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I looked out the window and lied, “I make the most money this way. People love it.” Dax sighed, “Your voice just squeaked so loud birds cringed. That’s not why you do it.

You let the pack punish you because of what happened that night.

Then you walked into the Undergrounds and punish yourself some more.

It’s been five years. When will you have suffered enough? ”

A tear slid out of my right eye. I whispered, “Never. They are gone.” Dax said, “I’d haunt Sierra’s ass from the grave if she did something like this.

You let them hurt you.” I shrugged, arguing weakly, “I’m always ok though…

eventually. Plus…I see them in there when I get hit so my brother does haunt me in a way. He’s just not mad like I wish he was.”

Dax pursed his lips pleading, “Just think about it Mel. I’m tempted to drive to Red Run myself with Caine and give Beta Jason a piece of my mind.

” I reasoned, “I don’t know if they’d let you in.

” Dax replied, “I could go to someone I know who would listen to what I have to say.” I knew who he meant.

I argued, “They kept Elise out of this. She’d have to pick her family over me. I don’t really even know if EJ knows either.” Dax rolled his eyes muttering, “There is no way the pristine Conners family knows ANY of this. Your Xander would not stand for this. Not for anyone, let alone his mate.”

I wiped my tears as they fell freely now. I whispered, “He doesn’t want me, Dax.” Dax frowned, “According to your brother and random she wolves, who could be lying. Hell, from the rumors Caine and I hear, they are lying.”

I looked up asking, “What rumors?” The words from the woman, who was with the woman who claimed she would be in Luna talks with Xander, floated into my mind.

Dax told me, “Alpha Alexander doesn’t date.

He’s waiting for his mate. He and his wolf want their fated.

Besides, his mom would KICK his ass if he rejected you. You have to know that’s true.”

I whispered, “He promised Jason.” Dax asked, “Did he? Or did Beta Jason just want you to stay away? Did he not want to anger a seriously powerful ally over what they did to you? You don’t even know if your brother did that of his own accord.

The Alpha could’ve ordered him to. You’ve seen that here a million times over. ”

I winced admitting, “Alpha Peter wouldn’t… but I can’t chance that. We have too much to do. People count on me. I’ll eventually go see Xander.” Dax offered, “I can pick you up after your fight.” I shook my head, “Nah, Sierra and Addison are coming.”

Dax sighed, “I see you three as my sisters even though Sierra is the only by blood. I’m fighting all my instincts to let you walk in there.

” I acknowledged, “I know. We need the money though.” Dax disagreed, “We don’t.

You have made more than enough money with your business ventures and in the stock market.

You would still get money fighting without just letting them beat you up. ”

I disagreed, “I have to do it my way.” Dax sighed, “Just think about it or I’m going to Alpha Alexander and Luna Elise.” I bit my lip agreeing, “I’ll think about it.” Dax smiled, “Good. I’ll hold you to that.” I hated that I disappointed him, but I had to do this.

When I walked up the guy on the backdoor grimaced. I raised an eyebrow, “Crush… you’re sad to see me? My feelings are hurt. I was excited to see it was you.” Crush pursed his lips, “Yes, well, I don’t like when you fight. You’re better than this Ashley.”

I shrugged, “We were all sold to this, and we make the best of it.” Crush sighed, “I make the best of it. You punish yourself for your past.” I winked adding, “But I win.” Crush nodded, “See that you do.” I blew him a kiss and walked inside. He was gay… so it wasn’t flirting.

The ringleader of the Undergrounds hissed, “What happened to your back?” I answered, “What always happens?” He yelled, “This will not stand! I will call them right now!” I shrugged, “Knock yourself out what’s done is done.” He stalked off.

I glanced around and easily spotted who I was fighting tonight. His gaze was locked in on me. He grinned. I rolled my eyes at him and everyone else that looked excited. He could grin all he wanted; I was still going to win.

I went to the room designated for me tonight, put on a tight t-shirt, and some shorts. I only had to wait for ten minutes before Crush came in. He announced, “You’re up kid. You don’t have to let him get so many shots in tonight. I’m just saying.”

I teased, “I’ll make it entertaining as always… that is popular advice tonight though… so…. You are in good company.” Crush sighed, “One day, I’ll get ahold of that aunt and brother of yours. Then they will find out why my nickname is Crush.”

I countered, “Just the aunt. Leave my brother be.” Crush argued, “He doesn’t deserve it.” I shrugged, “He’s still my brother. I know that doesn’t mean anything to him, but it used to. For fourteen years… he was one of my biggest protectors.”

Crush said, “The past means jack shit. The present is what counts. In the present he’s horrible, and he’s not here when it counts.

You are what he has have left of your parents.

He should honor that. He should honor his father who raised you; however, he does not.

He spits on the memory of your parents and your older brother.

I believe they would be ashamed.” I stopped in surprise because he spoke about Tristan with confidence.

Understanding lit in my eyes. I whispered, “You know who I really am.” Crush nodded, “I do. I met your older brother once when he was with his Hackura friend. It took me a minute to put it together, but you look like him.”

I smiled sadly saying, “Not so much.” Crush replied, “Maybe it was an educated guess, and you confirmed it.” I laughed, “You are a smart one, Crush.” He made a fist, and I nodded.

It was our sign so I’d know he’d put something in my bag.

Something told me I might be recruiting Crush for the Resistance.

I had an instinct about people that had long since told me he was a good guy.

I stepped into the ring which made the crowd roar with applause.

I looked out at the people around me. These people funded the Ring by being here and betting.

Which made them my enemies. They cheered as they thought people died in this very ring.

I just saved them and planned to get the fighters out instead.

I wondered what their expression would look like if they found out they also paid for the Resistance. They would probably never know though. My eyebrows raised when I spotted Trevor and his friends walking in.

He came every so often to see me fight. I could swear he loved and hated watching me take hits. I focused back on my opponent, who was cocky and heavy footed. The crowd cheered for him, but it was louder for me. Little did these people know how much I hated them.

I did need them though, to a degree. To tear this thing apart from the inside out. I shrugged off those feelings. They would all get theirs one day. The Moon Goddess might let me down, but karma would eventually come for them all. They’d deserve it.

My opponent came at me, and I dodged his first swing. The crowd gasped in shock. I had to keep them on their feet. I was still going to let him get several shots in. My opponent whirled and hit me hard. I didn’t budge. His next uppercut landed with a crack.

It felt like it hit my soul as I caught a flash in my mind of Tristan jumping in front of me taking a bullet to the chest. I saw Slade’s face as he killed my family. The shots kept coming in physical blows from my opponent, but I didn’t stop him. I saw my mom die, then my dad.

For some reason I always got a flash of Robert’s face. It had to be wrong though since he wasn’t there. Everything snapped back into focus. I swung my legs out and dropped my opponent. I did a kip up and roundhouse kicked him in the face. I punched him twice before going for the knockout.

I walked to my corner surprised when the cage began to come down. What the heck? I wasn’t the cage match for tonight. No one had one…so…what the actual hell was happening? The ringleader shot me a sheepish look which told me this wasn’t the plan but he was letting it happen.

I smelled Trevor’s wet dog scent and turned around. He smiled at me and to be honest… I was stunned because he was inside the cage. Was he really going to embarrass himself in front of crowd by losing to me? In the cage? Was he high? His pupils looked fine… but maybe he took something.

The crowd booed as I spotted Crush moving towards us. I hoped my eyes conveyed it was ok that he wasn’t going to make it in time to get inside. I faced Trevor and asked, “Can I help you?” Trevor nodded, “You’re mine and you’ll be mine by the time you leave this cage, officially.”

I felt a fierce anger that came up from within me. I gripped my head as I was certain… no… I could swear I heard something snarl. Trevor, of course, used that and hit me. I put my hand up as he went to bite my neck. His canines sank into my palm.

I screamed in pain and anger. I kneed him in the balls and flipped us. I was at a disadvantage, and Trevor knew that. I was hurt… pretty badly this time and I realized this had been his plan. It wasn’t a bad one…. Which told me it wasn’t his plan….more than likely it was Alpha Ezra’s.

It wasn’t going to work though. I would only ever have one man’s mark on my neck. It was my Xander or it was nothing. I pushed him further away from me, but Trevor just snarled and came at me again. Another glaring sign he wasn’t my mate. He was trying to hurt me. A mate would never do that.

He fought me with a ferocity he’d never come at with me before. If I wasn’t hurt, I’d have him down already. He was so sloppy because he never worked out. By this point, he’d bitten me several times, but not on my neck or near my marking spot.