Chapter 19
1147 Words
Aria
I felt the very air around us freeze, the entire space went silent, all I could hear was the sound of my heavy breathing.
A small gasp came from behind me, followed by silent whispers,
“She’s crazy”
“Is she serious?” another whispered
“I doubt” one snickered, “She’s likely seeking attention” the same voice sneered.
I ignored the voices focusing solely on Stanley, his eyes went from shock to disgust then irritation, “Go find some toys to play with Princess, I have no interest in entertaining you” he scoffed
“I'm not playing games, I'm challenging you to a duel” I insisted stubbornly, he stood then closed the distance between us.
He lowered his face to face mine at the same level, “I don't bluff princess, and I have no interest in getting pummeled by Alpha all for the sake of your curiosity" he sneered
“This has nothing to do with Cain” I replied, someone gasped, “She just called Prez by his name”
”She’s his blood bound, she can”
“she doesn't deserve the position"
My fingers curled rightly, forcing myself steady I maintained the eye contact with Stanley
He chuckled, then laughter rumbled through his chest, “You’ve got guts princess” he paused then continued, “But even if I do decide to entertain you, what do I gain from it?'“
I scoffed, “All I hear are excuses from a coward, all that talk and you’re scared of facing me? Thought feral rogues settled issues on the field? What do you say we settle?” my voice dripped with sarcasm as i recalled all mika had told me concerning their clubhouse or rather pack.
A person could not refuse a challenge, especially if there was an irreconcilable difference, after all strength ruled here.
His jaw tightened, “I won't go easy on you princess, if I’m afraid of anything its watching you snap between my fingers, cause thats how easy it'd be to end you”
“Let me be the judge of that. Of course you can always forfeit now, I don't mind, it just proves my point, coward,” I mocked.
His face turned blue then red, probably from anger, veins bulged at the tip of his forehead, he closed his eyes, “Fine. Since you're eager to die so soon, I’ll have lots of fun fulfilling your wishes” with that he stormed away
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, I finally noticed that the crowd had doubled, and I stood at the center of it all,
“Stanley will destroy her”
“he’s one of the strongest after Mika and Jax”
“She has it coming” they continued their not so discreet whispers, my heart pounded the more I listened to them.
Looking around my eyes found Mika, she looked at me with a complicated expression, like she was trying to figure me out.
“Come” she motioned to me, I followed her without waiting for her to say it twice, anything to get out of here.
I caught mia grinning at me from the corner of my eyes, I could feel a small smile make its way to my lips, at least there was someone here that didnt think I would get crushed totally,
‘You would,’ a voice whispered at the back of my head.
Sigh, from one problem to another, when would this end.
Mika led me through a flight of stairs, “that’s the main hall” she said without looking back, I took it in, it was a large open space with high ceilings, a roaring fireplace, worn leather chairs
“The pack gathers here to eat or just relax” she interrupted my thoughts, I nodded, that explains alot, then we continued.
“Members’ rooms” she pointed towards a walkway that overlooked the main hall, doors lined the upper level, along with small lounges, “the garage is way below, you should know what that is?”
“yeah” she led me towards a corner, opened a door, “This is the training room,”
“everyone fits in here” I blurted out, genuinely curious
“Theres a training ground for most members, this space is more restricted" she replied calmly.
“That makes more sense,” I mumbled to myself
She led me to a much higher space, “The inner circle stay on the up floor, Bones, Ghost, Stanley, Me, Jax, then Prez gets the last floor, which is where you'll be staying”
My heart sank, “I’ll be staying in the space as Cain,”
She looked at me like I just said something ridiculous, “if not?”
Words failed me, I just followed her, unable to stop my racing thoughts, ‘what the heck, no one told about any of this’ I screamed internally.
When we got to the last floor, she opened a door, I walked in, feeling the warmth in the room, with dim lighting, a queen sized bed at the center, a huge wolf head portrait above it, the same one at the back of their leather jackets, I’m guessing it to be their symbol.
It had a small balcony that overlooked the forest, with a table and mirror, simple and cozy, better than anything I ever had at Theron’s castle.
“settle in princess” she turned to leave.
“wait”
She faced me, “yes?”
“you don't have anything to say?” I wondered, suddenly feeling nervous
“About?”
“The challenge.” My voice was quiet.
She chuckled, “I only wonder if you’re brave or stupid”
My face fell, “he keeps insulting me,” I mumbled,
“You’re weak.” she pointed out,
“thanks I didn’t know” i grumbled
“you’re welcome”
My jaw nearly dropped, is it just me or does she not understand sarcasm?
“The deed has already been done, just think of how not to die, I'd hate to see Prez turn the club upside down for you. Rest up princess, you’ll be informed of the day of your fight”
I slumped on the bed, the weight of my choice finally set in, s**t, I'm screwed, utterly and terribly screwed.
I don’t even know the first thing about a duel, “use your head Aria, must you be such an i***t, you could have resolved this in another way, a duel? Really?” sweat poured down my body drenching the sheets beneath me.
She sighed, “you’re one funny feisty thing”
I shrugged, “you can’t blame me for following your advice, you're the one that said i had to earn my respect here”
- Writer
