Part of me meant what I'd said and yet part of me regretted falling into Rhoda's jeers. I bit my lip as soon as I realized what I'd gotten myself into.
"Shit!" I cursed, encouraged by the applause and looks of awe among the crowd. I knew I couldn't back down even if I had the chance. Boy would Grandma Charlotte be mad at me!
Nodding my head to ease my tension, I balled my hands into a loose fist.
"Come on, you can do this," I reaffirmed to myself. I was scared as hell not because I thought Rhoda stood a chance against me but because I knew my skills were much more sophisticated than hers, I was once marked by an Alpha so apart from my Luna qualities I was pretty much powerful.
A loud whistle announced the beginning of the match, Rhoda rolled up her sleeves, her legs slightly set apart so that her knees were facing the direction of her feet.
Taking a step further, I was caught off guard when Rhoda leaped in the air towards me causing me to almost lose my balance. I was quick to dodge and she landed face flat sending the crowd roaring.
If it had been under other circumstances I would have beaten her to my satisfaction but I knew I couldn't afford to raise suspicion, I had to be gentle on her, the thought of being gentle on Rhoda brought a smirk to my lips.
Rhoda scowled at me. "You bitch!" She spat, her left cheek smeared with sand.
Her first strike against me proved she was going to shower me with a lot of unexpected punches and so I decided to tackle her at the same time avoiding any punches on my stomach.
We were at close range when I gave her an uppercut punch that sent her staggering, I could hear Nicole's high-pitched cheers. Within the brief moment Rhoda was using to regain her composure I winked at Nicole before facing my opponent.
I had to admit Rhoda was a strong fighter, for an Omega her skills were quite impressive. No wonder Mason had recruited her to fight alongside.
The punch seemed to really put Rhoda off balance and so I let my eyes roam the crowd. How come I hadn't seen Mason I wondered. Scanning the first column, my eyes were about to check the next when I heard a huge gasp from the audience, my eyes widened at the sight in front of me...
Rhoda had shifted shapes and was now in her Wolf form, I could feel my blood boil as my heart thumped heavily. I was only a step from changing into my Wolf. If I changed into my Wolf I knew all hell would let loose, the size of my Wolfe was enough to give me away yet I couldn't help
Raising her front paws in the air, she lunged directly at me, her mouth set apart showing her sharp canine as she snarled. Moving to the left I just about missed her paws from landing on my face, I moved quickly and landed with my back on the ground, Rhoda only a few feet away from where I lay. My claws were out and I was still struggling to not shift shape when Rhoda walked slowly to where I lay, her Wolf eyes seething with the same rage her human eyes carried.
She seemed to circle where I partially lay on the ground, my breaths were now heavy, and was beginning to feel the fatigue from the fight, I wasn't usually this tired, it had to be the pregnancy.
"You're going to regret today for a long time lassie" Rhoda chuckled. I could only pant while I watched her closely.
"I'll use you to teach others a lesson. And trust me no one would be able to save you from me " She continued to jeer. The crowd had gone silent, they all watched expectantly.
After circling me for some time, she moved slowly to where I was...
"Enough!" Voice so cold cut through the air, halting Rhoda as she stopped right on her track. It was Mason and once again he managed to save me. Rhoda stopped midway and turned to face him.
"Why? It's barely even over" Rhoda said, she was now transforming into her human form. She stared at him coldly.
"Right, you should be glad I'm calling this off since you've managed to bend the rules without anyone calling you to others" Mason was now close to her, his eyes burning with fury as he spoke.
"You're embarrassing me " she hissed, her eyes in slits, referring to all the pack eyes that were on them.
"You shifted without telling her and attacked her without her shifting. My pack, my rules buddy, " Mason said, poking her chest.
Giving me one last glance, she eyed me slowly before marching away.
Mason was now facing me, I imagined what he thought of me now and then I decided to stop imagining.
"You, wait behind," he said without so much as sparing me a glance before leaving to cancel other matches.
Before I could say anything my grandmother was beside me and as usual narrating he'd tell if dragging attention to myself instead of avoiding them when Mason passed again flashing me a look that said "Now".
I could feel goosebumps spread on my arms and the back of my neck.
"What have you done ?" I asked myself mentally while I trailed behind him. We stopped at a garden not too far from the training ground.
"You've got nice moves. A good fighter. What genes?" A limp smile was on his face.
" Both parents are Betas," I said, avoiding his eyes.
" Well, that's good. Those are genes to die for " he sounded a bit accusing but I decided to ignore his tone. Maybe I was just imagining.
Looking around the garden I tried to distract myself with the view which would have been pleasant on any other day but today. I could feel his burning gaze on my back coupled with the thick cloak of tension that was covering the room.
"You see, you're very competitive. I'm not sure you know it. Because why else would you get into a fight with Rhoda of all people in your condition?" His blue eyes gawked on me suspiciously, staring deep into my soul as if he had uncovered the little of mine.
I gulped, batting my long lashes together, by 'condition' what does he mean... Was he perhaps talking about... I was still lost in my thoughts when he cut me off.
"How many months along are you?" His voice cut through the atmosphere, breaking the awkward silence that existed be
tween us. At this point, my heart beat accelerated as I looked away, finding it difficult to breathe.
He didn't know, did he?