Bring it on, Nasty!!

Chapter 15

Raising as the victor ,

Howling to the moon,

Amidst the celebrations,

Hands dripping with the blood of my own.

Ambrose

With each passing day the beta ceremony approaches closer.

Dad runs a strict routine of teaching us the combat techniques ,each one more lethal and deadlier than the other.

We pretend everything is alright. Me and Arth , But it isn't.

There is a strain in our relationship.

It's like an invisible wall has been erected between us brothers and none of us know how to cross it.

The little clearing in the forest where we used to play as kids or mock wrestle became a dreaded place for us.

The place where we are expected to fight each other to death soon.

Either my brother would stand a victor in the end or me.

I cringe away from the thought.But it won't leave me alone.

Always haunting me.

Despite it, I and Arth tried to act normal with each other but it was painfully clear we were anything but.

Even Mom's ever-present upbeat energy had gone, she did not smile as often as she used to.

A veil of stress stole the spark out of her eyes and Nikki was also trying to hard to act like everything was normal but each time our eyes met I could see the worry in them.

Nikki is Arth's wife, His mate and life partner, and to me she is no less than a sister.

She was worried for her husband and she was worried for me as well.

It's like the joy has been robbed out of my home, replaced by the thick feeling of wretched unease and misery.

We were all walking on eggshells, waiting and dreading the inevitable, One of the Wilde brothers will be dying soon .

Thankfully, Kiara wasn't aware of this and my entire pack had agreed on keeping it that way for her .

My kid sister has been through a lot already. We wouldn't force her into this as well. As agreed she was to remain safe in the house at the night of ceremony and mom would be along with her.

Waiting for the arrival of the Beta.

The one son who will emerge after killing the other.

Dad maintains a stony silence as he usually does, but I know he worries too.

He had to kill his brother in the bloody ceremony to become a beta.

Now, history is repeating itself.

His sons will fight each other.

Dad allows us to go back home after the practice session. He stays behind in the forest, taking solace in it's presence.

The moment my head hits the pillow in out.

The next day school is pretty much usual except that I'm still sore and exhausted from last night practice session.

I run into Maira, which was interesting because despite my exhaustion I realize I still have the ability to get on her nerves, and that alone gives me a reason to smile.

School continues. Dull lectures, Boring notes.

I wish it was either organic chem or Astronomy going on right now.

During lunch we see Alicia missing from our table yet again.

" She is skipping lunch again for library " Reema says with no surprise in her voice

" I would never skip food for books " Brandon interjects taking a bite off his hamburger.

" I can't figure out what she finds so interesting about books " Shiki adds

Tess shakes her head " Guys she isn't in the library, she's over there " She hitches a thumb in the direction.

All of us are stunned as we see where she is.

" Is---Is she trying to befriend a human ? " Zuri questions disbelief written all over her face " I thought they just have a little chat during the classes, did not think they were already friends"

" Same here " I reply narrowing my eyes at the table.

Alicia might not be a were but she is a part of our pack as much as everyone at this table is.

" This seems bad " Raze says stiffening " The humans are not exactly a....." He briefly looks at me but loath in his eyes me makes it clear to me what he was thinking " A trustworthy race ".

That's an understatement.

We share the same opinion when it comes to humans.

I stand up from my table and stride towards their direction extending my hearing.

They are talking about going on a shopping trip together.

" I don't think so " I cut in as I stop right in from of their table. The twins look startled at my unannounced arrival while Maira looks annoyed " You again!"

I ignore her and turn towards Alicia " You aren't going anywhere "

Ali looks at me wearily " You can't tell me where I can or can't go , Ambrose, so please drop this "

I can't. I won't.

" Not happening , Ali .This friendship thing in school might not be so dangerous but outside....."

" What do you mean by dangerous? " Miara interrupts looking furious " Are you crazy! Since day one you have been horrible to me, What's your problem ?"

" You ," I fix my eyes on her, my expression unflinching and cold " You are my problem "

Her frown deepens and Alicia grabs my forearm trying to pull me away ,it has no effect on me whatsoever as we both continue to glare at each other.

"Ambrose, Please " Alicia keeps muttering, her voice becoming desperate with each attempt "Please"

Finally, I yield. letting her pull me away.

She walks us out of the cafeteria and into the empty hallways since everyone is in the cafeteria

" What is wrong with you Ambrose ? " She asks dropping my hand, She is angry too " What were you doing in there? "

" Trying to stop you from doing a mistake "

She gives me an exasperated look but tries on a calm tone when she speaks " You can't behave with Miara like this. I know you both have differences but She is a nice girl, she is cool and funny and..."

" Ali , No " I hold up my hand to halt her talking " No matter how many nice adjectives you add to describe her ,it remains a fact that she is a human"

She sighs "Ambrose, It's not her fault she is a human "

"But, She is one ! " I snap at her.

She loses control over her anger and her face becomes flushed with it, but I look her right in the eyes and say in a final and clear tone " Stay away from her Ali "

" She is a decent human, Ambrose " Alicia snaps at me with fury " She is not Inna "

I stiffen, my mind reeling from her words. They are like a slap to me.

Ali covers her mouth almost as soon as the words are out of it and the anger goes out of her face replaced by guilt " I'm sorry, Ambrose. I'm sorry......I... I didn't mean to say this. I was angry and..."

" I understand, " I say clearing my throat pushing away the emotions that threaten to overwhelm me " But you are still not going anywhere with any human "

" Ambrose...."

I wave away her words and her pleading expression " You are not going Ali. And that's final "

I know I'm behaving like a disgusting prick.

But if I have to act like a prick to keep my friends safe, Then so be it.