BRITNEY'S POV
I scanned the crowd, my gaze awkwardly darting from one face to another. Their waiting eyes stared back at me, gleaming with anticipation.
His thunderous voice boomed again. "You, pretty girl, come up here."
The lady turned to me with a faint but encouraging smile.
"Go on, show us what you've got." My legs stayed rooted to the spot. "But I've got nothing to show."
"I'm sorry I think I'll pass," I said shakily.
The lady chuckled. "You don't get to pass baby girl." She said. "Be an honorable wolf and go on." She encouraged.
But how.. how do I tell them I don't have my wolf? How do I tell them I'm not strong enough?
I tried to move my legs but they stayed stuck to the ground, refusing to budge. I knew that once I stepped into that ring, my fate was sealed.
The crowd's cheers grew louder, but their enthusiasm wasn't for me- It was for my opponent. A tall, slender girl in her mid-20s. She snarled, glaring at me with a fierce intensity. Her eyes seemed to dare me to step forward.
My legs finally started moving, but my mind was stagnant.
I knew my father was tired of me. But did he have to send me here to die?
"You better start praying for a safe journey to heaven,"
My opponent said with a disgusting sneer. "Because I'm dying to tear you apart."
With a fluid motion, she transformed into her wolf form. A medium-sized beast with light brown fur and eyes that looked dangerously hungry.
I took a heavy breath in, trying to calm my nerves, but it wasn't working, My mind was a jumble of fear and panic.
I heard voices from the crowd. "Is she not transforming? Is she trying to get herself killed?" Their words cut through the air like knives, making my face burn in shame.
I was almost on the verge of breaking down in tears but I knew I had to hold my ground. At least for a few minutes. I gritted my teeth and steeled myself for the battle ahead.
The angry-looking wolf in front of me, circled the ring, snarling and barking at me as if waiting for me to transform.
I ignored her taunts and rolled my fist into balls, stretching my legs in a squatting manner to help balance myself. Even though I couldn't transform, I was determined to try my best not to die.
I could hear the surprise in the crowd as my heartbeat increased with every second, my senses heightened as I patiently waited for the wolf's attack.
The wolf in front of me snorted in agitation, pawing the ground as a warning. I could see it in her eyes- she felt disrespected, as if I was trying to challenge her without transforming.
Suddenly she charged towards me with a high speed, creating a cloud of dust.
I stiffened my jaw, bracing myself for the impact. As soon as she opened her mouth to attack me, I dodged the left, avoiding the wolf's snapping jaws by mere inches. Her teeth grazed my arm, sending a stinging sensation through my skin. I winced but I kept moving, trying to create some distance between us.
The wolf was relentless, her attacks coming with so much speed and fury. She lunged at me, her claws swiping through the air and I leaped back. I tried to dodge again but she was too quick, her claws raked across my chest, tearing my skin and leaving me bleeding.
I cried out, pain searing through me, but I refused to give up. I tried to counterattack, swinging my fist at her, but she was too strong and she knocked me to the ground with a swipe of her paw.
The metallic taste of blood, stained my tongue as I scrambled to my feet, desperate to escape, but she was on me again, her teeth snapping mere inches away from my face. I thought it was all over for me, but then there was a thunderous growl.
"ENOUGH!" A strong masculine voice boomed across the arena.
The cheering crowd suddenly fell quiet, their voices stifled as they parted to make way for him. Alpha Jordyn?
His presence was like a storm cloud, dark and foreboding, I lay there, catching my breath and wincing from the pain inflicted on me.
Alpha Jordyn's eyes were bloodshot, his gaze burned with intensity as he stared down at me. The veins on his head were almost popping out of his skin.
Was he angry? The air was thick with tension, choking everyone in the arena.
His hazel eyes slowly moved from my bloody body to the wolf on top of me. I saw him grit his teeth, his jaw clench before growling, "I'll crush you."
The wolf whimpered in fright, her tail hid between her legs as she cowered. Without wasting another second, she skedaddled away into the crowd.
Alpha Jordyn walked up to me, his every step commanding submission as his chest heaved in obvious anger.
"Enough training for today," His voice roared, dismissing everyone in the arena.
He knelt on one knee beside me, his gaze piercing as he stared straight into my eyes. He didn't say anything but his eyes spoke volumes.
I stared back at him as I struggled to sit up. The pain in my chest radiated outward, a reminder of the wolf's attack. Every breath felt like a knife stabbing into my lungs.
Without warning, he scooped me up, sweeping me off the ground. The sudden movement made my muscles scream in protest. I gasped from the pain, gritting my teeth to stifle a cry.
He must have seen the pain etched on my face because his grip immediately softened.
He silently carried me out of the arena, leaving the crowd stunned and curious.
I couldn't help but think, 'Oh.. how I had dreaded crossing paths with him in the pack house. But the unwanted encounter just saved my life.