23. Creed
Chapter 23
Creed
M y mind is reeling. With the revelation that Hux didn't kill Dane, I find myself questioning everything. Why keep him captive? Why show Sterling City the footage of him and Dane fighting if he's alive? This level of deceit is unprecedented, even for her. If she was lying about Dane, what else could she be lying about?
My heart pounds in my chest. What if—no, it's absurd. I can't even entertain the thought. There's no way.
Is Rebecca alive?
No, my mother wouldn't stoop to such cruelty, would she? The mere idea sends waves of white-hot rage coursing through me. I've heard Kay's muffled sobs every night since she returned home. If my suspicions are correct, my mother needs to pay.
I turn my attention to Vaughn, who's preparing for his fight, and then to tiny. Her arms are crossed over her chest as she observes the crowd cheering on the impending fight. I know she doesn't do well in large crowds. She's been through a lot and it makes her anxious to be around so many people.
As the need to pull her close overwhelms me, I step up behind her and wrap my arms around her chest, resting my chin on her shoulder. She sighs softly and leans back into me, her body fitting perfectly against mine. In that moment, I'm flooded with a sense of contentment, of completeness.
Love?
The word echoes in my mind, and suddenly, it all becomes clear. This fierce, protective instinct I have for her, the way my heart aches when she's in pain, the calming presence she exudes—it's love. Kay deserves the world, to feel safe and cherished. The thought of adding to her pain with my suspicions is unbearable, so I bury my nose into her hair, inhaling her floral scent.
She's the glue that holds our pack together, the one woman I can't imagine not fighting for. She's the epitome of strength, facing her fears head-on and emerging victorious every time. I've never met anyone like her.
She makes me want to be a better man.
But I can’t be that yet, rage still simmers within me, fueled by a determination to seek justice. As I stand amidst the noise and chaos of the crowd, I feel a heavy weight pressing down on my chest. My mother's deceit threatens to unravel everything we've built, but I realize with absolute clarity that there isn't anything I wouldn't do for tiny. She's woven herself into the very fabric of my being, and I would move mountains for her. She's my everything.
Jake's wandering through the crowd, taking bets on the upcoming fight, and my teeth clash together. I hate that slimy beta. Plus, taking bets on this fight is pissing me off. I get that this is how the gang makes their money. But this fight?
It's personal.
"All right, all right," one of the Hounds, Dallas, announces. His voice booms over the murmurs of the crowd. The burly alpha has hosted the fights here for years, and the crowd respects him. "We have a special treat for y'all tonight."
The anticipation in the air is palpable as Dallas gestures towards the makeshift ring, drawing everyone's attention. The crowd responds with eager anticipation, their collective 'ooh' echoing through the open space.
Vaughn steps up on his left, Dane on his right, and the atmosphere crackles with tension. The crowd's reaction is mixed, with some cheering loudly for Vaughn, while others show more love for Dane. My jaw tightens.
Kay senses my agitation and squeezes my hand reassuringly, but my focus remains fixed on the ring. Vaughn's presence radiates confidence, his stance relaxed yet poised for action. In contrast, Dane exudes a cocky swagger, his smirk igniting a spark of anger within me.
This fucker stabbed Vaughn, disappeared into the night, pretended to be dead, and for what? Some chump change?
As Jake slithers through the throng, he sidles up to us, a sly grin plastered across his face. "Hey there, Creed," he drawls, pulling my focus from Vaughn to him. I shoot him a glare as his eyes trail up and down Kay's frame with unmistakable lust.
"Well, well, well," he drawls, his tone dripping with sleaze as he addresses Kay. "And who might this lovely omega be?"
"Not interested," she snaps, her voice sharp and decisive. But Jake's persistence seems unyielding.
"Feisty, I like that," Jake says, his tone still laced with amusement. "But a pretty thing like you should learn to appreciate a little friendly banter."
Kay meets his gaze with a steely glare, her jaw set in determination. "Are you slow or just deaf? I said. I'm. Not. Interested," she punctuates every word, her tone cutting like a knife. "So why don't you bother someone else?"
I smirk at her sharp tongue, a flicker of pride igniting within me. But Jake's chuckle only adds fuel to the fire.
"Jake," I growl his name in warning, my gaze locked on him with intensity.
He shifts his attention to me, undeterred. "Wanna place a little wager on your boy?" he asks, holding out a hat for us to place a bet in.
My patience snaps like a brittle twig. "No," I snarl, my voice low and dangerous. "And if you look at her like that again, you'll regret it," I bite out, my tone sharp enough to cut glass. "We're not here for your damn bets. Leave."
"What's the matter, Creed? Afraid your boy will lose to a Hound? Again." His taunt cuts through me like a knife, igniting a firestorm of anger deep within.
I bristle at his audacity, his words like a match to gasoline. "Watch your fucking mouth, Jake," I growl, my voice low and menacing.
Kay turns her back on Jake and places her palm on my chest. "Creed," she says, and my gaze snaps down to hers. "He's not worth it."
Kay's touch grounds me, pulling me back from the edge of blind fury. Despite the anger coursing through my veins, her presence soothes the storm raging within me. I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.
"You're right," I mutter, my voice still tinged with frustration. "Let's not give him the satisfaction."
Jake's smirk falters, replaced by a feigned innocence. "Alright, alright, no need to get your panties in a twist," he says, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Just being friendly."
With a shrug, Jake backs away. As he disappears back into the crowd, I turn my attention back to the ring, where Vaughn and Dane await the signal to begin.
Kay's voice breaks through the haze of rage. "Creed, breathe. Vaughn will kick his ass," she hisses, her hand gently gripping my arm. I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.
The crowd's cheers grow louder as the announcer steps out from between Dane and Vaughn. I glance over at my beta, who’s now bouncing back and forth on the balls of his feet, eyes focused and determined. The fight is about to begin.