Welcome Home Mate
Chapter 37

ROXIE

I sat in my changing room, feeling slightly sick to my stomach.

Tammy Harsh was a mean rogue who loved to cheat in her matches and sometimes had help from her mate, Demon.

Bex was on high alert and tried to settle me down, but nothing she said helped.

I had to send Uncle Keith out of the changing room; he was driving me nuts. He kept on about Tammy, which would be okay if he didn't mention her mate. They are well known in the ultimate fighting community, and no one would go near her or her mate. But I have to admit they put on a good show for everyone.

I didn't mean to yell at Uncle Keith, but I was trying to stay focused. I couldn't have any distractions, and his voice was getting through me.

Once he left the changing room, I paced the room.

I could hear Bex groan. "Calm down, Rox," she said. "You are going to wear the floor the way you are pacing."

I stopped and sighed. I needed to keep my mind focused, but I could hear Alpha Gareth on the microphone telling everyone that the fights for the charity event would begin.

I looked toward the TV in the room. I had never watched the matches before me, but I needed to keep my mind focused on something other than Tammy.

I walked over, switched the TV on, and took a seat on the bench, where I placed all my gear.

Alpha Gareth's face came on screen, and he smiled. "WELCOME TO THIS YEARS FAMILY CHARITY EVENT FOR THE CHILDREN," he shouted. "WE HAVE SOME AMAZING FIGHTS FOR YOU ALL THIS EVENING; LET THE FIRST MATCH BEGIN."

I watched as the curtains opened and the first competitor came out; it was Leon. He was one of the best-known Ultimate fighters on the scene, and he was brutal as they came and would make his opponents tremble in fear.

I wondered who Alpha Gareth had him fight against.

I wasn't too long waiting as the curtain rolled back to reveal Carter. I was shocked, another fighter on the ultimate fight scene. I wonder how Alpha Gareth got both of the best fighters to participate in this. Both fighters are shifters; Leon is a werewolf, and Carter is a werebear. This was going to be interesting. As soon as the bell rang, both men circled each other and started their fight. I was in a trance as I watched. Sometimes it's good to watch fights; you may be able to pick up a few things along the way, as this is what I realized right now.

Bex watched on through my eyes and even mentioned some moves we should try against Tammy, and I nodded, not really saying anything as I carried on watching the fight.

The fight continued, but with one precise knockout kick by Leon to Carter's head, the match was over within seconds.

There was a fifteen-minute pause between this fight and the next, as I heard someone knock on my door telling me to prepare as I was on after the next fight. I started to pull out everything I needed from my bag and got dressed in my ultimate fighter gear: shorts and a sports bra. I placed the tape next and thought I might as well tape my hands up.

I placed the tape around my hand as the announcer mentioned the second fight was about to begin; I kept my eyes trained on my tape when the first person came out. People were cheering, making me look up and see Brock climb into the ring. I couldn't help the smirk on my face; I was starting to feel sorry for whoever was going against him in the ring until the curtain pulled back, and the person standing there made my face drop and hardened.

There, walking hand in hand was Tammy with her mate, Demon. He was a big huge guy, but they were known for their cheating ways. Demon and Tammy liked to use their wolves. We can't use them in the ring, not in this type of fighting. But if you wanted to do an ultimate one where the shifter counterparts could get involved, they could. They would not place us in a ring, as many shifters tore up the ring after the first fight. So they used rope and mud for the ring, where everyone could stand around in the stands. I noticed the referee walking up to Demon in the ring and telling him a clean fight, but you could tell by Demon that he wasn't listening and shoved the referee out of the way.

Tammy was standing at the side, and her eyes were fixed on her mate.

Bex growled. "I'm going to kick that smug look from her face," she said.

I ignored her.

I couldn't help but look away from the screen and carry on putting tape on my hands.

Demon and Brock started the match, and you could already see Demon being cagey.

Demon was a rogue wolf and used his influence around some of the packs to get what he wanted. He is known for his brutal ways, and what he wants, he would get by force. I never saw it happen, but many rumors have floated around this pack over the last six years about him, especially in training.

I taped up my hands, ready for the fight, but I couldn't help but glance at the screen.

Demon was holding Brock in a headlock, but I moved closer to look; I noticed his eyes change slightly.

Bex growled in my head. "His wolf!" she roared.

I could feel anger fill my veins as I carried on watching. The referee never saw what Demon was doing. His wolf was present but was not too close to the surface.

Tammy was shouting, telling Demon what to do.

I shot up and stared.

I watched Brock kick Demon, but his wolf took over and flipped him over, so he was on his back. Demon's wolf went back as he straddled Brock and started punching him in the face repeatedly. Brock's face was covered in blood. He tried to protect himself from the punches, but nothing seemed to work.

The referee never saw anything Demon did, or he completely ignored what he did. He did look frightened of him when he shoved him away.

After a few seconds, the referee called the fight, and Demon won after Brock tapped out.

A loud knocking came from outside my changing room, "Roxie," shouted a woman's voice. "You need to be by the curtain in five minutes."

I closed my eyes and sighed.

I was ready and willing to kick some a*s.

I opened my eyes and walked over.

I was already in my gear and ready for action.

"We got this," said Bex. I could feel her strength running through me. I knew I could do this.

I opened the door and walked out.

I walked past a few people who nodded to me.

I kept my head down and headed to the curtain.

I could hear Alpha Gareth; he had called Tammy to the ring. There were a lot of chants and booing; there were mixed reactions to her.

I closed my eyes, and I heard Alpha Gareth call my name.

"You ready?" I asked Bex.

I looked back at her, and she nodded. "I got your back," she said. "Let's do this; whatever happens, we did our best, win or lose."

I opened my eyes and sighed.

I took a step closer to the curtain to pull it back.

Here goes nothing, I thought.