~Layla’s POV~
The dark walls brought little relief to my aching eyes as they woke up from their slumber. In the corner was a lamp that stood tall and shed a warming light over the room.
My head was pounding as if it had been pressed under a boulder and just trying to see clearer was causing the pain to get worse.
”You have to keep her away from there,”
”How am I supposed to do that? She doesn’t listen,”
”If this happens again we don’t know what will happen,” hushed voices were speaking in the corner of the room but I couldn’t turn to see who it was. I noticed something pressing on my temple and when I tried to shift my head it stopped. There was something keeping my head still. ”Keep her away, Justin.”
”Right, because it’s so damn easy,”
”Nothing worthwhile ever is.” It was Justin and a woman. He sighed and I made out some of the words they said but they were whispering them so quietly.
I pressed harder to try and turn around but to no avail. A sudden rage helped me on the way though. Clara growled and stepped to the surface and whatever tool they had around my head shattered.
My head snapped to the side and I saw their shocked faces. The woman turned from shock to a grin as she patted Justin on his arm.
”Good luck,” he ran a hand through his visibly sweaty hair and walked over to me.
”Nicely done, Hulk.” He joked but I saw the worry on his face.
”What’s a little plastic to a werewolf,” I laughed.
”Oh nothing at all but metal clampers however, that’s something.” I looked at the pieces that had fallen on the side of the bed and he was right, they were made of metal.
my jaw dropped and I looked up at him.
”Whops,”
”You’re strong,” he sat down on a chair that pulled right next to the bed.
”i’m guessing that most of the people here are,” Justin nodded his head and looked away with his lip tucked between his teeth.
”They are, but I think you’re a bit special,” the question was there on the tip of my tongue, and I knew I had to ask. Simultaneously, I sensed his apprehension in answering it.
”What happened to me out there?” The air shifted around us, and both Justin and I turned and looked at Nathaniel, who stood by the stairs. His imposing figure looked like a shadow until he stepped out in the light.
”No need to worry. Harnessing the powers of our memories and thoughts is not an easy task. That’s why we start training the young ones early. It will be a little harder for you given you age and experience out in the world. For them, it’s all fun and games, but for you,who has truly lived, it will take some time to adapt.
”But you think I’ll be able to do it?” I asked, the warm light accentuating Nathaniel’s features. While waiting for his response, I stole a quick glance at Justin, who seemed restless and fidgety, tapping his foot against the floor.
”Of course, I will work on it with you personally,” Nathaniel assured me, his captivating eyes drawing anyone in. His hair looked slightly ruffled, with strands hanging in front of his eyes The shirt clung to his body and his tattoos began on the back of his hand and slithered all the way up under his sleeve.
”Great,” I replied with a smile. He stood there quietly, observing me, before casting his gaze down on Justin, who understood his unspoken request. Justin looked at me and with a strained smile he got up from the chair and placed it back in the corner. The dark wooden chair had a wicker seating that blended into the wall.
The entire place had a dark, wooden ambiance, reminiscent of a ski resort.
I glanced up and noticed the lights that hung across the walls.
”Wait,” Justin turned around.
”Is this my room?” A genuine smile spread across his face. ”It is. Rest up, and we’ll continue practice later.”
That night, I slept like a log and the sun didn’t reach my house as it did back home.Speaking of home…i missed it.
My feet touched the cool surface and I rubbed my eyes. I made myself a cup of coffee, and stepped outside. My neighbors greeted me with friendly smiles and waved as they passed by. The atmosphere was so welcoming, it felt like being in Disneyland.
It was strange that I hadn’t heard a single bad word about anyone. In every town, there would usually be someone grumpy or unpleasant. However, here, everyone seemed to get along.
A couple walked past me with a basket in their hands and laughed as they crossed down the streets. ”Did you sleep well?” Justin came up on my side, and it was good to see him, even though he looked a little worn out.
”Like a log, but I can see that you didn’t,” he raised his to-go cup up to his lips and downed the last sip of coffee.
”There’s more inside,” I said, laughing, as he followed me back in.
I filled his cup and handed it to him. Justin’s fingers lingered on mine as he grabbed the cup from me and took a sip. His face contorted in a grimace, and he winced.
”You do not make coffee very often, do you,” he remarked somewhat rudely, prompting the back of my hand to slightly slam against his arm.
”How are you?” We sat down on the couch, facing each other. ”I’m good, sleeping really helped with the pain.”
”I’m glad,” there was a moment of silence, where neither of us uttered a word, and the sound of our breathing was barely audible
”How about you?” His eyes snapped to mine attentively, and he cleared his throat.
”It’s been busy.” looking down in my cup I felt my lips twitching up in a smile and I lifted my eyes. ”That’s not what I asked,” I said.
Justin’s lips parted, his eyes flickering between mine, and he let out a nervous chuckle. He looked up at me through hooded eyes and tossed his head.
”We should get going. You have a lot to practice.”
We walked to the water, just like last time, but instead of stopping where the kids were, we walked past their condensing gazes and continued up the river.
I scoffed and glared at them.
”She passed out,” I overheard one of the kids whisper.
”It’s hard!” Justin grabbed my arm and pulled me along while laughing.
”Who’s he to judge? He doesn’t even have his wolf.” I whined as I pulled my arm free from his grip. ”Sure but he’s not wrong—” Justin gave me a side eye.
”—you did pass out.” Jackass.
After walking for another fifteen minutes, we finally made it to where I was going to practice. However, it wasn’t going to be just me and Justin, as I had initially thought. Nathaniel stood with his hands in his pockets, gazing out over the land.
”It’s good to see you up on your feet again.” He said, his back still turned to us. I glanced at Justin, feeling a sense of worry creeping up my spine, and I clasped my hands together. Justin’s sudden tenseness and posture wasn’t making it easier either.
Nathaniel turned around and looked at Justin. He raised his head and gave a slight nod. ”Thank you for bringing her here. You can go.” Justin looked at me and without thinking, I reached out and held his arm.
”Why can’t he stay?” I asked, seeking an answer from Nathaniel. However, he remained silent. I felt Justin’s hand gently remove mine from his arm and he bowed his head to his king.
A quick glance was all I got from him before he turned around and left.
