Chapter 4 Consequences

"Concede"

His command echoes in my mind as I struggle to free myself from his grip. But the more I try the deeper his claws sink into my neck.

"Maybe you should take your own advice" I say.

"I don't want to kill you, little wolf" he says, "but I don't have a problem doing it. Do you understand?"

"Completely" I say, barely managing a chuckle. Then I slash his arm.

He doesn't flinch. Doesn't even bat an eye at the trail of blood now flowing from his arm.

His claws dig deeper and now I can barely breathe.

But that doesn't stop me.

I slash away at him, again and again; leaving marks on his face, chest and arm. Within moments, he is soaked with his own blood but with no evidence of damage; all healed.

His gaze is so focused but oddly soft, he really doesn't want to do this, but I'm giving him no choice. Because I have no choice.

"You have to make them pay, Millie," Riven says." we can't stop here"

"You have to concede, Millie," Kael says.

"Is this where you end?" Varek asks.

No!

I don't know where the energy came from, but I use it well. I clasp his shoulder with both my hands, sink my claws in deep, and I rip; from shoulder to elbow.

He hisses and I fall.

My body vibrates with pain as I hit the ground.

I cough out blood as the five holes in my throat slowly heals.

The pain I can manage.

I try to get up, but my arms fail me. So I brace myself for his next attack.

But it doesn't come.

I turn to him, and he's just staring at me with his glowing magic eyes. His eye goes wide as he tracks an invisible line from me to him. Then his expression changes,

; shame? Pity?

What sort of look is that?

Then he says "I concede"

"What?" The crowd roared. I don't blame them, I am just as confused.

He doesn't say another word.

He turns to the crowd and I follow his sight to his brother. A look passes between the brothers, but it's not one you expect from family, and it's one I know all too well; consequences.

He walks away in silence.

So my eyes find my own family and she as expected sends me the same message with her expression; consequences.

But I'll cross that bridge when it comes. For right now, at this moment I've truly taken the first step to my freedom, my revenge.

I fall on my back, exhausted and excited.

"Amelia Dane, Wins!" The instructor declares. But it is met with murmurs from the crowd until I hear clapping and whistling.

The crazy girl again. But this time she pulls a boy up to join her, and he reluctantly does. They don't stop, even as people scowl at them. But they aren't the only ones, my hearing picks up light clapping from the alpha's seat. The strange girl from the market.

The instructor lets out a small cough–sharp and deliberate–and the crowd goes silent.

"Take your seat" he says with a small smile. "You surprised me child".

I give him a small nod as I get up and walk to the betas seats. Since there's no place for an omega and the Alphas are glaring daggers at me.

To be fair so are the betas as I approach but the crazy girl gestures at me to an empty seat beside her.

"You were amazing" she beamed as I sit.

"Thank you" I say as I stare at her.

I noticed her hair first–wild, curly and untamed.

Followed by the scent of the earth that clung to her–the kind that made U think of deep roots and blossoming things

Then her eyes–a deep brown that seems to peer into my very soul.

She is warm with a smile like the sun and a pull I can't explain.

A dangerous thing.

"I still can't believe it," she says.

"That I won?" I ask.

"Well, that and the fact that Caspian Reid let you go" she says

Caspian.

Now that's a name I've heard before, Youngest of the Alpha king's sons and with quite the reputation for being cold, ruthless and unfavored.

Which means the brother seated with the Alpha's is Lucien Reid. The golden boy. The Heir.

So what was it I saw today?

Caspian–those eyes of his.

Such warmth.

"Call me Celeste," she says, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Huh–Amelia" I manage a response.

"Amelia" she hums, "Milia, lia, Millie" and I go cold.

"I'll call you Millie," she beams.

Please don't call me that.

I'm about to respond when her smile retreats, and she sighs.

"I'm sorry," she says, quieter now. "I tend to get carried away. Just Amelia, then. At least... until I find the right one for you."

"Thank you" is all I can say.

I don't know what expression I had when she said it or if I had any at all. But for the first time in years, I get to hear it again.

With the sky covered in gray the instructor dismisses the class, and we leave to prepare for training tomorrow.

Ceste insists on taking me to see her lodgings. Says it's absolutely dull, and she needs help redecorating.

I should say no.

I really should, but it's been so long I've had the opportunity to say words not limited to: "yes sir" "yes mam"

But just as I'm about to decide that it wouldn't hurt to go along with her this once, reality sets in and Talia and her friends block our path.

Consequences.

She gestures for me to follow, and I'm about to when Celeste holds me back.

"It's fine, I just need to get home now" I assure her but her expression screams: liar.

I am a liar.

But things are just easier this way, especially with Talia. To resist would be damning myself.

They walk a while before going down an alley and I follow a few paces behind.

The first punch comes when I get further down the alley and as usual I see it coming.

And I take it.