ManBeast - Book 1: A Kingdom of Predators

Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

"DID YOU SEE THAT SHIT?! WE'RE GONNA BE FUCKIN' RICH!" an athletic human gentleman cried out loud, nearly spilling his drink on his expensive-looking jump suit in the process. "You have no idea, Terrence; people will bet big money to see a Hybrid take on the best the Brotherhood has to offer,", a slim but well-defined older Beast-woman in a sleek revealing dress responds. "You better believe it, Siobhan! Fucking RICH!" Terrence cried again, clinking glasses with the sultry Siobhan.

The room is filled with powerful people, all in awe to the conclusion of the Gauntlet. The sum of events that night was as unprecedented as it was unexpected. Every draft class has its "runts"; Jules was assumed to be the short straw on that draw. But the conclusion of his match shook the very foundation of what everyone in the room came to believe, and promulgated a new excitement that none could ignore: The Brotherhood was about to undergo a radical change.

"Now, now my fellow Representatives; let's temper our expectations here. The child is still raw, and by his file, has no prior experience in combat or competition. While his transformation was a bit impressive, he's no Stephan Jones; this may be a fluke and we should be prepared to see it as such," Louis Thames responded sternly.

A large and rotund human male twiddled his handlebar mustache in thought of Louis' advisement. "Perhaps you're right, Louis. There are many Brothers who stand leagues above this Julius Jones, and his projected metrics from the Gauntlet suggest he will flame out sooner than later," he states. Louis walked over to the large gentleman and rubs his shoulders in endearment. "Leave it to the Honorable Representative Jalil Shams to give sound rationale. I knew you'd see it as I do!" Louis jovially exclaimed. Jalil chuckled and patted Louis' hand: "Indeed, my friend. Our Brotherhood has more than enough riches to expand exponentially; one "mutt" changes little."

At this moment, a middle-aged tan-skinned woman spoke up, drawing the attention of all present. "I dissent respectfully, my colleagues. The boy will be a success; I know it. Francis Mack is one of the best Brothers, both in the ring and outside of it, and is the boy's mentor! We, as Committee members, should see to his development along with Francis and help make Julius something special, sans impinging upon that sacred bond of trust!" she asserted, with a few persons near her and around the room nodding in approval and contemplation.

Louis was about to retort when Teri interjected: "Oh come now, Agatha. Julius is a question mark at best, and his mentor Francis Mack has his own problems to deal with. The quorum of votes speaks for itself: Francis will fight the first Fang match of the new season. "The Maniac" Manny Drego is quite literally chomping at the bit to get a piece of him." The woman mocked a chomping gesture with her hands, causing several persons present to laugh at the woman's jest, belittling faith in Agatha's assertion in the process.

Siobhan smirked and twirled the cherry from her drink with her tongue. "Teri, it sounds as though you're going to propose something that's going to keep us very entertained. Do spill the tea, my love!"

The now-raucous Teri turned her attention from Agatha to Siobhan, letting her deep mauve and glossy painted lips spread into a wide smile: "Who? Little ole me? Never! But now that you mention it...I do have some very interesting ideas to keep our beloved Francis Mack busy in the upcoming days. How's about we see just how much of a "Monster" Francis truly is?"

Frankie felt the air get sucked out from his body; his protégé lost. Let alone Frankie now stood to be expelled from the Brotherhood, this was Jules' last chance to change the standings of the Gauntlet, and that opportunity had been lost. Frankie walked slowly over, closer to ringside; Doug and Al proceeded to do the same. The entirety of the stadium was silent, as the situation more and more came to feel as though some far more serious than a loss may have occurred.