Rejection Denied
Paired

“Are you sure?” I asked Cay as I paced the small recovery room. “Because I can stay if you need me to.”

He sat up from his bed and pushed the hair from his face. “For the tenth time, Ave, I’m fine.” He chuckled and held his right hand up, rotating his wrist. “Look, I’m all healed up. Now hurry along, so you can hurry back.”

“Fine. Alright.” I walked to the door and turned the handle. “But first, I’m going to find that bitch ass nurse. You were supposed to have breakfast ten minutes ago.”

“Aviry, please don’t—”

SLAM!

I slammed the door behind me and searched the hall for Nurse Kelly. I need to release some of my pent-up energy from last night’s fight. The rogue was locked away in a cell, and instead of paying him a visit. I stayed by Cay’s side while he recovered.

We don’t know how they got so close to Nix’s territory or why they attacked. But when I have some free time, I’ll be sure to drop in, beat ass, and then ask questions.

I peeked into a few rooms, but Kelly seems to sense her impending doom because I can’t find her. A door opened on my left, and Jamie stepped out into the hallway holding an empty tray.

“Oh, it’s you. I’m so glad I ran into you. I have something to tell—”

I held my hand up. “Not now, write it down and mail it to me.” I was about to walk away, but Jamie slid in front of me. I raised a brow and crossed my arms.

“Please, it can’t wait. And I can’t tell you..” She looked around the empty hallway and whispered. “ I can’t tell you here. People may hear us, so we need to go somewhere private.”

I rolled my eyes, “Damn it, Jamie. You have two minutes.” She opened the door to the room beside us, and we stepped in. I shut it and leaned against it. “Well, go ahead.”

“Ok, so you know I work here, right? Well duh, of course you do, because you see me every day. Well, not every day. You weren’t in your room this morning. But then again, you see me working—”

I sighed, “You just lost thirty seconds.”

“Woah, ok, sorry. Anyways, I was down in the laundry room last night, right. You know, doing my job, not eavesdropping, I would never do that. But it happens, you see the vents can sometimes carry conversations, and I try not to listen but—”

“Jamie, you have less than a minute.” I rolled my neck to the side and crossed my arms.

“Wow, where did the time go, ha-ha. Ok, so as I was loading the washer, and reached up to grab the detergent. And from the vent above the washer, I heard a very alarming conversation regarding you Aviry.”

I shrugged, “That’s’ nothing new. People talk about me all the time.”

“No, you... you don’t get it.” Jamie lowered her voice, “They were talking about—” Jamie cut her hand across her throat, pointed at me, and wriggled her brows.

“What?” I asked, confused by her hand gestures.

“Tsk, they were talking about killing you, Aviry.” Jamie whispered. “And, whoever was speaking was adamant about it happening last night. I definitely know it was an older guy with a nasty cough. But that’s the only detail. I would say let’s, tell Nixon.”

Jamie wiped her brow. “But look, you’re fine. Phew, so I’m sure it was a mistake on my part. You know I tend to jumble up words, and it just creates a mess for—”

I turned and opened the door. “Time’s up. Thanks for the info.” I shut the door behind me and walked briskly down the hall.

“Did you hear that, Mia?” I turned to the right and walked down the flight of stairs.

“I can definitely hear the horse of death galloping to aid you.” Mia sighed, “But, I’m sure the attack last night was random. Although, if it wasn’t—”

“Then someone just certified their death.” I reached the bottom of the stairs and walked toward the small auditorium where the meeting was being held. “We just need to find an older man with a cough.”

“Aviry, that’s a vague detail.” Mia huffed, “There are a lot of older men here. Are you going to attack each cougher?”

“Hell yeah.” I reached for the door and turned the handle.

“No, we are going to do this without stirring up problems. No random attacks on the innocent Aviry.” Mia snapped. “When the suspect sees that you’re alive. His heart rate should jump. We’ll just need to keep our ears open.”

“That’s a dumb way to search for someone who tried to kill me. If he’s old, it could be a heart attack.” I scoffed. “But fine, we’ll seek your way and capture the bastard my way.”

I walked into the filled room, interrupting Alpha Kane. The audience turned to face me, a few of them shrank back in their chairs.

Kane cleared his throat and looked over to see a face-palming Nixon. “Psst Aviry.” Izzy waved me over, patting a seat beside her. I nosily walked down the aisle grinning at Nixon as he shook his head.

“Good morning; it’s so nice of you to join us, Aviry.” Alpha Kane said through the mic.

“It is, isn’t it,” I said, sliding past Izzy. “I reached under my pillow and found a fuck to give. So, here I am.” I shrugged and sat down. “You’re welcome.”

“Yes, well, back to what I was saying. After speaking with both Alpha Nixon and Orion, we have decided to remove Kasey Jones from the competition.” The crowd murmured and looked to each other. Damn, the girl didn’t even get a chance to take up for herself.

“But we have someone to take her place,” Alpha Kane continued, “Jordan Lenox will compete as Orion’s champion.” The conversation in the room got louder.

Izzy leaned over, “Isn’t she mated?” She asked me.

I shrugged, “Who the hell cares. Kasey wouldn’t have a chance in this. I would much rather beat in Jordan’s face.”

THUMP THUMP THUMP

Kane tapped the mic, “Please settle. Yes, I know, Ms. Lenox is a Chosen mate to Alpha Orion. But I have been informed that the mating process is incomplete. Therefore, Jordan meets the requirements to compete. Now, let’s continue.” Kane cleared his throat.

“Do you think he might cough?” I asked Mia. She growled and turned away.

“We all know the first round of the event will be held this afternoon. So Alpha Sam will pair up our champions at random. There will be no objections or switching opponents. Now please welcome Alpha Sam to the stage.” Kane stepped back from the mic as the crowd clapped.

Sam made his way to the stage and stood beside Kane. “Thanks.” He took the mic in his hand and looked over at our row. “You ladies will pick a number one through 4 from my hat. That number will represent your round and your partner.”

He pulled his hat, turning it upside down. Kane added in a few pieces of paper and stepped off the stage. “Now, Imma pass my hat down the aisle. Don’t bend my shit. Izzy tell’em what I said once more.”

“Don’t bend his shit.” Izzy proudly parroted. “That hat there belonged to my alphas daddy and his granddaddy. It’s a lucky hat.”

Alpha Sam smiled, “It sure is.” He stepped off the stage and passed the hat to Izzy. “Now, I want you all to take one piece of paper. Do not look at your number, am I clear.”

Izzy reached in, closing her hand around the paper. She passed down the old, smelly leather to me. I took my piece and gave the hat to Cory to continue down the line.

Sam went over the event rules once more, and when the last champion grabbed the final piece, she returned the hat to Sam.

“Good, now that we’re all clear. When I say so, open your paper. But don’t share your number.” Sam dusted off his hat and ran up to the stage. “Ok, open your papers.”

I unfolded the small paper. “1,” I smiled and crumpled up my golden ticket. So, I get round one, perfect I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, bless me with Jordan as my opponent. I looked down to see each champion looking at each other.

“Alright, when I call your name, please stand and tell me your number,” Sam said, holding a notepad and a pencil. “Izzy…”

Izzy-4

Heather-3

Shelby-2

Ok, four names left. I played with my finger and bit the inside of my cheek. This is great; my chances of being paired with Jordan or Nova are looking good. Either one is fine, just hurry up and read the damn name, Sam.

“Cory,” Sam called.

“Number two.” Cory tossed her paper on the ground and looked over at Alpha Don’s champion. I looked ahead to see his reaction, but Kane and Nixon were the only two alphas in attendance.

“Alright, round two will be between Corrine Gilbert and Shelby Young. I’ll be sure to inform your alphas.” Sam looked up and counted, “Four names left. Let’s see…how about Jordan Lenox.”

“Four.” She sighed.

“Damn it!” I cursed out loud and rolled my eyes.

Jordan looked over at me and smirked, “Not who I wanted either, but she’ll have to do for now.”

“Mmmk, round four will be Jordan Lenox and my Izzy...I mean, Isabel Welch. Next is, big mouth…I mean Nova Heart.”

Nova stood and looked over at Jordan. She held her paper high in the air and waved it like a flag.

“Well, Alpha Sam. I am proud to announce that I will be—”

“We just need the number, Hun. Hurry, we don’t have all day,” Izzy said picking at her nails.

Nova shot her head over and glared at Izzy. “What does it matter to you. Jordan is going to win your round. Alpha Sam, might as well—”

Sam growled, “Nova! Jump the hell off your high horse and focus! Now damn it, girl, tell me your number.”

“I’m sorry, Alpha. My number is one—”

“YEAH!!!!” I jumped from my chair and held my middle finger in the air. “Fuck yeah, whoo! I mean damn, I wish it was you Jordan, but I’ll settle on dumb ass number—”

“I take it your number one as well, then Aviry.” Sam laughed and scribbled on his notepad.

“NOOOO!” Nova shouted. Here we go with this shit again. “No, no, no. This isn’t right.” Nova stomped her foot and looked over at me. “Check her paper. She’s lying—”

“NOVA!!” Alpha Kane roared.

Nova bowed her head, “I apologize, but I just don’t think this is fair. I’m at a disadvantage. I’m not prepared to fight an “alpha” if that’s what you want to call her. So how am I supposed to fight an alpha who’s also a dire wolf.” Nova looked up with tear-filled eyes.

“Dire wolf?” Jordan asked, confused. She looked over at me with narrowed eyes. “The last one died off a long time ago. Are you sure she’s—?

“YES!” Nova shouted. “I saw it. We all saw it. She is, and this isn’t—”

“This is a human combat event, Ms. Heart.” Nixon stood and crossed his arms. “Aviry’s status as a dire wolf will not affect the fight. And unless you’re challenging her title, I don’t see a problem. The competition is for the best of the best. Now take your seat and prove your worth, or disqualify yourself and save everyone a headache.”

Nova growled and sat. “Ha ha, Way to go, Nixon.” Sam laughed, “Now back to event rounds. The final pair is, well shit, you know who you are. Brittney and Heather will fight in match three. Aviry and Nova, take some time to prepare yourselves because the first round will start in two hours.” Sam tipped his hat.

“See you then.”

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