Fated is overrated

Lola POV

Damon pulls back and says "hi big sis" while patting my hair. Ironically, Damon is quite a few inches bigger than me, so I laugh at his choice of words. "Hi there little brother". I motion for Nick to come join us as he hesitantly steps towards us, and I introduce them to each other. We are engaging in small talk, when someone clears their throat behind my brother and father, gaining our attention. An all too familiar scent hits my nostrils, and I groan inwardly in frustration.

"Lola, could we please have a quick word with you?" Zane asks with a pleading look on his face, and the best puppy eyes he could muster." No" I state blandly, and turn my gaze away from them again." Please Lola" Zeke now adds. "I said no" is all I comment, not even looking at either of them. I hear a deep sigh, followed by Zane's annoying voice again "we just want to apologize Lola, please?".

Thinking about it, I do have some business I need to discuss with them. I squeeze Nick's hand gently and say "I'll be right back, I have something I need to discuss with them too". I give Nick a quick peck on the lips, earning a growl from dumb & dumber again, but I just roll my eyes at them. I motion for them to lead the way, and they walk over to a less crowded part behind the arena.

"Look, Lola, we need to apologize to you. We didn't even realize how it came across at the time, we didn't even realize what we had done wrong. But believe us when we say we have no interest in anyone other than you, and we won't make the mistake of not letting that be known again".

I snort at Zeke's words. As if they can apologize and suddenly win my heart now? They have never had it to begin with. Who knows what would have happened if things had gone differently, the mate bond is a powerful thing, but it's too late. I am with Nick." Look, let me stop you right there. I really don't give a f*ck about what you do and with whom, I was angry at the disrespect. YOU blackmailed ME into coming and then proceeded to scold and ignore me because of some bimbo. But in case you haven't noticed, I am with Nick.

And I will continue to be with Nick, so I do not want you to make it be known you are interested in me. What I want from you is to accept my rejection" I grit through my teeth.

We will never accept the rejection Lola, we love you, and we are so sorry. Please give us another chance" Zane pleads with watery eyes. "I came here to tell you that if you do not accept my rejection, the consequences when Nick marks me tonight are on you, not me," I seethe before storming off back towards the platform.

I need to storm off now, because this stupid mate bond and Liberty whining in my head are making it hard for me not to feel bad for them in this state. But they brought this upon themselves, now it's time to face the music.

I walk directly up to Nick and intwine our hands together. Before we can say anything, someone interrupts me, telling me it is time to get ready and stand in the arena.

Nick kisses the top of my head, before letting go of my hand "good luck baby, I love you". "I love you too" I give a quick kiss on his lips, before walking off towards the arena.

Nick is taking a random seat on the bleachers, where the crowd is dispersing all of a sudden because he is a rogue. Nick doesn't seem to mind, but the sight of it only fuels my rage. Why do all these stuck up brats think they are so much better than us, just because we are rogues? I am boiling on the inside, but I don't show any of it on the outside, as I remove my sweater and sweatpants.

The noise of the crowd starts to die down, and I can hear a lot of murmuring going around. I hear a low grumbling growl from behind, and as I turn around I look straight into the black eyes of Zeke & Zane. Both are looking at me angrily, but also with a lustful gaze. Lola, please put something different on, everyone can see" Zane says with a clenched jaw.

"

I am in no mood to entertain them, so I just flip them off and say "f*ck off". I hear another 2 growls reverberating through their chests, and I flip my eyes to a blazing black in return."

You don't get to tell me how to dress, you don't get to tell me anything. Anything other than accepting my rejection". "Never!" they both fire back simultaneously. I shrug casually "suit yourself.

Your grave, not mine". "Please change into something else......." Zeke tries again, but this time I decide to give them another option. I pull my shorts down slightly, revealing the top of my black laced panties.

"Would you rather have me fight in these then? I could ask some or your warriors what they believe would be best" I smirk devilishly, knowing it is going to set them off. And, on the money, their eyes turn black and they both take a few menacing steps towards me whilst growling. I don't budge though."

That's what I thought. Now leave" I use a small amount of wind to push them back slightly. They seem shocked by the push, which makes me laugh in return.

They always seem to forget I am no ordinary wolf. Liberty is howling in my head, but I pay her no heed, we will have this discussion later on.

The same guy that told me to get ready is now booming on a microphone "ladies and gentlemen, the show is about to begin, please get seated quickly so we can invite the challenger - our very own Ilona - to the arena!". I turn around to face the man on the microphone, and I can see everyone scurrying to their seats while all the murmuring is dying down.

"Ladies and gentleman, please give a round of applause for the Beta's daughter - Ilona!" he booms through the microphone.

A part of the crowd erupts in cheers, but I can tell a large portion of the audience isn't clapping or cheering, I wonder why that is? A few of those not clapping I recognize from the warrior training, and among them I spot Tom too. He smiles up at me, but I quickly avert my gaze."

And in the other corner we have Lola, as the one being challenged here today". Those that weren't clapping or cheering before are doing so now, I guess they weren't clapping because they are actually.. rooting for me? What the hell? I see dumb & dumber walking towards the microphone, probably to say a few words before the match.

But before they reach, we hear the crowd gasping and a few are erupting in screams. As I follow their gaze my eyes are lead to Nick, and my heart clutches in my chest as I see Ilona standing a few yards away from him, and their eyes are locked onto each other. I know what this means, and it breaks my heart to think Nick would leave me, as he has just met his second chance fated mate.