Mates: Melanie's Warrior

Chapter 3

~Janice~

My life is s**t, and that isn’t an understatement. I’m officially the lowest on the totem pole and hate it. I’m bound to the packhouse, working and serving. I’m not a slave or anything like that. Our new Alpha doesn’t do all that. I’m not being beaten or worse. I just can’t leave the grounds, and my jobs consist of caring for the packhouse and everyone inside.

I’m not cut out for this mediocre life, which is why I’ve decided that things need to change. Our Alpha is mateless, and I plan to fill that role. I will become the Luna of the Onyx Pack and live my best life. I just need to find a way to make him notice me. “What’s taking so damn long? Janice, move your ass!” I sigh and grab my basket, walking back into the packhouse.

I walk into the kitchen, ignoring the looks thrown at me. I make my way to the pantry to put some items away. When I step out of the pantry, I hear voices and smell him, my Alpha.

“Alpha, this is such a bad idea. You aren’t meant to participate in this event.” I can hear movement on the stairs and duck down a hallway to listen to the rest.

“It will be fun and I won’t be hurting anyone. I don’t want to win, I just want to do something different. I just need some excitement.”

“But what if you’re found out?”

“How can I be? The warriors won’t say anything, and Hugo, here, will make sure I stay incognito.” I listen as the footsteps recede. I come out of hiding and look around the room. I have no idea what they were talking about, but it looks like the Alpha is going to be gone for a while. This gives me time to set some things up and make myself indispensable to him.

“Where the hell is she?! I swear to the Goddess herself if she doesn’t get in here soon…..” I take that as my cue and scurry back to the kitchen.

~Melanie~

I step out of the car and stretch tall. It was a long enough ride to have me cramping up. Brooklyn fell asleep on the way, and I don’t want to wake her. I lean back into the car and pull Brooklyn out, carrying her bridal style. We had a warrior check-in already, so we just have to go to the room.

I place Brooklyn on her bed and walk out of the room. We are sharing a room with double beds. Jax and Shanice are in an adjoining room, and the other warriors occupy another two rooms. I’m sure many people are interested in checking out the hotel, but I’m not. I want to check out the battlefield.

The hotel backs up to extensive woods. There seem to be only shifters in the hotel, so we won’t have to worry about hiding anything. I make my way behind the hotel, into the woods. I can hear people in the distance, so I follow the sounds.

I come upon the construction of different rings. There are tables set up; stands for different items. There are billboards set up to keep score. Feeling the buzz around me and seeing the setup gets me excited. I can feel that this will be life-changing for Winnie and me. I’m not sure to what extent, but I know this is precisely where I’m supposed to be. “Hey, girl.” I internally sigh. I know where this will go, but hopefully, they are speaking to me. “GIRL! I know you hear me talking to you.” I slowly turn to see a big, hairy, sloppy-looking goon walking toward me. He has on tight jeans, work boots and a wife beater. He has a group of three men following him, all of different heights and sizes. “What is a little girl doing all the way out here? It’s dangerous out here with all of these materials. You should run home before you get hurt.”

I know these asshats aren’t talking to us.

Of course, they are, Winnie, but they will regret that soon enough. I stand tall and watch the men inch closer toward me. I don’t move, and I make sure I keep my face neutral.

“Seems like this little miss can’t speak, boys. Maybe her mouth needs to be loosened up.” The other men start to snicker and talk amongst themselves. I still say nothing and make no move. The lead man is now a foot or two in front of me, and his minions have hung back a bit. He tilts his head and looks me up and down, licking his lips as he does. His hand moves to his crotch, and he starts to rub it.

I’m ready to kick ass!

Me too, Winnie. I relax my legs, and my knees bend slightly. He has no idea that I will drop him before he’s able to lay a hand on me. The slimeball takes two small steps toward me, and I prepare to strike. Before I can do anything, he hits the floor. A scream escapes him as his face is pummeled again and again. I stand up straight and take a step back.

Who the hell is that? He was mine! Winnie growls in my head, and I feel the same. The man stands up, running a hand through his spikey blonde hair. He turns to the men and jerks toward them, causing them to run away. He looks back down at the leader of the pack.

“Next time, leave pretty women alone unless they ask you to.” The man rolls to his front and crawls away. The blonde man turns to me and gives me a smile that I’m sure is supposed to make me swoon. I’m not impressed. “I’m so glad I could be of service to you……..” He looks at me, waiting for my name, I’d imagine.

“I didn’t need your help. I could have handled him myself.” He throws his head back and laughs from his chest. I cross my arms across my body and roll my eyes.

“I hope you’re here to watch the matches. I would love to have you cheering in my corner. Once I win, we can celebrate privately.” I truly want to throw up right now. He’s got to be crazy. I step toward the man and see his eyes light up.

“I wouldn’t be so quick to make plans. If you want to win the competition, you’ll have to go through me.”

“You? You’re a woman.”

“What amazing observational skills you have.” I have to say the more I stand and talk to him, the more my stomach churns. I turn away and start to walk back to the hotel. “See you in battle.”