Rejection Denied

“Do you need something too drink?” Cay asked quietly. He reached into the basket and passed me a water bottle. I slowly sipped the water, waiting for the unwanted condolences.

“That was…one hell of a story.” Cay said, looking up at the sky. “And I know you wouldn’t change anything, even if you could.

“You’re right.” I crumpled up the bottle and placed it into the basket, “My past made me into who I am today. I can't remake myself at the snap of someone’s finger. But, being here is slowly transforming me into someone I don’t recognize.”

I placed my hand on Cay’s shoulder, and he slowly looked back at me. “I fear the changes that are happening.”

I took in a deep breath. “But I will change one aspect of my life. By accepting our mate bond and welcoming you into my life.” Cay’s eyes shot open. He grinned and turned his body to face me fully.

“You and Mia are the stars to my night sky Cay. I need you both in my life, but I’m afraid of being abandoned. I’m so tired of people leaving me for no reason.” I turned my head away from him, trying to hold back my tears.

Cay gripped my face firmly and planted a kiss on my lips. “AVIRY, I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU!” he growled, slamming his lips onto mines again. “As soon as this competition is over, you and I are completing the mating bond.”

I laughed and gently pushed his chest, “It’s a date.”

“Speaking of date. It’s my turn, and I think Mia will enjoy this.” Cay stood and held his hand out for me to take.

I stood, dusting the gravel from my legs. “Yeah, well, let me wake her up.”

“Mia,” I called.

SNIFF SNIFF “Yeah?” Mia replied whimpering.

“Are…are you crying,” I asked, confused.

“Girl, watching you and Cay was like watching a sad little movie.” SNIFF SNIFF “Am I really a star in your sky Aviry?”

I shook my head at my wolf. “Mia. That was a private moment.”

“Tsk, Nothing Is private, in our mind space. What are we about to do with Cay?”

I rolled my eyes and came back to. “Mia is fully awake.” I crossed my arms and faced my mate. “Now, tell me, Cay. What is your idea of fun?”

Cay finished folding the blanket and place it inside the basket. “My wolf Arrow wants to meet you both. He’s been wanting to run alongside Mia for a long time now. Is Mia ok with—”

I was suddenly sucked into my Mindspace. “YES!” Mia shouted. She took full control over my body and jumped around excitedly. “Yes, I’m more than ok with that. I would love to go for a run with Arrow.”

“Hi, Mia.” Cay smiled. “That’s good to hear. Let’s shift and head back toward the packhouse before they send a search team after their champion.”

He pecked my lips once more and quickly pulled his shirt off. After undressing down to his underwear, he dropped to his knees and shifted into a large, grey wolf. A streak of white ran down his back, to the tip of his tail.

Mia wiped the drool from off my face and dropped down, shifting into her beautiful wolf form. But Before she could shake herself off. Arrow tackled her to the ground. They rolled around, nipping and biting at each other. Mia was able to push him off and took off into the forest, initiating a game of tag.

She dodged the trees and jumped over every obstacle. Arrow’s paws pounded against the ground behind us. But Mia is much faster than our mate. The sound of the waterfall was, getting closer, and the dirt was becoming moist. A crazy thought entered my wolf’s mind.

“Mia, don’t do it,” I warned.

“Oh no, you wanted to be a daredevil, so let’s be daredevils.” Mia taunted while lowering her head and increased her speed. The hill slanted down, and the roaring river was now in her sights. She sank claws into the ground and propelled herself across the waters.

Arrow growled and halted at the edge of the river. He howled in our direction, just as Mia touched down on the opposite side. After Lookingback, she took off again. Leaving our mate behind.

We were gaining ground; there’s no way he’ll cross the river easily. The chase was way more fun. So Mia slowed her pace and huffed. It shouldn’t;t take him long to get—

SNAP!

Mia’s ears shot up, and she ceased movement. A pungent must filled the air around us, and the mood of the forest became hostile.

SNAP!

Mia looked to the sound and growled furiously. The bushes parted, and a black wolf emerged, along with a patch sandy brown partner. Mia turned around sharply to find a third wolf with red fur sneaking up behind us. The Red one snapped his jaws and snarled.

“Are they seriously challenging us?” I asked, confused. “Can we have one day off?”

Mia chuckled, “Do you not enjoy fighting anymore, Aviry?”

“Tsk, tsk tsk. Now, Mia, you know damn well, I enjoy a fight any day of the week. But today was...special. Now which one goes first?

“Let them attack and then—”

The red wolf lunged forward. Mia dodged the attack and snapped her jaws down on the neck of the wolf. “Fuck!” Mia growled as jaws clamped down on her hind legs. The brown wolf was tugging and pulling Mia back.

She sunk her front claws into the ground and swung the red wolf over, slamming him into the brown wolf. They whimpered and squirmed around, trying to stand straight.

A vicious growl sounded from her right, and the black wolf charged toward us. He leaped into the air, with teeth at the ready.

THUMP!

The black wolf flew off course, snapping and snarling at a familiar grey wolf.

SLAM!

Arrow’s opponent slammed into a tree and fell limp on the ground. He growled and ran towards us, skidding to a stop in front of Mia protectively. Mia was ready to kill. She snarled at the two remaining wolves as they approached our sides. The red wolf jumped forward, biting into Mia’s side. She turned her head to the right and bit into the neck of the wolf.

CRACK!

Even though the bones had snapped and protruded from the wolf’s neck, Mia continued to chomp down, shaking and snarling. Red blood was spotting on her front paws, and clumps of red fur fell to the ground. A loud growl caught her attention. Mia stopped her assault and looked back to see Arrow fighting the last wolf.

The two wolves collided and speedily rolled down a small hill away from us. They snapped and snarled at each other, each one biting at the neck of the other.

“ARROO!” Arrow barked as he tumbled down the hill. THUD, he landed on the ground and tried to stand. But his front paw was bent at an angle. He limped on his remaining three legs, and he whimpered as he slowly looked up at us.

The reaming wolf sat up and barked. He twisted his neck to the side and sauntered toward our mate.

ROAR!

A black shadow leaped over the preying wolf. And landed in front of Arrow. The newcomer kicked up dirt and leaves as he stormed the wolf and tackled it to the ground. A shiny metal gleaned in the moonlight and plunged down into the wolf’s neck. His body stilled, and everything went silent.

The forest calmed, the bugs snag their night song, and the scent of mint and chocolate picked up in the air.

“Was that…is that Nixon?” Mia wondered, slowly making her way down the hill. The shadowy figure sat up. And sure, enough there was Nix bitch, panting and sweating. He looked at us and shook his head.

“Where have you been?” he asked breathlessly. He pulled the syringe from the neck of the brown wolf, who was morphing into a man. “I’m.. I’m so sorry for every—”

Arrow whimpered, and both Mia and Nixon looked back to see him lying on the ground. Mia shot forward and nudged his body.

“No!” I shouted. “What’s wrong with him! We nee—”

“It’s ok, Aviry.” Mia licked Arrow’s face and looked to Nixon. He approached our side and bent down next to Arrow. “He just needs to rest.”

“Let’s get him back to the house.” Nix lifted Arrow into his arms. “I used my bane on the rogue. Cay needs to shift back so he can heal correctly. Do you think you can carry that guy?”

Mia looked back at the still body of our attacker. She stalked over and bit down on one leg.

“AHHH!” he screamed. “AHHH!!”

SLAM!

Mia whipped is body across the ground. Rendering him unconscious. She pulled him across the land and nodded toward Nixon. He smiled and shook his head.

“Well, that’s one way to shut someone up. Let’s go. I’ll have Bailey interrogate the rogue later. For now, he’ll rot in a basement cell.” He turned to walk but looked back over his shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re ok, Aviry. Both physically and mentally.”