21 Chapter 20

All eyes were on Gus as he went to the Alpha Enzo and sat beside him. What was going on? Why would he go up there? I looked around to see if other people were as confused as I was. The returning members of his pack were shaking their head. They were yelling in his direction clearly mad that he dropped his charade and they lost their bets. Besides the ruckus, they were causing it was eerily silent. The tension was growing with every minute. When Gus looked down at me, he must have saw a mix of emotions because his face was red like he'd been caught doing something that he shouldn't have. I could only feel confusion and anger running through my body. He was my friend, wasn't he? I don't let people in and he was playing me as a fool that whole time! What was he some spy? I glared at the other people who surrounded Gus, waiting for someone to start explaining. Stupidly, I forgot that I wasn't trying to make eye contact with the Alpha and then it happened...

When our eyes met, it was like a new fire was lit inside my body. It was official, the Moon Goddess said he was my mate and I his. That man was beautiful. He was a mix of beastly, daring and full of authority. His interesting two tones eyes looked like they were dilating. He looked very smug, like he knew this would happen. I wasn't as happy, as he was though. My thoughts were ragging against my body who just wanted to be close to him. The room was silent, I could hear my heart echoing in the room. Then a voice broke through my thoughts and my staring into those eyes. "Zo, baby? Looks like the show is over, can we go back to your room now?" It was like the whole Gus thing was temporarily put on hold. Everyone was shocked at what that beautiful girl said. There was chatter all around, people wondering what would happen next. My jaw was clenched so hard that my teeth were close to breaking. I wasn't one to wait for his answer. He was with her and it didn't matter that we were mates. It didn't matter that our bond would be there together. I was now like most warriors from West Paw, alone and at the draft.

I didn't realize the daggers in my eyes when I was looking at his girl. It wasn't until the marked one spoke up, "Clara.. um.." She looked into my direction before continuing, "I don't know if now is the time you want to be flirty.. I think you guys might need to talk or something. We didn't even get to say hi to Gussy.. Hey Goosy" She turned to Gus for that last part. Goosy? Some nickname..

The girl named Clara started, "Do you think I care about these people? The majority aren't even going to be the Elite Force. Or are you talking about that little girl? Like she means anything to us. She is too small to be a warrior. She is weaker than the rest of the guys. Just look, she got bloodied by the new people. Even Gus knew that he couldn't fight her because she is so weak. It would have been embarrassing for her. Come on Stace, she stares like how every other unmated lonely woman does at Zo. It is pathetic. Clearly, Zo would agree! He has been angry that she has been here fighting the whole time." Everyone got so loud at her words. Many of the men knew, I was a strong contender or I wouldn't be here. There were others though that seemed to think it was a trick. I mean, Gus was a trick. I looked over at Gus who was now being held back by the annoying Beta. The Alpha, Zo, as she called him was still looking my way. It was impossible to read his emotions. It was one of the strongest qualities in an alpha and a warrior. One I was so close to keeping, until this moment. My anger was getting the best of me and when he looked away I broke. "Would you shut the f... up!" I roared. It silenced everyone, my voice sedated the whispers and the other noises. It gave me time to think, but when I looked around they were all staring. I guess it was my time to shine, I needed answers and to teach this girl some manners. "Listen, you can talk about me all you want. It means nothing to me. While you were up there watching, I was taking on men, strong men. I don't need to prove myself to you. However, if you come down here, I'd gladly fight you. Then you can prove to everyone how tough you really are. I mean it is so easy to talk trash, why don't you come say it to my face. I mean, if you are to be Luna, you should be as strong as the Alpha." When I laughed at that, I heard a few laugh with me as if the idea itself was comical. " As for you Zo, I would reject you to make it easier for your fairytale life, but I don't know your name. I'll give you mine since it will probably be easier. I am Aria. I don't have a middle name or last name so don't worry about that." I saw the distress on his face when I said the words, and they were painful to say, but this is my life: Painful. "Gus, since the princess, clearly isn't making any move to come down here. Why don't you fight me like it was originally planned on my schedule. I am wasting time standing here not fighting. Time I could be recovering for tomorrow. If you still don't want to fight me, could you at least explain who you are?" With that one tear went down my face. My heart was ripping at the seams for my dream of escaping my life at West Paw, for being an Elite Warrior, of having a friend in my new life, and even for my wolf who was whimpering at the loss of her newly found mate.

After a few minutes of whispering between Zo and Gus, finally words came out. It was Gus who made the announcement, "Things are different this year. Obviously. The draft may end early, we still need to figure out some things. I am already a part of the Elite Force. Well, the leader of them besides this guy, well that is a story for another day. Everyone is dismissed for the day." As he was giving his little speech, he was making his way towards me. "Except for you, my dear. Mind telling me how you used the Alpha tone to silence everyone here?..."