Fight For You

Chapter One; The Mission Begins

I rested my head back against the wall, squeezing my eyes shut as I fought back nausea. The sounds of the cheering crowd and pained cries as Cameron and Aralynn fought didn't help matters.

Tonight was another Elite Fight Night, meaning instead of having five or six different matches with the regular fighters, there were only two matches, in which the handlers chose four of the Elite Five and had them beat each other senseless. These matches always left me feeling the worst, because while yes, in other fights I still was hurting others, they were strangers. Nothing more than opponents. But these weren't some strangers, they were family. That's what the other Elites had become to me at this point. Family.

I winced as the crowd roared, the announcers amplified voice declaring Cameron the winner, and Aralynn unfit to continue.

That meant it was my turn to fight.

Pushing off the wall and opening my eyes, I listened, waiting for my name to be announced. Rachel was to be my opponent for this match and was announced first, and I caught a glimpse of her through the doorway, strutting down the aisle in her wolf form. She disappeared from my sight, and my name was blasted through the speakers. I sucked in a deep breath, and then I was walking.

There was a clear path through the crowd, the audience smart enough to realize they shouldn't block the fighters' walkway. As I strutted down the aisle, I added a little swing to my hips, smiling menacingly at the audience as I passed the rows of seats, flashing them my fangs. People hooted and hollered, screaming and cheering as I passed, and I dug my nails into my palms to keep from screaming. I didn't want everyone to think I was proud to be a monster, but if I didn't act, well, the handlers were running out of patience.

I ducked into The Cage, the door swinging shut behind me, locking me in with the massive wolf I knew to be Rachel.

Steel bars stretched from floor to ceiling, giving no chance of escape until the match was over and the doors opened. My back against the metal bars caging us in, I stared at the massive brown wolf on the other side of the cage, just ten feet away, listening to the announcer as he talked about our records.

Then came the command to start.

Rachel bared her teeth in a snarl, and I could see the apologies in her eyes as she charged. I waited until the last moment, then dove to the right, wincing as she crashed into the bars where I had just stood. I had the advantage in this fight, because while Rachel was stronger, I was smaller and faster.

I stayed where I was, tensed and ready to spring into action when needed as I waited for Rachel to climb back to her feet- er, paws. She started to move again, this time taking a less direct approach. She circled me, obviously wanting me to make the first move.

I knew Rachel would see through any feints, so I simply lunged forward, praying I caught her by surprise. She reared up on her hind legs, and I crashed into her as she swung her paws. Grasping her thick brown fur in my fingers so I wouldn't fall as she returned to all fours, I sent a silent apology to my friend, then clamped my fangs down on her furry neck.

She bucked, trying to dislodge me, but her struggles ended all too quickly as I drained her. The crowd roared as she collapsed on top of me, and I pushed her to the side, releasing her and spitting out fur. The sour taste of her blood lingered in my mouth, but I forced myself to focus on it. It'd help distract me from the guilt, to keep my confident and proud facade together.

I climbed to my feet, forcing the corners of my lips up into a grin as I was announced winner, showing off my bloodstained fangs to the crowd. A pretend curtsy had the audience laughing, and I fought back a shiver as I blew kisses to the crowd. Turning to face the people behind me, I was startled to see someone leaning against the cage bars, a pained look painted across his features.

I met his smoldering fire eyes, and then he was gone, another man dragging him away...

*Third Person*

Sean cast a nervous glance down his line of brothers at Victor, taking in his anger. He couldn't help but wonder if he had done the right thing, allowing him to come here, after the information he had divulged. What if he lost his temper? How would their brothers react if they were to witness it?

As the second fighter for the new match was called in, Sean caught sight of North, who was sitting closest to the aisle, flinching away from the young blonde. She smiled, showing off pointed fangs, her shoulders back and strides long. She seemed confident. Her expressive green eyes, however, told a different story. She didn't want to be here, but she wasn't afraid. No, instead, she seemed to feel guilty. That could only be expected with the night they had come, though. Elite Fight Night was supposed to only feature the best of the best, pitted against their friends in what were supposed to be long lasting, entertaining, fights.

As the match started, the wolf lunging for the vampire, Victor relaxed back into his seat, gears turning. He had a plan. A stupid plan, but a plan. He knew he'd never be able to convince his brothers to let him try, but if he could get Sean on his side...

Victor stood, ignoring his brothers' questions as he maneuvered over and around their feet, stopping in front of Sean. The doctor took one look at Victor's face and shook his head. "Victor! You can-"

He was too late. The moment Victor realized Sean wouldn't listen, he took off for the cage. He needed the fighters to listen, to know he was coming. He needed them