Fighting for Power (Howl of the Elements: Book One)

Chapter 15

A/N: I knew I had said that I was having writer's block (which I was, and still kind of am), but I was able to write another chapter, although it is a short one. Please bear with me and I'm again sorry for the delay. Also, I am not sure yet when I will be updating next, since I do work a lot and raise children, but if you follow me I do broadcast messages to my followers on when I have chances to work on new chapters. Thank you to anyone who has decided to continue reading this story :) You are all so wonderful!

Chapter 15:

The past month had gone by agonizingly slow for Layla. Yes, she had plenty to do with fixing up her village and preparing to rescue her mother, but the worrying of what was going on with her mother was driving her crazy. She had never in her life spent this long of a time away from her mother, let alone knowing that she was alone and newly married to the creepiest man that Layla had ever met.

“Layla, I think it’s time,” Shawn announced as he approached with a group of men following not far behind him. “We have been training for a long time. We are ready. The longer we wait, the more we risk your mother being in danger.”

Staring at the ground, Layla let out a loud exhale, “I know. I’ve just been kind of nervous I guess. I don’t want any more casualties on our end. We have already lost enough loved ones.”

“But if we don’t go, then you will not only not have your father, you won’t have your mother as well, and our pack will lose another of our alphas,” Shawn’s friend, Charles, piped up from the background.

Spinning on her heel, Layla spun around to face the group of her pack members. Her eyes were cold as steel, and her eyebrows scrunched together, “We are not losing my mother. Do you understand me?”

Mumbles of agreement were heard among the group along with many silent head nods. Holding her head high, she announced loudly, “Get all of the men together and ready at the north end of the village. We leave in an hour,” and with that she stomped off in determination.

***

Logan squirmed nervously in the large leather arm chair as his father paced the fire lit room. He knew he was there for something important, but his father had yet to say a single word besides “sit down”. His father’s pacing was what was making Logan so anxious. Usually when there was something to be said, Rocco would get straight to the point, but tonight was different and Logan couldn’t understand what was going on.

Finally, Rocco’s steps slowed, and he hesitated in front of one of the windows, glancing outside, “There comes a time in a boy’s life where he needs to become a man. He needs to fulfill his duties and responsibilities. He needs to create his own legacy.”

Turning around, Rocco stared into Logan’s eyes and came closer as he said, “You, my boy, have reached your time to begin your life journey. I know it is a little early compared to others, but you will someday become the alpha male of this pack. But before you do that, you must get yourself a bride to stand at your side. We will not make it happen right away like Leon’s marriage to the Nuna alpha, but rather give you and your future wife time to plan and make it a grand day to remember—“

“But father, I’m not ready to—“ Logan stuttered, his mind racing.

Placing his hand in the air, Rocco silenced the rest of Logan’s sentence before continuing on with his own speech, “Six months should be enough time. Am I correct?”

“Yes, father,” grumbling, Logan didn’t feel like looking at his father any longer. He lowered his chin and instead turned his gaze to the crackling flames in the fireplace. “Is that all?”

“Is that all? Is that all? Why do you ask such a question? You should be overjoyed at the thought of finally having your own wife and becoming a true man. But be it as it may, I suppose that is all that I have to say at the moment due to your lack of respect of my gift to you. You may leave now,” Rocco crossed the room to sit at his large wooden desk.

Logan snapped his head up and squared his shoulders, “Your gift to me? Father, this is no such gift. I don’t even know if I want to marry Callie yet. A gift would be allowing me to find a girl that I truly love or at least have the time to find love with Callie.”

“Enough! I said you are excused! Leave now, before I really lose my temper you selfish little…,” Gritting his teeth, Rocco barely held himself back from finishing his sentence, yet he couldn’t stop his fist from shoving his glass off from his desk, letting it shatter a few feet away on the floor.

Storming out of the room, Logan couldn’t help but wonder if this argument would have turned out differently if it had been Layla that his father was wanting him to settle down with, but then threw that thought away as quickly as it had entered his mind. Layla was long gone, and he doubted she would ever return.