Rejection Denied

Aviry

The rescue mission is finally over. I don’t have to sit there, sing songs, and tell stories with those people.

After hearing Thunder’s story and how he stayed with Rain, I couldn’t help but feel some way about that. It just proves how unlucky I am. Sure, Mark came back, but I can’t help but think that could have been better off with him. Maybe I would’ve been happier…

“Aviry!” Mark’s voice shouted from behind me. “Where are you going?” He asked as he jogged up behind me.

I looked over my shoulder. “I thought a battle was somewhere near?” I shrugged. “I think it’s time for me to make my appearance if there is.”

“There is a fight. No matter of a fact, it sounds like an outright war.” Mark sighed. “But it’s on the other side of the warehouse on the south side near the entrance. Close your eyes, and listen with your wolfs hearing.” Mark said. And sure enough, I could hear the growls and screams from the warzone.

“Well, I’ll see you guys back at the packhouse,” I said, walking toward the battlefield. I have to push these feelings aside. Mark didn’t want to raise me. Oh fucking well. I have to get over it.

Orion is there waiting for Denver and me to appear. Unfortunately, I don’t have a black robe and skeleton horse to ride into battle. But I do have something much better.

“Mia. Are you ready to kill that son of a bitch.”

Mia yipped and jumped around. “FUCK YEAH!”

“That’s the spirit!” I got into position, ready to sprint forward. But, my arm was yanked back by a firm grip.

“And where do you think you’re going, young lady,” Mark said, smirking. “The packed house is that way.”

I snatched my arm back and nodded. “Well, thanks for that information. I’ll save it somewhere in my mind for later.” I turned back around.

“Aviry, you are not fighting,” Mark stated.

“Oh…” I turned back around on my heels. “I didn’t realize we went back in time, Doc.”

Mark narrowed his eyes. “What’s that suppose to mean.”

I shrugged. “I mean the time in which you had the opportunity in telling what to do passed seventeen years ago.” I crossed my arms. “Not that I would’ve listened back then either.”

“Aviry, we’ll talk about this when I get back to the house,” Mark said sternly. “You will listen to me. And you will do what I say. This is for your safety. If Orion catches you again—”

“Fuck.” Sighed.

“What?”

“Orion fucked up your brain,” I said, shaking my head. That bastard broke Mark. “I thought it would be physical torture, but he chose mental for you, I guess.”

Mark looked at me, confused. And I honestly felt sorry for him. “What are you talking about, Aviry. Orion didn’t do anything to me. I was captured, strapped down, and put to sleep.”

“And during your sleep, Orion broke something up there, boss man. Because my Mark would know that I would never back down from a fight. I will never run away and let someone else fight my battles—”

“Aviry—”

I stepped closer. “My Mark knows I will never take direction from anyone other than myself, and lastly, my Mark knows that I’ll kick his fucking ass if he tried to stop me.” I poked his chest hard. “So either your brain is broken, or you a fucking imposter wearing Marks skin.”

Mark scoffed. “It’s still me. And yes I know all of those facts. But Aviry, this is a war, not a street fight, and not some dumb ass luna competition. This is life and death.”

“And I will fight for my life as I’ve always had. You were not there to see those battles, Mark. Spoiler alert, I made it through that shit. And I know I’m more than capable of making it through this. I’m not asking for your help, nor am I asking for your permission. I’m fighting in this damn war, and I’m taking home Orion's head as a trophy!”

“NO!” Mark growled. “And if I have to control you using my alpha tone, I will. I’m doing this to protect you, Aviry!”

And that set me off. Mark had missed a lot in the last few months. And he is off his rocker if he thinks I’ll react well to being threatened by anyone. I know Mark is just trying to do what he thinks is right. But I know that I have to end Orion myself. This battle will end his dreams of bringing back the dire wolves for his personal use.

“Mark.” I sighed heavily, trying my best to control my mood. “I’m fighting.”

Mark shook his head and growled. “YOU WILL NOT FIGHT. GO BACK TO THE HOUSE WITH THE OTHERS WHERE IT’S SAFE NOW AVIRY!!”

I was suddenly sucked into a black hole. No, this was my inner mind. Mia was pissed and took control. She didn’t like being commanded by another alpha. We were alphas too and should be respected as such. I looked through Mia’s eyes. She had already shifted and was snarling over a wide-eyed Mark.

Marks a tough guy. He isn’t afraid of anything. But the way he’s looking at Mia right, now…Well, Let’s just say there a first time for everything.

“Don’t hurt him, Mia. I don’t think he meant to challenge us on this.” I said, trying to convince her not to do something she’ll regret.

“I just wanted to show him who we are,” Mia replied—easing the tension in our minds.

“He thinks we’re just basic wolves. He forgets that our mother was a dire wolf. And trained or not, he forgets that we were stronger than normal wolves. And on top of being a dire wolf, we’re an alpha wolf Aviry. His commands won’t work, and now that he sees that there nothing he can do, he must submit.”

“You got me, kid.” Mark huffed. It was like he was listening to our conversation. “I submit. But I’m staying by your side the entire fight.” Mia licked Mark’s face, happy with his admission to defeat.

“Ugh!” Mark said, wiping his face. “Ok, wolf. Give Aviry back. She’s not affectionate like you.” Mia growled and licked Mark again.

“We can’t shift back, Aviry,” Mia said. “You’ll be completely naked.” She nudged at the torn scraps of the dress.

“Oh, I get it,” Mark said, rubbing Mia’s head. “Well, if we’re going to fight in this together, I see no need in shifting back then. You’ll need every ounce of strength.” Mark exhaled. “But before we go…Aviry, are you listening?”

Mia huffed to tell him that I was.

“I’m so sorry for abandoning you, Aviry. Your life struggles could’ve been avoided had I focused on you rather than revenge. When I found you again, I was so happy to see that you’d grown into a beautiful, strong woman. And you look so much like your mother, and I know she’d be proud of you.”

Mark placed his head on Mia’s. “When we get out of this. I hope you consider staying with the pack. The home I should’ve brought you to in the beginning. Rather you accept or not. You are a part of my family Aviry. I love you just as much as Nixon and Cay. Just be careful in the field. And let me take care of Orion.”

Mia and I both growled at his request.

“Ok.” He chuckled. “I get it. How about this? The kill goes to whoever finds him first.” Mia licked Mark’s face again in agreement.

“If you two are finished, I’d like to go over the plan again,” Denver said from behind Mia. She reached up to pet Mia’s head. “Hey, Mia.”

Mark, Mia, and Denver walked over to join the group again. The women were sitting together. Some were resting; others were staring at the fire. They gasped when they saw Mia. Caleb was wide-eyed and shrunk into himself. Gail was sitting with Tanner, and Bexley was laid back against a tree asleep. Thunder and Rain walked over to us.

“Ok, everyone one last time,” Denver said, grabbing everyone’s attention. Mark kicked Bexley’s leg, waking him up.

“Gail and Caleb. You’re both responsible for getting the women and Tanner to safety. As soon as you get to the packhouse, I want you to get them checked out by the doctors. Don’t forget to give them those syringes. One for Tanner and the other for research purposes.”

Gail nodded as Caleb picked at his nails. “According to Bex and Mark. The alpha team assembled a large team and sent in groups of men in five-minute waves. We will join them on the battlefield.” Denver concluded.

“Our main objective is decreasing Orion’s numbers. That way, it will be easier to get to him if he releases that gas to paralyze our wolves. Mark, your responsible for setting off that canister before it affects us. It should automatically cancel it out.”

“What about us?” Thunder and Rain asked.

Denver looked over at them. “You want to help us?” she asked.

Thunder nodded. “It’s the least we can do to repay Mark for what he did.”

Denver smiled. “Ok, then you’ll assist Caleb and Gail.” Thunder and Denver shook hands. “Ok, everyone. Stay safe, and come out out of this alive. Don’t hope for any miracles. Just fight like hell.”

The group went silent. We all know the chances of a miracle are slim to none. But I’m determined to kill Orion before the break of dawn. Even if it cost me my life, this will be the biggest battle of my life. Not some street fight, and not a wrestling match for a title. This is a real war, straight out of a supernatural movie. We all know the good guys win at the end. But this isn’t t that.

This is real.

“Remember, stay close to me,” Mark said as we approached the battlefield from the side.

Mia was still in control and eager to fight. Mark, Bex, and Denver are preparing to shift. We plan to join the next wave. When Orion sees Denver and me, I know he’ll show his face. I know the plan was to fight with the others and decrease Orion’s numbers. But my main goal is Orion himself.

“Ok, let’s shift. The next wave is in thirty seconds. Mark, you take the lead.” Denver said.

The cracking of bones sounded off. Kia came over and nudged Mia. Even if it’s hard for me to embrace Denver, our wolves have no problem showing that sibling affection. I acknowledge Denver as my twin sister. But being alone all these years, I can’t be expected just to feel that kind of connection. The families that I’ve been a part of never showed that to me.

Maybe after this fight, I can learn.

Marks wolf nudge Mia. That parental vibe was in the air. I think…no, I know I can get use to this. I finally have people on my side, and I have a family. And that dumbass Orion is threatening them. I’ll be damned if he takes them away from me.

Mark growled and shot through the forest. We followed behind at a jogging pace for Mia and Kia. Our wolves are substantially more significant, both in height and muscle. Our claws are katana sharp. I mean, Mia was able to cut through that fence like butter. Fuck some hidden hole.

“Ok, Mia, this is it,” I said excitedly. “This is going to be the biggest fight of our lives. Go all in, girl, we can get this pretty white hair cleaned afterward.”

“Hell yeah, Aviry,” Mia said. Sniff sniff. Mia had her head turned up at the sky.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s faint and mixes in with the smell of blood. But I smell mint..” Sniff Sniff. “Nixon is close by. I can’t tell if he’s hurt or not.” Mia whimpered.

Mia took off in the direction of Nixon’s scent. Behind us, Mark growled and howled. He was able to fall in step with Mia. We can’t communicate with him. But I know he’s upset; he wanted us to stay by his side. And here we are, veering off path.

“There he is!” Mia whined. “Aviry he’s—”

“ROAR!” Marks wolfs growl ripped through the air. He dashed forward and latched onto the back of Nixon’s attacker. So much for stay by his side. I watched as the pair tag-teamed the attacker. Mia wanted to jump in and finish it, but a whistle snagged out attention.

“We looked to the front of the battlefield. And sure enough, dear old daddy was standing near the warehouse atop of the stairs. His right forearm was split, and blood was spilling out. He was looking directly at me with a sinister grin. He was inviting us to end his life.

Mia took another glance at Mark and Nixon before taking off to end this shit. I’ll apologize to mark afterward. I’m sure he’ll understand.