I grabbed my bag and started out when Pantar appeared in front of me.
“What the hell?!” I grabbed my chest. “You scared the shit out of me!”
“Sorry, Nexus, but I thought you would be interested in what your Faction is doing.”He sat and began grooming himself.
“Yes, if you think it’s important for me to know.”
I waited, but he continued to lick his paws and fluff his tail.
“Well, aren’t you going to tell me?” I was confused by his actions.
“Maybe I feel like I’m owed an apology from earlier.”He blinked innocently, mid-lick.
Now I was really confused, “An apology? For what?”
Pantar narrowed his eyes,“The collar incident.”
“The collar incident? Are you talking about the joke I made?” Was my Fellat serious right now?
“Exactly that.”He said sternly.
“I’m sorry for teasing you about wearing a collar.” I tried to hide my exasperation.
“You did not sound sincere, Nexus.”He started grooming himself again.
I reached deep and channeled my inner Nathan. “Dearest Pantar, I sincerely apologize for any emotional damage I may have caused when I mentioned buying you a collar with a bell.” I got on my knees. “Please forgive me, exalted one. I promise to never do it again. If you feel this promise is broken in any way, I vow to never wear pink again in any form.”
Pantar stood and nodded in acceptance,“Nathan and Oren are in the arena fighting. The others are there observing.”
“Those idiots! If it’s over Oren and me bonding, it’s my prerogative to punish him, not Nathan's.” I growled in aggravation.
I should have expected this. I knew when Nathan found out, he would be pissed. It wouldn’t surprise me if Oren took it uponhimself to inform him of what happened. His actions suggested he had no honor, but he followed his own set of rules. Oren wouldn’t have hidden what he did from Nathan because he was equally proud and ashamed. I could feel this through our bond.
“Are you coming?” I asked Pantar.
“No, I believe that my Nexus will set them straight.” Then he disappeared once again.
I teleported outside the cafeteria soon after because I’d never been to the arena. You could teleport places you hadn’t been to, but a risk was always involved. I had no problem finding the arena because of the roars and screams of encouragement from what sounded like a massive crowd.
After pushing my way to the front to see what was happening (short girl problems), I finally got my first view of the arena.
It was simply a pit dug in the ground with seats carved into the rock, rising in curved rows around the open space. Basically, it resembled an ancient amphitheater.
Shirtless and circling each other were two of my men. And what men they were. I felt my temperature rise at the sight they made.
Nathan’s hair was pulled back out of his eyes and touched his shoulders with a hint of wave; those broad shoulders tapered down to a slim waist; his stomach was a series of muscles that made up the eight-pack he was rocking. All that smooth, golden skin was unblemished, and his only tattoo was located where no one could see.
On the other hand, Oren's skin gleamed bronze in the sun. His longer hair was pulled up in a man bun; the only thing they had in common was that mouthwatering eight-pack. He had his beautiful lightning tattoo on full display, which covered his entire left arm from shoulder to wrist.
As they circled one another, Nathan unexpectedly threw a punch, hitting Oren in the face. Oren staggered but remainedon his feet. It felt as if he had momentarily lowered his guard, almost allowing Nathan to land that blow.
I saw Zeke, Zane, and Jet sitting on the first bench near the floor at the very bottom of the arena. I pushed and shoved my way down until I slid into the space between the twins.
“What in the hell is going on?” I leaned over to speak into Zane’s ear since it was so loud here. Zane was startled, his focus entirely on the men fighting.
“Hey, sweet girl, I wondered when you would show up.”
I eyed him in annoyance, “I would’ve been here sooner if I’d gotten a heads up on what was going on.”
