Rejection Denied

THUMP THUMP THUMP

“Testing…Testing…”

“Haha, Friends.” Alpha Kane said into the microphone. He was standing on the stage, overlooking the small audience.

Alpha Don and Sam sat on the first row. The champions and I on the second row. A small handful of onlooking pack members sat in the chairs behind us. Some stood along the walls in the back. Nixon wasn’t present, and that made me a little anxious.

Kane smiled. “Good morning, and thank you all for joining us. Let’s begin our meeting with a moment of silence for Jessie. A young wolf that was taken too soon, a champion who is now howling with the moon goddess.”

The room fell silent, and everyone bowed their heads. I can see why Kane leads the other alphas. Excluding me, of course. His voice commands attention and obedience. Kane is an older man, but younger than that old dusty raisin, Don. He’s respectable, and I don’t foresee having any problems with him. But that rabid champion he has could get him in trouble.

I looked to my right past Izzy to see Nova glaring over at me. She mouthed something, and I crossed my heart and grinned. I whispered loudly, “Fuck off.” Izzy snorted, and Nova rolled her eyes.

The dumb bitch.

Alpha Kane peeked his head up and cleared his throat, “Thank you, now let’s begin. Our host Alpha Nixon will be joining us soon. He will be introducing a special guest, who will be here shortly. So, until he arrives, I would like to start this meeting by officially beginning the next event.”

The back audience clapped and cheered. Alpha Kane raised his hand to calm them. “Yes, I know we are all excited about this. But I also know the issue of a missing champion is on your mind. But rest assured Nixon has that covered.” He locked eyes with me and smiled gently.

“With that being said. We will continue the Alpha’s Luna Competition as scheduled. Every original champion, with the addition of one new competitor, will be in the next event, human vs. human combat.”

The crowd clapped again and stomped their feet. Kane laughed and waited for the room to calm itself.

“This will be a fantastic event. It will test not only the minds of the champions but also their physical side as well.” Alpha Kane nodded towards Sam. “But I won’t go into details. I’ll leave that to the alpha overseeing this. So please welcome Alpha Sam to the stage.”

The room of people clapped and chatted as Alpha Sam stood from his chair. He adjusted his belt buckle and jogged up to the stage after Kane descended the stairs. Kane took a seat in an empty chair in front of Nova. She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. But she was shooed off like an annoying pest.

Sam took the mic off the stand and walked to the front of the stage. “Thanks.” He said as he cleared his throat. “Now, Listen, I ain’t plan no big speech. If you wanna full run down, read the handbook.” Sam scratched his beard and smacked his lips.

“But for those of you who are lazy or just illiterate, Imma make this shit clear and simple. There will be four fights. You ladies will fight one on one, and the winner at the end of each fight will move on to the final event.”

He pointed at the group of champions, “There will be no shifting, alright. If you shift, your ass will be out. You get me?”

Izzy, who was beside me, nodded and smiled as her alpha continued speaking. “Now, on to the winners of the last event.” Sam patted his pockets and pulled out a piece of folded paper. He unfolded it, scanned over the paper, and stuffed it back into his jeans.

He scoffed and shook his. “I’m not saying all of that. So, again, let’s make this simple. Alpha Kane’s champion Nova Hart won the last event.”

Nova jumped up from her chair and clapped her hands. “Kane, do you hear that. I won—”

“Will you sit your giddy ass down. I ain’t finished yet.” Sam said, scowling at Nova. She slowly took her seat while Kane shook his head. “Anyways, after all the points were counted, the real winner is…”

“YAY!” Nova shouted. “She jumped from her chair again. She hugged the back of Kane’s neck and jumped up and down.”

“Son of a—” Sam palmed his face.

“NOVA!” Kane shouted. “Will you behave! You’re embarrassing yourself!” Kane snarled. Nova shrunk back and looked down. She clasped her hands together and bared her neck to her alpha. “Please continue, Sam.”

The irritated alpha squeezed the mic in one hand and slapped the other hand on his legs, “Good goddess woman, can I finish my damn sentence.” He said, raising one brow. Nova nodded but remained standing.

Sam shook his head, “According to the points awarded, Aviry Mills has the most. Therefore, SHE is the winner.” He tucked the mic under his arm and clapped his large hands.

Mia howled in our Mindspace and leaped around. I smirked and crossed my arms. Applause erupted in the room as Izzy shook my shoulders and congratulated me. I really wanted to shove it in Nova’s face, but she decided to…

“AHHHHHH!” Her high-pitched scream had me and everyone around her covering our ears.

The room went silent. Nova sprinted from her spot towards the stage. She slipped on the first stair but stomped up the rest to the stage.

Sam held his hand up. “I would stop if were you—”

“NOOO!” Nova growled.

The crowd gasped and murmured. Heather and Cory placed their hands over their eyes. Izzy covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head. My lips and I were fighting for control. I wanted to laugh so bad, but I had to hold it in. I want to enjoy Nova’s fifteen minutes of shame.

Sam chuckled, “Then I guess we’re gonna need another champion after this.”

Nova shot her hand out. “GIVE ME THAT, MIC!” she shouted, stomping her foot.

Alpha Sam licked his lips and smirked. “Yeah, ok. But only because I want to see Kane drag you away by your throat.” He tossed her the mic and flipped her my favorite insulting finger. He left the stage leaving only Nova and her inflated ego.

“Nova, stop!” Alpha Kane shouted.

Sound advice, but instead of stopping, she stomped that damn foot again, “This isn’t right! It doesn’t make sense! I won the last event, and I had points from the first event! How the hell did she win!?” she shouted out. “Count it again! Alpha Kane make them count it agai—”

“NOVA QUITE THIS NONSENSE!” Kane shot up from his chair. “You are not only embarrassing me but our whole pack as well. Have I chosen the wrong champion? Because a good luna would take her loss and learn from it. My luna will not act like a whiny, spoiled bitch!” Kane growled.

Nova whimpered, “I…I…But Alpha Kane, I’m sure she cheated. She must’ve—”

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” Kane roared. “ONE MORE WORD AND I WILL AUCTION YOU OFF!”

Kane stalked up to the stage. The energy radiating off of him was immense. I looked over to see Izzy and the other champions bowing their heads. A few pack members were able to leave before giving in to the sensation. The pressure was a strong force that pushed down on my shoulders. But I fought back against it with the help of Mia. The other two alphas were still sitting straight along with me.

“I counted the points myself. She, too, had points from winning the first event. Did that escape your childish mind? And yes, you won the last event, but it also increased her score!” Kane snarled. “She beat you by one point! Now call me a liar.”

Kane looked down at Nova, who was on her hands and knees. She tried to look up but failed. “I meant no disrespect to you, Alpha Kane. Or to the other alphas. Only—”

Kane grabbed the back of Nova’s neck. “She is an alpha!” Kane sneered in her face. “Did you not witness Alpha Derricks defeat!?” He snatched her head up and turned it to face us. Both sets of eyes locked onto me. “Do you see her bowing her head to me!?”

Sam chuckled. And Old father time turned around in his seat and spat on the ground. That foul action will never cease to disgust me. But I won’t let him see that in my face.

I wrinkled my nose and raised a brow. “I bet you need a nap now, don’t you old fart.” Don rolled his eyes and turned back around.

“Yeah, try to keep the strenuous activities down to a minimum. The others don’t want you to drop dead.” Sam laughed and slapped his knee.

“Champions. Alphas. Members of this pack!” Kane shouted. “I apologize for this girl’s behavior. I will take responsibility and punish her myself.” He looked at Nova.

“You will spend two days locked in your room for your disrespect! No food, and no social interaction.” Nova whimpered as Kane released her neck.

The pressure in the room relaxed. And everyone sat up straight. “You’ve done enough speaking today. Now hurry off to your room. But if were you, I’d fill my stomach up first!” Nova hurried off the stage. I saw tears running down her face as she passed our row.

“Alpha?” Izzy whispered, rubbing her neck. I nodded and crossed my legs. “Well, you’re just full of surprises, aren’t ya?” She smiled and squeezed my knee. “A female alpha. Never heard of it. But, I’m all for it.”

“As for the rest of you. If there are any fucking questions about anything. Come to me in private! I expect you all to do better than her.” Kane crossed his arms and rolled his neck. “Now, let’s get back to the meeting. This event will last a total of four days. You will have three days to train—”

The doors in the back of the room pushed open. “I OBJECT!” A voice shouted.

Everyone looked at the back of the room. A tall, slim male with tan skin strolled into the room. He was wearing a fitted ash grey suit, with black dress shoes.

“I apologize.” The man chuckled. “I’ve always wanted to do that.” He adjusted the navy-blue tie on his suit and ran his finger through his black hair. He slowly walked down the aisle toward the stage and grinned at the remaining audience.

“And who the hell are you!?” Kane asked. He jumped off the stage and puffed out his chest. He looked the man up and down as he approached the podium.

The smell of mint freshened the air. I sat up straight to see Nixon, Kasey, and a tall brunette following behind the stranger.

“Nixon who is—”

“Allow me to introduce myself.” The man paused and bowed to Alpha Kane. “I’m Alpha Orion Jones. Alpha to the Yellow Wood Pack.” He stood straight in front of the stage.

“Tsk, I’ve never heard of it.” Don scoffed.

Orion turned his head back and furrowed his brows at gramps. “And what pack are you from, sir?” He asked.

Don held his head high. “Why only the strongest pack in this region. Commanded by the oldest lineage of alphas on this continent. Pack Crystal Moo—”

“Never heard of it.” Orion interrupted.

Don growled and stood from his chair. Kane raised his hand and looked to Orion. “There will be no more negativity today. We know nothing of his pack. Why would he be aware of ours? I’m Alpha Kane; tell us about your pack Orion.”

“With respect, Kane, there’s not much to say. My beta and I lead a small, poor pack on the state border. We are located near a small human town, but we keep to ourselves to avoid hunters. Our warriors are untrained. So, when we encounter trouble, we pay our way out. Hence the need for money, and the reason I agreed to come.”

“I see.” Kane scratched his beard. “Well, thank you for coming so quickly. But where is your champion, Alpha Orion.” Kane looked forward. “Will she be joining us at a later time.”

“Ahh, yes. A future luna to join your elite group of champions. I must say when Nixon informed me of this competition; it intrigued me.” Orion turned to face us. His eyes searched over our row but paused on me.

“You have some stunning women…” I widened my eyes and gave him the twin fingers. He blinked and slightly cocked his head to the side. “I’m sure they all have great personalities as well.” He turned back to Kane. “My champion is perfect for the competition, although she will need a lot more time to train.”

“How much time will she need?” Kane questioned.

“I’m only asking for the remainder of the week, including the weekend.” Orion pleaded softly. “She won’t be perfect, but it will at least give her a chance.”

Kane looked down and scratched the back of his head, “A champion in this event should be nothing less than perfect. But I will agree with that. Her training days will count whether she’s here or not. When do you expect her to be here?” Kane crossed his arms and nodded toward Orion

“Oh, she’s here already.” Orion turned back to the crowd and whistled. “Come forward and be quick about it.” He commanded.

Izzy and I turned in our chairs. A brunette stood tall, and Nixon, seated in the back, stood up from their chairs. He nodded towards the front, and a dainty, pale arm looped around his muscled forearm. He bent down and whispered in the ear of the blonde female and smiled gently at her. She smiled back, and all three of them strolled down the aisle toward Orion.

Mia growled, and I rolled my eyes at her jealously. I don’t know what it will take to clear the Nixon fantasy from her head. As you can see, he’s clearly focused on the pet on his arm. It was annoying to see, but instead of feeling jealous, I decided to irritate Nixon instead.

“Dum, du du dum. Dum du du dum.” I sang the wedding tune. Izzy giggled and shoved my arm as I locked eyes with a glaring Nixon. He shook his head and looked back at the two awaiting alphas.

Nix’s arm accessory, looked towards me and bit her bottom lip. She was very nervous; I could see it in her wide green eyes. I narrowed my eyes and turned in my chair as she passed my row. She didn’t notice that the brunette had stopped just before Orion. So, she bumped into her back. The tall female looked down at Kasey menacingly.

“Please allow me to introduce the beautiful Jordan Lenox,” Orion said, reaching his hand out to the brunette. Jordan took his hand, and he twirled her around. “And standing behind her, hooked onto Alpha Nixon is my youngest daughter Kasey Jones.” Kasey and Nixon both stepped up beside Orion.

“We haven’t had the pleasure to meet Kasey formally,” Kane said as he side-eyed Nixon. “But I must say it’s a please to meet you both.” He shook hands with Orion and both ladies. “Orion, you may lack money and power in your pack. But beauty is in abundance.”

“You should’ve seen their mothers. Both were very beautiful, smart, gold diggers.” Orion shook his head. “A pair of deceitful rogues looking for shelter for them and their two children. They took advantage of our kindness, and together they drained me of every penny. They left these two behind, and I’ve been taken care of them ever since.”

“Well, look at them now. They both seem very well taken care of. Our competition will gladly accept your champion. Jordan will be an excellent addition—”

“Jordan?” Orion asked, confused. He chuckled and looked at Jordan while caressing her cheek. “Oh no. Jordan is mine. When she turned eighteen, I choose her as my mate, and she accepted. And not only is she the luna of my pack, but she’s also the beta.”

“And that’s why your pack is failing.” Don spat. “You put a breeder in a man’s place.”

“HUSH.” I slammed my foot into the back of Don’s chair, and he turned and growled at me. “Excuse this walking corpse. He hasn’t been taking his meds as of late.”

“YOU LITTLE—”

“DON!” Kane shouted. He looked back to Orion. “Then, if not Jordan, who?”

“No offense, Alpha Kane. But Isn’t it obvious?” Orion looked over to Nixon and the cute whittle bunny.

He smiled and licked his lips. “Kasey Jones will be my champion.”