The Alpha Who Melts The Ice

Chapter 8

Grayson

The new guy stepped in the ring. Much to my horror, from the other side of the ring, my little mate stepped in. She looked past her opponent and out eyes met, and then she looked at Adam who was standing beside me. For some reason, Adam nodded as if they are mind linking which did not help at all as my wolf is starting to emerge. 

"Gray, do you want to step out? If you are staying, you need to keep it cool, got it? We're spectators here. We cannot interfere, or else it will be disrespectful. Do not disrespect your mate." 

Shawn went to the opponent's side. "We will keep this short. Here are the rules: Game ends when you get leashed. You win if you knock her down once or pin her  As Handicap, you are not allowed to shift. You are not allowed to pull punches, unless you want to show up on your date with your face rearranged. Official combat rules don't apply and you may choose your weapon.  Understood?" Big guy eyed Les as if to mock her said "No need for a weapon" The older warriors around resumed snickering like it was a bad idea. "If you're sure, go get wrapped".

Shawn walked back to Les. She was clearly getting some coaching as she was occasionally nodding her head but her eyes are trained on her opponent. She was informed that he was not going to use any weapons and her face turned scary dark.

I can feel anger, but I know it's not mine, but my mates. I felt like I have been insulted and infuriated. But as soon as it came, it went away. 

I saw Les strap the collar thingy to her thigh, so I asked Andrew what that contraption is.

"That's a practice rogue collar. We use those to capture rogues. The real one has can shock and inject wolfsbane in the blood, enough to knock down those suckers so we can take them into custody. Les' invention"

Colin came in just then to check on the training. His eyes landed on the ring and shook his head as id he's disappointed. "Andrew, who's the big guy?"

"He's a new recruit. His mate is from here."

"Specialty?"

"Stand up. Boxer." That explains why he did not pick up a weapon.

"Ground skill?"

"Sloppy at best"

Colin looked relieved and snorted. At this time, money started to come out. Clay, Colin's Gamma jogged over with a clipboard. "Alpha, odds are at 5 to 1 for Les. Want in?"

I was surprised with his response. "Pass. I won't make money like that." Then he turned his attention to me. "Grayson, try not to blink."

Celestine

The new guy was not using a weapon, probably thought it's not necessary with me. It irritates me that he is already underestimating me. I was originally thinking of using a knife but changed my mind.

Shawn called me to attention. "Princess, focus. Make it quick. You have to fight smart. I'm not going to give you your opponents stats, you already know what to do. I am only giving you 30 secs to a minute, tops to size him up. Warning tap will be 10 secs before your 3 minutes are up." I just nodded as my mouthpiece is already in. "Imagine him trying to take you in. He's not a packmate in this ring. He's someone who is going to get you and take you away. You get leashed, you're dead. You get knocked out, you're dead. No one can save you this time because you're all alone."

That's all what I needed. I had to go to that dark, dark place to tune out everything. I am not in the ring, I look at the new guy, but this time I am seeing His face - the Devil. This time I am stronger. He cannot take me anymore. He cannot hurt me anymore.

My opponent is a good 6 feet, probably 2 inches above that even, all muscle. Something weird about his stance. Ah, SOUTHPAW. I change my stance to match his. Damn ! A lefty? It's tough to  fight those. I adjusted my brass knuckles on my left hand for a better grip.. He's bigger but he looks untrained. He's swaying side to side, upper body tucked in a defensive stance. I have to figure out how fast this guy's fists are so I have to keep my distance.

I stepped to make sure I am in the center of the ring. I can tell from my peripheral that I have room to move. I just have to figure the timing. His stance is low, so therefore, I cannot just sweep his leg. HIs footwork looks solid, so I concentrate on his upper body. 

All I needed was for him to throw just one punch so I can gauge his speed and reach. I can see every muscle as he moves. I saw it coming, a 1-2-combo. This guy is fast! I have to be careful!

I run backwards so he doesn't hit me, and I circle around so I am still at the center of the ring. He makes another move and I know the match is over.

All the years of practice and training are woven in every fiber of my body. He moved in to throw a left straight and as soon as he's fully extended and the impact did not land, I move in, brass knuckle to the side of his face. He staggers backwards. I know I busted his face up. He was cursing expletives. Dammit, I missed my chance with the collar.

He started to throw wild punches. His form is off. His anger is getting the best of him, but I cannot be reckless or else I'm going to be thrown. He got a blow in my midsection I went down to my knees. I rolled away to the side and saw that he is hot on my tail. If this was a human opponent, I can wait until he gets tired, but this is a wolf. We could be at it for hours and his energy will not be depleted. It would be a total disadvantage on my end if I draw this out.

he throws another straight and as much speed as I can muster I disengaged the belt, went in for a clinch and by some miracle was able to whip the leash around his neck. It would end up clasped as it is extremely magnetic then raised my hands signaling it's done.

He hasn't even realized he's been leashed when he pushed me and went for a blow. I tried to defend but it's too much my knees buckled by itself and before I blacked out, chaos ensued.