Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-five
Cross
“We went over the rules for Middle Ground with each of you when you signed up to participate, but we'll go over them again now before we get started, just as a reminder.”
I can not believe she signed up to fight. I can not believe I am sitting here waiting to watch her. I mean, I can believe both of those things, but neither of them make me very happy.
“The rules are simple. No shifting. No weapons of any kind. No accepting outside help,” Alpha Tinsley goes on.
I'd probably want to come watch the fights if Genie wasn't involved.
I'd probably make a couple of bets. But my wolf, and me as a direct result, is anxious.
And excited. We are a physical people. We like competitions.
We like work. We like to fuck. And we love to fight.
It's in our nature. I am curious about how the female who was supposed to be my perfect match might move and react.
I want to see her win. I can't help it. My wolf is moving like a wrecking ball inside me because he wants to watch her win, too.
But if someone hurts her, that wrecking ball will free itself and there's nothing I'll be able to do to stop it.
“For those who have multiple fights tonight, you must win each one before you can be declared a winner. We know some of you have placed bets. We don't oversee those bets, but we do expect them to be carried out and handled fairly.”
Wait. Multiple fights? Did Genie sign up for multiple fights? How many challengers does she have?
“Calm down,” Parker says from beside me. “She's fine.”
“Do you know how many people challenged her?”
He gives me a flat look. “I don't know, Cross. How many females have been showering you with attention since we got here?”
A lot, but that's no reason to challenge Genie. “So what?”
Parker blinks dramatically. “Cross. You're clueless but not stupid. You need a Luna and they all know it. Genie is a threat to any potential Luna you'd take.”
“Oh.” Maybe I am stupid because that didn't occur to me.
He turns his head slightly, still giving me wide, disbelieving eyes. “Just like you will be a threat to her alpha suitors.”
My wolf stops pacing to growl. No suitors.
I ignore him. I can't stop her from entertaining other alphas.
No suitors, he repeats.
“Fine,” I hiss aloud, and he goes back to his restless march.
Parker arches a brow. “Everything okay?”
“He's restless.”
Parker nods and watches the tape outlined square that designates the official ring area while the first challenge takes place.
It's two betas who are smiling as they circle each other barefoot.
That's how it is in the packs unless people need to settle something between them.
Fighting is fun. It can lead to lost tempers, but usually it's just a fight and then it's over and everyone goes back to having a good time.
That fight ends and another starts with the same friendly bout.
Genie finally makes her way to the side of the taped square to wait for her first challenge.
By now quite a crowd has gathered and bets are being made.
Genie's name comes up a lot. And mine, but that's irrelevant.
“Really, Parker. Do you know how many challengers she has? Did you see the list?” I didn't look. I should have, but I didn't.
“The rule is two.”
“Does she have two?”
He twists his torso to give me his full attention. “Yes. She has two. I asked around. It's two of the women from that class you and Genie have together. I don't remember their names, but I overheard them talking all kinds of wild shit. Are you worried about Genie?”
“No.” Yes.
He rolls his eyes. “You don't have to lie.”
“I'm not worried.” I look away from him and at her for a moment. As if she can feel my eyes, she glances at me for a quick beat before moving her attention back to the current match. “It's not worry.”
“Uh huh.” Parker nods. “Not worried.”
“I'm not. I just don't –“
Alpha Tinsley's voice cuts across the gym. “And now, Genie Barrett of Pack Barrett will take on her first challenger, Erin Carson of Pack Moore. Ladies, you understand the rules. At the bell.”
The two women step inside the taped boundary.
Erin has been liberal with her attention over the past few weeks.
I have ignored most of it. There's no chemistry there, but I haven't been dismissive.
I've been polite and cordial. That's it.
I don't know why she challenged Genie, unless it isn't about me at all.
Maybe it's like the other matches and it's just for fun.
The bell rings and it becomes apparent that it isn't just for fun.
Genie doesn't give Erin time to blink much less defend herself and the match is over within minutes.
Erin storms off, red-faced with exertion and anger and Genie returns to where she was sitting.
She doesn't look at me, not even once, but I see her.
Her face is set in determined lines. She's fighting for something. I want to know what it is.
There are two more matches before her next one and I barely keep up with them.
When Alpha Tinsley announces her second challenger I inwardly cringe.
Of all the females here who have made their intentions towards me known, Bella Reeves is the most obvious and insistent.
She is the youngest daughter of the Pack Reeves alpha.
She isn't an heir to any power, but she has status and influence.
Her pack is strong and she knows it. They are from the farthest reach of this region and they're just mean.
Meanness doesn't equate to power, but it's still a bitch to deal with.
Bella wants to be my Luna. She has insinuated and stated her intentions.
This challenge is important and everyone takes notice.
The crowd buzzes as bets are placed and gossip is spread.
That's the other thing wolves love, fucking gossip.
We thrive on being in each other's business.
Everyone keeps looking from Genie to me then from Genie to Bella, then back at me.
They all know how explosive this could be, including Alpha Tinsley.
He's staring straight at me with the strangest look.
He isn't nervous. He looks... expectant.
The bell rings and it is immediately a much different fight than the last one.
Genie takes several hits early on that were fair but rough.
She doesn't falter. Then Bella starts fighting dirty.
She grabs Genie's hair and drags her to the edge of the mat where a few other females are sitting and screaming encouragement and insults.
Alpha Tinsley is watching closely, but Bella has angled their bodies in such a way that he doesn't see when one of them grabs Genie's ankle and does something to her foot.
I can't tell what, but Genie screams and I stand up.
“Sit back down,” Parker says sharply.
“Did you see that?”
“Yes,” Parker clips. “Sit down. You can't interfere.”
“They interfered.”
“It doesn't matter. It's just like what happens at home. She-wolves handle their own shit, you know that. You have to let them. Your dad doesn't get involved.”
Because Mom would make him regret it. “I know, I know. But it's bullshit.”
We watch as Genie changes tactics and form and forces Bella away from the edge of the mat and back to the center.
Then she takes Bella to the ground and it's over.
Alpha Tinsley gives her a few extra seconds to really make sure Bella understands that she lost before he calls the match and the crowd watching erupts.
I stand there watching Genie collect herself and redo her ponytail while people exchange money all around me. She turns her head to look, not at me, but at Parker. Her stubborn chin raises and an entire conversation bounces silently between them before he looks away from her.
“What was that about?” I ask him.
“Nothing,” he mutters. “You want to get out of here?”
***
We walk the path that winds around the main building instead of heading straight to our rooms. The grounds really are nice.
There are gardens and lounge areas scattered throughout and nothing feels crowded.
Most of the classes are outdoors and that helps make things feel less required.
By the time we get to our building, I almost feel like I'm enjoying myself.
Until we turn down the hall to my room.
Alpha Tinsley is leaning against the wall, waiting. He doesn't smile when we approach and my hackles begin to raise. Something has happened. Something I won't like.
“Drew,” he greets. “Parker.”
“Alpha Tinsley,” I return. “What's going on?”
“Well,” he starts, scratching his chest. “As you know, Genie Barrett won her Middle Ground challenges.”
He pauses to give me time to respond, but I just wave him on.
He clears his throat. “Right. Well, as you know, winners get to make requests if they win, acceptable requests, nothing dangerous or questionable.”
“Just get to it,” I tell him, cutting off his drawn out explanation. “What does she want from me?” My thoughts go to the shirt I have hidden in the top of my little closet in the plastic container.
I shouldn't have worried. She doesn't want the shirt, or any shirt.
“She wants a night with you.”
My jaw drops. “Excuse me?” I ask, my eyes shifting to Parker's. He's glaring at the floor.
“Nothing like that,” Alpha Tinsley continues. “She just wants to sleep. Literally. No nudity. Nothing risque. Just sleep.”
“Just sleep?” I ask, my jaw still slack.
“Just sleep,” he confirms and hands me a slip of paper with a code written on it. “If you agree, you'll go to the Ridge Suite in residential hall three. The suites provide a little more privacy and room than the regular dorm rooms.”
“Privacy?” I ask, brow raised.
He clears his throat again. “Occasionally, a wolf, or a pair, will need more spacious arrangements in a building that's less crowded. We have had more than a few females go into heat while they are here and these suites give them the room they need to handle that.” He scratches his chest again, no doubt feeling every bit as awkward as he looks.
“But the suites are used for other things, as well.
Families visit on occasion. Sometimes meetings need to happen in secluded, comfortable spaces.
They're really just roomy, neutral areas that can be used as needed.
No need to put pressure where there isn't necessary.”
I look down at the code in my hand. “Genie wants to... sleep... with me? That's it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He rubs his palms against his thighs and shrugs. “You'll have to ask her. You don't need to tell me your decision. If you find the terms acceptable, all you need to do is go to the suite. Have a good evening.” He nods at me and then Parker, then he strolls down the hall.
I can't go. I couldn't possibly go. Why would I go?
“Wow,” Parker says emotionlessly.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he shrugs. “I can't believe she did it.”
At this point I can believe just about anything she does. “But really, what the fuck? She wants to sleep with me? Sleep?”
Parker's eyes meet mine, all snark and judgment gone. “You should go.”
What? “Why?”
He sighs. “Curiosity. Don't you want to see what happens?”
I lick my lips. “I don't know. I don't like being forced into it.”
“You can say no.”
“What do you think I should do? Do you really think I should go?”
“You can always leave.” He shrugs. “You should go.”
“What about you?”
He offers me a half smile. “I'll be here. Go, Cross. See what happens.”