CHAPTER 5

AYLA

"Thank you very much," I told the man. I finally got all of the vegetables on the list. I twirled around with my basket in hand, as I listened to the folk music playing. I had an extra skip in my step as I walked. I twirled here and there. I popped a heal here and there also. Music always had a way to control my body. It was my master... and me? It's puppet.  However, I let it play me willingly.

I tightened the scarf around my head, as the air around me got colder and the wind became more forceful. As I start to make my way out of the market, I twirled around and hummed to the music, but stopped immediately when I smelt something. I looked around and frowned. I closed my eyes and lifted my nose. I inhaled deeply. I opened my wide eyes.

"Solomon," I whispered to myself. I look around. I looked at all the people's faces. Is Solomon here? Impossible. He cannot be. My heart was racing in the hopes that maybe...just maybe...he could be here.

But that hope was lost immediately. It could not be him. It is impossible. Tears prickle my eyes slightly, but I blink them away. I haven't smelled such a familiar scent in years. It reminded me of what I didn't have. I swallowed the lump in my throat. I took a deep breath. Forget about it Ayla and move on. It's not Solomon. It was all in your head. The wind picked up and my scarf flew from my head. I watched it flow away into the dark

I shake my head. I then continued to make my way back to Milo.

SOLOMON

I couldn't sleep. I didn't hear the light voice that sang every night. I have come to realize that I actually couldn't sleep well without me hearing that voice sing. It always relaxed me and lulled me to sleep. But on this night...I did not hear it. And it has kept me from having my good night's sleep.

I got out of bed and put on some sweatpants with a hoodie. Maybe a walk would help. I walk outside and into the woods. Ever since I was a teenager, if I couldn't sleep, I always went for a walk in the forest. Back then, I would have walked with Ayla. If I asked her to, she would always come with me for a late walk, no matter the time. I smiled at the thought. She was so selfless. If I needed her in any way, she was always there, no matter what. But heart began to ache when I realized I never did that for her. I was a selfish bastard. I wasn't there for her a lot of the time. She was always the one serving to my needs, but I never did the same. I became angry with myself. Why was I like that? Why could not have been more of a nice person back then? I mean, I was generally nice. But I was also a real dick. And I hate it. It always makes me think that if I was a little nicer, a little more considerate, a little more selfless...maybe I would still have her.

I see fairy lights start to appear in random places of the forest. I frown. Who would leave perfectly good fairy lights out here? I follow them. Slowly the number of fairy lights increased and soon most of the trees were covered in them. Up ahead, I heard people and music. This must be the famous night market that the pack has been talking about.

I come to a place with crowds of people, talking, laughing, shopping and selling. I walk around the place, observing everyone and everything quietly. I liked the atmosphere in here. It was very lively. It made me feel like a teenager once again. Oh, how I miss being a teenager. All of my teen years were spent with Ayla. I remember everything like I only committed them to memory just yesterday.

I think my favorite memory, the sweetest was the last happy memory I had wth the two of us. It was before everything went downhill. She changed...and I changed.

It was actually such a cliche. The sound of it sounds totally cheesy...but when you experience, it's real to you.

It was Prom Night.

6 YEARS AGO...PROM NIGHT

AYLA

I was waiting for my date. I ran my hands over my dress nervously. Everything is going to be fine. Tonight will be fun and I will be making memories. I had a silk, rose gold off the shoulder dress. It was long and slightly poofy. And the neckline curved into a sweetheart. It also had a sparkly belt too.

My hair was in a high and complicated bun with long diamond earrings. This wasn't my style. But I didn't care about feeling pretty or not at this stage, I wanted to LOOK pretty. I sometimes have this 'I don't care' kind of attitude. But on the inside, I do care. I may act confident sometimes...my realistically I am freaking out on the inside. This night, in particular, is making me on edge. I wanted to SO BAD to look pretty. I wanted male wolves to look at me and think 'wow is that Ayla? She looks amazing! She looks gorgeous!' I don't want them to see me as ordinary Ayla tonight. Because tonight...I wasn't Ayla. I was someone completely different.

I heard the doorbell ring. My heart jumped out of my chest. Here we go.

"Honey! Your date is at the door!" I heard my father shout.

I take a deep breath and look at myself one last time in the mirror. I can do this. I walked out of my room and descended the stairs. As I came down, I saw him standing there looking in awe.

When I came completely down, I smiled politely and said, "Hey Jason."

He smiled back and whistles, "You're looking good, Ayla."

I look down and say, "Thanks. You look pretty good too."

He nods and gives me a toothy smile. Yup. I am going to Prom with Jason Lorenzo. He's a nice guy. We've had a few conversations here and there. I didn't think he was going to ask me. I was actually wanting someone else to ask me, but that is until I found out he already had a date. But still...Jason is a good guy. I approve of him...except for his friends. All of them are dicks. Especially Brock Stathamson.

He holds his arm out to escort to his car. And I grab it willingly.

As soon as we got to Prom, I regretted ever coming. It's fun, you know, the whole dressing up thing. But once you actually get to the damn place, you end up not even wanting to go anymore.

I took a deep breath as I entered the room. I felt like I was about to faint.

"Yo Ayla, you look like you're going to pass out. Not you're kind of scene I'm guessing."

I laugh and shook my head, "Yeah not really no."

"Well just calm down and don't worry about it. It'll be fun!" I just smiled and nodded. Yeah, it will be fun for you, but not me.

SOLOMON

I was standing against the wall as my date was talking to me about something. I don't even know what. My mind was elsewhere. It was on Ayla.

I wonder if it was a bad move for me to not take her. I mean, I wanted to. I really wanted to take her. But by doing that, I was admitting to my feelings. And I didn't want to admit to it. I didn't want to admit that I had fallen in love with her. I didn't want to ruin the friendship. So I didn't ask her.

But I do admit...I regret it.

I sighed and looked away from my date when A gust of wind gave a chill. I looked at the entrance and saw who had just arrived. Ayla. And she was absolutely beautiful. She had come with Jason. He was an okay guy. But he wasn't me. So I didn't like her with him.

She looked around the room. She was nervous. I could easily tell. She never liked these things. I was actually kind of surprised she even came. As I watched her, she had her arm around Jason's as he guided her to his group of friends. I was instantly on guard. His friends weren't good. If any of them mistreat Ayla...they're going to have to deal with me. Ayla likes to think she is tough...and she is. She is one of the toughest she-wolves I know. But when it comes to this arena...the boys arena where they give you lustful looks, they flirt, they play games etc. She is but a little lamp getting thrown into a wolves den. She was innocent when It came to those kinds of things. And I think that's what I liked a lot about her...she didn't play the typical teenage love games. She was pure and untainted. And if any of these boys ruin that...I'll make them pay.

AYLA

I was standing with Jason's group of friends quietly as they all talked amongst themselves about wolf stuff. And they let me be in my own peace. That is until Brock spoke.

"Well if it isn't little Ayla coming to play with the big wolves."

I roll my eyes, "Yeah right. We all know who the big wolf is here Brock. And it ain't you."

He laughs humorlessly, "Well look who has grown some balls, huh?"

I smile, "Yup, and it seems mine is bigger than yours."

Brock steps closer, "You're a little fighter now, aren't ya?" He leans down and whispers, "Don't worry...I like them fighting. Get's me going, ya know?"

I frowned. Was he serious?

Jason just laughed liked it was actually funny, "Okay Jason, back off will ya. Let the poor girl breath a little."

My eyes widened a little. You'd think he would defend his date a little better. I didn't like this prom anymore. I wanted to leave so bad.

I look around to see if Solomon was here. But I couldn't find him to my disappointment. I sighed and looked down. Maybe Jason will be okay without me. I tapped on his shoulder to catch his attention.

"I'm just going to quickly go to the bathroom."

He just nods his head and goes back to his conversation. I walked away and passed the left turn that goes to the bathrooms. I was leaving this place. I stepped out of the doors and breathed in the fresh air. I looked down at the road and began to walk home.

"It's okay Ayla. You gave it your best shot." I mumbled to myself, "On the bright side, nothing can get worse than this." I tried to convince myself.

As I kept walking, I found myself walking beside a river back home. I sighed. A twig snapped. I stopped and looked around. Was someone following me?

I kept walking and I listened carefully. I could hear rustling leaves. The crunch of them being stepped on. Someone was stalking me.

I stopped again and turned around quickly. I wasn't going to shout out 'is someone there?' because that's just plain dumb. I make sure I had my eye on the forest. If someone is here, I want to be ready to fight if I have to...even though I am terrified.

Suddenly two glowing eyes appeared in the darkness. I just stood and watched. I was breathing fast through my nose as I studied what was about to happen.

My heart dropped when Brock appeared, "Hello little red riding hood. It seems you had a big bad wolf following you for the last half mile...and you didn't even notice."

I took a step back. He smiled. He clicked his tongue against his teeth, shook his head, "Bad little red riding hood. Did your mother not teach you to walk alone late at night? Oh, wait...your mother isn't here. She didn't want you."

I gulped. Okay...that hurt a bit.

He chuckled, "Don't worry little red riding hood. I'll just have to punish you myself."

He steps near me and I step back. I thought about running. But he is bigger than me. He would easily catch me so there's no point.

"What do you want Brock!" I raised my voice slightly.

He groans and says, "There she is. There's the sassy little girl I want."

"You're disgusting. Why don't you just leave and bother someone else."

He walks towards me, but every step he takes, I take just as many steps back.

"Because little red riding hood...I want you."

He lunges for me, but I dodge him. He growls in frustration. "There's no use fighting me, Ayla. I'm going to win either way."

I look at him and growl challengingly. His eyes widen with anger, "You dare challenge me? A male. You're a female, Ayla. You can't challenge me."

I snarl at him, "I already did, asshole. You afraid to accept it." I jump in the air and shift into my wolf.

I snarl and growl at him.

"I will take great pleasure in defeating you." He takes his jacket off and shifts into his black and grey wolf. At that moment, I knew I had little chance of winning. But I couldn't back down. I'm stronger than that. I have to be.

I let him make the first move. He lunges at me with his teeth bared. I dodge it once again and spin around to bite his ankle. His wolf yelps in pain, but then growls in anger. Brock jumps unto my back and bites down hard into my neck. my wolf whimpers in pain. I try to get him off, but his teeth are so deeply sunken in that if I try to push him off... he might rip off some flesh.

I stand still, breathing heavily. I growl in frustration. I relax and slowly lower myself down into submission. Brock purrs in approval as his grip loosens slightly. That is when I stand back up and throw him off. I stumble on my hind legs. I raise my head and howl. I needed help, whether I liked it or not. Brock came running at me. I move out of the way quickly, but not quick enough it seems. Brock had bitten down on one of my hind legs. I yelp in Pain.

Damn it, Ayla! If you had been smart and just backed down or ran away, you could have prevented so much trouble for yourself!

Brock faces me with a wolfy grin. His teeth had my bloodstained unto them. I gulped. I stepped back but instantly crumbled down to the ground because of my injured leg. I bend my head down and whimper. I can't win this fight.

Brock lunged at. At first, I was thinking he was going to win, but not before he got tackled to the ground by another wolf. I shifted back to my human form. I cowered into a ball to try and cover my naked body. A wolf stood over me protectively as he faces Brock.

"Solomon," I whispered.

He was standing over my body and facing Brock. Brock growled at Solomon. But Solomon did not just growl, he roared at Brock. Brock had to know that this was the son of the Alpha Joseph Nghtwalker. He couldn't win against him...and he knew it.

Brock growled at Solomon but submitted and left.

Solomon shifted behind a tree and put on the dress pants he had for the prom.

He bent down next to me and caressed my cheek, "Oh Ayla, you always get yourself in these kinds of situations."

I smile shakily, "I can't help myself, ya know?"

He chuckles and shakes his head. Solo grabs his jacket and wraps it around me. I was still a little shaky. I felt my wounds healing which relieved me.

Solomon looks at me seriously now and asks, "Are you okay though?"

I gulp, "I'm a bit shaken, but I'll be alright."

He nods his head, "Good. Don't want my little wolf to be hurt."

I smile and looked away. Solo wrapped his arms around me and began to guide me back home slowly. We first walked in silence. We would usually be talking, but we weren't and I knew why.

I sighed, "You're angry." I stated. I wasn't asking. I already knew.

"Of course I'm angry Ayla. I really don't understand how you can get yourself into so much trouble."

"I'm Sorry! I don't do this intentionally!"

Solomon growled, "Why were you even walking home at night ALONE! What was going through your head huh? Didn't you think that it could be unsafe? That may be something bad could have happened to you? What then Ayla? What if I wasn't there on time? What if I never came at all? What would happen to you? Why were you walking alone?" He raised his voice with each question.

I pushed him away and shouted, "Because you went with freaking Brittany McAdams!" I felt the familiar ball form in my throat. I was angry, but I was also sad at the same time, "You didn't ask me!" I shouted.

He stood there with his eyes wide. "You wanted me to ask?"

I looked at him like he was the stupidest thing ever, "Of course I wanted you to ask! But you didn't! So when Jason asked me...I said yes."

SOLOMON

She wanted me to ask. She wanted to go with me. Damn it, Solomon, you stupid bastard! Why didn't you just pick up your balls and ask her!

I gulped, "I was going to ask you."

She stilled and sighed, "Why didn't you?"

I took a deep breath, "I didn't want you to know. I didn't want to hurt our friendship."

She took a step forward, "What didn't you want me to know?"

I took a deep breath. My heart was pounding, "That...that...I can't tell you. Not yet anyway."

Ayla's eyes saddened. She sighed and shook her head. She turned around and continued to walk with her limp.

I groaned and gripped unto my hair, "Solomon you're going to ruin this friendship." I said to myself. I jogged up until I was walking right beside her. She was ignoring me. Which was fair enough. I would ignore me. I wouldn't even be friends with me.

we walked in silence for a long time. I didn't like it. Usually, we would be laughing, bickering each other, or just talking about the most random crap. But we weren't. We were silent. The silence was too loud for me to bare.

"You looked beautiful tonight," I said. I watched for her reaction. She glanced at me for a second and then continued to walk quietly. I sighed. This is going nowhere.

That is until she whispered, "It was for you."

This made me stop walking. "What do you mean?"

She stopped ahead of me but didn't turn around. "I wanted to dress up so that you'd think I wasn't just Ayla your friend. I wanted you to look at me and think...that...I was beautiful."

She stood with her back to me. I took a step forward, "Why do you want me to think that you were beautiful?"

She was silent for a moment. I could see her shoulders rise and fall from her deep breaths, "Because of...I...I..." She was struggling to get the words out.

AYLA

I couldn't say the words. They held so much weight. I'm not sure if I can let it out yet. I felt this inner battle rage inside of me. Should I say it? Or shouldn't I? Is it the right time?

Suddenly I felt a warmth on my back. Solomons hands ran up from my wrist and stopped at my upper arm. My breath hitched. I've never been touched in such a way. His breath his my ear as he whispered, "Why Ayla?"

"Because," I whispered shakily, "I can't say it."

"Please say Ayla...I need you to say it."

With all my courage I said what I have been feeling for a long time, "I wanted you to think I was beautiful because...I think...I love you Solomon."

SOLOMON

She said it. She said the word. I walked around her and stood facing her. She had tears in her eyes. I place my finger under her chin and raised her face to mine.

"What's in that head of yours?" I asked.

With a shaky voice, she whispered, "I'm scared."

"Why?"

Her bottom lip quivered slightly, "Because I don't want to lose you as my friend. You're all I have Solomon. My own mother left...I can't lose you too."

I lean and look at her crystal blue eyes, "Don't be afraid...because I love you, Ayla. I think we've loved each other for a long time...and we didn't even know it."

Her eyes widened slightly. I guess she didn't expect me to say it back. I knew I couldn't run away from it anymore. I had to tell her. I had to take the risk.

Through her tears, the ends of her lips tipped up into a small smile. And just like always, when I see her smile...I could never help but smile too.

AYLA

We stood there together. Solomon took a step closer and closer. And then he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me right up against his chest. My arms instantly went up and rested it on his chest. He eyes flickered down to my lips. I have never kissed anyone before. And I was nervous.

As he leaned in, he stopped halfway, as if he was seeing if wanted to do this. I knew I did. So I leaned in and we pressed our lips together. I've never felt anything like this before. It was like fireworks. He started to move his lips, and I naturally responded by doing the same. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He groaned in approval. I never thought that I would ever be kissing Solomon, my best friend. Yet at the same time...I was hoping for it.

We separated breathlessly. we looked at each other softly.

"That was my first kiss," I told him.

He smiled, "I know. I'm glad you chose me to be your first kiss, Ayla. I am honored."

I laughed and shook my head, "I guess this wasn't such a bad prom after all."

He picked me up and span me around, "Yes, but our prom is not completely," He stood back and offered his hand, "without a dance."

I smiled and took his hand. He gently pulled me close and started to sway. We just stared into each other's eyes the whole. That is until a light caught my attention. I looked and my eye widened. I didn't even notice the whole place was floating with fireflies. It looked beautiful.

"Whoa! Look at them, Solo! There's so many!" I looked at him only to see he was staring me with a soft expression.

For the rest of the night...we danced in each other's arms....and I undoubtedly loved it.

PRESENT

SOLOMON

That was my favorite night. We danced and danced for so long...and yet it felt like we didn't have enough time.

An ache formed inside me. I missed her. I missed Ayla. We were such good friends. We were the best of friends. She was my friend, she became my one love, she became my mate....and now I have none of her. I have not seen her in five years. I miss my little wolf.

A/N: So I listened to this song and it reminded me of Solomon. As I listened to the lyrics, it literally broke my heart.

As I was about to leave a fabric hit me in the face. I frowned and took it off. It was a scarf. My heart skipped a beat when the scent hit my nose. I held it up against my nose and inhaled deeply. It was Undoubtedly Ayla's scent.

I sprinted into the forest, "AYLA!" I shouted. I looked around frantically. "AYLA!" I shouted again. I didn't hear anything back. My heart was pounding. I look down at the scarf. This was her scarf. She was somewhere close by.

But I became angry. She is so close and yet so far. I growled in frustration. This is the closest I have ever been to finding her or even smelling her.

I screamed and shouted in anger. I started to punch a tree until I was exhausted and my knuckles were bloody, "I'm going to find you, Ayla. I am going to find you, whether you want to be found or not."