Chapter 13 I AM A WOMAN

Chapter XIII: I AM A WOMAN

"Seek first to understand and then be understood."

(Steve Covey)

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She couldn't believe it, and she doesn't want to. She felt like everything people showed is a just for a show. She laugh hilariously and look at him.

"Since when?" She asked.

Nonetheless, Ericson didn't say a word. He quickly closed the gap between them by hugging her tightly, not minding the different pair of eyes that looks directly at them. However, she just stood there, like a child figuring out what is the right thing to do. Ericson let go of her and cup her face.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I pretend. I just want to protect you."

"Protect me from what?"

"From certain people you trust that you shouldn't, from things that could hurt you. Please don't get mad."

"I'm not mad Ericson, I'm confused. Does Laide and Tomas knew?"

"Listen Brige, there are certain things you need to know~"

"Does Laide and Tomas knew?!" She has out spoken him.

"Yes."

A sudden range of disappointment form inside her. She doesn't want to believe it. But hearing it from her 'dear' friend make her felt like betrayed. Her hands are shaken, but she chose to stay silent. She drinks every water from her cup and breathe heavily.

"This is so insane. So, you two are friends?" Apollo asked.

"We are actually best friends." Ericson stated.

"Whoah."

"Brige, I'm sorry. But truth to be told, you are my mission."

..

"Brige, wear this." Hera get her hand and wear a band on it. "It's important to have a flexible hand." She added.

After Ericson showed himself and leave, her disappointment doesn't subside. Her mind was full of negativity and doubt especially on people who surround her. She doesn't know whom to trust anymore. All of her life, she was happy because despite not having a family to be called, she never felt alone. Little did she know that all this time she live and acknowledge persons who let her live in a lie. The duel was about to start, and her opponent is a girl on her age who despise her since they've been introduced to each other. She always rolled her eyes and show that she doesn't want her. However, even if she knows that bad thoughts should always keep away, she will never let herself slam on the ground by the people whose planning to drag her down. She's not going to pretend as prim because pretending for her means weakness. She knows she doesn't need to pretend because first, she's not afraid to be alone. If being alone is the only way to live in the truth, then she's more willing to live in the dullness of life and just make it vibrant herself.

She stands and watch the crowd cheering for their biases. She roam her eyes to the people, and to the corner where she saw a pair of eyes watching her every move. It was Jessica, her opponent.

"Attention!" A large husky voice gathers their attention. "Before this duel starts of course I want to acknowledge our Alpha and our Beta who is now come home from his mission." Everyone clap, and so she look at the shelter across them and saw the Alpha who's talking to a man and the Beta who's staring at her.

"Today, is not an ordinary duel because today, one new contestant will join us. Let us all welcome, the daughter of Elizabeth, Brigette Iris Mackenzie!" The crowd cheered and smile at her. "Now, as the request of the Alpha, his two grandchild, will be excepted to the duel. Only Lady Iris will fight."

"What?! That is insane!" Hera protested.

"I'll talk to grandpa." Apollo ran across and protested. However, the Alpha just calmly answered him that makes Apollo walk out of frustration.

"Brige? Do you think you can do it?" She look at Hera whose face is worried.

"I think so. Besides," she look at the Alpha "looks like your grandpa will not be going to let me live in peace here."

"I'm sorry Brige. If only I could do something. It's only apollo who can rant to the alpha and not me because I'm a girl."

"And so what if you're a girl?"

"Well, she doesn't like a girl, honestly. When our mothers were born, mom said it was not easy for them to please him because he always wanted them to act like a man. And so when Apollo was born, he was very happy that it's only him he was considering, and not me. Apollo will be the next Alpha. While me, I don't know what is his plan. He always look at me as weak and fragile, and so he like Jessica more than me." She look at Hera and somehow, she pities her. Since last night, she notice that Hera is a prim and proper lady who doesn't want to be involved in a fight, but it doesn't mean she is useless. All woman are powerful on their own way. However, she knew the Alpha hates her for a different reason, and whatever that reason is, she will make sure she wouldn't be affected.

'I was born doing what I love. And now that I remembered how much I love thrill, I will do everything to survive.' she thought.

"Listen, Hera, you are not just a woman. You are a woman. I believe you are capable of something other's cannot. Don't be afraid to show who you are, and what you are good at because of you don't, they will never who you truly are, as a woman, and as a member of this pack. Don't be afraid to show uniqueness others cannot show off."

"That was inviting, but I'm afraid Brige. I don't want to disappoint him like I did to our father before he died." Hera said and smile genuinely at her.

..

"Listen, the duel rule is like in martial arts. You can only use your hand, your feet and of course your strength to defeat the opponent. Now to be fair on our lady Iris who's just going to turn twenty, she will be matched on our trainee, Jessica." The crowd was cheering and almost all of them were shouting the name of Jessica.

"Be careful Brige. Jessica is just a trainee but a strong one." Hera reminded.

"I will. Thanks."

Jessica step out of their shelter, and so she is. The crowd was already excited. She look at Ericson who's silently watching her and remembered that in this place, he's not just Ericson but the Beta. Jessica proudly walk towards her and look at her up and down.

"Are you sure wanna fight with me? Make sure to bring the best of you because I don't want to fight a dust." Said Jessica, and so she smirks trying to point out that she's not afraid.

"If I'm a dust, I will make sure to burden your eyes until you could see no more, Jessica. Don't be too high on yourself."

"Oh really? Then let's see about that. But one thing is for sure newbie, and that is the fact that you cannot defeat me. Not because you are a grandchild of the Alpha means I'll take easy on you. Well, in fact, I fell like he doesn't like you at all." Jessica said, mocking her.

"What doesn't kill you make you stronger, Jessica. Strength and power is now overrated. I suggest you should take it easy, or else it could bring you down."

"Position ladies!" Said the announcer. Jessica's position herself and by the look at her eyes, she knows Jessica is willing to bring her down.

However, she just stood there and study Jessica's move. Right feet at the back and left-hand onward, she knew she's going to attack on her right.

And she's not wrong.

Jessica attack her on the right, and thus she quickly shuns by stepping backward and bending her back. The crowd went wilder and some of them even shouting her name, but she doesn't care. She just want to let go the sorrow she felt, she just want to live normal the way she lives before, and she just want to release her anger to the world. After a several attacked of Jessica, none of them bring her down. And when it's already her turned, she quickly attack Jessica directly on her stomach but just release enough strength to meet her first move. Martial art means not kill and not only self-defense. It is also about discipline, focus and respect. One thing their trainer said about achieving your goal is to begin with one small step because career doesn't achieve on just a single blow nor overnight.

Jessica fell on the ground but quickly arise and run to give her a super punch. From that moment, she knew Jessica is already burning inside because base on her personality, she doesn't accept losses. And then, she came up with an idea of trying her techniques on Jessica. Application vs. Acquisition it is.

She dodges Jessica's attack and capture her its hand, wring it and kick her stomach one for time. She quickly took the opportunity and attack Jessica in accordance, still doing the right acquisition. Jessica was strong, but not smart enough to read her simple moves. In the end, she gives her full strength that made Jessica fell on the second time and the last. In martial arts, Versatility and patience are important. Find the weakness and be patient to wait for you to attack. One single attack on the opponent's the weakness is much favorable than a hundred of punches on a position your opponent is good at. And so, after Jessica stayed in the ground for more than ten seconds, she knew she made it.

"Brige!" Hera and Apollo run towards her and give her a hug.

"You never told us you're a martial artist! If you can only see yourself earlier, you're very terrifying." Hera said.

"That's very favorable with me. Grandpa just witness how his pet been drag down by a women he hated. Good job." Apollo said.

She look at the shelter where the Alpha and the Beta are. The Alpha was silently watching as they're dragging Jessica out of the battleground while Ericson is grinning at her and nodded.

'I am not just a woman. I am a woman.'