Chapter 22: Fight

My hands gripped the arm chair so tight my knuckles were white. I watched as the men circled each other. Logan sprang forward and punched Eric hard and fast. Eric's unhinged smile showed off his elongated canines and a bloody lip. His smile was creepy and calculated. He was trying to throw Logan off his game and from Logan's expression it was working. Logan lost his composure for the briefest of moments before plastering his game face back on. With his features schooled, he immediately went back in to circling Eric on the mat.

I watched a drop of blood from Eric's lip hit the ground. The blood had triggered something inside my mind. My heart started to accelerate and I felt sick to my stomach waiting for the next move. I closed my eyes briefly trying to calm myself down but when I opened them again my past came back to haunt me. The make shift ring was now surrounded by a large cage. The mat was gone and sand was all that was left underneath their sparring forms. I wiggled my toes and instead of the cool grass I could feel the hot sand moving. I focused around the cage and people stood while cheering as the men fought each other. "Rip his heart out! Take him down!", they screamed and laughed. I wanted to run before it was too late. I had to get out now.

A hand grasped ahold of mine and when I glanced down I saw James' fingers prying mine off the chair. "It's okay Little Wolf, they do this almost every day. No one will get hurt.", he reassured me. I shook my head clearing the fog from my head. His hand on mine grounded me to the present. James and Eric stared at each other and when James nodded Eric went in fast for the take down. They must have been speaking through their pack bond. I had not seen them do this yet, but perhaps it was out of respect.

I took a deep calming breath as my gaze went to the fighting men once again. My sanity needed this to end soon. Logan went down hard and Eric was behind him instantly. Eric's arms went around Logan's neck cutting off his air with a wicked choke hold. Logan grabbed for the other man's body but could not reach so he threw himself back on the mat trying to knock him off. He grabbed Eric's arms trying desperately to pry them away. Logan's face was turning red and as he slowed down he threw his hand on to the mat and tapped three times. Eric released his hold and got to his feet in victory. Logan gasped for air and let out a low vicious growl. Eric looked down at Logan and returned the growl before Logan spoke, "I know, I deserved that."

Eric took off his gloves and helped Logan to his feet. Logan stood up straight towing over Eric with a grimace. "We're even now, brother", Eric said as he clapped him on the back. Logan agreed with a laugh and took off his gloves. They put everything back where it came from inside the shed. Beth came out of the house with a tray of water and sat it down on a table by the pool. "Get over here boys and drink some water before you die of a heat stroke", she yelled out. The two men headed over to her with thanks and drank the water down.

James still sat in the chair next to me with his fingers now intertwined in mine. He examined my expression closely before speaking, "Are you okay?". I nodded and he continued, "I could teach you some moves tomorrow if you would like. We practice almost every day. We would never hurt you or each other. You do not have to be scared." I focused directly on to his eyes as I spoke, "I do not want to hurt you". He chuckled and responded, "You won't hurt me, silly! Besides it's good to know self defense.". He got up from the chair and headed over to where Beth stood with more water.

I let James believe I was just a normal girl. I did not correct him when his words hinted at the false idea I did not know how to fight. If he and the others thought I was just normal then I would keep it going for as long as possible. I, myself, wished for an average past and not the hell I was born from. Once they find out about me, this monster my pack created, they will surely send me away anyways. I'm dangerous and I deserve to be alone forever. I should enjoy the company of these handsome men for as long as possible, because soon I will be alone again.