Page 32 of Outcast
Tugging his lower lip between his teeth, he nibbled on it, clearly trying to work out what was going on in his head.
"I love that you aren't scared and want to face this challenge head on,but," he made sure to emphasize that word before moving on, "you have no training, Kira. How do you expect to take on pack members who have been taught to defend themselves from the time they can walk?" Pure exasperation and a small hint of fear permeated his words.
Aww, he was cute when he got all protective.
I didn't answer him at first, because I didn't really have an answer for him off the bat. Why was I so confident in this? I'd been neglected and treated like a worthless piece of shit most of my life. He was right, I had no training.
Warmth pooled in my chest, and my wolf spoke her first words into my mind.
I protect.
My eyes pricked with tears at the strength I felt from her and her unwavering love for me. I may have been made to believe I was weak and inferior my entire life here, but she wouldn’t allow that anymore.
Swallowing the lump that had lodged itself in my throat, I croaked out, "Because I know my worth now, and my wolf will never let me forget that. She won't let me fail."
The crazy part was that I was nervous, but my desire to demand more for myself outweighed the nerves, overshadowing any other underlying emotions.
The time for conversation ended as we approached the yard. The pack surrounded the border, many of them resting their forearms on the wooden rail lining it. The alpha sauntered to the center of the ring, and I didn't bother waiting for him to call for me like he owned me, as I expected him to do.
I entered the arena barefoot, not having bothered to find shoes since my first shift, and I had one of Milo's grey shirts tied up into a knot in the front. His black joggers were rolled up at the ankles,the waistband folded over a few times.
My toes sank into the dirt as I held my shoulders back and head high, heading to one side of the yard, assuming he'd call out for my opponent to stand on the other side.
I heard a few female bystanders snickering and making comments about my attire, like I was doing the walk of shame in another man's clothes.
A best dressed award obviously wasn't in my future, but who the hell cared what they looked like when they were about to fight their way through the ranks?
A few men chattered loudly, asserting that I had fabricated the lie about shifting and finding my fated mates just to get some dick.
How did that even make sense?
My head whipped to the three men, and I narrowed my eyes on them, “You’d better pray that my mates don’t hear you. Maybe you don’t fear me yet, but you damn well should fear them.”
Their prattling morphed into laughter, and they nudged each other with their elbows, as if they found my warning to be comedic.
The intense and heavy gaze of the alpha swung towards me, ending my short interaction with them. His green eyes assessed me before he turned his head to survey the shifters waiting on the perimeter, likely trying to decide on someone with just enough strength to smack me down but still low enough in rank to embarrass me.
"Kira claims that she is a wolf!" He exclaimed, ending with a chuckle, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. Prick.
It seemed like everyone thought he was a comedian, all of them laughing along with him—all except Milo, Seth, and shockingly Jameson. The alpha rambled on about how today's fights would go, but I focused my attention on Jameson, who had positioned himself closest to the end of the railing where one would enter the yard.
He stood off to the side, tense with his hands clenched and eyes firmly trained on his father, his jaw visibly grinding. Why did he seem so agitated and on edge? He’d gotten what he wanted, despite me asking for him to wait on making his mind up on the rejection of our bond.
Just thinking about it made me roll my eyes, which was poor timing as the alpha asked me, "Are you ready for your first opponent?"
Actually, maybe it was the perfect timing because what the hell did he really expect me to say to that? Did he think I’d beg to be spared or piss my pants in fear? Not happening. The meek human girl he thought he knew was gone.
"Yup," I answered, making sure to pop the p at the end.
"Sofia, approach."
No. Fucking. Way.
Honestly, I tried to hold back the laugh that bubbled up, but it proved too difficult. I placed my hands on my knees as hysterical laughter consumed me.
What were the odds that I'd get to face the ringleader of my bullying on the first go? The alpha clearly underestimated the power behind a woman harboring intense hatred for another person.
I might not know the first thing about combat, but I did know that punching her in her perfectly plump lips would bring me nothing but satisfaction.
