I asked, “How many people am I fighting?” He snorted, “Two before the pack leadership.” I laughed, “How mad is Edward?” He answered, “Very. I’m sure that bodes well for you.” I snorted, “It bodes fine.” He stopped, “Yeah I am on the leadership memos and what not, Melanie Jane. I know how you fight as Swiffer. It’s not a good thing.”
I winked, “Aww, are you worried about me? That’s ok… it’s really fine. I don’t plan to fight like Swiffer tonight.” He sighed in relief, “Thank god. Because if Caine or Dax find out I know, they might kill me.”
I snorted, “No they wouldn’t. They have no one to take your spot… no one is anywhere decent enough at fighting. I’m so curious how you got so well trained…but my guess is it involvedproviding a layer of protection to Avery so….” He shot me an incredulous look, but I was right.
Buck wasn’t my favorite person, but he was a good fighter. I’m certain he could take on Booker and win. I doubt he knew that. It’s why I didn’t understand why he took Edward, Jean, and Booker’s crap. He clearly didn’t see how good he was…I guess I could tell him.
Buck whispered, “You don’t need to fight Trevor or see him.” I laughed, “He won’t fight. One, there’s no way Caine is going to make him his future Gamma.” Buck’s jaw dropped. I added, “Two, he’s hurt. They will excuse him by saying something about it being Caine’s fault he can’t fight. So… they might say I have to fight you… which would be more of a challenge than fighting Trevor.” He groaned, “Fuck my life. Just go inside.” I skipped inside letting adrenaline fill me.
I saw my first opponent and snorted. I was actually stunned, “Aunt Stephanie. You really want to fight me?” She snarled, “I’ll beat you now that you’re hurt.” I saw a lot of eye rolls. I finally smiled because I had something to be happy about.
Edward stood, “We have a stupid challenge that will be easily lost. It’s the only challenge this she wolf can make.” I hummed, “False. I could make it again if I lose… so…” He growled, “Shut up.” I blew out my breath, annoyed that he was getting in on my happy moment.
I was going to beat the ever loving snot out of my Aunt. I’d wanted to do that since I met her. He continued, “If she wins these two fights, then she has to fight the current pack leadership in human and wolf form.” Several people winced.
He grinned evilly then added, “And the future pack leadership. I’ve Alpha Commanded everyone to go their hardest.” I snorted, “Which will make it more embarrassing when you lose. Who is the future Gamma I’m fighting? Because I think everyone knows Trevor doesn’t cut it… and he hides withyou when people attack. He’s definitely not fighting injured… so…”
Booker snarled, “You fucking bitch!” I replied, “I didn’t hurt him. I would have… but… you know what? No but. He deserved everything he got. He’s lucky he’s alive.” I turned to Edward, “Any CURRENT Alpha would’ve ended him for what he did. You are a stain on the title of Alpha, and I won’t call you that ever again.” I stared at him letting him see how serious I was.
His cheeks flushed, “I know you are hurting because…” I cut him off, “You are a stain on the title of Alpha, and you have been since I got here. I’m looking forward to fighting you… more than you could imagine. The question remains who is the future Gamma I’m fighting?”
He replied, “Buck La…” I cut him off, “Is not allowed to participate as the Male Lead Warrior. He’s not allowed to harm his counterpart or those challenging for it. You should really read the laws that people put out… because Alpha Prince Consort Eric Conners made that VERY clear in the law his mate Princess Luna Haley Holloran Cambridge Conners formulated.”
Buck linked me, “You couldn’t have mentioned that when we were walking here?” I replied, “I mean… I could have. I’m in a mood… sue me.” He snorted. Alpha Edward turned red. He said, “Then I’ll figure someone out.”
I cooed, “Aww… does Trevor not want to fight me when I can fight back? Shocking. I’m shocked. This is my shocked face.” I pointed at my completely unshocked face. Several people snickered or ducked their heads.
Jean snarled, “You are being…” I asked, “What? Don’t you like the new version of me? You’re also not worthy of your title. You are a literal disgrace to the position of Beta.” I would know. My dad, Tristan, and Jason were all better than him. Jason didn’t even want to be the lead Beta and he was better. He’d wanted to be the Male Lead Warrior.
This move was for him. I’d make them all proud of me. Alpha Peter would know. He’d HAVE to. I would be the youngest Female Lead Warrior ever. Hell, Lead Warrior of either gender. This would make them proud of me again. It would change everything. It had to.
Edward sighed, “Let the Female Lead Warrior tournament commence.” He told me, “I Alpha Commanded all but the unshifted to come watch you fail.” I winked, “Get ready to make everyone leave then. You won’t want them to see what I’m about to do.” He looked stunned and walked off the mat.
Booker stood and snarled, “Fight.” Aunt Stephanie grinned at me. She said, “I’ve watched you fight. I know everything about it.” I laughed humorlessly, “You’d better know something… but I doubt you can claim to know anything about me.” She growled and ran at me.
I went down and swiped her legs out from under her. I was on her before she hit the mat with a deafening thud. I hit her and knocked out one of her teeth. She screamed and I slammed her head down on the mat. I hit her over and over until Buck grabbed my hand.
He declared, “You won.” I hit her with my left hand, and he glared at me. I smiled back and stood. Booker snarled, “Melanie wins the first round.” I mock bowed at him. I saw Trevor’s friend, Francis, collecting money off other people. Mark, also Trevor’s friend, stared at me like I was an alien he’d never seen before.
Female Lead Warrior Aimee looked beyond nervous, which was fair. She’d never had a day of training and the only reason she was named to the position was because Edward had to put someone down.
I spotted my friends in a group. Mason was squeezing Hendrick’s hand so hard I worried he could break it. Luna Elena and Beta Female Eden were holding hands. I really liked EdenKiern. I knew those women had Alpha Commands on them so they couldn’t act like a true Luna or Beta Female.
I hated that it bothered them because they were good people. Seeing them was a stark reminder that not everyone down here was a disgrace to their title and a flat out deplorable human being. I was fighting for people like them.
Booker announced, “Lead Female Warrior Aimee, finish her.” I laughed, “You wish. You really do, don’t you? Gosh… I never did anything to you, and you’ve always hated me. It’s really not shocking that your son is a horrid deviant. He never stood a chance with a father like you. It’s too bad for your mate. She’s a good person.”
He snarled, “Don’t you speak about my mate!” I grinned asking, “What? You don’t know we talk? I love her. She’s the best. Selene is a horrid goddess for pairing such a good person with you.” He warned, “I will make you pay for that even after you lose this fight.” I laughed, “I’m looking forward to our fight… which is next. Yes?” He glared at me.
Caine linked, “Focus.” I replied, “I am SO focused.” I had goals. This would make my family proud again. Beta Jason wouldn’t hate me so much. We could have some type of relationship. It would work. Everyone would know the name Ashley Griffen, but those important to me would know it was really me. They had to.
Aimee raised her fists but didn’t move. I sighed and walked over to her. She threw the world’s sloppiest punch that I blocked then hit her. She went down in a heap. I mocked Booker, “I think your champion has a problem… also how did you not pick someone who could at least throw a punch? Like… was no one else available for the fake position of Female Lead Warrior?”
I grumbled, “You’re actually going to make me feel sorry for Male Lead Warrior Buck?! Does anyone help you, Buck? She clearly doesn’t even do the gym schedule because if she did… shemight have seen someone throw a punch… at some point in her life.”
Buck made a face that told me she did not help him with anything. Dang it! Did I feel bad for him? I did….and I didn’t like that. Not one bit. Was he running the whole damn pack? He didn’t hide when we were attacked. He was fighting. Oh my gosh…he was deny his blood just like I was when the Alpha let him down. Dang it. I really did feel bad for him now.
Especially since I’d helped his mate run away right before my sixteenth birthday. Paisley rejected him and cut ties to the pack before I sent her to Black Mountain. She had to get out though…now I was thinking he’d set that up. But why?
