Underground

Stacey.

The sound of fists hitting flesh and loud cheers greeted us as we entered the underground arena. It smelled of blood, sweat and wet fur. Wolves stood all around the fighting ring, cheering and booing simultaneously. As we settled on the spot reserved for ranked wolves, Alpha Liam’s lips moved close to my ear. 

“This is the den,” he told me. I had heard of the existence of this place but never set foot there. “My wolves earn respect and settle scores here.”

I tried to act like this was normal, okay, but I did not like it one bit. A place built just for violence. I didn’t think violence was a solution to problems. It was only supposed to be used in extreme situations. As I watched the two fighters in the ring beat each other to a pulp, I winced. They were more brutal than I had imagined. 

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked. I was pretty sure he could tell I was not one for violence. I did not belong here.

His hand sought mine. He leaned over. “You’re going to be my Luna. You need to see what kind of people I rule over. You’ve seen the nice and soft ones. Now it’s time to see real wolves in action. I want you to learn how to stand tall among them.”

“What if I can’t do that?” I asked. These people were rowdy and unruly. Most of the fans were sporting dark clothing, piercings and weird hairstyles. They looked like the kind of people I had always tried to avoid.

“You will. I’ll make sure no one touches you.”

That was reassuring. I’d never felt more safe than I did in that moment. Being next to the alpha made me feel untouchable. Who would dare to touch the Alpha’s chosen one? 

I could feel the stares from people in the crowd and suspected some of them were talking about me. Maybe they were wondering why the moon would chose me for Alpha Liam. Even I hadn’t stopped thinking about that.

Just then, Alpha Liam’s phone rang. He unlocked it and stared at the screen.  His jaw clenched.

“Is something the matter?” I asked, looking over at him.

He nodded. “Border patrol picked up a rogue scent near the lake. Multiple rogues. I have to go and check it out. Don’t move from here.”

I looked around. There was no one else on the ranked members seats. I didn’t know whether to be relived or scared. I focused on the fight.

“Hey!”

I turned. A tall blonde was staring at me. Her forehead and arms were glistening with sweat. A long-jagged scar ran along her thigh. She wore a black tank top and hot pants of the same color. I watched as she climbed over the barrier that separated ranked members from the ordinary people before stalking towards me.

“Didn’t think the alpha liked soft girls,” she remarked, staring me up and down. “I guess he needs a pet to play with.”

“And you are?” I asked, acting like I was not scared of her. She was bigger and taller than me. If we fought, she could take me down with a finger.

“Call me Arlette. I’m Liam’s ex and the reigning champion here. I’m someone you shouldn’t mess with.”

“I’d rather not start anything,” I said. “I don’t want any trouble.”

She chuckled and walked over to me. Suddenly, she grabbed loose hair from my ponytail. “But I do. I want to give you a little something that will remind you of me whenever you’re together.”

I screamed when she tried to pull me up with my hair. To ease the pain, I stood up. She glared at me with her light grey eyes.

“You want to be Luna, right?” She asked. “You’ve got to prove that you’re more than just a pretty face.”

“I’m not fighting you,” I said. That would be a suicide mission. Only a fool would try to fight a champion.

She laughed and raised a fist. I closed my eyes but waited for the impact in vain.

All I heard was a growl, followed by a loud thud. I opened my eyes to see Arlette on writhing on the floor. The watchers were no longer looking at the ring. All eyes were on us.

Caleb was standing in front of me.

“You touch her again,” he told Arlette. “And I’ll rip your throat out.”

I heard gasps from the crowd. Arlette got up and started walking away as the crowd booed. 

“Are you hurt?” Caleb asked me. He looked concerned. His voice wasn’t cold like before. It was warm, almost affectionate. Or maybe I was just reading too much into it.

“I’m okay,” I told him. I was now even better that I had seen him. I felt something stirring in me again.

“Liam shouldn’t have left you alone. He knows what people here are like. You’re not like them.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “I need to get used to them if I’m going to be Luna anyway.”

He sighed. “Right.”

“Come on,” he said, taking my hand. It was like current zapped me. I pulled my hand away and stared at me with wide eyes. 

“What was that?”

“What was what?” he asked. Didn’t he feel it too?

“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head. I couldn’t tell him that I was desiring him. “Let’s go.”

He didn’t say anything. He just watched me with his intense eyes. I was about to look away when he spoke.

“You cannot run away forever,” he said. “The Luna cannot be weak. You have to learn to face these people.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you want, I can train you how to fight.”

What? 

Training with him meant being in proximity for extended periods of time. Did I really want that?

I looked into his eyes. They had darkened. There was something in them. Maybe, just maybe, he wanted me as much as I wanted him.

“Yes, or no?” he asked.

Before I could reply, another voice spoke as hands circled around my waist.

“What are you doing with my woman?”