I'll Show You (rewritten)

23: Life surrounded by demons

A gentle rap at my bedroom door interrupted my third round of sit-ups. I sat up, wiping the sweat off of my brow before answering, slightly irritated at the interruption.

"Come in," I said steadily, not managing to conceal the agitation that was clear in my tone.

I was in no mood to be distracted from the mind-numbing training especially with the challenge at the arena scheduled a day away. The very memory of the phone call to the Red Sky 'Alpha', or in better words that brash, overbearing son of a bitch was enough for my face to redden. He had demanded a challenge, set the date without so much of a discussion and then proceeded to hang up on me as if I wasn't worth his precious breath. But hours earlier had told Grey that I was unfit and my pack was full of "washed up pansies for men".

Now that infuriated me. He could sit on that throne of his but I was sheming and when a woman was pissed, there was no escaping her wrath. He'd clearly never heard the saying 'Hell have no fury than a woman scorned'.

The wooden door slowly inched open revealing Nancy, she was dressed in a plain frock that was adorned in faded patterns of what looked like squirrels. Despite my tone her face was warm and inviting with a hint of something else, she released a breath and held out a tray of food.

"Don't linger by the door. I said come in." I grab a bottle of water beside my yoga mat. I had been training before breakfast until the sun shone brightest, that had been my daily routine for weeks now.

She sent me a scowl but did as I asked, "you may be the Alpha but manners don't cost, don't think I'll stand idly by while you run your mouth young lady."

My eyes flew to hers, her motherly need to look after me had started ever since the Alpha ceremony and it was times like these that I held onto. Not that anyone knew of that, not even Nancy and that was how it was going to stay.

"Tell the men that I'm sure they'll listen," I reply bitterly, still pissed at the way they had treated me at last night's training. That nightmare of mine had fuelled some lust driven thoughts that some of the perverted males clung to when they looked at me, let's just say they left that training with fewer body pieces than when they started.

She picked up on my mood instantly and sighed, plopping her body down on my double bed. I half wondered if she smelt the lingering scent of blood, despite the bleach the metallic tang hung in the hair to my own nose. If she did, she'd didn't mention it. Allowing me to keep my own demons to myself. Sub-consciously I pulled my leggings down further, covering what helped me think straight in times where I had no hope left.

"No matter how sullen you are Alpha, you still need to eat. This is the third day that you've forgotten to feed your body and someone of your standing cannot loose their strength, especially with the events of tomorrow."

I nodded raising my eyes to her, "I know, I've just been occupied," she rested a hand gingerly on my shoulder, knowing my wolf didn't like sudden movements. I took a deep breath, my face conveying how drained I was.

"Very few of the pack believe I'll come out alive tomorrow, I can see it written all over their faces. Whoever I'm facing is well known."

Her face softens, reminding me with a punch to the gut of Marion, "He's well known for not giving mercy where given, he's a tyrant- his father no different. The only goodness in his family is his little brother but I heard he's studying in Europe." She rubbed small circles into my shoulder and I allowed myself to lean into the comforting touch. "I believe in you Alpha, you just need to believe in yourself."

"I do believe in myself, it would be fucking nice to have the pack on my side."

She pinched my shoulder in warning for my language and I suppressed a small growl, my wolf hated being touched but Nancy was an exception.