Chapter 9: What a Waste

“You BITCH!”

Reyka’s snarl cut through the silence like a blade as she shifted. Her wolf was ferocious, just like her pack mates as she snarled, her teeth showcased like trophies.

Reyka pounced across the room, intent on Rain but was intercepted by Orion, who shifted just as fast, his new clothes shredded as he and Reyka collided in a burst of snarls.

In the collision, the large table filled with half-eaten but fresh food spilled onto the floor, the middle cracking as it tumbled to pieces.

Pack members wisely fled from the room, gasps as women took their younger ones out, covering them with their bodies.

Liana pursed her lips, unimpressed at the mess on the floor as Reyka and Orion snarled at one another, tumbling and breaking everything in sight as they wrestled one another.

Rain’s eyes, however, weren’t on the threat of the wolf attempting to kill her nor her mate defending her.

No, it was on the pile of delicious food now discarded on the floor.

Rain stared at the warm food, now grown cold, the half-eaten slices of bread and fresh fruits. It was all wasted.

Rain was used to trash. Had seen humans waste food that could’ve fed an army.

But not like this.

The amount of food lying on the floor could’ve fed her for a month at least. But now, it was just a waste.

For the first time since arriving at this truly god-forsaken hell called a pack, fury pounded in her blood.

She grits her teeth hard enough she thought her teeth might crack, clenching her fists so hard she hoped they could see her bleed.

If they had wanted to spit in her face, they had succeeded.

“ENOUGH!”

The scream rang loud enough to stop everything, including the fight.

Rain narrowed her eyes at the two wolves as they jumped apart, all eyes on her. She hadn’t realized at first that she had been the one to scream but it worked out nonetheless.

Orion whimpered at her cold eyes but Rain was far beyond caring.

She fumed as she stepped over the fallen food, looking Reyka’s wolf in the eye. Reyka snarled, showcasing her teeth but Rain simply sent her a disgusted look.

She was ashamed to have once thought this person to be beautiful.

“I accept your challenge.”

And with those cold words, barely above a whisper, Rain stormed back up the stairs, preparing for the fight of her life.

“Shut your traps and clean this mess up!” She heard Liana snap as Rain walked away.

Once back in the room, Rain fell to her knees, the door firmly shut behind her.

She wanted to scream, to tear apart everything in the room with her teeth. Wanted to destroy everything in her path but none of it would make her feel better.

They didn’t even understand what they had done.

Rain curled her knees to her chest and rested her forehead on her crossed arms. She hated how the sun gleamed inside from the window.

Her pity party lasted mere minutes before she heard hesitant footsteps approaching the door. She knew who it was already.

He lingered outside the door, not trying to open it, paced a few times and cursed under his breath.

She waited.

Then he knocked.

“Rain,” His voice was soft, much softer than she heard from him before, “Can I come in?”

Rain didn’t offer a reply. Maybe he deserved one, but she wasn’t going to give him one regardless.

A thump on the door, the vibrations sending tingles down her spine. For a moment, on either side of the door, they were connected.

“You don’t have to fight Reyka,” He murmured, “I’ll figure something out. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Maybe most would be touched at his kindness, thinking of her before the backlash of his pack but all Rain could think was ‘You think I’m going to lose? To her?’

“When is the match?” She asked coldly.

He made a wounded noise from the back of his throat, “Rain, please. Don’t do this for me-”

Rain laughed with no humor, bitter and resentful.

She stood up and opened the door, ignoring the surprised look Orion had on his face. Even on her tippy toes, she wouldn’t be able to reach his height.

That was fine. She didn’t need to be tall to be intimidating.

“I’m not doing this for you,” She snarled into his face. She pushed past him and tried to ignore the fact that he let her.

Cold and detached, she prepared for a fight like she always does.

By stuffing any fear of death left in her into a box and burning it.

As she passed through the dining room, the table had been taken out and so had all the scraps of food. A pang went through her heart, knowing she’d find it in their trash.

The packhouse during the daylight was weirder than at night.

Outside, the pack parted for her, whispering. They lurched away from her, looks of disgust and fear on their faces. One woman hid her child behind her as Rain passed through.

That’s fine.

It didn’t hurt.

Instead, she focused on the flame in her chest, righteousness burning like a wildfire.

Orion slung behind her like a lost puppy, his eyes staring holes into her back but she paid him no attention. Nothing to the wolves who cursed her, or the ones who sneered at her as she passed.

Not even the ones who jeered for her death.

Her mind is empty, her thoughts gone as she held onto the feeling of anger until it consumed her. Until that was all she knew.

A dozen feet from the main packhouse was a fighting ring, outlined in white paint, that is where Reyka stood.

The woman narrowed her eyes at Rain’s approach but said nothing.

One of them would die today.

Once the two fighters were inside the ring, one on each side, Orion stepped up.

All the emotions she had seen from him earlier were hidden, that impassive look back as he flicked his eyes at Reyka then Rain.

“Warrior Reyka has challenged Rain for her position as future Luna,” Orion stated, “Once the match begins, you may only shift once. Shifting again is the same as forfeiting. The fight will continue until one of the wolves claims victory through forfeit or death.”

Cheers rang through the crowd of bloodthirsty shifters. Taunts are thrown her way. She had no doubt that was she to perish, they’d parade her body like a trophy.

All their problems would be solved.

Though she wasn’t big on living, she also didn’t care for dying, especially if it made their lives easier.

Spiteful, she may be but they were worse.

“Warrior Reyka,” Orion addressed her opponent. Most wouldn’t notice the displeasure burning in his eyes as he looked at her but Rain did. “Do you accept these conditions?”

“Yes.”

Reyka’s voice was firm, strong, and loud as she proudly declared her answer. Like a devout follower who believed in her cause, not a hint of doubt crossed her mind. The pack burst into cheers around them, only inflating Reyka’s ego as she straightened up, smirking.

“Rain,” No one could’ve noticed the way Orion’s voice softened, just the slightest but Rain did. “Do you accept this challenge?”

His eyes pleaded into hers, like shining gemstones, begging her to say no, to call it off.

It was too bad that any empathy she might’ve had for him had already been devoured by her anger.

“Yes.”

No one cheered for her, silence reigning as the pack’s eyes bore into her. Rain spotted Accalia in the crowd, worry covering her normally bright face. The Beta, Vikas stood next to Orion, mouth twisted into a frown. It was clear he too did not approve of this.

At least two people were on her side, she thought wryly.

She caught the eye of the former Luna, Liana, as she face the scene, face as emotionless as her son’s. Though Rain hadn’t seen or heard any dislike from the woman, she also had a feeling the woman hated her more than anyone here.

And then Orion, the Alpha, the leader of the pack. Her mate.

She faced him, head held high as his eyes crumbled. Sorrow, guilt, fear, the emotions crossed in his face in a fraction of a second before disappearing under his mask.

“May the Goddess carry you to victory,” Orion murmured. No one knew who he said the words to but Rain hoped, secretly in the deepest darkest part of her heart that he wanted her to win.

What a foolish wish but hers nonetheless.

“Let the match begin!”