Deux's POV
"Champ..." His name left my lips in a whisper, the only thing I could say as I stared at him.
But him—he was frozen. Eyes wide, body rigid, like he had seen something monstrous.
I glanced around, and the creatures standing beside me... they were trembling.
They looked at me as if I were a being of pure destruction.
Even the Alpha I had just overpowered—his gaze was vacant, his breath ragged.
"This isn't me..." I whispered to myself, stunned.
A terrible realization clawed its way into my mind.
What kind of creature had awakened within me to do this?
For a moment, I didn't recognize myself.
I had lost control—not just of my mind, but of something deeper, something primal. Something ruthless, wild, and insatiable.
And worst of all—it had happened because of Champ.
I turned to him, desperate. "I can explain, Champ. What you saw was—"
"I've seen enough." His voice cut through my words like a blade. "Forgive me, but I must go."
Then he turned his back on me and walked away, his friends following closely behind. I stood there, watching his retreating form, my chest tightening with something close to agony.
Now, only I remained, along with the Alpha I had nearly strangled to death, his Beta guards cowering at my presence.
"Please, Prince Deux! We won't cross you again!" One of them pleaded.
I looked at the Alpha still gasping for breath, his hands clutching at his throat.
Then, I looked down at my hands.
And a dark thought took root in my mind.
If it's for Champ, I could kill without hesitation.
That's how much I feel him.
That's how much I would protect him.
But how far would this madness go?
Doctor Henry was right—love is the strongest force of all.
He just never warned me that its strength... could kill.
...
...
...
I am in my private gym now, fists pounding relentlessly into the fresh punching bag. Every ounce of frustration, every twisted emotion, I buried into my strikes.
"Who the hell am I, really?" I growled, driving my fist harder.
(SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!—)
"Seems like something's eating you up again, cousin."
I stilled for a second before resuming my punches.
"Not now, Silver. I don't have the patience for your games."
"Oh, but I'm not here to play," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with amusement. "I came to check on you. See if you're still sane. After all, who else can watch your back if not family?"
He stepped beside me, his presence slithering into my space.
"I'm fine. Now leave before I lose control and hit you instead."
I raised my fist, ready to strike again.
But Silver's next words stopped me cold.
"Is it that Alpha that's tormenting you again? That... peculiar Alpha?" he murmured.
"Leave Champ out of this, Silver." My voice was sharp, edged with warning.
He smirked. "Champ, huh? What did he do to you this time? Did he twist your mind again?"
"Silver," I said dangerously, "walk away now, or I swear, I won't hold back."
His smile didn't waver. If anything, it grew wider, eyes gleaming with something dark. "Amazing... That Alpha has done a real number on you. Imagine, you're even willing to attack your own family because of him?"
"SILVER!" My patience snapped. My fist shot forward, but before it could connect—
"Deux!"
A voice—powerful, commanding—rang through the room.
I froze. My clenched fist hovered in midair before I slowly lowered it.
My father, the Alpha King, approached us, his eyes sharp with disapproval.
"What is happening here?" he demanded.
Silver, ever the master of deception, turned to him with an easy grin. "Oh, nothing much, Alpha King. Just some harmless teasing between cousins, like old times."
My father scowled. "Harmless? You're both past the age of playing games. You are men now—soon to lead our world. And yet, you act like reckless pups!"
"Forgive me, Father," I said, bowing slightly.
He exhaled sharply before turning to both of us. "I came here for a reason. Since Silver is here as well, I will say this to you both—prepare for the Alpha Territory Treasure Hunt Competition."
A heavy silence fell.
"The territory at stake is vast, rich in undiscovered wealth. But Deux, as the Alpha Prince, you are my choice for victory."
"And what if I win, Alpha King?" Silver asked, an arrogant tilt to his head.
My father's eyes darkened, his silence making it clear—he did not entertain such thoughts.
Silver smirked but bowed his head. "Understood."
My father turned back to me. "Ensure victory, Deux. That land must belong to our bloodline."
"Yes, Father."
With that, he left.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Silver let out a chuckle.
"Wealth yet to be discovered... If you win, the Alpha King's power will be immeasurable." His smirk widened. "But if I win... I wonder who he'll punish—me, or you?"
I glared at him. "You won't win against me, Silver."
"Don't be so sure. I know your weakness." His voice dropped into a whisper.
"What the hell do you mean by that?" I snapped.
Silver leaned in, his voice as smooth as silk. "I see everything, cousin. I observe. I read between the lines."
Our eyes locked.
We spoke no words—but in that silence, a war was waged.
Because the truth was undeniable—we were enemies in every sense.
Power. Status. Dominion.
Blood may have made us family, but ambition made us rivals.
"I'll see you at the competition, Alpha Prince." Silver turned, walking away.
Just as he reached the door, he paused.
"Oh... and perhaps I'll find a different kind of treasure too. One that, once I claim, will break you completely."
My stomach twisted. "What are you talking about?"
Silver only grinned, his steps playful, like a child skipping through a garden.
"La la la... figure it out, dear cousin."
And with that, he was gone.
My fists clenched. My vision blurred with rage.
Without thinking, I struck the punching bag one final time—
(CRACK!—BOOM!)
It exploded, its contents scattering across the floor.
I stood there, panting.
"Whatever Silver is planning... I will make sure he fails."
...
...
...
Days passed.
And nothing was the same.
My world had collapsed in on itself, folding into a cold, suffocating silence.
No warmth. No color. No light. Just the dull, aching throb of an emptiness I couldn't fill.
Every morning, I woke up, and every day, Champ drifted further away.
It was like watching a star burn out, the glow dimming, the distance stretching until I could no longer reach him.
He wouldn't look at me.
Wouldn't acknowledge me.
Wouldn't even stand close enough to catch my scent.
Since that day, since whatever I had done to break us, he had severed the connection between us so ruthlessly that it left me gasping for air.
And I missed him. God, I missed him.
I missed the way we clashed like fire and ice, how his exasperation with me always ended in laughter, how his sharp tongue never failed to ignite something fierce in my chest.
I missed the way he cared—his cooking, his scolding, his infuriating concern that both irritated me and made my world feel safe.
I missed the way he saw me.
But now... he didn't.
It was as if I no longer existed, as if I were nothing more than a ghost haunting the edges of his life, watching as he laughed with his friends, carried on as if I were just a chapter he had already closed.
And the worst part?
The moment our eyes met, when—just for a second—I saw something flicker behind his walls, something that might have been regret, might have been hurt...
He would look away.
Like I was nothing.
It crushed me.
It tore me apart.
And I didn't know how to fix it.
What do I have to do, Champ?
What do I have to do to make you look at me again?
To bring back what we had?
Would you ever forgive me?
Would you ever—
Today, I found him.
In his classroom. Alone with Jiggs.
Their voices were low, serious.
I stayed hidden behind the wall, barely breathing, my pulse hammering in my throat.
He couldn't see me.
But he had to know I was there.
He had to feel me.
My scent was unmistakable—I was close enough that it should have stirred something in him, should have made him turn.
But he didn't.
"Champ, I've noticed you've been avoiding Deux ever since that day," Jiggs murmured. "Do you really think he would ever hurt you?"
I swallowed hard.
I waited.
Say something, Champ.
Please.
Tell him I wouldn't hurt you. Tell him you know me. Tell him you don't really hate me.
The silence stretched.
Champ didn't answer.
He didn't defend me.
Didn't deny it.
Didn't say anything at all.
Something inside me caved, caving so hard and fast that I nearly staggered.
Disappointment clawed at my chest, but beneath it was something worse.
Finality.
He wasn't ready to answer.
Or maybe... he didn't want to.
Maybe... he really didn't care anymore.
Maybe he had already decided—
That I wasn't worth it.
I felt the weight of that realization settle in my bones, pressing down like the full force of an ocean, stealing the air from my lungs.
I should stop.
I should stop trying.
I should stop chasing after someone who had already turned his back on me.
Maybe the best thing I could do for him was to let him go.
To watch him from a distance.
Maybe he'd be happier that way.
So I turned away.
Step by step, I walked down the hall, each footfall heavier than the last, dragging something vital from me with every step.
I felt it.
The slow, aching unraveling of myself.
Like every day he ignored me, a piece of me withered, and I was vanishing right in front of him, and he didn't even notice.
Was this love?
Not strength—but weakness?
Is this why the Alphas warned us?
Because love, when unbalanced, when unreturned, when unwanted—
Didn't just hurt.
It destroyed you.
From the inside out.
...
...
...
Champ's POV
"Champ, you've been avoiding Deux these past few days since that incident. Do you really think he would hurt you?"
Jiggs' voice was steady, curious, yet laced with concern.
I took a deep breath, about to answer. But as I inhaled—
A scent.
Vanilla.
Deux.
He was here.
Listening.
For a moment, I felt his presence—strong, overwhelming. But then, just as suddenly, it began to fade. His scent grew weaker until it was gone completely.
He had left.
And only then did I speak.
"It's not that I think he would hurt me... but something inside him—it was too much. Jiggs, it was terrifying. I can't explain it."
Jiggs nodded, thoughtful.
"I've never seen him like that before, Jiggs. I never imagined that was his true nature. When I looked into his eyes while he had that Alpha pinned down, I didn't see the Deux I knew. I only saw a predator. Eyes that wanted to kill."
"I think that moment... was triggered by something," Jiggs mused. "A powerful emotion must have pushed him over the edge."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Alphas are naturally aggressive and dominant," he explained. "But there are rare instances when their emotions trigger something... deeper. A force so primal and overwhelming that they completely lose control."
I clenched my fists. "Then what do you think triggered Deux? Because when we found him... he wasn't himself anymore."
"That's the mystery," Jiggs admitted. "But one thing is certain—Deux wouldn't just attack an Alpha for no reason. You and I both know that. He wouldn't waste his energy on someone insignificant. He's proven that time and time again."
I thought back to all the times I had clashed with Deux. He had never once physically hurt me. He teased me, sure. Threatened me, even. But never... harm.
"So, maybe that Alpha provoked him?" I asked.
"Possibly. But there might be a deeper reason. I've done some research—on Alphas with powerful bloodlines like Deux. They're different from the average Alpha."
Jiggs' voice lowered. "When they have something—or someone—they want to protect... they will do anything. Even kill. And when they reach that state, they become more terrifying than any ordinary Alpha."
A shiver ran down my spine.
"Do you remember what we all felt that day?" he continued. "The way the air around us grew heavy? How we could barely move, barely breathe? That was Deux's aura."
I swallowed hard.
I had felt it.
Even though Deux hadn't been looking at me, I had been paralyzed with fear. My knees had nearly buckled, my body instinctively wanting to submit, to kneel before the sheer weight of his presence.
"And you know what's worse?" Jiggs continued, his voice grave.
I hesitated before answering. "What?"
"If it ever gets worse... Deux won't even need to touch someone to kill them."
My breath hitched. "What do you mean?"
"His aura—his mere presence—can kill," Jiggs explained. "When Alphas like him reach that level, their power lashes out at everything around them. It triggers a biological response in weaker beings—shortness of breath, heart palpitations, paralysis. The longer they're exposed, the more their body starts to shut down."
I felt my stomach drop.
"If someone is weaker than him, they won't survive it. Their heart won't withstand the pressure, their lungs will collapse, their nervous system will overload. If you hadn't stopped Deux that day, Champ, I'm certain—everyone around him would have died. Including us..."
A cold, suffocating dread filled my chest.
That... was Deux's true power?
It was beyond terrifying.
It was deadly.
I felt my hands tremble slightly as I processed his words.
"But you know what, Champ?" Jiggs added suddenly, his tone shifting.
I looked at him.
"You're the only one who can stop him."
I blinked. "Me? Why me?"
Jiggs smiled faintly.
He reached out, placing a firm hand on my shoulder.
"Because when you're around, Deux is... normal. In all the years I've known him, you're the only one who can match him, joke with him, push his buttons without getting hurt. No one else—not even us—can do that."
His words struck something deep inside me.
"But why me?" I whispered. "I'm just... me. I'm nothing compared to him. I am a normal and ordinary being, he is a royalty."
Jiggs sighed, leaning back in his chair, gazing up at the ceiling.
"I don't know what it is exactly. But Deux feels something for you, Champ. There's no doubt about it. And whatever that feeling is... it will save him. It will save us. If this happens again, you're the only one who can bring him back."
I stared at Jiggs.
This was the same man who usually cracked jokes, who never took things seriously.
But now?
His face held no trace of mischief.
Only certainty.
"Jiggs..."
"You're not just some ordinary being, Champ," he said with a grin. "You're something rare. Something... extraordinary. And I'm lucky to have a friend like you."
My chest tightened.
I felt my vision blur slightly.
I feel like I am about to cry.
I squeezed my eyes shut and suddenly laughed.
"Who are you and what have you done to the real Jiggs?!" I accused, my voice shaking between laughter and unshed tears. "Did Deux's aura break you? Is this a side effect?! Tell me! Give me back the real Jiggs who never takes anything seriously!"
Jiggs chuckled and lightly punched my arm.
"I'm your best friend, idiot. And I meant what I said. No matter what happens, I'll always have your back."
I bit my lip.
I couldn't hold it in anymore.
I started crying...
"I'm sorry, Jiggs. There are things... things I'm not ready to say yet." My voice cracked. "But please... please don't stop being my friend."
Without waiting for a response, I threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly.
Jiggs hesitated for a second before patting my back.
"It's okay, Champ. You don't have to rush. Just... when you're ready, I'll be here. I'll listen."
Then—
More arms.
Not just one. Not two.
But four more bodies suddenly tackled us in a tight, suffocating embrace.
"Master Champ, don't cry!" Marsh sniffled.
"If you cry, we'll cry too!" Gem wailed.
"Who made you cry?! Tell us, and we'll take them down!" Daryl declared.
"We're always here for you, Master Champ," Martin added softly.
I pulled back, wiping my eyes, before bursting into laughter.
"When did the four of you... get off me, all of you!" I shouted, but my voice was still shaky from the overwhelming emotions.
The group reluctantly pulled away, each of them grinning despite their teary eyes.
I inhaled deeply.
Then exhaled.
Calm.
Focused.
Determined.
"Alright, enough of this emotional nonsense!" I declared. "We need to start training! We can't waste a single day! Even if it's just the six of us, we're going to fight. And we're going to win!"
A chorus of cheers erupted from my friends.
At that moment, I felt it—
Strength.
Because as long as I had them... as long as there were people who believed in me...
I would keep going.
I would fight.
I would win.
...
...
...
Third Person POV
The long-awaited day had arrived. The Alpha Territory Treasure Hunt Competition—a brutal contest where only the strongest of Alpha clans dared to compete—was about to begin.
Fifteen powerful Alpha clans from different regions had gathered, each prepared to stake their eyes on unclaimed land that, according to legend, concealed an unimaginable treasure. A treasure so vast, so life-changing, that whoever claimed it would never have to toil again. It was said to be enough to elevate even the lowliest warrior into the ranks of kings.
The prize? A sprawling landmass equivalent to a hundred territories. The competition was not just a battle—it was a war where only one Alpha clan would emerge victorious.
The massive field buzzed with tension. Clan members huddled together, finalizing strategies, whispering last-minute plans. Some inspected their weapons—blades glinting under the sun, arrows sharpened to pierce flesh, and makeshift traps discreetly set to eliminate enemies before the battle even began.
Among them, in a secluded corner, stood Champ and his clan—a mere group of six. While the others armed themselves with weapons, Champ's clan carried nothing but their fists and wit.
"This isn't fair!" Jiggs muttered, eyes darting nervously at the surrounding clans, all heavily armed. Some wielded baseball bats, others had knives, bows, and even clubs reinforced with steel.
Champ swallowed hard. His fists clenched at his sides as he scanned his unarmed team.
"We'll rely on our fists, the tactics I've taught you... and—" he took a deep breath, his voice calm but firm, "—luck."
The weight of his words settled over his team as they turned their gaze toward their opponents. Compared to the twenty-member clans surrounding them, they were but a handful.
"Are we sure we can take them on?" Marsh asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"There's only six of us, Master Champ!" Gem added, worried.
"And we have no weapons or traps!" Martin muttered.
"It's just us against the odds." Daryl sighed.
Then, something shifted in the air. A silent understanding passed between Champ and Jiggs as they locked eyes. Jiggs gave a single nod, reaching into his large backpack—the only one among them carrying anything substantial.
With a dramatic flair, Jiggs pulled out a laptop.
"This..." he grinned, hugging it to his chest like a prized possession, "is our key to victory."
Gem blinked. "Are you planning to bash them with your laptop?"
"If you do, I think the laptop will break before their bones do," Daryl quipped.
Jiggs scoffed, "You fools! This isn't a weapon—it's our greatest advantage!" His voice dropped into a conspiratorial whisper. "Because within this machine... lies the map to our survival."
The team leaned in as Jiggs opened the laptop, revealing detailed schematics.
"I've obtained the layout of the battlefield—Veydith's territory. I've mapped out blind spots, resting zones, and strategic positions we can use. I even analyzed the topography—every hill, valley, and artificial structure. We'll know this land better than anyone."
The Beta males gawked at the revelation, their unease replaced with awe.
"That's not all," Jiggs continued smugly. "I've also created a counter to track enemy numbers. As the battle progresses, we'll know exactly how many opponents remain."
"That's incredible!" Marsh gasped.
"Unfortunately, I don't have a tracker to detect for nearby enemies..." Jiggs admitted, "but that's where Champ comes in. He can detect Alpha scents. We Betas don't have that advantage."
Champ smirked. "Leave it to me. No enemy will sneak up on us."
Jiggs patted his bag. "And, of course, I've brought food and water. Unlike the other clans, we won't be weakened by hunger or thirst. I'll be your support, Champ's our front-liner, the tanker, and the rest of you—our attackers. We are fully prepared!"
Just as their confidence surged, slow, deliberate clapping echoed from behind them.
A figure emerged from the shadows, his movements eerily smooth, his presence unsettling. His lips curled into a smirk that never quite reached his eyes—sharp, knowing, dangerous.
"Impressive... truly impressive."
The group froze.
Champ turned, his entire body stiffening as his gaze locked onto the intruder.
"Silver..." his voice came out low, controlled, but there was an edge of wariness in it.
Silver's smile widened, but it was anything but friendly. He placed a hand on his chest dramatically. "Oh, how delightful! You know my name. I'm flattered!" He wrapped his arms around himself as if basking in their attention.
But there was no amusement in Champ's expression. Only caution.
Because Silver was not an opponent to be taken lightly.
He was unpredictable. Cunning. Unstable. A creature of chaos with a mind that danced on the edge of madness.
Champ's eyes flickered around the field.
"Where's your clan?" he demanded.
Silver's shoulders shook as a quiet chuckle escaped him. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he spread his arms wide.
"Right here."
The blood in Champ's veins ran cold.
"You're alone?"
Silver tilted his head, grinning—a predator who had just found his prey. "Why would I need anyone else? I can take you all down by myself..."
His smile stretched wider, his eyes dark and unreadable.
"And I will."
A heavy silence settled over the group as Silver's menacing words hung in the air.
Jiggs and the others standing beside Champ swallowed hard. They all knew what Silver was capable of.
With a lazy smirk, Silver rolled his shoulders and let out an exaggerated sigh. "You see, fighting with a team is far too restrictive. It's easier to hunt and kill when I move alone," he said, his piercing eyes locking onto Jiggs. "And, of course, if I have no teammates, that means all the food and water belongs to me. No need to share. Wouldn't you agree?"
Jiggs stiffened, clutching his bag closer to his chest.
"W-What are you trying to say?" he stammered.
Silver chuckled darkly. "I mean, you'd better find a place to hide, little Beta, because you'll be the first one I will hunt down. You... and that bag of yours."
The color drained from Jiggs's face, his fingers tightening around the straps of his backpack as if his life depended on it.
Champ stepped forward, his stance firm. "If you think we'll let you get away with this, Silver, you're mistaken."
Silver's smirk never wavered. His confidence, his sheer arrogance, was maddening. He tilted his head, voice as calm as ever.
"You don't have to let me win." He shrugged. "Because I already know I will."
A sharp, expectant silence filled the air as everyone awaited his next words. Then, his smile stretched wider, his gaze locking onto Champ with a dark, insatiable hunger.
"And the best part? I won't just be taking the land and the treasure..." Silver's eyes glinted with wicked amusement. He raised his hand and pointed directly at Champ.
"I'll be taking you as well."
Then, in a slow, deliberate motion, he dragged his tongue across his lips, his expression twisted with something almost primal.
As if he's hungry for Champ's body.
Champ tensed, his breath hitching. He couldn't tell if it was anger or something else entirely, but he couldn't speak.
Silver let out a pleased hum, his grin widening. "See you in the competition, Champ. Don't worry—we'll meet at the end. And I'll make sure to claim all my prizes at once."
Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, his laughter lingering in the air like a ghostly whisper.
Jiggs, still pale as a sheet, grabbed Champ's sleeve in a panic. "Champ! Please! I'm begging you—don't let that maniac get me!"
Champ placed a firm hand on Jiggs's shoulder. "I won't. We have a plan, and we'll stick to it. We're going to win this."
Not far from the confrontation, Deux stood hidden, his sharp eyes fixed on Silver and Champ. He had witnessed every word, every action.
His fists clenched. Anger boiled inside him, threatening to spill over, but he forced himself to remain still. He couldn't afford to let his emotions take over—not now.
Not where Champ can see him.
Then, Silver approached him, stopping just beside Deux's shoulder. He didn't look at him, just stood there, his presence a quiet storm.
"You'll never get what you want," Deux whispered. His voice was steady, but the weight behind it was unshakable. "I will stop you, Silver."
Silver let out a quiet chuckle. "Oh, Deux... I'm terrified." His tone was mocking, taunting. And then, just as quickly as he had appeared, he was gone.
Deux took a deep breath, his gaze drifting back to where Champ stood.
"Champ... please... don't let them take you down," he muttered under his breath. His fingers twitched as though he wanted to move toward him, but he knew better. Champ would only push him away.
He could only watch.
The Competition Begins...
A Beta male staff member stepped forward, calling for all Alpha clans to gather.
"To all participating clans, please assemble! The competition will begin shortly!"
The crowd shifted, forming a large circle around the field. As the clans took their positions, the Beta staff continued.
"Welcome to the land of Veydith. This territory has remained untouched, unclaimed by any Alpha clan. But today, that changes. This competition will determine who among you is worthy to own it."
Tension thickened the air as Alpha leaders exchanged glances, their hunger for victory evident in their gazes. No one intended to lose.
From across the gathering, Deux met Champ's eyes. But the moment their gazes locked, Champ quickly turned away.
Deux let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head. Even now, Champ refused to acknowledge him.
The Beta staff raised a hand. "You will have fifteen minutes after this announcement to find a base or a safe zone before the battle begins. Once the signal is given, the fight will not stop until only one Alpha clan remains. Even if all clan members fall, as long as an Alpha leader is still standing, their clan is still in the running. However, if the Alpha leader is defeated first, their entire clan is automatically eliminated."
The silence that followed was thick with anticipation.
"There are no rules in this battle. Use whatever you wish to gain the upper hand."
A ripple of movement spread as Alpha clans braced themselves, ready to sprint.
Behind the scenes, Deux stood with his Beta subordinates, eyes fixed on Champ's team.
"Master Deux, what is your plan?" one of them asked.
Deux's eyes remained locked on Champ.
"Watch over Champ's clan. If they're in danger, you will step in and assist them."
The Beta nodded. "Understood. We'll remain hidden until they need us."
Another Beta stepped forward hesitantly. "And you, Master Deux? Where will you go?"
Deux's expression darkened.
"I'll be watching someone who will play dirty. Silver. He's mine. I cannot be with you or else Champ will sense me."
The others followed his gaze.
Silver stood alone, looking down at his fingernails as if the upcoming bloodbath meant nothing to him. But Deux knew better. He might have appeared indifferent, but Silver was a monster in waiting—a one-man army.
"Master Deux, he is your cousin, isn't he?" one of the Betas murmured.
"Yes," Deux admitted. "But make no mistake—he will kill anyone in his way, regardless of blood ties. If you cross paths with him, do not engage. Hide. I will handle him myself."
Then, the Beta staff's voice boomed across the battlefield.
"Prepare yourselves! The fifteen-minute countdown begins NOW!"
The ground erupted with motion as Alpha clans scattered, searching for strategic locations. The game had begun.
"Let the competition begin!"
The Beta staff raised his arm high and declared, "May the strongest Alpha clan prevail!"
The land of Veydith was no longer a peaceful place. It had become a battlefield.
And by the end of it, only one Alpha would remain standing.
Who would it be?
End of Chapter 17