Arrow Inferno
Chapter 48: Jeremy Stanton vs. Ryan Hicks ~ Feral attraction in the midst of hatred… Don't fuck with me!

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When they got out of their cars in front of Jeremy's mansion, they met yet another challenger who stood between them and the entrance. This one was Katie Steven, a drop-dead gorgeous black lady, who was not only a warrior but was also a famous model. She wore the tiniest jeans shorts, a sexy black tube top that covered just her boobs, and no footwear. She obviously meant business.

"Katie..." Stan bellowed. Katie was on his squad. She was one of his best warriors and he sure as hell didn't want Jeremy or Philip wounding her. "Leave her to me, Stan," Ryan said, shocking everyone.

"Ryan..." The warning in Jeremy's voice was clear.

Ryan turned to face Jeremy. "If I'm the alpha's mate, and I always have to stand aside whilst people handle my shit for me, will I ever gain the respect of the pack?" He asked quietly. "Would you respect me? Already, you don't." He said bitterly, noting the regret that flashed across Jeremy's face. "Allow me to stand up for myself." With that, an extremely angry Ryan started towards Katie.

"Good," Katie said as she watched Ryan walk towards her. "Let's get this over and done with, Pussy Boy." She began to strip, her intentions clear to everyone present. She was going to fight in her wolf form.

A collective gasp went up from the people gathered, not only at Katie's words but also at how she intended to fight. They'd already heard that the alpha's mate hadn't been able to defend himself against Camille. The alpha had to step in to save Ryan. A still shocked Camille had already told some friends of hers what had happened on campus. And the news had already spread like wildfire. So seeing a seasoned warrior such as Katie get ready to fight Ryan struck fear into the people. Some screamed. Philip shifted instantly, ruining his clothes.

Gloria's hands clutching at her chest whilst Stan reached for a gun filled with silver bullets which he always kept inside his boots for rogues. Jeremy stood quietly, his heart pounding inside his chest, his wolf going crazy inside him. But he kept his cool. He had to trust his mate. Ryan was right. If he was going to gain any respect from the pack, he had to show them that he was strong enough to rule beside their alpha.

Pussy Boy? Really? The double meaning of that name wasn't lost on Ryan. He didn't need to be a genius to get the meaning behind the name. Obviously, Katie was not only referring to the fact that he was Jeremy's bitch, but also to the fact that he hadn't been able to fight Camille. Ryan got so furious he began to shake.

"Stand down everyone," Jeremy commanded, shocking not only his friends and mother but also the people gathered around watching the showdown. And it was quite a number of people.

"She's a warrior, Alpha," Stan rasped, his eyes widening with dread as he watched Katie leap towards Ryan, shifting midair. "Oh god, Jeremy."

"Stand down!" Jeremy repeated.

Ryan's eyes followed the she-wolf hurtling towards him. He could tell from the gasps and screams from some of the people gathered that they were scared for him. Ryan knew he should be terrified but somehow...surprisingly, he rather felt a sudden energy and calm fill him. He felt himself raising his hand...almost as if everything was happening in slow motion. And then to his amazement, the wolf, which was still in motion...hurtling towards him, froze midair. Ryan heard the shocked murmur that went up from the people gathered but didn't even turn to look at them. His gaze was riveted on the whining wolf which dangled midair as if it was being held up by invisible ropes. To say Ryan himself was shocked would be too mild a statement. He didn't waste time dwelling on it though. He would later, but at that very moment, he needed to tell Katie his piece. Ryan Hicks was no pussy boy.

"Katie...right?" Ryan said with a tilt of his head. "I've always been a gentleman, darling. And a gentleman doesn't fight ladies. The other thing is that I actually feel silly talking to a wolf though I know you can hear me. Last but not least, I'm a very reasonable person so I want to give you the chance to talk back. So I'm going to humbly ask you to shift back."

With that, Ryan slowly brought his raised hand down, lowering Katie's wolf to the ground. The wolf immediately shifted to a naked Katie. Although she didn't look frozen anymore, she didn't look like she was going to move from where she stood.

"Now I know you werewolves don't mind nudity," Ryan said. "I'm one now, but I do mind and I don't think it's fair to the lady to remain nude whilst every other person is covered. Can someone please..." Even before he could complete what he was saying, his friend, Clara appeared beside Katie with a kaftan which she gave to Katie. "Thank you, Clara," Ryan said with a quick smile in Clara's direction.

"What are you going to do to me?" Katie asked after pulling on the kaftan. There was a note of fear in her voice. But then, who wouldn't be terrified if a mere werewolf was exhibiting so much power?

"Nothing." Ryan shrugged, moving closer to Katie. "As I said, I don't fight ladies. Besides I'm thinking you probably wanted to earn respect or points or whatever, from the pack by...taking me on. I understand. Really, I do." Ryan's intense green eyes bore into Katie's. He neither looked angry nor amused. But the power emanating from him could be felt by everyone present. "Just a word of caution though." He took a pause...for effect. "Don't fuck with me." With that chilling caution, Ryan walked right past a stunned and shaky Katie and entered the foyer. He didn't use the elevator. He went directly to the stairs and actually got to the twelfth floor faster than an elevator would have. He began to strip even before he got to his room. And he was under the shower even before his door slammed shut. And as the water poured over him from all six showerheads, Ryan's silent tears mingled with it. What had he become? Could wolves act the way he'd just acted? He didn't think so. Gloria hadn't told him anything of that sort.

Besides, he could feel the shock from the people gathered. But it had felt so natural, not to mention exhilarating. He could still feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. What was happening to him? What kind of monster was he turning into? He'd hated seeing the humiliation on that beautiful lady's face. Was that what he'd become now? Someone who wielded a lot of power and used it to humiliate others? Although he felt Katie hadn't given him much choice, he still hated what he'd done to her.