From Alpha to Outcast

Chapter 9

---Lyra's POV---

When Ryan approached us, I was honestly expecting him to be furious about the loss of another of his pack buddies. However, the first words out of his mouth weren't hateful rants of rogues and other bullshit.

Instead, he looked quite sheepish, scratching the back of his neck. "I... I would like to apologize, for my reaction earlier. For all of my outbursts really."

I blinked, surprised and quite honestly, shocked that he came to me to apologize, without prompting of anyone.

Ryan sighed deeply, seemingly unable to look me in the eyes. "I've had some...really bad experiences with rogues. Lost people I was close with and-"

Raising my hand, I stopped him, softly adding "I understand, Ryan. Mostly. But you can't hunt down and attempt to murder people for something that someone else in the past has done to you."

"And I understand that. At least, now I do. Hate has consumed be for the most of my childhood and no matter what anyone else said, all I had to do was encounter another violent rogue to be proven right."

"And then you met me." I nodded in understanding, knowing exactly how it looked in Ryan's eyes. To encounter a supposed bloodthirsty rogue, a monster that would've ripped any pack member to shreds...

Yet there I was, risking my own life, sheltering a pack pup with my own body from harm that they inflicted upon us.

That must be part of the reason why he was so aggressive. Why he lashed out uncontrollably, because I was the rogue that threatened to turn his entire world upside down.

Being forced to change everything he knew, everything he did, would make him realize that he too has potentially done things that he should be ashamed of.

So it was only natural to push back, to deny and spew more hatred. But at least now, he sat down and accepted that he was wrong. That he needed to change his way of thinking.

Smiling, I glanced at a confused Jason before giving him a pointed look. "Unless this is going to be a two-on-one fight, aren't you supposed to sit with your friends over there?"

I pointed at the rest of the defeated youngsters as Jason blinked in surprise before clearing his throat. "Uh, yeah! Yeah, I'll , yeah. I'll just go...."

Even as he sped off the arena, I could already hear the whispers and murmurs going through the crowd. Because this wasn't just any regular wolf on wolf fight.

This was a fight between two natural born Alphas. A fight that was bound to get nasty, as Alphas all had a stubborn side to them that refused to admit defeat until they were utterly destroyed.

Bets were being places, some in favor of Ryan, some surprisingly in my favor and even several bets indicating a draw between us two.

However, before we could even split apart in preparation for our upcoming fight, Blake was fast approaching us and motioning for us to stay where we were.

What's going on?

I shot a glance at the Pack Luna and noticed that Christy was already looking at both of us, a worried frown creasing her brow.

"Before we start this fight, I need to make a few things absolutely sure." Blake murmured in his deep voice, now even deeper with his concern as he eyed us both.

"The rules for this fight are that you have to either pin your opponent or make them surrender. The fight will continue until either one of you manage to do so or if either of you are unable to continue the fight."