Rejection Denied

Orion pointed, and Kasey jumped back. “She will be my champion. She may not be a Jordan, but she will have to be enough at such short notice. As you can see, she’s weak, timid, afraid for her life even. But with the help of Nixon, we were able to get her to agree.”

“Nixon does she meet all of the requirements to compete. And I do mean ALL.” Kane asked with a raised brow.

Nixon rolled his eyes and looked down at Kasey. “Yes, she meets every requirement. And since she still belongs to Orion’s pack, he can claim her as his champion. Kasey is willing—”

“If you don’t mind. Let her speak for herself.” Kane asked. All eyes were on the shaky girl as she twisted her free hand in her hair and chewed on her bottom lip.

“Umm..I…Kasey...Will…I mean. I Kasey—”

“SPEAK KASEY!” Jordan shouted. Kasey jumped back and squeezed onto Nixon’s hand. He shot Jordan a sinister look and pushed the timid girl behind him.

“I’m sorry.” She squeaked.

Jordan scoffed, “Such a weak, pathetic bitch. Look at you running and hiding as you do at home. You won’t last in this competition.”

Jordan looked to Orion. “She’s a waste of time, babe. Let me compete and win this for our pack. Everyone here sees that she’s nothing more than a weak—”

“I don’t see shit.” Jordan, Kasey, and the standing alphas turned to look at the audience.

“Who dares to speak when I’m talking?” Jordan demanded, “Who is trying to defend her.”

“Me bitch.” I raised my hand high. “And what fucking century are you from.” I chuckled. “Who dares to speak?” I mocked in a deep voice.

“And who in the hell are—”

“Look, orientation week already ended. If you don’t know who I am, ask around. Or don’t, I don’t give a fuck.” I pointed at Kasey. “Anyways, I’m not defending her. She can do that herself if she really wants to. Not my problem. But I do have a problem with you. Don’t tell me how to view people.”

I crossed my arms and nodded towards Kasey. “Now that she’s in this competition. I’ll decide for myself who she is, with my own eye’s not yours.”

“She’s NOTHING. And if you can’t see that, you must be as weak as her.” Jordan attempted to insult me. She flipped her hazelnut hair over her shoulders. “You think those freaky eyes scare me? Tsk, I’m pretty damn sure I can take you out.”

I cocked my head to the side and grinned the devil’s smile. “Would you like to find out?”

“Aviry, don’t!” Nixon said through his teeth. I ignored him and looked back at Jordan.

Please, please, please say yes, I really want to hurt you.

“Mia thoughts?” I asked my chuckling wolf.

“I would very much like to see her throat crushed under your foot,” Mia replied

“Ooo, yes. I miss the feel of bones breaking beneath my feet. And then I can feed her that pretty chocolate hair.” I added.

I was becoming excited. I uncrossed my arms and rubbed my legs, anticipating her answer. Not that it mattered. She was going to be my next victim, regardless of her response. I could feel my violent side taking over. Izzy looked over at me and flinched.

“Psst, Aviry,” Izzy whispered. “Your Alpha side is showing.”

I glared at the female on the stage. “Good, then this makes her threat a challenge,” I whispered back.

My prey smiled and placed her hand on her hip. “Bitch, I’m your worst nightmare. If you want a piece of this, then come and—”

A hand went over Jordan’s mouth. “Jordan, that’s enough. Remember that we are guests here.” Orion removed his hand, and Jordan huffed. “Nixon, Kane, I apologize for—”

“There’s no need for that.” Nixon held his hand up. “Aviry’s likes to speak her mind. I apologize for her outburst.”

“Well, I don’t apologize for shit.” My eyes met Nix’s scowl. “If she wants to run her mouth and spew her dirt on the ground, then I’m going to shut her the fuck up and bury her six feet deep in her own shit. Point, blank and a –”

“Period.” Izzy snapped her fingers.

“Oh, I would like to see you—” Orion covered Jordan’s mouth again.

“Listen, everyone,” Kane commanded. “Tensions have been high this morning. I will conclude this meeting by stating this. Alpha Orion and his champion Kasey Jones are officially in this competition. You will have a week to train for the upcoming event. This meeting is adjourned.”

Thump, Thump Thump

I rapidly punched the heavy boxing bag. My Billie Eilish playlist was playing on the overhead speakers. After the meeting, I really needed to let out my violence. Orion and Nixon were fiercely guarding Jordan when I stood to leave. But, just like with Bex, I’ll catch her at the right time.

Thump, Thump, Thump

Until then, I’ll train and focus on winning this next event. Human on human combat, my specialty. I punched to the beat of the song. “Therefore I am,” and vibed to the lyrics of the song. I closed my eyes and moved my hips to the music.

Two hands landed on my hips and moved along with me. The savory smell of chocolate filled my nostrils, and Cay gently laid his head on my shoulder. We moved together in a slow rhythm. He wrapped his arms around my torso and pulled me into his chest.

The song came to an end, and Cay buried his nose into my neck. “All it takes is one bite and a night alone with me. Then I can be all yours, and you can be mine.”

It sounds so simple. Can I really toss the competition to the side and give into Cay. Every day I’m around him, that decision becomes easier to make. I want to be with Cay. I won’t say it aloud because I’m a selfish bitch. I really want to win this competition, not for Nixon, but for myself.

Ironically, “My Future.” Began to play over the speakers. I wrapped my arms around Cays. And swayed with him, “Patience, Cay.”

He grumbled into my neck and spun me around. “I can’t be patient for much longer. You’re the only person on the planet that I want. And it hurts to not to have you officially.” Cay caressed the sides of my face and placed his forehead on mine. “But I will continue to wait for you, Aviry.”

“Thank you, Cay.” I smiled and pecked his lips.

His beautiful grey eyes went wide, and a large grin spread across his face. “You just sparked a fire in my soul. I’m sure it will need some extra kindling soon.”

I pushed his shoulder. “Don’t get used to it. We need to keep our distance. The last thing I need is another reason to be kicked out of the competition.”

“I mean, I’ll try.” Cay chuckled. “But, I love the taste of sweet vanilla cookies.” He licked his lips and narrowed his eyes. “And a drizzle of Caramel.”

Mia’s leg was thumped, and she was howling to get out. “Screw the competition, Aviry. Cay is the true prize.”

“Down, girl!” I laughed, “This is why you can’t take control with him around.”

“What’s Mia saying?” Cay wondered.

“Mia wants to give into you. But, she says she will wai—”

My mouth went numb. And Mia took control, “The lies she tells. No, Cay, I was telling Aviry, why wait when we can have you now. Listen, I want you to pick us up and take us to the nearest—”

I fought for control and won. I pushed Mia back. She whimpered and scratched at our wall. “Don’t listen to her, Cay. Mia is stressed and needs to calm the fuck down.”

Cay chuckled, “I get it. Mia, we’ll have our time soon. But how about you settle for a run with my wolf, Arrow.”

Mia howled and yipped in agreement. I smiled at Cay and nodded.

The doors of the training room pushed open, and in came Nixon. “I thought I’d find you here,” Nixon said. He walked over to Cay and me. I rolled my eyes and turned back to the punching bag.

“How was Alpha Orion’s intro,” Cay asked. “We searched and questioned the warriors he brought with him. They’ll be staying on the fourth floor with the other guest.

“Everything went well. Kane accepted him so we can continue the events. And good, I want them to start training ASAP. Let Bailey know that they’ll be here for a while and joining him for every session.”

Cay nodded and crossed his arms. “So Orion will take charge of Kacey until the end of the competition, correct?

“Actually, that’s why I’m here now. Aviry, can I speak to you for a—”

“No.” I continued punching the bag. Thump. Thump, Thump

“I promise it will only take a few—”

“Fuck off, Nixon. I’m busy.” I punched into the bag harder and jumped around on the tip of my toes.

“Not too busy to talk to Cay, though, right?” Nixon asked.

“Exactly, now if you’d kindly piss off. I would like to get back to training.” Nixon stepped behind my bag and held it still. I continued punching and kicking at the bag.

“You are so stubborn. Listen, I need you to train Kasey for me.”

“Oh, fuck you, Nixon.” I stopped punching and stared at the imbecile in front of me. “You want me to train my competition? You’re a new type of stupid. Cay, cover your ears before his BS fly’s in.” I backed away from him and unstrapped my gloves.

“Aviry, come on. You know Kasey is nothing compared to you. And we both know she has no chance of winning. I just need you to—”

“No, honestly, shut the hell up. Because you really sound like another Derrick.” I threw my gloves down. “This girl is putting her life in danger to satisfy you assholes. And you want some type of five-minute workout to give her what? A one percent shot vs. zero?”

“Kasey has been told to forfeit the match if her life is at stake. I will intervene if I see her in trouble. I just need her to learn the basic defense techniques. Orion asked me to find the best to train her, and out of everyone, you came to mind.”

“So you want me to train Orion’s champion? He’s an alpha. He can train her himself. Or hey, maybe get his bitch to train her. She seems to think she can take me out. Oh fuck, here’s a crazy idea, train her your goddamn self, Nixon.”

“She doesn’t feel comfortable with them. And I already have a shit ton of—”

“NOT MY PROBLEM!” I shouted. I wiped my face with a towel, “Ha, wait, if I get paired with her, what do you expect me to do? Take it easy on her and hope she has the common sense to quit?”

I threw the towel into the basket. “What about me, Nixon? I entered this shit to fight the best of the best.”

“I know Aviry. I just need you to help me—”

“I DON’T HELP PEOPLE, NIXON!” I shouted. Cay grabbed my shoulder, and I shoved him off. “ Why can’t you understand me. These emotions I feel are new. These words I speak are foreign. I need to be myself, and this whole environment is fucking with my head!”

These old friends of mine, Sadness, for not knowing what to do. I’m so lost in the world, and I don’t which path is the right one to take? And if I chose wrong, will I be back on this downward spiral, falling deeper and deeper into my own sorrow.

Desperation, for wanting to be with Cay, but also wanting to please myself. I’m desperate for Nixon’s attention, but we are too far apart. I want to be loved, but I only know how to love myself.

Fear, the fear of change. My life has changed drastically from my regular routine. I know how to defend myself, and I don’t want to be anyone but Aviry. But this new life is turning me into someone different. But is it for better or worse?

I pulled at my hair and crouched down. My right shoulder began to burn, and I felt really dizzy. My heart was racing in my chest. And I wasn’t getting enough air into my lungs.

“Aviry, calm down,” Mia whispered. “Your mind…is becoming…dark…”

I closed my eyes tighter, “MIA!” I called out into the darkness. “MIA! Don’t leave me!” I cried.

I feel on my knees and let my emotions fall over me like a blanket. “Don’t leave me….” I whispered over and over until I finally succumbed to the darkness.