Chapter 41 Camp Out (7)
Tasha's pack started down the long trail that led to the river, with Ziegler leading the way.
"There's a short route I know we can take," James said behind them, pushing himself through the held hands of both Ziegler and Tasha.
"No one asked for your suggestions. You haven't been here before," Ziegler huffed.
"It doesn't matter if I've been here or not. Do I need to remind you that I major in Geography?"
Tasha shrugged off Ziegler's hand from her hand, and Ziegler was surprised at her reaction to James' words.
"Tell me, James, are you dating Aurora?" Tasha stood between them, facing James.
Ziegler briefly shut his eyes in that explicit second, what the hell was wrong with Tasha? Was she really into James for her to be so bare before James? Couldn't she act non-challant to the feelings she had for him?
So, does that mean that all their shared kisses between them had meant nothing to her? What else was he to do to make her see the reason that James doesn't care about her?
James eyed her, then darted his eyes at Ziegler. "What the hell is this? Why is the Luna goddess suddenly interested in the personal affairs of the beta?" He teased.
"Just answer me. You've been all over her, and I'm curious to know," Tasha told him.
"Tasha? We barely haven't started our quest and you choose to twat it like this?" James laughed flipping his gaze between the Alpha and his woman.
"I'm not disrupting anything!" Tasha put in.
"I think I see a snake!" Ziegler suddenly yelled out.
"A snake? Where is it!" Tasha screamed out, dancing around in circles.
"Well, I'm outta here!" Ziegler raced out towards the opposite direction leading to the river.
Tasha followed after him, while James laughed as he started towards them. He didn't understand the two. One minute they were kissing and touching, the next minute she was looking at him seductively. Was she expecting him to be jealous? He certainly didn't know what games they were playing.
"Guys, what was that all about?" James asked them as he got to the river.
Ziegler ignored him as he folded the edges of his trousers. Fortunately, the river was shallow and they could walk through it.
"Isn't the Alpha supposed to protect and defend his pack? Why race out like a chicken?" James croaked while making chicken sounds.
That did get to Ziegler, he pushed past Tasha and stopped before James. "Say that again?"
"Guys?" Tasha swerved to catch the two guys behind her facing each other while she was a quarter halfway through the river.
"No, you tell me. What the hell is Tasha doing with someone like you?" James scoffed, "Cause I begin to wonder, Tasha doesn't stick with a guy like you, she prefers the most popular boys," James dabbed a punch into Ziegler's chest.
"And when the most popular boy doesn't know what he wants? Shouldn't another take her instead?" Ziegler replied to him.
"Oh, I see what this is about. You both aren't in a relationship. She's still into me and you won't admit that your supposed whacky girlfriend is in love with me. Two fools trying to make a smart guy dumb," James laughed again.
That must have pissed Ziegler off, he threw a punch into James' face, smashing James' nose beneath his fist. James threw his head backward, his steps faltering to the sudden unexpected hit. James touched his nose as a trickle of blood oozed out from it. Then with a grin on his face, he let loose his fist. And a fight of flying punches ensued.
"Guys, guys, guys! What the hell!" She raced out of the river towards them.
Were they fighting because of her? This certainly made no sense at all.
Along the path came another pack, stopping to watch them dabble in their exquisite fight while laughing at Tasha who was unfortunately not helpful in breaking up their fight. It was like the harder she tried to quench the fire, she only added more fuel into it. And the other pack went over the river.
"Guys! We have no time! Will you stop fighting!" She begged.
Another pack dribbled down the path. It was Nellie's group. Nellie eyed them closely while Aurora and Tess laughed.
"Don't tell me they are fighting to own the broken Luna?" Tess laughed, flipping her golden locks.
"Let them be at it, twill give us the chance to get to the treasure," Aurora tutted. "Thank goodness we do not have a stupid Alpha or a whacky Beta to guide us."
Nellie's gaze shifted to a weary Tasha. She still wouldn't say a word to her friend. She turned her face sharply as she followed her crew.
After Nellie's pack was gone, Tasha hopped on Ziegler's back, pulling at his neck. Ziegler was sitting astride James throwing punches on James' face.
Finally, the two separated. James staggered, brushing a hand at his swollen left eye and bruised lip.
"You know what, I'm not all bent on this quest after all. You can both go without me. I don't need you! After all, you belong together." James yelled, then started retreating up the path which they had come through.
The place was suddenly quiet as another arguing pack passed them. Not caring to pause and question both Ziegler and his lady. Tasha sniffed, laughing down at herself then her laughs switched gear into a sob.
"Tash, are you okay?"
His voice was warm and receptive. Even as his hands cupped her face.
"I don't know what is more stupid. You fighting him for me or me being stupid for believing he would want me back," she nuzzled into his hands.
"You have got to let go, Tasha. Let James go," he said then dropped his hands.
"Where are you going? We've already lost," She looked up to see him walking through the river.
"Just going. I can't return to that camp, I would want to continue beating James' face into a pulp." Ziegler laughed at his words.
"But your face is battered," she said to him.
"It doesn't matter to me. You should see the waterfall, have you seen it?" Ziegler asked her to which she shook her head.
"Come, we need to do something to your face," she pleaded.
"Will my Luna come to me instead? I do not care if we've lost the game already. I just want you with me," his eyes beckoned on her.