chapter two
That's Mine

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The backstage area at the wrestling event buzzed with a mix of excitement and tension. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through me, a familiar rush before I stepped into the ring.

But tonight, the atmosphere was different; it crackled with something darker. As I paced near the entrance, I overheard snippets of conversation that set my teeth on edge. It was a low murmur, but then it broke into the sharp clang of an insult, aimed squarely at my family and, worse, at Kayla.

"Poisonous snakes," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "That's what the Samoan legacy is. Just a bunch of wannabes." The words slithered through the air, igniting something primal in me.

I wasn't just Zilla the wrestler; I was Zilla, the son, the partner, the protector. The legacy he mocked wasn't just mine—it was my mother's, my father's, and it certainly included Kayla.

Before I even knew it, I was moving. The world around me blurred; the clamor of the crowd faded as my focus zeroed in on the man who had dared to speak ill of my family. I stormed toward him, fists clenched, heart racing. The back of my neck prickled with heat as I caught sight of his smug grin. He had no idea what he was walking into.

"Keep my family and my woman's name out of your mouth!" I spat, my voice a low growl.

My finger jabbed toward him, a warning and a promise all in one. I didn't care if I was in the middle of a wrestling event; all I could see was red. The rest of the world was just noise.

I heard footsteps behind me—fast and purposeful. It was Naio, one of my brothers and the more level-headed brother at that, and I could see the concern etched across his face. "Zilla, man, chill! This isn't worth it," he said, trying to place a hand on my shoulder, but I shrugged it off.

"Not worth it?" I shot back, my voice low and dangerous. "You didn't hear what he said. You don't get to decide what's worth it for me."

As I continued to glare at the man, I could see Kayla and my mother, Leata, moving closer. They must have heard the commotion, and I felt a wave of frustration wash over me. I didn't want them involved in this mess, but I also didn't want to back down.

"Zilla!" Kayla's voice cut through the tension like a knife.

There was a mix of worry and determination in her tone that pulled me back, even if just for a moment. I turned my head, and my heart softened as I saw her standing there, rubbing my back gently.

"Let it go," she said softly, her hand steadying me.

Leata, my mother, reached out and grabbed my face, forcing me to look her in the eyes. "Zilla, think about this," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "Is this how you want to handle it?"

I could feel my anger simmering just beneath the surface, but I knew my mother was right. I didn't want to become the person who reacted on impulse, the one who tarnished our family name even further. Yet, the thought of letting this man get away with disrespecting everything I held dear gnawed at me.

I took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind. "He doesn't get to talk about us like that," I said, my voice more controlled now.

I felt Kayla's hand move up to my neck, her fingers tracing gentle patterns that made the heat of anger dissipate if only a little.

"I know," she replied softly, "but you have to pick your battles, Zilla. This isn't the time or place."

Naio nodded in agreement, still hovering nearby, ready to step in if things escalated again. "You don't want to give him the satisfaction, man. He's just trying to provoke you. Don't let him win."

I glared at the man one last time. He stood there, his bravado slowly fading as he realized he was outnumbered. "You think you can just talk shit about people and get away with it?" I asked, my tone low but resolute. "You think this is a game?"

"Whatever, man," he said, trying to play it cool, but I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. "I didn't mean it like that."

"No, you meant it," I shot back. "You can't just disrespect my family and think it's okay. You'll have to answer for that, one way or another."

Leata's grip on my face softened, and she lowered her hands, allowing me to breathe. "We're all here to support each other, Zilla. Don't let this guy ruin your night. Show him who you really are in the ring."

I nodded, letting the words sink in. My mother always knew how to ground me, even when my emotions ran wild. I glanced back at Kayla, and I could see the pride in her eyes, mixed with concern. She believed in me, and that belief made all the difference.

"Okay," I finally said, my voice steadier. "I'll handle it in the ring. That's where it matters."

As I stepped back from the confrontation, I could feel my heart rate slowing. Naio clapped me on the shoulder, a small gesture of camaraderie. "That's the spirit, man. Just keep your focus where it counts."

Kayla stepped closer, wrapping her arms around my waist. "I'm proud of you," she whispered, her breath warm against my skin. "You're more than just a fighter. You're a champion."

The sincerity in her voice brought me back to what really mattered. "Thanks, Kayla," I said, pulling her closer.

"Let's just enjoy the show now, okay?" Leata suggested, her eyes softening. "We'll deal with this later if we have to."

The noise of the crowd surged, and I took a moment to absorb it all. The adrenaline still simmered beneath the surface, but now it felt like a controlled burn, something I could channel into my performance.

As we made our way back toward the arena, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I would show them what it meant to be part of the Samoan dynasty—not through words, but through action. I would step into that ring with everything I had, not just for me but for Kayla, for my family, and for every person who ever believed in us.

Tonight, I wouldn't just fight for myself; I'd fight for all of us. And I'd make damn sure they remembered who the Zillas were—strong, resilient, and unwavering in the face of adversity.

As we reached the entrance, I looked back at the man who had tried to provoke me, my resolve hardening. He would regret ever crossing my path.