A Pack Hidden in Plain Sight

Chapter 2

The pain hit quickly and too suddenly; each blow was as painful as the next. How I found myself in this situation fighting in these pits for the entertainment of others who are ready for me to die is completely beyond me. I stumbled backwards as I tried to regain my balance while the person in front of me roared at the crowd as if sounding his victory, banging his fist against his chest like a primal ape. Kneeling down as I groaned at the burning feeling running through my muscles. 'I can't do this anymore, I need to rest...I want to sleep. The energy is leaking away from me the more i try to dull the pain' in the middle of my thoughts I was pulled back to reality by a powerful blow to the side of my face causing me to land a few meters away bumping hard against a stone wall knocking half my air supply right out from my lungs making them burn with a groan. I wheezed as I choked at the rushing flow of oxygen rushing into my lungs as I stood upwards once more, my body screaming at me to stay down as I coughed up blood before spitting the rest out. I glared at the Male in front me as a large stupid grin was already plastered against his face as if he already won the fight. I was hoping to simply dodge and have him tire himself out but that didn't seem to be the case. Looking downwards at my body as the wounds begin to heal at a slow rate i groaned inwardly as the cocky male looked to the crowds with happiness I choose this time to strike at his head causing the male to stumble backwards from the sudden blow to his head but that didn't stop my movements as i continued to attacked at his body every chance i got before sliding backwards from his hit to my stomach i cough softly spitting out some blood onto the sandy arena as i look up and glare at the male. Shaking off the ever more growing pain of my body as I charged head first towards the Male my head making contact with his stomach causing him to gasp for air as I once did while he collapsed onto the floor sliding a few meters away from me blood pouring from his stomach as my horns glistened with the males blood. The roaring cheers of the crowd turned quickly into multiple growls and taunts. Ignoring the ignorance of the crowd I make sure not to waste a moment of my precious time and step on the males neck with my hindleg as his eyes turn from shock to fear in a split second. "You honestly thought you could actually defeat me. An enemy you had no knowledge of better luck in your next life you fool.'' I whispered softly in his ear before putting more pressure against his neck causing the bones to be crushed. I smiled widely as life drained from his eyes so the only thing looking back at me were soulless colored orbs. I stepped away from the body just as the growls and taunts died meanwhile a large grin soon filled my face as I emitted a large roar of my own singaling my true victory. Looking up towards the crowd I spotted their king, his face was filled with anger and hatred but a bit of slight amusement as he raised his paw like hand into the air to quiet the crowds growls of disgust as he rose from his seat and began to clap eerily slowly. "A job well done beast of the forest a job well done indeed. You've earned your freedom. You may wonder about our great territory as you wish." It sounded like he was truly hoping that I would have died instead of their prized champion. I nodded my head, the only action my body wished to do. It was getting hard to keep standing but I didn't want to look weak in front of these people or their bastard king. He waved his hand dismissing everyone as the giant gate they pushed me through from early on opened with a small curved figure right at the entrance. Concern written within their eyes as their body language looked so fragile yet angry.

Walking towards the person sluggishly and exhausted but before I got close I felt a sharp stinging pain against my face. I made no effort to attack them. They took that opportunity to speak better yet yell at me "you're either insane or a complete dumbass!! Out of all the people in this territory you decided to challenge the king. May the three Goddesses, help you child. He's gonna have people watching you now!" The small female yelled it was supposed to hold anger but I knew better it held concern and worry with each word she spoke. Lifting my tired paw like hand and pressing it against her cheek I rub it with my thumb. "I guess that makes you insane by knowing me" with a growl she smacked my arm as I chuckled. Shaking her head and grabbing my arm as she guided me away from the arena "let me take you to my house to get you cleaned up and to bed".