Into the Arena

Chapter 13

It's come to my attention that people are writing stories on Wattpad that are similar to my stories, and for the record I don't appreciate it. I obviously don't have a copyright to this story, I've never felt the need to get one. But I find it rude to take my idea and blatantly copy it, only changing one aspect of the story to make it "yours" if you're going to do that at least give credit where it's due. Say that I inspired it, or whatnot.

Anyways. Rant over. Sorry I've been gone, but college is stressful and life is hectic, and that's my excuse every time but at least I updated again? I came back, I come back, and I always will, until the story is finished. Please stick with me.

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I stood in the shower for at least 10 minutes after I had already finished getting cleaned up, I just couldn't seem to manage to leave the small, warm space. The hot water beating down my back was a luxury I hadn't had in what seemed like forever, but was realistically only a few days.

I turned to my left and looked at my reflection in the mirror across the room through the slightly clouded, but otherwise clear shower doors. I didn't look as ragged as I felt, but in my bones I was exhausted. Not physically, but mentally.

I was fighting, my wolf knew that this male was safe, but I didn't trust him. Surely, they're all violent? The last kind Alpha male I had encountered was my father, and those of his generation. It seems the art of being kind had been difficult to teach to their children, and some of us were suffering because of it.

Finding a mate should be a joyous thing, I should be filled with bliss. Instead I'm skeptical, not only of the bond, but of him and his character. Surely there is a second shoe waiting to drop, a bad side he's keeping hidden.  Perhaps he was a terrible cook, and the meal he promised me was so bad it would poison me. Maybe it was actually just poison. Who knows?

I sighed and turned the water off, annoyed at the chill that prickled my freshly shaved legs once the cold air hit my skin. I dried off and put on the shirt and large sweatpants, obviously his, that were set neatly on the counter. I suppose he had figured this would be my first stop once he had me here.

I growled inwardly to myself as o pulled on the clothes, putting them on made it feel as if he had won in some way. But frankly, they were clean, and I'm not in the mood to be picky. If I can get some fresh clothes and some kind of food, maybe even a nights rest in a bed before I go back on the defensive, I might be able to finish the rest of my time in this Arena.

As I stepped out of the bathroom I heard the cluttering of dishes on the counter and could here sizzling, or more like the sound of something coming to a rolling boil.

"Shit!" A loud crash followed the cuss, and I casually walked in to inspect to scene. A pot lay on the ground with its contents, I'm guessing spaghetti sauce, spewed all over the floor. Kaden was clutching his hands to his chest and hopping up and down.

"You know, when you put something on a burner. It gets hot. And when something gets hot, you don't pick it up with your bare hands."  I raised an eyebrow at him, amused that while he seemed so masculine outside, he was literally helpless right now.

He scowled, then smirked. "Well you didn't burn me when I picked you up, so obviously that's not always the case."

My eyes rolled to the back of my head. "Oh-Kay. That was lame, and gross, and you disgust me." He laughed, but his face back into a scowl as he moved to put his hands under the faucet.

"You know, some Aloe Vera will help that more than water, but you should heal in a few minutes anyways, so I guess that doesn't really matter."

He hissed as the water hit his hands, "Yeah, and I don't casually carry Aloe Vera around with me. Believe it or not, I don't actually burn myself often."

I walked over and, with oven mitts, picked up the hot pan from the floor. "I'll translate that too: I don't cook often. I guess this came from a can then? And I'm assuming you only had one..."

His shoulders slumped. And he moved to wrap his hands in a nearby towel.

"Unfortunately yes, but I made the noodles, and they seemed to come out alright." His eyes sparkled, and it was so adorable I wanted to pinch his cheeks, and that thought was so disgusting I wanted to gargle with acid.

"The man can boil water, what a blessing, what a gift to Earth. Thank the Lord, we're saved."

Now his eyes rolled. "Okay, okay, wait I tried. I'll just make something else."

"Don't bother, just tell me if you have butter."

He walked to the fridge and pulled out a stick, and held it out to me.

"Wow, the hand healed fast." I raised an eyebrow.

"No, that hurt like a bitch, but I'm trying to act tough. If you could stop calling me out on my pain I would really appreciate it."

"Yeah okay." I cut a piece of butter and added it to the noodles and let it melt there.

His face scrunched up and he started looking confused. "Whaaaat, are you doing to those poor noodles?"

"Um, noodles with butter? It's basically the best thing ever. And you don't have to worry about your poor baby hands." I started eating, and his face was still scrunched in disgust.

"That's hardly a healthy dinner, you need more nutrients than that."

"Well then I guess you'll have to cook me a good breakfast, just don't burn yourself."

I turned and headed back in the direction of the bedroom.

"So you're staying? You're not going to fight anymore?" His tone seemed so hopeful, I also wanted to tell him I would stay, but I wasn't in the habit of lying.

"I'm stealing your bed for the night, don't take that as an invitation to join me. Goodnight." And I slammed the door behind me, still holding my bowl of noodles.

One night in a soft, warm bed. I felt slightly guilty for kicking him out of his room but, I deserve one nice night. He can see how uncomfortable it is for an 8 hour period, or maybe 10. Who knows, I'm planning to sleep as much as possible. Tomarrow I was going to run, and I wouldn't stop until I was sure I wouldn't get caught.