Warriors of Blue moon

I woke up feeling excited to see Layton this afternoon, it felt nice to know we were friends again and to move on from our little spat, at least now our friendship is likely to be stronger.

I checked my phone for any messages from Heath, I had rung him yesterday after my patrol only for it to go unanswered again and I heard nothing from him since. I sighed, perhaps it was for the best I didn’t visit any time soon! But just because I had Layton back in my life now it didn’t stop me from missing the comfort and feelings I had with Heath!

After a shower and getting dressed I looked at the time on my phone.. I had to meet Layton at the field in thirty minutes I pulled my wet hair back into a French plait, added a touch of makeup, then got into my white and blue crop top and denim shorts. I tucked my phone in my back pocket and headed out of the house and to the field, noticing the little bounce in my step. I got to the field to see Layton already sat waiting for me, a big smile covered his face when he saw me approaching. He patted the grass right next to him for me to sit on. When I sat down next to him our legs were touching again and we were only inches away from each other, then we became even closer as he moved around to sit face to face.

We both outstretched our legs so that they were next to each other and our bodies close with only a small gap between us.

He smiled at me as we got comfy ”you know I couldn’t wait to see you again. being able to talk to you the other day and see you.. I missed you so much and for the first time since we stopped talking I actually felt really good.. and happy!”

A smile made its way to my face automatically “really?”

“yes… really” he replied staring straight into my eyes.

"I missed you too and I really hope we don’t go without speaking for that long again”

“never” he grinned ”I don’t want to miss you that much again”

“Aww” I laughed as I shoved his shoulder and he gave me a daring look “did you just push me”

I laughed again as he pushed me back lightly, so I pushed him harder, then before I could even prepare myself he pulled my arm toward him so my body fell into him as he then held me into a headlock laughing ”who’s the boss?” he said jokingly

“Meee" I laughed harder as I tried hitting him and wiggling out of his grip.

"uh uh I’ll give you one more chance to change your answer...who’s THE BOSS”

“get stuffed.. you don’t scare me”

All of a sudden we were grabbing and pulling each other in a play fight trying to pin the other down.. I had managed to get out of his headlock and push him to the floor trying to keep him down with my body weight on his but I was laughing so hard it made my arms go weak as he grabbed me hulled me over his body so I fell with my back to the grass as he quickly dove on me.. his body covering mine, he pinned my arms above my head laughing.. ”got you Lanna" he chuckled then rolled off onto the grass next to me trying to catch his breath “I won” he panted as he shot his fist in the air

“only today Layton, I’ll kick your ass another time” I grinned

he smirked “fine by me.. I could do that all day long” he gave me a wink that sent shivers down my spine..

I chose to change the subject to distract my body from its typical surge of emotions “SO, your parents ok with you having another day off?”

"Well, they’re not here actually they went on a six week vacation and guess what...”

“what?”

"Florence went with them"

“WHAT?....wow she really threw herself out there straight away didn’t she" I exclaimed, feeling proud of her

"Yep, but I suppose she’s been waiting to see the world her whole life and now we know it’s safe for her too, she was adamant she’d go with them”

"Wow, I’m so happy for her, I can’t wait to see her when she’s back, listen to her tell me all about her travels.. I’ll bet she’s loving every second”

“Yea I do miss her though. it’s so strange not having her at home.. good thing I’ve got Sam with me every day, think it would get lonely otherwise”

“Hmm well he’s not as pretty as Florence but I’m sure he’ll still do the job nicely” I chuckled

“Hey what if…”

“What?”

“Well, when you have some spare time, come and see me, I’m always at the Palace or at the pack house”

“Umm, sure I guess I could”

"Actually, Sam and Dakota are going away next week so I could definitely use some company then!”

My stomach lurched at the thought of us being so alone for the better part of a week, maybe if things got too intense for me again I could make up excuses to not visit as much “ok, deal” I agreed and he raised up his hand for me to high five, just as my hand hit his he grabbed it before I could pull it away.

He just held it for a moment, looking at it while he stroked my fingers with his thumb, We stayed that way for a few minutes as he continued to stare at my hand, this thumb repeatedly and slowly stroking my fourth finger.. the marital band finger.. I gulped hard as I watched him rubbing it gently, feeling drawn into his touch that sent tingles in between my legs and I felt my self slightly wetten as I looked at him in curiosity. I cleared my throat and decided to ask him ”Is everything Ok? you’ve gone all quiet”

He opened his mouth and made a slight sound as if he was going to speak, only to close his mouth again, he looked at me then back to my hand, still stroking it ”Lelanna.. umm. I feel like I need to be more honest with you about something.. but please don’t freak out and just let me say what I need to say.. ok.. you promise?”

“okaaayy” I agreed hesitantly, unsure If I was going to like what was coming next..

He sat up straight and moved slightly closer to me, his eyes on mine “That night I tried to kiss you.. I didn’t try to kiss you cause I was drunk or cause you’re a woman who looked ridiculously hot that night” he lightly laughed “umm I wish I hadn’t done that, but at the time I suppose I just” he hesitated as he tried to compose his words

“Layton, whatever it is you can tell me" I shrugged wanting to get this over with

“Ok”.. he replied “When I kissed you, It was because…...”

“LAYTON!” Our conversation came to an abrupt stop as we swung our heads to see Sam who was yelling across the field

"SAM? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE” Layton called back, sounding annoyed

Sam ran over to us, with panic etched into his face ”Uhh you both better come back to the Palace now... it’s urgent”

We both quickly got up to our feet, looking at him confused.

“What’s going on Sam, is it rogues?” Layton asked in fury, looking as if he was ready to shift into his wolf right where he stood

“No! it’s not rogues but we gotta get back, fast, shits kicked off” he panted as he gave me a worried look “lanna” he grabbed my hand tightly “come.. you need to come now”

“What?” I asked my brows frowning but he didn’t answer he just pulled me along as we all ran out from the field behind Layton and toward the Palace.

As we got closer I could see a swarm of people and loud hysterical voices, when a tall man turned and as his gaze fell on me his eyes widened in anger as he pointed at me “THERE SHE IS...THERES THE THUG”

what the fuck!! Both me and my wolf exclaimed in our head as she stood to attention, the hair on her back bristling, she growled to me “be careful, be careful there’s strong hatred here, I can feel it” she warned

"something’s happened Lil’s something that involves you” Sam whispered as we slowed down into a paced walk. The whole crowd looked at me.. most faces were looking at me in disbelief while a few were shocked or looking at me as if they were scared.

All I could now hear was the man shouting calling me a thug over and over a ”mindless killer” “out of control" he shouted as Layton approached him and It wasn’t until I got closer that I recognized the man as Zara’s Dad, Ericsson and a skinny pale woman next to him who I knew to be her mother, Tina.

“WHATS ALL THIS? WHAT THE HELL IS ALL OF THIS COMMOTION FOR? I DEMAND TO KNOW AT ONCE” Layton shouted over Ericsson to which he then stepped forward and pointed at me ”THIS MINDLESS THUG TRIED TO KILL OUR DAUGHTER”

Layton growled and started to show Ericsson his canines as warning ”Watch your fucking tongue”

“WHAT? I exclaimed in shock and confusion “what the hell are you talking about?”

"YOU BEAT UP OUR ZARA AND LEFT HER FOR DEAD” He shouted “I BEG YOU SIR...ARREST THIS MAD WOMAN AT ONCE" he demanded staring hard at Layton

"what the fuck do you mean she beat your daughter Ericsson.. Lelanna isn’t that kind of person or Warrior” Layton tried to defend me as the crowd looked on

"IM AFRAID SHES LET HER TRAINING AND HER ROLE AS A WARRIOR GET TO HER HEAD AND USED IT AGAINST ONE OF OUR OWN, BUT I CANT SAY IM SURPRISED YOU SO EASILY TAKE HER SIDE” he was still shouting, his dark eyes boring into mine his face turning into one of disgust..

Sam put his arm around my shoulders and held them tightly ”I’m sorry, but I think you got the wrong person. Lelanna wouldn’t hurt anyone”

At that my attention quickly moved to the small skinny figure slowly emerging from behind her dads back. her face and arms covered in bruises, cuts and dried blood, her short blond hair was matted with dirt and more blood.. I gasped when I saw it was Zara..

“what the fuck Zara?” I looked at her in shock

Tears fell down her face as she shook her finger at me ”She attacked me” she cried ”she backed me into the woods near the lake and attacked me”

“WHAT?” I shouted ”Zara what the hell are you talking about? I didn’t go anywhere near you?”

She shook with fear and retreated behind her parents as she continued to sob

“ARREST THE MADWOMAN SHE CAN’T BE TRUSTED” her dad barked again ”NO ONE IS SAFE WITH HER AROUND”

“SHE TRIED TO KILL ME" Zara shouted with tears running down her face ”I THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO KILL ME....PLEASE...I DONT WANT HER TO HURT ME AGAIN”

“Zara. It wasn’t me!!” I tried to speak calmly as my voice shook but inside I was furious

“SHE TRIED TO KILL HER THIS MORNING, SHE LURED ZARA AND RIPPED INTO HER..YOU CAN SEE, YOU CAN ALL SEE WHAT SHE’S DONE, WHAT SHE’S CAPABLE OF” Ericsson shouted to the crowd

“ENOUGH" Layton yelled ”Zara, did you see the person who attacked you?” the crowd went silent for a few seconds as Zara bit back tears.. then she slowly nodded “yes. Yes I did... it was her” she claimed as she pointed a shaky finger at me again.

The whole crowd fell into loud gasps and whispers. Zara’s parents were still shouting demanding my head..

"SHE SHOULD BE PUT TO DEATH FOR THIS..ATTACKING ONE OF OUR OWN” Tina screamed at the crowd and at Layton.

My entire body was shaking as I was trying to grasp what the fuck was happening.

“SIR WHY ARENT YOU ARRESETING THIS ATTEMPTED MURDERESS.. I SURE HOPE YOUR NOT PLAYING FAVOURITES” her dad sneered

“WE ARE NOT SAFE, OUR DAUGHTER IS NOT SAFE..THAT WOMAN HAS ANGER ISSUES, I TELL YOU..SHE CANT BE TRUSTED” her mum chimed in again .. more of Zara’s family that were stood behind her started to join in with the chants, copying the names Zara’s parents were calling me.. “EVIL” “MAD” “PUNISH HER, PUNISH HER”

Sam squeezed my shoulder in worry and I could hear his shaky breaths then I looked to Layton, who’s head was hung low his facial features twisted into an angry dark frown, when all of a sudden he waved his hand to his guards ”arrest her" he quietly but firmly commanded them

“Whaaat?” I screeched as my body trembled

“What?? Sir?” Sam asked ”No Sir, you can’t arrest her”

The guards came over and held me by my arms as they pulled me out of Sam’s grip.. my eyes shot to Layton, who’s head was still facing the ground, then I looked to Sam as his eyes flashed at me in angst as if he was fighting in his mind on what to do. My eyes were darting through the crowd until they landed on Zara.. just as I was being dragged off her red and teary stained face suddenly turned into a small smirk.. enough just for me to notice as it sent a cold shiver down my spine! My eyes went wide as I realized what she had done.. FUCK...IM FUCKED!! I got pushed through the crowd and away to the old brick building that held all the prison cells and before I knew It the guards walked me into one of the dark rotten stinking cells, shut the metal door, locked me in and left!

xxxxxxx

My breathing was heavy as I tried to grasp what was happening to me, I was sweating all over and my palms were soaked. I sat on the edge of the bed in my cell, my whole body shaking with alarm and I tried hard to think rationally but my brain was in overdrive and my body had officially shot into panic mode, I could even feel my wolf shaking and hear her whining, she was just as terrified and vexed as I was.

Zara’s family may not have authority, power or status like Layton’s family, but they were wealthy, stuck up, harsh and known to be a very large family.. they had wealthy family members in other packs nearby. Her family were selfish and only lived for themselves, I could still hear their demands to put me to death and I shook with fear! no.no.no.no.nooo.no that won’t happen.. that won’t fucking happen. that’s not going to happen its ok, we’ll be ok Layton wouldn’t let that happen! I tried to reassure both me and my wolf but I didn’t know how much Layton could do as he wasn’t even an Alpha yet.

A few hours later my mind was still racing and I kept picturing that nasty smirk on Zara’s face.. Why? Why is she doing this to me? And why now? my thoughts stopped as I heard footsteps approach... I looked into the dim light outside my cell to see a guard approaching.

“You will face the court in two days” he spoke

“What? but what’s going to happen?”

“I’m sorry” He sighed heavily “but I don’t know.. there was so much commotion after you left and a decision hasn’t been made yet but they’ve given it a two day deadline”

"but I didn’t do anything, I didn’t do what they said I did.….. Please”

“I’m sorry Miss Vanderwood.... I know you are one of our pack warriors, I’ve seen you around.. and for what it’s worth a lot of people believe your innocent.. we’re all hoping that’s enough to get you out of this safely" His eyes went from me to the floor ”I’m sorry” he whispered sadly as he turned on his feet and headed out of the prison tower.

I sat back down on the bed, feeling nauseous.. My parents must know by now, what the hell must they be going through! I wanted them or Sam.. I wanted someone here with me, someone I trusted… someone to tell me it’ll all be ok.. I tucked my knees up to shut out the cold dampness around me, my chin resting on them as I let little tears slowly roll down my cheeks quietly muffling my cries in my legs.. I know I wasn’t alone in the tower, every now and then I could hear moans and shuffling from the cells around me, hidden in the dark.. and I felt sick as a cold fear swept over me with every second that passed.