Song of the Wolf's Domain

Chapter 1 “Hey, Mom, can we go to the library?” Ayla asks her mother, Elise. “Sure, honey, what for?” Elise asks in return as she turns around in her office chair. “I have a research paper due for my history class, and it has to be on a specific book. I was trying to find a copy online, but none can be delivered in time,” Ayla explains. “Oh, okay. I see. Sure, sweetie. Let me finish up this chapter that I’m writing, and we can go,” Elise says. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll get my stuff together,” Ayla says, and runs back to her room to gather her school supplies. Elise smiles and turns back to the blank Word document on her laptop. As a newly published romance author, Elise Fontain was busy writing a new manuscript, but she found herself having some trouble. Though her first book did wonders, her publisher told her that her next book should be a werewolf romance series. Elise accepted the challenge, but found that she knew nothing about werewolf romance stories. She did her own research and read several werewolf romance books. Though she had read several great stories, none seemed to be what her publisher was looking for. They were all the same story, just with different characters and no pizzazz, and Elise didn’t want to release something that readers had already read. So, thinking she could find inspiration at the library, she decided to tag along with Ayla. While her daughter worked on her research paper, Elise would try to write at least one chapter to turn in to her publisher for review. “Ready, Mom?” Ayla asked as she peeked her head back into her mother’s office. “I am. Let’s go,” Elise smiled. She grabbed her keys, and they headed out. The library was only a few minutes' drive away, and luckily, it wasn’t too busy when they arrived. “Okay, I have three hours before they close to find this book and read as much as I can,” Ayla said as she pumped her fists in the car. “I wish you would have said something sooner, honey. We could have gone earlier in the day,” Elise said, keeping her eyes on the road. “I know, Mom, but I told you already. I was looking for a copy online most of the day and doing the rest of my homework.” “I hear you, honey. Let’s try to be more productive in the future, hm?” “Yes, Mother,” Ayla enunciated, but had a smile on her face when she did so. Elise shook her head, smiling as well. When the duo arrived at the library, they walked in together. Ayla made a beeline for the history section where she was sure to find the book she needed, and Elise went to find a private study room for them to work in. Elise plugged in her laptop, booted it up, and stared at the blank document once again, trying to figure out how to even start it. She’d never been so uninspired before and wondered if being a romance author was truly her calling. Ayla returned with the book she needed. “Found it!” “Good, I’m glad,” Elise smiled. Ayla was too focused on her schoolwork to even notice that her mother hadn’t typed a single letter on the document, the cursor blinking as if it were taunting Elise to write something—anything—at that point. Unfortunately, Elise had nothing. She racked her brain the entire three hours they were there, and still, the only word she typed out was “Synopsis.” Everything she tried to write didn’t sound good in her head, so she didn’t bother moving her fingers against the keyboard. But now, she had wasted three hours of her time, and she was more than likely going to be dropped by her publisher if she didn’t deliver something soon. “Okay, Mom, we’ll have to come back tomorrow. The library is about to close,” Ayla announced. “Why do we have to come back? Why not just check out the book?” Elise asked as she closed her laptop. “I don’t have a library card,” Ayla answered. “Then get one, honey. They’re free.” “They are?” “Yes. Go and get one and check out the book; that way we don’t have to come back again. You can work in the comfort of your own home.” “That’s a good idea, Mom.” “Mmm…” Elise hummed. They walked out together, but not before Ayla secured a library card and checked out the book. When they walked out of the library, it suddenly started to rain on them. “AH!” they both shrieked and made a run for the car. “The weather said nothing about it raining tonight!” Elise shouted as she unlocked the door, and she and Ayla jumped inside, completely drenched. “That came out of nowhere,” Ayla commented as she used a napkin to dry herself off as best she could. “It did. Oh, dear, it’s really coming down,” Elise mumbled as she looked out the window at the pouring rain. “Do you want to wait until the rain passes?” “No, sweetie. The house is only a few minutes away; we’ll be fine,” Elise answered, and started the ignition. She pulled out of the library and got on the road. Elise purposely drove slowly to be safe. When they came up to an intersection, the light turned red, so Elise slowly let go of the gas and pressed her brakes. She came to a safe stop. She and Ayla watched the rain silently. “Mom, have you kissed someone in the rain before?” Ayla asked out of nowhere. Elise snapped her head in her daughter’s direction, her brows furrowed in surprise. “That’s quite a personal question, Ayla.” “I’m just curious. You know, we watch all of those romance movies, and there’s always a scene where they’re making out in the rain. It’s so cliché to me.” “Where is this coming from?” Elise giggled. “The rain. It just made me think of it.” Ayla shrugged. “Well, to answer your question, honey, no, I have not.” “Do you want to?” “Do you?” Elise immediately turned the question back on her daughter. “I think so. But I think it would have to be with the right person. I wouldn’t want to do something romantic with someone and then it ends, you know? It would ruin the memory and the experience,” Ayla said as she thought about it. “I can see where you’re coming from, sweetie.” “So…” Ayla looked at her mother, waiting for the light to change. “So, what?” Elise feigned ignorance. “I answered your question; now it’s your turn to answer mine.” “I don’t know, honey. I’ve never thought about it.” “You’re an author, Mom. You’ve never thought about it?” “No, never. I think it’s cliché, just like you, but I can see the romance behind it, too.” As Elise answered her daughter, she heard her favorite song playing on the radio. “Oh, I love this song!” Elise exclaimed and turned up the volume. “What is it?” Ayla furrowed her brows. “It’s called ‘At Last.’” “Who’s it by?” “Etta James.” “It sounds old.” “It is, but it’s also timeless. A very popular love song.” Ayla listened to the lyrics carefully and understood why the song was popular. The melody was soft, the lyrics were profound, and the singer’s voice was impeccable. Finally, the light turned green, and Elise released the brakes and hit the gas. She had barely gone across the intersection when Ayla suddenly screamed. “MOM! LOOK OUT!” Elise looked left and saw headlights heading straight for her. The other car had run a red light, and as if life moved in slow motion, Elise and Ayla were hit dead on.