Rejection Denied
Awake

Aviry

I woke up, my body lying on the softest cloud ever. I feel well-rested and amazing. Stretching my body and snuggling closer into the cloud, I realized something.

I don’t own a pillow and never wake up without back pain. Something is not right. I shot up and looked around my surroundings, immediately on guard. This is definitely not my place.

The walls were a soft yellow, and there was a chandelier with red dangly things hanging above my head. The bed I was laying on was immense, adorned with red and cream-colored bedding. I removed the blanket to find I was wearing a red nightgown that stopped right above my knee.

“What in the actual fuck? Did I sleep with a prince or something? Where am I?”

I jumped off the bed, and my feet landed on the soft carpet. There were three doors—one in the front, another on the left, and lastly on the right. I went for the left door; first. It opened up to a large bathroom, decorated in the same colors as the bedroom. There were both a walk-in shower and a large tub. Twin sinks that were somehow built into the flat counter and slightly curved into the drain. Those fancy hand towels folded neatly in a basket, and an actual mirror hung the wall.

I stepped back inside the room and walked to the door in the front. I wiggled the handle and found that it was locked from the outside. I walked to the door on the right to find an empty walk-in closet that was bigger than my apartment.

“Where am I.” I ran back to the locked door.

BANG BANG BANG!!

“HELLO!!! OPEN THE DOOR!” I shouted.

BANG BANG BANG!!

“OPEN THE DOOR, WHERE AM I!!”

BANG BANG BANG!!

I swear I heard an exasperated sigh from the other side.

“I know you’re out there! Open the door, and I’ll consider making your death painless.” I yelled. I kicked the door, only to jump back in pain. “Oww.” I yelped.

“Aviry, please listen to what I have to say. I’ll open the door only if you promise to listen.” A familiar voice said through the door. “I just want to talk. I’m—”

“Tanner?” BANG!

Now I remember what happened. Tanner must’ve drugged me last night and brought me here. If his fate was to die at an old age, that’s about to change.

“Tanner, listen, there’s only one way out of this. That being your death, let me out so we can end this.”

“I was afraid you would say that and mean it without a doubt. That’s why I locked you in the room, so you would hear me out.”

“And if I hear you out, then will you let me out. Will pay you for my undivided attention with your life without a fight?” I heard a deep chuckle from the other side of the door, too deep for Tanner’s voice.

“Who the fuck else is here? Should I just burn down the entire building with everyone trapped inside?”

BANG! “Let me out!” I shouted.

BANG! I took a few steps back and ran toward the door, hitting my shoulder against it. “Oww!”

I felt like a trapped animal, and although the room was large. I was becoming claustrophobic, and my breathing began to pick up. “Let me out! Let me out! Let me out!” I shouted. I started pounding on the door with my fist.

“Aviry, please calm down.” Tanner pleaded.

“WHAAAT! What do you want, Tanner?!” I shouted. “You want me to listen, fine! I’m listening, just open the door!” There was silence, and then a gentle click of a lock.

I turned the handle of the door and pulled it open. I was met with a grim-looking tanner who slowly backed away against a wall.

“There you’re free now will—”

I shot across the short distance and swung my right fist across his jaw. I repeated with my left fist. I was going to strike again until I was pulled away and restrained. Thick muscles enclosed around my arms and pulled me into a chest, embracing me from behind. The individual must be tall because my feet were dangling in the air. Whoever this was, they were strong, and they smelled very nice.

Wait…what the fuck am I thinking these people kidnapped me.

“I think we can both agree that Tanner deserved that.” The deep sensual voice whispered into my ear. “I promise you the killing blow if we don’t like what he says. Trust me, I’m just as upset as you are.” His voice was oddly calming, and I slowly relaxed in his arms. I didn’t want to struggle or fight against him.

I fully relaxed my tense body, “Fine. Just let me go.” He gently places me on the floor, his arms around me. He pulled away slowly, brushing his fingers gently down my arms. I wanted to be embraced again, but I turned to face him instead. I felt my face growing red, realizing I was still in a thin nightgown.

Standing behind me was a very tall man, around 6’5. He was all muscle from his legs to the top of his shoulders. Arms corded with power, with a touch of sexy vein pop. He was wearing a tight fitted black tee and shorts. I looked up into his face, his sexy manly face. This man was a legit god…no more like GAWD!!

It’s hard to describe perfection because everyone has a type. But just know that this species of a male is my type. A robust body and sharp jawline. Plastic surgeon perfect nose, and juicy, delicious lips. A small scar underneath his bottom lip. His beautiful pale blue eyes were unraveling me from the inside. I wanted oh so badly to run my fingers through his thick, black hair that stops right above his ears.

“Fuck what is happening to me.” I wondered

“I’m not sure, Aviry. But I like it. And if I like it, you like it.” Mia said.

“Mia, glad to have you back.” I was relieved to have my inside voice back. I didn’t feel so alone anymore. Although, technically, I was still alone. In a house with strangers, that drugged and kidnapped me.

“I was always here; you just have to reach out to me. We need to get out of here.”

“I know, my initial plan was to kill Tanner—”

“Good plan, good plan.”

“Yeah, I know, but now we’ve got this Greek god to deal with too. I hate to say it, but we need to play this safe. We’ll listen to them and look for a way out.

“A better plan; the last thing we need is to be locked inside of a room again.” Mia agreed

“Aviry, this is Nix. He’s my…boss.” Tanner explained. “Let’s go downstairs, grab something to eat, and talk.” He handed me a bag. “Here, change into this.” I opened the bag and found a pair of black skinny jeans and a white shirt. Simple, just how I like it.

I changed and pulled my hair into a ponytail. After I found a toothbrush and washed my face. I was finished grooming. I left the bathroom and opened the door to the hall.

“Ready?” Tanner asked, pushing off the wall.

I silently nodded my head, and Tanner began walking down a brightly lit hall. I followed behind him, and Nix was behind me. The corridor stretched from left to right. Hardwood floors, white walls, and tables with flowerpots decorated the hall. Not many windows, there were some huge ones that we passed every so often, but I couldn’t look through them at the pace we were walking. We passed by a few more doors before we arrived at a staircase leading down.

“Were on the fourth floor, by the way, the dining hall is on the first,” Tanner said. “Maybe later I can give you a tour—”

“That won’t be necessary.” Nix interrupted. Ok, asshole, I wasn’t interested anyway.

Tanner sighed and continued down the staircase. We walked past the third floor, similar to the fourth floor, except for the pale blue walls.

“It’s pretty quiet for a place this large,” I said.

“Everyone has their jobs, there is a schedule that is followed. There are a lot more people here in the afternoon. But they have all been told to…” Nix cleared his throat. “For now, it’s just us here. Tanner has informed me of your tendencies to harm others. I would rather my people be safe.”

“Well, I guess a smart man is better than a dead man. Right, Tanner.” I laughed.

Nix chuckled beside me, which gave me a weird bubbly feeling inside. Tanner was mumbling something ahead of us.

We walked down the second flight of stairs, which led to an open space floor plan.

“Ooo, you guys have an actual tv, that thing is huge. Wait, is that a movie-style concession stand.” I walked away from my escorts, a little too excited. “You guys have an arcade room? Holy shit! I love air hockey; I haven’t played in a while, but…” But I stopped myself, realizing I was a victim and not sociable. But for some odd reason, I feel comfortable talking around these two, or maybe just Nix. Tanner still sucks.

“I mean, cool cool. Let’s go eat.” I rejoined my escorts. We began walking again, a shorter distance this time. We arrived at a grand divided into two by a single balcony overlooking the bottom floor. The front door was right there in front of me.

“I wouldn’t run if I was you. We have some massive dogs on guard, and they don’t know your scent. So, they’ll attack you on sight.” Nix whispered in my ear, causing shivers to run through my body.

“I’ll be walking out of here, peacefully. Well, as peacefully as possible for me. Besides, I can’t run on an empty stomach.” We continued walking, stepping on the tiled floor. This place is huge, easy to escape, get lost, and get captured again.

Tanner opened two enormous wooden doors, we walked through together. This room was more extensive than a school cafeteria. Twelve large wooden tables stretched across the room. There was a raised platform in the front of the room with a smaller table with five chairs overlooking the larger tables.

“Please have a seat, our food will be brought out soon.” Tanner sat in one of the five chairs, Nix pulled out the one in the middle, and I pulled one around to sit in front of both. I was sure to drag the chair across the floor, creating an irritating screeching sound. Nix narrowed his eyes at me, and Tanner shook his head slowly, looking down at the table.

“Ok, so start talking, Tanner. I have people to deal with today, you being one of them.” I crossed my arms, Glaring into Tanner’s soft green eyes.

“Aviry, let me start off by apologizing to you. I was just doing my job, and I was desperate. I wasn’t in a good state of mind. You could say another personality I have took control of me. Clouding my judgment of what was right and wrong.” Tanner stated apologetically. “And the way I pursued you was wrong. My job—”

“Is it your job to solicit women? To offer their managers payment like were on sale at a store?” Nix growled, staring at the side of Tanner’s head. I continued talking. “Is it your job to follow young women into a bar, buy them a drink, and later drug and kidnap them?” I shook my head and looked at Nix, his beautiful pale blue eyes staring back at me. “And if that is your job, which apparently it was since I’m sitting here. I can assume your boss here gave you that task. So that makes both of you—”

“TANNER WORKED BY HIMSELF!” Nix snarled, slamming his fist on the table. “He seemed to pick up a new occupation over the last three months. I had nothing to do with this.”

“Listen, I told you I was desperate Aviry, your not easy to talk to, and Nix, she’s everything you asked for,” Tanner explained.

“OHHH, so I was a gift for you, Nix.”

“No! Tanner was supposed to bring a willing participant, someone who met ALL the guidelines. And from what I can tell you, meet NONE OF THEM!!” He snarled. The look of hate and disgust etched into his face made me feel something different.

I was about to insult him when a small girl accompanied by another woman rolled in a cart with three covered plates.

They placed one each in front of us and uncovered the lids. I was immediately drooling at the food before me. Hot roast beef, seasoned vegetable, and rice with gravy. The small girl placed a basket of buttery rolls in front of us, along with a pitcher of water and glass cups.

“Please, enjoy your meal.” The older woman bowed and rolled the cart away with the young child in tow.

I didn’t hesitate to dig in. All thoughts of conversing were placed to the side. I grabbed a sizeable buttery roll taking a bit and moaning. “Mhmm, this is so warm and good.” I finished the roll in three more bites and dug into the roast beef. Everything was hot, seasoned, and delicious. I know I don’t eat ladylike, with my pinky up and all that. I don’t want salads and shit. So, did I care that these two assholes were staring at me like a beast being fed for the first time? Hell no.

“So, while you’re occupied, I’ll explain myself to you first, Aviry. I’m not going to sugar coat it, so brace yourself. Nix, if you’d please let me talk before you interrupt.” Tanner slowly took bites of his food, and I continued eating.

“We needed a champion, one that I knew would have a great chance of winning. When I saw you fighting, I knew you’d be perfect. You see, Nix sent me to find someone who could match his personality and fighting style. Strong, ruthless, murderous. We have a lot riding on this upcoming fight.”

“So why don’t one of you do it. Or get someone here to do it.” I questioned, my mouth full of rice—a few morsels falling from my mouth onto the table.

“The event is only for females, eight females to be exact. Our people are not strong enough. They aren’t built for this competition. When I found you, I couldn’t let you go. You’re not an easy person to communicate with, so I took you by force, and I do apo—”

“Stop apologizing; what’s in it for me,” I asked. I must admit now that Tanner explained himself, I was interested. I wanted to know more about this upcoming fight, full of intense competition. Women, with some venom in their veins, fighting with all their might.

“Wait, are you considering—”

“I’ll ask again, what’s in it for me. If I’m going to be putting other females’ lives on the line, I want to know what I’ll get from it.” I’m not worried about getting hurt. I’ve fought a plethora of females, none of them better than me. “What is it money, a worry-free life, hopefully, an air hockey table is included with whatever you offer.”

“Well, I mean, we can make that happen. Speaking of money, I put your winnings from last night under your bed.” Tanner rubbed his head. “There is one more thing, but you have to promise to listen and not freak the fuck out.”

“I promise no such thing.” I grabbed another roll.

“Tanner, NO! I don’t accept her. She can’t handle this.” Nix interjected.

“Don’t tell me what I can and can’t handle. And I don’t give a damn if you accept me or not. As a matter of fact.” I pointed my fork at him. “I left my give a fuck bag at home. So I have none to give about your opinion of me either.” I took another bite of my roll. Nix brows frowned at me as he stood from the table. “Tanner, continue, ignore your brooding boss.”

“Tanner, you will not!” Nix shouted.

“WHY NOT NIX!” I shouted, throwing my plate on the ground, glass, and flood splattering on the floor. My mood was shifting from neutral to violent. “He’s done his job, hasn’t he! Now I’m interested so let him explain it.!” I yelled, leaning across the table.

“You are not worth it; we will not risk you failing!” He shouted back, his eyes turning into a darker blue, anger seeping from his body. “You are weak, Tanner made a mistake, and I will not let him continue his fantasy of involving you in OUR affairs.” He crossed the short distance between the table and us.

“Al—Nix, I have a plan. Just hear me out.” Tanner pleaded slowly, standing from the table.

“If your plan involves this girl knowing the full details, forget it. It’s a waste of all our time. Especially mine, I have other things to do that are far more important.” Nix pointed at me, “Including going out to find an actual champion since you fucked that up.”

“LISTEN HEAR PAL!” I walked around the table. “Your champion is already here! I want in on whatever the hell is going on, and I want a goddamn air hockey table when I win this.” I shoved his rock hard chest. Honestly, I just need that and some cash, a shit load of money. Of course, I could buy my own hockey table with the money I won last night, but free is better. “Tanner continue—”

“YOU WILL OBEY!!” Nix roared, flipping the table and all its contents on the floor. I assume he’s trying to intimidate me, only he’s making me want to kiss him and fight him at the same time.

“Alpha, please calm yourself.” Tanner pleaded, backing away from the mess. Alpha, I wondered, maybe some pet name for his boss?

“CALM myself!? How am I supposed to stay CALM! First, this whole competition on top of leading my pack without you, Joel, is useless. Then I hope you would bring someone worthy back. And you bring HER!” Nix began panting and sweating. The room was growing hotter.

“Maybe you should go outside to breathe. Where’s Cay—”

“I don’t need him!” Nix growled, “I can control myself.”

If this was control, I wanted to see what out of control looked like.

“Well, Tanner, it seems that I may not be what your boss wanted.” I looked at Tanner.

“What—”

“Well, see, you said Nix here wanted someone who matches his personality, and quite frankly, I’m insulted. He seems tough, ruthless, maybe even intimidating…to you at least.” I rubbed my chin and examined a still seething Nix. “But all I see is a rich boy who’s use to getting what he wants.”

Nix’s jaw ticked, and his fist clenched together.

“All I see is a weak boy, in a macho man body. A cowardly bitch, afraid to take a risk.”

Nix roared and fell to his hands and knees.

“OH, I like you in this position—”

“Tanner! Get her out of here and find CAY!” Nix bellowed; his head tucked beneath his chest.

Tanner grabbed my arm and yanked me toward the door. “Aviry, let’s go. We have to run.”

“No, Tanner! Unlike him, I don’t run away from a challenge!” I turned back to Nix, who was shaking and sweating. “You want to see how much I can handle, huh Nix? I guess I’ll just have to beat your ass just to show you how WORTHY I AM!!”

“ROOOOARRR!!!” Nix bellowed, his head shot up his pale blue eyes, now black.

POP! CRACK! SNAP!

Nix’s bones were rearranging themselves, right in front of my eyes. First, his shoulders, then his back, his spine was shifting from left to right, up and down. His face was contorting, his teeth elongating. And his legs were breaking apart and coming back together. Long sharp claws pierced through his fingertips. Black hair was sprouting all over his body, which was growing larger.

I was stunned, fascinated, and terrified. This… creature was no longer a demi-god. No, the man that once stood before me turned into a very large fucking dog. I didn’t have time to think as it lunged for me. But before it reached me, Tanner pulled the beast into a chokehold and faced me.

“AVIRY RUN!!” he shouted. And you don’t have to tell this bitch twice.

I ran to the double doors, as snarls and furniture we’re being thrown behind me. I passed through the doors, right when a howl echoed through the building. I didn’t like the sound of it. I ran to the front entrance, opening the front doors, only to be met by two more large dogs that towered over me. Saliva was dripping from their large white fangs, both snarling viciously at me.

I slowly took a few steps back, keeping my eye’s on the wild animals.

“Nice doggies, I’m just trying to—”

The reddish-brown one snapped at me, while the dark brown one growled. They both stalked into the double doors, slowly matching each step I took back.

“Aviry, maybe assert yourself a bit, you know, show them who’s at the top of the food chain and all that.”

“Mia, are you crazy!? Do you not see the teeth and claws that are literally there to kill?” I questioned myself.

“I mean, at least we go down fighting.”

“Or we can try to find another way out, maybe through the back.”

“The second you turn to run, they’ll pounce on you.”

“Why do you think I’m walking backward slowly, huh? When we pass something heavy enough, we’ll throw it, distract them, and runoff.”

“Ooo, wow, good plan. You forgot to add the part when we’re torn to shreds after angering them even more than now.” Mia snapped at me.

Mia, I mean, I’m right. There’s no easy way to get out of this without dying. So, I’ll…fuck I don’t know what to do right now. So, there’s fight and die, run and die, submit and die, all of them end in my death.

I continued backing away until my back pressed against a wall of hair. I didn’t want to turn around, fearing what I would see. A-line of drool dripped and rolled down my shoulder. I shut my eyes tightly. My heart was pounding in my chest. I was preparing for the worst when a sharp needle was injected into my neck. And once again, I began to fall into darkness.

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