Chapter 9
Over the week. Fay’s excitement rose by the day. There would be a pack gathering this weekend and she loved attending them. But this one would be extra special because she got to go with Sabel instead of being alone, like she usually was.
“It’s good to see you so happy,” Melanie said as she kissed her cheek. “Are you ready for this evening?”
“Yeah, and I’m so looking forward to it, but…” Fay sank down between her parents. “I’m also super nervous.”
“Why’s that?” Finch asked with a concerned look.
“Because of the sparring sessions,” Fay said, rolling her eyes. “They’re so common at these gatherings and I’m worried about repercussions that might come my way. I’m one of the younger pack members so I’m sure I’ll be expected to participate.”
Finch huffed and folded his arms over his chest as he leaned back on the couch. He was clearly frustrated, and Fay couldn’t blame him. Sparring was very common among wolves her age.
It was a way for them to develop their skills, but it often meant that both parties would shift mid–session. At her old pack, Fay never had to participate because none of the others wanted to fight a weakling. But here they didn’t know.
“I think you should take a silver pill, just to be safe,” Finch said, as he pulled a small, metallic case out of his pocket. “We need to make sure no one picks up on your wolfless state.”
“I don’t want to take them again, Daddy,” Fay complained. “They dull my already dumbed–down senses and abilities. Not to mention that they make me feel so sick.”
“That’s the point, darling,” Finch said, turning to face her. “These pills will make your weakness seem like it’s caused by some kind of medical problem, instead of you having no wolf.”
“But I haven’t taken them in a long time, and the last time I took them, I nearly ended up in hospital,” Fay reminded her father. “Can’t I just go to the gathering without taking them?”
Finch looked at the silver capsule that was rolling around on his palm as if he was deep in thought, and Fay couldn’t help but sigh. She understood that her father only had the best intentions. She knew he would never do anything to harm her.
“I just want to help,” Finch muttered in defeat.
Fay sighed at the sight of her father looking so dejected. “Okay, I’ll take one.”
As promised, she took the capsule from his hand and swallowed it in front of him. All Fay wanted was for her parents to enjoy their evening, but she knew her father would only be reassured if she did what he told her to do.
Fay gently patted his knee as she got up and went to her room so she could get ready.
The girls had only been at the pack gathering for a few minutes when Fay started feeling ill. The world around her was spinning so fast everything looked like a blur. Her stomach churned and suddenly she was overwhelmed with nausea.
Her head was pounding, its rhythm matching that of her heart. The loud music drumming in her ears made her feel even worse, and there was only one thing she could think about.
“I need air,” she mumbled, mainly to herself, before stumbling into the woods.
“Hey, where are you going?” Sabel called out from behind her, but Fay couldn’t respond.
She kept walking until all the sounds died down and the cloud of fog that submerged her brain dissipated. Fay leaned against a tree as she took a few steadying breaths.
As the fresh air filled her lungs, she started feeling a bit better. Fay closed her eyes, relishing the feel of her body instantly
relaxing.
“Fay?” Sabel asked as she came out from behind a tree. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I was just feeling a bit nauseous, but I’m fine now,” Fay said, straightening herself out. “Let’s go back.”
“Are you sure? I sensed something and…” Sabel gave Fay a quick once over. “We can go home if you want.”
Fay hooked her arm around Sabel’s and they started walking back. “Don’t be silly. We’re here to have fun. I’m not missing
out on that.”
Even though Fay was still feeling sick, she was determined to have a good time, which was exactly what she did. The girls drank punch, danced around the campfire, sang along to songs they loved, and every now and then she stole a glimpse of Elias.
Since she was forced to keep her distance from him. Fay did the only thing she could do. She admired him from afar, and he looked gorgeous. The light cast by the fire made his jaw look even more prominent, as it did with the rest of his features.
Since he was sitting higher up than the rest of the pack, he looked as if he were perched on a throne; a proud king admiring his adored subjects as they enjoyed the festivities.
But something, or rather someone, ruined the perfect image he portrayed. Cassidy… She was all over Elias. Even though he paid no attention to her, the sight still made Fay feel sick to her stomach,
“Oh! Look,” Sabel said excitedly. “The sparring started!”
Fay turned to face the two youngsters who had taken their wolf forms, and she rested her chin on her palms. The battle commenced, and she got wrapped up in their movements.
The intensity of their strikes and the well dodged attacks had her eyes glued on them. She wished she could do that someday, that the sense of elation she was feeling could be displayed in a practice session of her own.
“Leave me the fuck alone!” Elias‘ voice pierced the air. Suddenly all attention was back on him.
He pulled his arm out of Cassidy’s iron grip. From the force he used, Fay could tell he was extremely annoyed.
“Do you think I don’t know what’s going on here?” Cassidy asked haughtily. “You’ve been watching the new girl the entire night!”
Uh–oh, Fay thought to herself.
Even though she had realized that Elias hadn’t taken his eyes off her, she never thought it would elicit this kind of reaction. It was the kind of response that Fay knew all too well, and it was something she couldn’t get caught up in.
Cassidy was red with rage as she turned toward Fay. “I challenge you to a duel!”
“This has nothing to do with me,” Fay said as she leaned closer to Sabel. “I’d rather just sit here and watch the others.”
“What? Are you scared of a little competition?” Cassidy taunted. “Afraid you’re going to lose?”
“No,” Fay said, trying to suppress the rage that was building in her chest. “I just don’t want to get drawn into an argument that has nothing to do with me.”
“I don’t know what you see in her,” Cassidy said as she glanced at Elias. “Here I am, trying to prove that I’m better than her in every way, yet she doesn’t even have the guts to stand up for herself. You need a woman like me, not someone like her.”
Fay couldn’t believe her ears. She was outraged by Cassidy’s insistence on putting the spotlight on her like that, but she was even more furious with the girl’s words. Elias had the right to like whomever he wanted, and Cassidy had no right to interfere with his feelings.
“You’re so full of yourself,” Fay mumbled, mostly to herself. “I could beat you in a matter of minutes.”
“Prove it!” Cassidy insisted. “Show Elias you can be a woman worthy of his love or leave. There’s no use in hanging around where you’re not wanted.”
“I don’t need to prove myself to anyone,” Fay stated. “But if you feel that you do, please go ahead. Just leave me out of it.”
“Wuss!” Cassidy spat. “Only a weakling would turn down a duel!”
Cassidy’s desperate attempts to force Elias to change his mind were ridiculous, and for some odd reason, that behavior. rubbed Fay up the wrong way. Yes, Fay had a crush on him, and yes, she wished he felt the same way, but that wasn’t what made her so angry.
It was Cassidy’s constant taunting. It was because she made Fay look weak in the eyes of the man she had come to adore. It was all those things combined that made Fay feel like she was forced to accept the challenge.
“So what? You’re just going to keep making a fool of yourself until I accept?” Fay asked, knowing she was pushing all the wrong buttons. “Isn’t that a sign of weakness?”
“Don’t you know anything about werewolf etiquette?” Cassidy gave her a cruel smile. “When someone challenges you, you can’t refuse. If you do you’re the one showing that not only are you unfit as a pack member but that you can’t defend the pack if you need to.”
Fay let out a heavy sigh as she got up. Cassidy was out for revenge, but her reasons to fight were far more valuable. She was going to prove herself once and for all.
“I accept your challenge,” Fay said as she dusted herself off.
Cassidy’s lips curled into a vicious smile, as she stepped off the platform. The girls made their way to the sparring grounds, and as they stepped in, Fay looked over at Elias. He was at the edge of his seat but his eyes were glued to her.
She said a silent prayer to the Goddess Selene as she took a defensive position. Fay was trying her best to keep this match civil, but she knew it was only a matter of time until Cassidy shifted. So she had to be extra vigilant to make sure that she wasn’t caught off guard.
“Let’s get this over with,” Fay said as she locked eyes with Cassidy.
Cassidy took a step forward, preparing for her attack. “Oh, trust me, it won’t last long.”
Cassidy struck with amazing speed, throwing a fist in Fay’s direction, but she anticipated the attack and moved before the punch could land. Her competitor’s eyes were burning with rage as she turned around and lurched at Fay, trying to tackle her to the ground.
Seeing how unstable and jerky Cassidy’s movements were, Fay jumped, as she did at the aptitude test. The challenger lost. her balance and hurtled to the ground, giving Fay the opportunity to put some distance between them.
“Yeah, Fay! You go, girl!” Elias shouted encouragingly. “Show her what you’re made of!”
She looked at the Alpha, who seemed to hold her in high esteem, and she couldn’t help but smile. No one had ever cheered her on, and she liked that he was the one doing it.
But Fay was so wrapped up in the encouragement that she didn’t see what was happening behind her. Cassidy pushed to her feet and, at the realization that Elias was cheering Fay on instead of her, she shifted.
Suddenly, she stumbled, a wave of dizziness washed over her as the effect of the silver pills returned with full force. Fay blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision so she could prepare for the next strike. But dark spots had invaded her eyes, making it nearly impossible for her to see.
Fay was still trying to regain control of her senses when the sound of the low growl came from behind her. Her heart
dropped to her feet when she heard the sound.
She spun around to defend herself, but it was already too late. Cassidy was mid–air and her focus was honed in on her target.
Fay was caught completely off guard. She had no time to defend herself, so the only thing she could do was run. But before she could will her feet into action. Cassidy slammed into her. The force was enough to make her legs buckle, and Fay crashed to the ground.
