Walking with Wolves

Chapter 8

"Food!" Hazel shouted.

"Hazel, may I?" Jake asked giving her puppy dog eyes.

"Fine, only because I feel bad for hurting you." Hazel handed him a plate of pancakes.

"You rock." Jake inhaled his pancakes.

"I have to leave soon." Hazel checked her watch.

"Why?" Jake asked.

"She has a tournament today." Emily told him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jake frowned.

"I don't want you coming." Hazel finished her first pancake.

"Why!?" Jake asked.

"I don't want you to see me getting thrown to the mat." Hazel shrugged.

"You're not going to get thrown to the mat." Jake encouraged her.

"It's a tornament. I'm going to get thrown to the mat. Now I have to go get ready." Hazel got up and headed to her room.

Hazel never let her friends watch her in tournaments. The last friend she took got into a fight with the referee and got Hazel disqualified. Ever since then, she refuses to let anyone watch her. Hazel grabbed her bag and went to the truck. It was only a ten minute drive to where the tornament was. Walking in Hazel could smell the fimilar scent of rubber mats. Other competitors were already warming up. Hazel checked in, got into her karate attire, and started her warm up. Hazel was pretty good, top of her class. When, she was 15 she got her second degree black belt. Hazel was going for third degree black belt soon. An announcement went off telling the competitors to get ready. Hazel went to where the other competitors were waiting.

"You ready sugar?" Hazel ruffled a little blonde girl's hair.

"Yes! I'm not sugar, you know my name is Sandy." The little girl replied.

"I know, I know." Hazel chuckled, "Remember to keep your arms up and your leg forward." Hazel said seriously.

Hazel had been training with Sandy since Sandy had come to the dojo. Despite Sandy being 14, they hit it off right away. Sandy was only a green belt, but she was good. Sandy's name was called and she went to meet her opponent. They bowed to each other and began fighting. Sandy hit the mat three times and lost the match.

"I didn't keep my arms up." Sandy muttered as she walked over to Hazel.

"It's okay, you'll do better next time." Hazel hugged her.

They sat together and waited until the black belts got to go. Hazel's name was called and she eagerly went up. They bowed to each other. As soon as the referee dropped his hand the other girl went to kick her in the head. Hazel ducked and landed a kick to the girls chest. The girl stumbled backwards and Hazel went to punch her in the stomach. This girl was leaving her center completely open. The girl flipped Hazel over, slamming her into the mat. Hazel rolled in order to being punched in the face. Hazel flipped the girl over and got up. Hazel blocked the girl as she tried kicking again. Hazel landed a punch to the girl's side. The girl became very upset probably because she was one hit away from losing the match. The girl did a spin kick to Hazel's head. Hazel ducked and as she came up the girl punched her hard in the face. Hazel fell on her back on the mat. Hazel groaned holding her nose which was now bleeding horribly. The referee knelt down next to Hazel.

"Are you okay?" The referee asked.

Hazel nodded as her head started to swim. The girl smirked standing above Hazel. Hazel blacked out for 10 seconds. As she opened her eyes she heard growling and the girl and the referee were being shoved out of the way. River dropped down to the mat.

"Are you okay!? Say something! That can't be legal." River growled at the referee.

"Black belt tournament. Anything goes." Hazel said closing her eyes trying not to throw up.

"Thank God you are okay." River held Hazel,"You!" River growled at the girl who had knocked Hazel out.

"I'm sorry." The girl whispered looking pale.

"I'll deal with you later." River harshly whispered to her.

The girl whimpered as River picked Hazel up and walked off the mat.

"NO! Put me down! I'm good, lete beat that punk! I can fight dirty too!" Hazel punched her hand.

"I know you can, but we are going to fix you up." River carried her out the door.

"I need my bag!" Hazel shouted trying to wiggle free.

"I've got it." Jake appeared out of nowhere.

"You!" Hazel sounded murderous.

"I know, I know, we all wanted to see you compete." Emily patted Hazel's head.

"Nooo." Hazel groaned.

"She fought dirty. It's okay, we know that doesn't normally happen." Jake assured her.

Hazel pouted, her friends had just watched her get her butt kicked.

"It's okay baby, she was a wolf." River put Hazel in his car.

"SHE WAS A MEMBER OF MY PACK!?" Hazel shouted.

"Yes, I'll take care of her." River leaned over and kissed Hazel.

Hazel smiled, " Awe, I have such strong fighters." Hazel sniffed.

"Wait, you're happy about this?" Emily asked as they got into the car.

"Yes, if she can beat me imagine what she'll do to a rouge." Hazel smiled.

"You got hit into the head too hard." Jake muttered.

"I am Luna of Scarlet Claw pack! I could have wolves tear you apart before you could blink!" Hazel shouted.

"And someone has gone power crazy." Jake looked at her, "You're still bleeding."

Hazel riffled around until she found napkins. River started driving after about ten minutes River missed the turn.

"You passed my road." Hazel pointed out.

"We are going to the pack house to have a doctor check you out." River said sternly.

"River, she hit my nose. It's not even broken!"

"You don't know that." River argued.

"Dang, he's as crazy as she is." Jake whispered.

"Pack house? WE CAN'T GO! I DON'T WANT TO SEE SLEET!" Emily panicked.

"I'll protect you from the big bad wolf." Jake teased.

Emily pouted, "They are real."

"I know." Jake whispered.

"How? You were denying it earlier." Hazel asked.

"I thought you were pulling my leg. I didn't realize Alpha River told you guys." Jake rubbed the back of his neck.

"You're a werewolf!!" Hazel screamed.

"What!? No, my mom is." Jake shook his head.

"Oh." Hazel looked disappointed.