haven’t had a decent meal or any water since I’ve been here for the past I-don’t-know-how-many days.

But in my rush, I start to cough as water went down my breathing pipe.

“Dammit.” The short man puts the plate down and reaches for my shackles.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“She can’t eat like this. And I’m definitely sure she can’t wash like this either.”

“She’s not supposed to. We were told to feed her and wash her.”

“And we will.” He says with a grin too big for my liking.

“We’re not supposed to fucking touch her. She belongs to the alpha king.” He says gripping his short sword.

“Oh please.” He takes a small step closer and puts a strand of my hair behind my ear. His hand grazing down my neck and cupping my breast as if examining it. “She’s a celestial. Aren’t you curious?”

I don’t even need to ask what they are curious about.

“She could be dangerous.”

They continue talking as if I’m not even here. Though the other one continues to squeeze my breast as if it’s some kind of stress ball for him.

“Those are just stories. Myths. And all the time she’s been here, she hasn’t done a single thing. What could be so dangerous about someone like her. Look at her. She’s practically a child.” He bites his lower lip as he finally lets go of me and cups his manhood.

“You do realize she’s still mated to an alpha, Aaron?” He shouts as he hints to the mark along my neck.

“Which means she’s had more than the gentle experience. Besides, the alpha king was going to rut her tomorrow anyways.”

“Do what you want, but I’m not going to stay for this. I’m going to feed and bath her as requested, and then I’m out of here.”

“Okay.” Aaron rolls his eyes as he puts the keys back in his back pocket.

“You know,….Aaron.” They both finally acknowledge my actual presence as I speak. “I think you should help me out of these chains, if you know what’s good for you. Aaron.” I emphasize his name as a plan comes to mind.

“Oh really.” He smirks. “So, you know what’s good for me?”

“Yes. If you don’t want your soul cursed to eternal damnation.”

“What?” Aaron whispers, finally removing his hand. Both of them looking confused.

The other man takes a fearful step back, but his friend tries to stop him.

“She’s fucking with us. If she knew how to curse us, she would have done it already.”

“Oh, Aaron. Did you know that all I need to curse someone is their name. Aaron.”

They looks at each other with panicked looks, but it turns into fear the moment I show them my black and glowing blue eyes. I can see the projections of their spirit animals cowering at the sight of me.

They struggle to move their shaky legs, and they slide their feet backwards inch by inch to the cell gate.

I can’t help but smirk as I give the shadow behind them a knowing look. He quickly moves towards the gate, and with a swipe of his hand the gate swings shut with a loud thud.

The two men jump in fear as they look behind them at the closed gate.

“What the fuck have you done Aaron?”

“I didn’t-,..I didn’t,…How was I supposed to know Jasper?”

“Shut the fuck up man.” They stare at each other with wide eyes as Aaron realizes his supposed mistake.

“Jasper, is it?” I coo.

I give a curt nod at the shadow, so he can continue with this childish plan of ours.

All of a sudden, the single light in my cell and another in the hallway starts flickering.

“What the fuck?” The short one whimpers.

“Aaron?” I get his attention and he starts peeing himself and stares at me with a terrified look. “Aaron?”

But he falls to his knees and starts crying and begging for mercy.

The moment I look at the other one, he immediately shuts his eyes, as if avoiding my celestial gaze can stop his fear.

“Jasper?”

But he just shakes his head as if it would change his current reality.

“Jasper? If you don’t help me out of these chains, I might just have to give you a taste of death.”

But he just continues to shake his head.

I give another nod at the shadow and he steps closer to the two men. The moment it lays its dark hands on their backs, they both audibly gasp and freeze as if stuck in time.

“No, nononono. I didn’t even do anything. I’m not the one that wanted to hurt you.” Jasper muddles out as he starts crying. “Aaron! Get the fuck up. You have the keys. Unchain her.”

But Aaron starts wailing like a child, as tears and snot cover his face. “Mo-mmy.” He mumbles out.

Even I take a while to make sure whether I heard him right. Just a few seconds ago, he was ready to show me just how much of a man he is and now he’s calling out for his mother after having wet himself.

I sigh. “Jasper? It’s just you and me.”

He curses as he drops to Aaron and takes his keys from his back pocket.

The moment he has his grip on the keys, he pauses, hesitates.

But the shadow suddenly shoves him towards me so unexpectedly that I almost gasp out loud with the shock of it. He rolls and stops in front of my feet, staring at me as if I had caught him in a plan.

“He wanted to mind-link someone.” I hear the shadow speak to me, a voice so dark and gravelly that apparently no one else can hear. According to what he told me.

“Jasper, if you try to mind link someone again, I might have to stop asking you so nicely to help me.”

He hurriedly gets up and uses one of the many keys to unlock the chains around my wrists.

My hands fall numbly to my side at the lack of blood flow, but the tingles tell me it won’t take that long before I can fully use them.

I look at the scared man and take the keys from him.

“I smell blood,…. and death. A battle is underway. I must leave.” Before I can even respond to the shadow, he vanishes through one of the walls.

A battle? Does that mean that Nick is here?

I can't help but smile at the excitement of seeing him again.

“Jasper.” I sigh as I look at the two men, feeling guilty for having put them through this charade. “Look, something tells me you two might realize too late that you’re fighting on the wrong side.”

I slip the pretty dagger from his side and continue walking backwards towards the gate. I open it and shut it closed again. His eyes flutter as if realizing what I’m doing.

“See this as me giving you a chance to survive and maybe do better next time.” I turn the key and turn around to the cell opposite me.

I go through the bunched up keys to try and open up Rebecca’s cell, and by the third try I succeed.

I rush in and as I try to pick her up and she actually obliges with quite the giggles.

At least whatever they gave her isn’t making her numb, just more receptive.

“Layla.” She giggles again. “Did you see the pretty lights? They were dancing.”

What is she talking about?

Just as I get a comfortable hold on her, I hear the metal door screeching open. Multiple footsteps rushing through and I can’t help but hold my breath.

Who could that be? Did those idiots really manage to mind-link someone?

I pull Rebecca to the side and against the wall, as I grab a hold of the dagger. Luckily, she can balance on her own, but I can only pray that she doesn’t start giggling any time soon.

In the dim lighting I see three figures rushing down the hall, and one stops in front of my cell.

“She’s supposed to be here?”

“…….Shit.” The large and tall man says as he rakes his fingers through his hair, looking at a cell with two whimpering guards and their heads buried in their crouched up knees.

But they all stiffen, hearing a soft giggle.

Oh, come on.

The moment they all turn around, I already have the dagger pressed against the big one’s neck.

He doesn’t look familiar. Though, recognition flushes through all their eyes as they look at me. But more than most, I see relief in their features as they relax in front of me.

“What do you want with me?” I ask as sternly and threateningly as I can, not knowing whether these are friends or foes. But a quick glimpse at one of them, I linger a little longer on his face, not being able to place his familiar face.

“Please.” The big one with the dagger at his throat speaks. “We are just here to help you and the rest of the prisoners.”

He doesn’t look familiar, but he does sound it. And looking at his auburn eyes, I can’t think of any bear-shifters I have recently come across.

“Who are you?”

But before any of them can answer, A loud roar vibrates off the walls and the bars of the cells.

Without even thinking, I throw the keys of the cells at them and one of them manages to catch it. At this point, I can only consider trusting them.

“Take this and help the other prisoners out.” I order as I rush back to Rebecca who seems very excited for whatever beast may be coming this way.

I pull her along and rush towards the metal door, -our exit. I’m just relieved that the three men adhered to my command as they rush to get everyone free.

Rushing out of the doors, I see no one. Except, everyone that is there is lying on the floor. And I don’t even want to wonder if they’re just passed out or actually dead. Especially considering all the blood everywhere.

Focus Layla.

Just as we pass the corner, I crash into a warm wall, and even get pulled back by it.

“Starfish?”

I know that voice. I smile before I even get to look up at him.

“Princess?” But his attention quickly goes to the giggling woman next to me. “Princess. Look at me.” He worriedly cups her face. “What did they do to you?”

“She’s fine. Don’t worry. They drugged her. But nothing lethal. She’s basically just high.”

I can see the relief on his face as he grabs her into his arms in a crushing hug and inhales her hair.

“I’m so sorry. I never,…agh, I was so scared. I love you princess. I won’t let anyone ever take you from me again.”

I can’t help but smile. I’ve never seen Mike so,……loving. He was always just joking around.

But Rebecca clearly finds him funny as she giggles some more.

He pulls back and looks at her again.

“I wasn’t scared.” She slurs her words a bit. “I knew my big daddy would come.”

Mike gives a low growl as she snuggles into his chest, happily inhaling his scent.

Okay. I guess this is my cue to leave.

“Mike?” He hesitantly looks at me. “Where is Nick?” I rush out so he can sense my haste.

But he just shakes his head. “I don’t know. I barely caught up with them a few miles out as I was heading here. I was lucky. I didn’t even have a plan. I just knew I needed to get Rebecca out of here.” He says as he gently pats her hair and a hand lingers down to her stomach. “But I found them. And it seems Alpha Nicholas brought a whole army with him. All I know, is that he’s going after his father, the alpha king.”

I give him a questioning look, and he just shakes his head, informing me that he doesn’t know where they are.

“Layla, come with us. There are healers waiting for us outside. I’m definitely taking Rebecca there. She’s not safe here.”

“Not safe?” Rebecca intervenes. “I’m a big girl. And a warrior wolf.”

“Princess, please.” He whispers to her as he leans his head against hers.

“Don’t worry about me. You get them to safety.” I say to Mike.

But he looks at me with a worried look, quickly slipping his hand away from Rebecca’s stomach.

“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”

He looks at me a second longer and gently smiles in thanks.

Besides, the less people that know about this, the better. And I don’t want anyone to burst their happy bubble now. They deserve this. They’re just too cute together.

“But come with us Layla. This place is going to become a blood bath.”

“I can’t. I have to find Nick.” I smile back, hoping he understands.

“I thought so. He said this fight was as much yours as it was his. Which frankly doesn’t sit well with me. But, I’ve come to learn that you can take care of yourself.”

“Thanks Mike. Now get going.”

He chuckles as he quickly swings Rebecca into his arms, the both of them chuckling at each other.

“Be careful.” He says with a quick look before rushing back down the hall he came from, with Rebecca snuggly in his arms.

Knowing that wherever Mike is going is away from the fight, I’m sure I’ll have to head in the opposite direction.

I run up another long flight of stairs and to my surprise, I'm not in a house, or anything that remotely looks like a building. No, I'm in a barn. The endless patches of hay lying around really gives it that farm feel. It’s still dark, but the moonlight shines through the cracks of the split wood pieces, illuminating it.

She rushes to the large doors already slightly open and pushes through, ready for whatever is to come. But she’s greeted with nothing but silence outside as more bloody bodies lie lifeless on the ground around her.

And in that instance, a loud howl sounds through the whole sky, sending a steel knot to form in her stomach.

That’s an alpha’s howl. A cry for war.