Rejection Denied

The first round is taking place in a makeshift ring in the back of the packhouse. One flag from each pack hung from eight pillars encircling the small arena, where a crowd is packed in cheering and applauding for the start of the first round. Five of eight of the false kings are all sitting high on a platform overlooking the action.

The biggest fool, in my opinion, is by my side for once. “You’re going to do well, Aviry. Don’t tell Nova but, Kane has decided to auction her off if she loses this event. Do you want to go over the rules? Do you need some water, or maybe—”

I cracked my neck, “No, I’m good, and you can leave. When I win, make sure my chair is on that platform, preferably away from you.”

I looked across the ring. Nova was stretching her limbs while talking with Jordan. They both looked over at me and smirked.

“You’re gonna lose bitch!” Nova shouted.

I laughed, “Whatever keeps your morale up.” I turned to face Nixon. “What now?”

Nixon huffed. “Listen, Aviry, win or lose, I’m so proud to call you—”

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!” Both Nixon and I turned to face the direction of the announcer. “It is time to begin. Both champions, please take your place in the arena.”

I turned to walk, but Nixon latched on to my arm. He smiled gently, “Thank you, Aviry.” I narrowed my eyes, and he slowly removed his hands from my arm.

I turned back to the arena, confused as fuck. But I have a fight to focus on. My mind is set on winning at all costs. And I’m more than violent at this point. It’s been way too long; the ring is larger than the one at home. But the energy of the crowd is just as intoxicating. I can tell they’re hungry for a fight. Hell, this may be the first round of the event, but it’s the main course, and I’m serving up Nova’s pride as a side and her head on a sizzling silver platter.

“Please welcome our champions.” Alpha Sams voice boomed through the speakers above. The crowd continued cheering and clapping. “Fighting for Alpha Kane, Nova Heart.” Sam waited a few seconds. Nova raised her hands in the air and jumped.

“And fighting for Alpha Nixon..” I turned my head to the side and glared at Sam. “And herself is Alpha Aviry Mills.” The thunderous foot stomps from the crowd vibrated the dirt beneath my feet. I looked around the arena and absorbed the invigorating energy.

“Ok, settle down.” Sam bent down, in front of him was a small brown chest. He unlatched the locks and flipped the lid open. “According to the last event, Aviry Mills won the advantage. So, Aviry, please select one item.”

I smirked and stepped forward. On the side, Nova scoffed and mumbled about “This being unfair.”

The small box has a variety of items. A small vile of liquid silver, a dull, rusty dagger, oooo two brass knuckles.” I think I found a winner. Reaching for the first brass knuckle, I paused. At the bottom of the chest was a better prize.

I pulled out the item and closed the chest lid. Spinning on one heel, I turned to face the anxious crowd and held up my advantage.

I dangled the twin stainless steel ringlets, leering at Nova.

“Handcuffs!” she shrieked. “How the hell am I supposed to fight without my hands!?” Nova turned and faced the crowd. “So not only am I fighting an alpha with dire wolf blood. But now, I’m going to have my hands bounds.”

Nova circled the stage, “Does that sound fair!?” the crowd mumbled, and the arena went silent. “I am a champion, but how can I prove my strength against someone who chooses the easy way out. I say we eliminate the—”

Click, Click

I finished fastening on the cuffs with my hands in front of me. The crowd gasped. “AVIRY!” Nixon shouted from above.

Nova swiftly turned in my direction, “What are you doing?” she asked, shocked and confused.

I walked over to Sam and held my hands up to him. “Tighten these for me.” He raised a brow and smirked.

“Well, Nova, to prove a point, of course. You continue to bitch and complain about being at a disadvantage…” I winced as Sam tightened the cuff around my right wrist. “Alpha this, and dire wolf that. Listen, I was chosen as a champion before any of that shit happened. Sam tightened the left cuff and backed away.

“So, look.” I held my hands up high. “None of that shit matters now. Come and prove your strength, but remember this, I’m going to knock you the fuck out without hands. So no crying when you wake up from your nap, ok.” I nodded to Sam. “Start the damn event.”

Nova and I were standing, waiting for the bell to ring. As an added precaution, we both were injected with a small amount of bane to suppress our wolves. Even with my hands bound and Mia unconscious, I’m still confident in my fighting skills. In fact, my excitement for this event is beyond that of any other fight. It’s a challenge, and I’m going to conquer it.

DING DING!

The crowd roared, and Nova charged and bent down, aiming to tackle my legs. I jumped over her right shoulder and connected my right knee with her neck.

BAM!

Nova fell to the side and rolled across the stage. I rolled my wrist together, twisting the chain links of my restraints, and pulled, but it didn't break. The metal was too strong for me, and a good part of my strength relied on Mia.

Nova sat up; her face was entirely red. She stood and pulled her right arm back. Snarling, she threw a punch aimed at my face. I tried to duck out of the way, but Nova was quick. Her left fist slammed against my face.

I could taste a small amount of blood, but that small pinch didn’t faze me. Another right hook and had my face pounding as I looked off to the side. Another punch came flying at me, but I ducked and used my left leg to round kick her right in the chest. We both staggered away from each other.

Nova and her full head turned to look at her alpha. “Watch this alpha –”

Big mistake bitch, I ran, toward her and pulled my arms around Nova’s head. I fell back on the ring and strangled her neck. She kicked and growled as I yanked harder.

After taking a hard elbow to my side, I released her. She rolled, off coughing and shaking. I groaned as I got on my side, pushing up with my arms. Fuck, that hurt but I can heal up later.

I walked over to my victim and slammed my balled-up fist into the back of her head. Nova fell flat on her face, “Time to go to sleep!” I stomped down, one time…two times…three times…

I blacked out. My foot was on autopilot, and I was watching the mayhem from far away. The screams were muffled, and the red puddle beneath my feet was blurred. I can’t control myself; my murderous mood had taken over my body.

“AVIRY STOP!” Someone grappled me from behind and spun me around. Three blurs of white ran past my vision. “STOP! STOP!” Two hands clamped down on my face, and the sweet smell of chocolate filled my nostrils.

“Aviry, please come back.” Cay’s voice calmed my mind. “Focus on my voice, come back to me.”

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath inhaling the swirling smell of mint and chocolate surrounding me. My arms and legs stilled; I didn’t realize they were flailing around. I slowly relaxed, but the tick in my idle hands wanted to hurt someone, anyone.

“Nixon, take her inside quickly and keep her away from everyone.” An unfamiliar female voice said. “I know what to do. I’ll be there shortly.”

A rush of adrenaline coursed through my body, I could tell my eyes opened, but it was so dark I couldn’t see.

“KILL!” I shouted involuntarily. My hands broke free of the cuffs, and I slashed at the air. My mind was going further and further away from my body. And for once, I was genuinely afraid of what I was becoming.

“Cay!” I screamed. But there was no reply. “MIA!” I shouted, searching in the darkness. I was alone, and there was no light.

The floor caved in, and I was falling rapidly. The fear is the scariest of all my inner turmoil. Mix that with my murderous mind, I realized I was self-destructing. I am my worse enemy in my head, so I’m attacking myself.

Fuck Aviry, Is this how it all ends?