The Brotherhood

12

The sun was just beginning to rise over the compound, warming the earth. It was supposed to be a beautiful day full of sunlight and green grass. The sky was bound to be a gorgeous shade of purest blue, the way that it never was at the compound. The clouds were going to be that white puffy kind that would form into shapes that people could stare at for hours. The kind of day where everyone wanted to be outside for as long as they possibly could.

The sight made Finley sick. Her body shook from the sheer force of her anxiety as she stared across the courtyard at Anders. She was sure that as soon as they entered the ring she was going to throw up on him. Come to think of it, she might throw up right now. 

"How're you feeling?" Xander asked her, concern flickering in his eyes. 

"Oh yeah, I'm fucking fantastic," Finley snapped, "I'm just contemplating my quickly approaching death, that's all." 

"You're gonna be fine," Xander said like she was crazy for freaking out. She saw the way that he wouldn't quite meet her eyes though. He thought she was going to die too. 

"Uh huh," She said sarcastically, "That's very reassuring." 

"If it gets to that then just yield and you'll be fine," Xander said with a falsely confident nod of his head. 

Finley looked at him incredulously. "Yeah, because if there's one thing that Anders responds well to it's public humiliation." 

Xander winced, but didn't say anything else. He didn't seem to have any more words to make her feel better. The truth was, there were no words left. She was going to die. It was the plain and simple truth. 

Kane made his way through the crowd of brothers that pushed in on her from every side. Their presence was making it hard to breathe. Finley wished that she could have just had her ass kicked in private, but alas, she rarely got what she wanted. It would kill her if she died in front of all of her brothers like this, at the hands of an asshole like Anders. Then the only way that the only girl to be a member of the Brotherhood would be remembered was as a pathetic weakling who couldn't make it through her first challenge. She would be a complete and utter disappointment. Panic seized her throat at the thought. She was going to die here, nothing but a coward and a stupid bitch that thought she could play with the big boys. 

She was definitely going to throw up. She was going to throw up all over her brothers that had gathered here today to see her undoing. They would probably all be glad to see it. They were all probably silently rejoicing at the thought of getting to see her finally be ended. They would all probably congratulate Anders for being the one who finally did her in. 

Her heart almost caved in when she began to think about what her pack would do if she died here today. Would they disown her? Would they pretend that she'd never been a part of their pack? Would they spit on her memory and laugh at how stupid she'd been? Would Xander find a new best friend that he could actually stand to be around? Would Warren finally be able to do whatever he wanted during training sessions instead of looking after her sorry ass? Would Miles find a chess partner that could actually keep up with him? Would Sloan find someone new to torment day and night? Would Raynar be happier since he wouldn't constantly have to deal with her being a nuisance? Would Kane.... 

Finley couldn't finish the thought. She physically couldn't let herself think about what Kane would do if she died today. It was too painful. Besides, he would probably be just as happy as everyone else would be. That thought alone was enough to make Finley fold over on herself. Strong arms caught her and hauled her to her feet. Finley looked up to find dark eyes searching her face. 

Kane's face became all that she could see. His strong hands holding her up became all that she could feel. His presence was so overwhelming she was surprised that she didn't crumple over again. He didn't smile at her. His face was stuck in that unreadable mask that he wore when he wanted to keep everyone at a distance. She was starting to see through it though. It was barely perceptible, but she could see the worry dancing in his eyes like a ripple in dark waters.