#Chapter 8 - Fight Back

I was standing in front of Elijah and I could not deny that I was unsure how to proceed from here. After our last encounter I knew any type of anger towards him would do me no good.

“Miss Ava, what do I owe for this company? What have you done this time and what can I do for you?” His voice was harsh and ridged.

I had no doubt that his tone was like the others that I had my misfortune of talking to. Everyone besides Lydia was not only nice but also respectful. I had learned from my previous encounters with not only Elijah but also the staff he was managing.

I should have retreated when I saw his glare. I should have just told him its was nothing, but he was the one I went to since Lydia could not. Our back and forth confirmation last time was not the best move for me to make and I was not going to make the same mistake.

After all, Elijah was a handsome and somewhat powerful agent. Compared to him I was just a novice wannabe actress that was a casting candidate. I was nothing in the world of weres, I am nothing in the human world.

“I am very sorry if I offended you the last time we spoke.” I said

I began to apologize. I wanted to be sincere but I had a hard time doing so. Maybe it was because he reminded me of Jacob so much.

Apologizing to my cheating ex--even though he was still my mate--felt like a sign of weakness. Apologizing to Elijah was a sign of weakness. It was like baring my throat to a predator.

“Do you mean the bet we made?” Elijah chuckled. “It was a good deal and a great investment for both of us, there is no need to apologize.” At least he was not laughing in my face.

“You see, I have been having difficulties as of recently. I thought that you may have had something to due with it as a result of my demeanor towards you.” I said looking down at the marble flooring.

“Do you believe that I am taking my aggression out on you? Do you think that I am exacting my revenge on you? Kitten, I m not that cruel.” His chuckling smile turned into a frown that quickly.
Anger painted his face. He looked cold and unapproachable now. He looked terrifying.

I pivoted back, “Oh no. What I meant was I may have offended you. And as a result of that people were refusing to work and cooperate with me.” I felt awkward around him. I felt like I was tattling on someone that stole a candy from me.

He sneered. I knew I fucked up something. “Oh and like that you thought that talking to me would be the answer, mmm? Who do you think I am, the nanny here to wipe your snotty noses and your dirty asses?”

I swallowed dryness. His vulgar language and harsh tone set somethin off in me. It as not like what I felt with Jacob, but I pushed it away. That was the last thing on my mind right now.
I realized showing my throat to this predator had backfired on me. “Oh no...”
However, Elijah would not let me finish.

"If this little thing can't be done, and you do not know how to fix it you cannot be here. There is no use in you being an actor. Do you think you can survive in this business , when you go crying at the littlest thing? I don't need such an actor. Not even a vase."

“This is the entertainment industry, its not some playground for scared little girls,” he added.
I froze there. I could feel my adrenaline starting to pump. I could feel Tide stretching. Elijah had awaken her and she was not happy. My wolf stared up and bared her teeth. She was more than annoyed--she was pissed.

I fired back. “You know what maybe I am going about this the wrong way. I must not be doing this right. I should not be stooping myself low to begging and certainly not begging an unempathetic, demeaning man such as you.”

“But I want to let you know something Mr. Elijah; your conclusion about me is so very wrong.” I clenched my fists. “I am not prey and I am going to prove it to all of you.” I walked away seething.

My strife turned into a jog and then a sprint. I wanted to leave I thought as I ran away. I wanted nothing more than to shift. I wanted to let Tide take over but I knew that once I did that I would be exposed.

And a felony charge would soon follow. They would ship me back to the were world and back to Jacob. And that would be all Jacob need as proof of grounds to reject me and label me a rogue rebel.

I could hear Tide growling in my head. She was slamming herself against the walls that I was trying to put up. I knew that I needed to keep calm.

“Stay calm,” I whispered to myself. I was laying on the floor in the fetal position.

“Keep calm. I can do this. I will show that arrogant man just wait and see.” When I was finally able to get Tide settle I fell asleep. All I could think about before the darkness took me was proving every pig-headed man in my life wrong.

For the next two days I spent my time learning from everyone around me. I visited every actors' rehearsals and studied their progress. Even tough everyday the stage hand assured me that there were no opening spots, he could not stop me from watching.

Lydia informed me that I could use my time before the competition wisely. She also hand informed me that I did not have to see her for long hours to practice. Lydia noted that I was stronger at memorizing and conveying my lines than most of the girls there.

I watched the performance and noticed that every actor was different but I was able to see some commonalities in their presentation. All I needed was to learn how to focus the damn camera. Before leaving if there were no actors on stage and the staff where else were I would practice walking across.

I would even count and write down the seps around the camera and equipment. When there were no actress around I start working on my costumes. I would cut them myself. Any scrap of cloth I found I took it and keep it on hand.

When I was Luna I spent a lot of time sewing clothes. I was repairing any clothes that were destroyed during fights or transformations, I honestly did not expect that skill to come in handy here.

On the third and final day I was finally finished with my handmade costume. It looked great. It fit me well and it was very classy.

“At ten o'clock in the morning, the game is about to start,” Lydia had informed me. “Be ready.”
I was ready for anything.