Seizing Golden Opportunities

[Lachlan Kane]

August 9 Orlando, Florida “Exactly how long are you planning to keep up this batshit crazy schedule?” The lightly accented voice of his wife reached his ears, and Lachlan cracked open one blue eye to see Sierra standing over him, arms folded tightly across her chest and her green eyes narrowed towards him. He had just gotten back from India late the night before, and he had been trying to catch a few hours’ rest before he was due in to the Wolfslair facility to teach a class later that afternoon. He flashed her the boyish smirk that he knew melted her and rolled over onto his back, strategically lowering the blanket down his shirtless chest. He smirked as he watched her eyes flick down for the briefest second before moving back up to his face. “There’s only a few shows left in the SCW tour, and I’m probably only gonna be doing one or two more. After that, it’s back to just PWE and Wrestleverse…probably.” He muttered the last word under his breath, but she caught it nonetheless. “What do you mean ‘probably’?” she demanded. “Lachlan, you told me the SCW thing was only for the India tour.” “Well, yeah…but I’ve been having a pretty good time reconnecting with everyone, and I realized that I can’t leave my career there as ‘that guy that almost won a championship’.” Her eyes narrowed even further. Before she could start in on him again, he quickly sat up in the bed and pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist and giving her his best puppy-dog eyes. “Alright, alright. I’ll keep to PWE and Wrestleverse for now. But if things start going well…maybe we’ll reconsider down the road?” She shook her head slightly, but wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. “You are absolutely impossible, you know that? Besides, don’t you have a huge opportunity in Wrestleverse? You can be the second inaugural champ for Wolfslair.” “I know. It’s a massive opportunity, and believe me, it’s been weighing heavy on my mind. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy as hell for Aiden becoming the Wrestleverse champ, but I couldn’t help feeling old resentments bubble to the surface when I got tossed out on my ass that night.” His face fell into a look of determination and focus. “I’m not going to let this title escape me. It’s happened too many times in other companies, and I’ve been working too damn hard and come too damn far to let another one slip through my fingers.” Sierra’s lips curled into the soft smile that was only reserved for him and their family as she leaned in again to give him another kiss, this one more passionate and longer than the first. “Now that’s the Lachy I know and love. Hit that ring and show them exactly who you are and bring that title home.” He smiled back at her. “Damn straight.” —------ The woods are lovely, dark and deep But I have promises to keep And miles to go before I sleep And miles to go before I sleep The forest was thick with towering pine trees, their branches overlapping almost enough to block out the moonlit sky overhead. But a few patches of silvery light were able to break through the canopy and illuminate the scene just enough to see by. Even still, the shadows seemed to absorb most of the light and the eerie stillness of the night air was unnerving. The sound of soft footsteps across the thick carpet of needles and twigs was barely audible, but it grew louder with each step. The shadows seemed to move and swirl in the air, almost materializing into a human form that was not recognizable until they stepped into a large patch of moonlight. Flashing a disarmingly boyish smirk towards the camera, Lachlan Kane’s eyes almost seemed to glow as he stood before the camera, hands in the pockets of his well-worn leather jacket. “Well, it happened just like I said, didn’t it? An all-Wolfslair final in the battle royal. We told you that we were coming to take over, and we meant every single word of it. Now, I know there’s going to be those that claim they ‘see the cracks’ in our little group, but the simple fact of the matter is our foundation is stronger than ever. It didn’t matter if it was me, KERBEROS, or Aiden that claimed the title, all that mattered was that it was one of us. And if I’m being completely honest, Aiden being the inaugural Wrestleverse Champion is the best thing that could have happened. You all see his promos and hear him talk, and you immediately write him off as some two-bit comedy act. You underestimated him…and look where that led. He’s now your Wrestleverse Champion. And he’s going to remain the champion for a good, long time. I can guarantee it” He shifted his weight from one side to the other, bringing his hands in front of him and clasping them together. “Now, where does that leave me in this whole equation? Well, by the look of the card for the next Eternal show, I’m about to become the second inaugural champ in our little group. Seems being the third last in that battle royal paid off in the end, didn’t it? ‘Oh, but what about KERBEROS? Shouldn’t he be getting this opportunity since he was second last?’ Normally, I’d probably agree. But the thing is, he’s got his own agenda in this company. What that agenda is, you’ll find out in due time. But in the meantime, Wolfslair is about to pick up its second piece of hardware when I step into the ring on Friday night.” A shrug lifted one of his shoulders in a nonchalant manner. “Cocky? Maybe. If this was the Lachlan Kane that first stepped foot on American soil back in 2018 to begin his wrestling career, I’d be singing a far different tune. But I’ve come too far in the last four years to pretend like I’m not as good as I know I am. This last year has especially proven that. I’ve busted my ass all across Europe and Japan since I was 16 years old, claimed countless titles and awards, and then when I came to the States I had to start all the way back down at the bottom of the ladder. I’ve clawed and fought and bled my way to where I am today, and I’ll be damned if I let any one of these other three in this match claim what I rightfully deserve.” He unclasped his hands and slid them back into the pockets of his jacket, pacing the forest floor a few steps as twigs snapped under his heel. “Now, while this may not be the chaotic masterpiece that the battle royal was, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to be any easier. On the contrary, Danny Powers seems to have upped the ante significantly. Four young, hungry talents all vying to be the inaugural Eternal Champion is a hell of a main event on its own…but throw in the stipulation of a street fight where anything can - and most likely will - happen?” Lachlan let out a dark chuckle. “Well, that’s just an instant money-maker, isn’t it? Do you know how many people I’ve had messaging me across social media saying that they’re buying a ticket to see me win this title? Now, if you know anything about me, you know I’m a man of the people, and I’m not about to disappoint the fans. So when they show up on Friday night with their weapons in hand to cheer me on and watch as I become the first Eternal champion, I’m definitely going to be giving them their money’s worth. And no cyborg, Wildheart or pint-size is going to keep me from fulfilling a promise to the fans.” The smirk on his face turned a little bit darker as his eyes seemed to flash in the moonlight. “See, this kind of match is something I’m already somewhat familiar with. It was earlier this year when I was embroiled in a bitter rivalry with someone in another company, and in our final encounter the two of us beat the absolute holy hell out of each other. PWE’s Magnificence pay-per-view event - look it up. Now, if I participated in an absolute bloodbath like that with no title on the line and walked away the winner…what hope do the three of you have against me with such a prize dangling over our heads? I’ll answer that - you absolutely don’t. Better to realize it now.” “Now, tell me - who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?” A feral grin curled up the corners of his mouth as he stepped back into the shadow of the trees…leaving behind the glowing outline of a pair of yellow wolf eyes.