Pain radiated through my collar bone a small yelp escaping my lips as I stepped back panting heavily.  Clenching my jaw I  straightened my self up once again taking a defensive stance. lightly bouncing on my feet  I could feel every bruise and welt that was forming, a hint of pain flooding every inch of my body. Unlike the other guys in the pack, Adrian wasn't afraid to throw a punch or make it hurt. 


"Again." Ash demanded a growl in their voice.


Adrian and I both looked over at Ash standing at the edge of the ring arms crossed over their chest as they watched us. Something was off,  but no one would tell me. Ash was overly aggressive today, pushing me harder than ever to try to protect myself and learn to fight.


"Can we take a break?" Adrain suggested.


"A break? a break you think your attackers going to let you take a break. have a breather?" Ash snapped jumping to into the ring 


"Ash cmon... " Adrains voice trailed


"There not. they're going to keep coming at you till your dead" Ash snapped their fist swinging at Adrain's face.


The crunch of his jaw echoed through the room, I flinched at the sound eyes locked on Adrain as he lifted his head blood seeping from between his lips. Ash swung again, this time barely missing Adrain as they attacked.


"Ash!" I called out in an attempt to stop them,


Ice ran through my veins as Ash turned to face me heavy darkness lingering in their eyes as they stormed forward closing the gap. Ash looked down at me,  heavy breaths over my skin, there was something about Ash in that moment that set off every danger trigger in my body. I flinched down eyes wide as I looked up at them. flinching only seemed to increase the growing anger.


"Dont flinch!" Ash snapped grabbing fistfuls of my shirt "Fight" they demanded to shove me backward. 


Stumbling over my own feet I slammed down against the hard mat. Pain shot through my wrist a loud pained yelp escaping my lips. Ash stormed towards me only to be blocked by Aliya. Ash stared her down her eyes looking over at me, like a predator staring down a wounded pray.


"That is enough" Alyia insisted.

"She has to learn. or she'll never survive"  Ash growled.


"This is not they way" Alyia insisted calmly


"What the fuck is going on over here?" Mateo barked  walking into view

"It's okay Mateo, I got it." Aliya assured.


"Then why is Micah on the floor?" He questioned pulling me to my feet.


"please. it's not like you actually care" Ash snarled 

"I do alright. I do care and I'm not going to let you take out your anger on her." Mateo snapped pulling me away.


"All your doing is making her weak!" Ash yelled out, Aliya holding them back from storming towards us.

Mateo walked me to the platform guiding me up the stairs, slamming the door to the basement behind him as we walked into the hallway. Mateo grumbled to himself incoherently as he stormed to the kitchen, I followed slowly ensuite unsure if I should or not. As I reached the kitchen Mateo was leaning against the counter head down as he took long deep breaths.


"You okay?" he questioned at my arrival.


"I have a feeling I'll be sore for days and will definitely have bruises but nothings broke... I mean don't it is" I informed trying to make light of the conversation.

"Ash means well.. just not a good day for them" Mateo informed going to the freezer.


"Yeah... Ash seems off today.. I tried asking Rocky but she avoided it" I informed walking closer.


" It's Leah's deathaiversary..." Mateo informed his voice trailing as he held out an icepack


"Leah?" I  questioned holding the icepack to Adrian's most recent fist print. Mateo sighed.


"She was Ash's mate... four years ago, she went run... and never came back... Ash found her mutilated... Ash's was fucked up for a long time... Now on the Anniversary of all the built-up guilt just explodes... and this year... I guess your target... Leah wasn't a fighter either... I think Ash might see her in you... and that's why their pushing so hard" Mateo informed

"Danm..." I mumbled looking down.

"But Leah's death isn't an excuse for Ash to beat the shit out of you. Or Adrain, even if he's a tool and deserves it"Mateo attempted to joke.


"He really is... he told me earlier I should be in the kitchen because im a girl and I should make him a sandwich" I stated rolling my eyes as I moved the icepack to another place I was sure was bruised.


"you do make some really good sandwiches" Mateo half defended.


"You would know. you stole half them from me in high school" I reminded glaring at him.


"It was easier than making them myself" He shrugged going back to the fridge.


"You had to break into my locker!" I exclaimed gaining another shrug.

"Mikie you okay?" Aliya interrupted entering the kitchen.


"Yeah I'm fine Ali, thank you for stepping in" I  thanked with a soft smile


"There was no way I was letting Ash treat you like that" She assured patting my hand gently before stealing the drink from Mateo.


"Hey I just opened that" he complained


"Open another" Ali beamed taking my hand "I'm also taking Mikie" She announced pulling me behind her.


"Whatever" Mateo grumbled, gaining a giggle from the both of us as we exited the kitchen.


"You sure you okay?" Ali hummed looking over me


"Yeah... I'll have a couple bruises nothing that won't heal up quick" I informed with a light shrug.


"I'm sorry about Ash... Today..." Ali began to explain.


"It's okay, Mateo explained " I assured gaining a sympathetic smile from her. 

"I could imagine.... I mean.. If I lost Zeke.. I'd go nuts" Ali admitted sitting us on the couch. 

"Me either... I don't have a mate... but... just seeing you and Zeke together... if I lost someone that close.. I don't know what would happen" I admitted 

"On the subject of mates," a sly smile spread across Aliyas face

"No," I warned with a groan

"What! I was just going to say you and Luca would be cute together" She exclaimed a smirk forming on her lips as I blush.


"shut up. no. I told you all of you. I have more important this to focus on" I insisted.


"I mean.. in a couple of days... you never know it could be him your focusing on.. Or Roman" She teased, I rolled my eyes groaning. 

"Seriously. you all are relentless" I  informed pointing a finger at her. 

"What can I say its new and exiting" She grinned.


"Really starting to feel like a  new toy in the sandbox" I jabbed.


"Aww, it's not that bad"  She giggled.


"have you seen my phone? the amount of over-explained and over thought theories of who I have a crush on and who I'm going to end up with after Mondschlacht from Rocky and Zeke alone is insane."  I informed "Also every shift I work with Berry at the diner has turned into a game of guess the crush" I groaned.


"Well, you know how to make them stop don't you? answer the question!" She insisted.



"Relentless" I groaned standing up 


"where are you going?" she questioned eyes locked on me.


"Back down stairs. maybe Ash or Adrain will hit me hard enough to be back in the hospital unconscious for a few days again." I half-joked walking away.


"your kidding right?" Aliya questioned her voice wavering as she spoke.


"Yes!" I called out shaking my head " I need to have a shower before Sal picks me up for work" Informed shaking my head as I headed to Aurora's room to use her ensuite.