Champ's POV
The abandoned building we hid in was crumbling, its walls cracked and hollow. Dust swirled through the air, disturbed only by our hushed movements. Though sunlight still seeped through the broken windows, the eerie silence made it feel as if the darkness had already crept in.
(Sniff!)
"All clear," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. "No signs of any Alphas in the vicinity. Jiggs, this is actually a solid hiding spot to start the competition."
"Heh! Of course it is!" Jiggs smirked, tapping his temple. "I may not be as strong as you guys, but with my brains, I'm leagues ahead."
I let out a small laugh. "Ugh! You're lucky we're friends."
Marsh leaned in, his voice tinged with concern. "What's the plan, Master Champ? Are we staying put for now?"
I nodded, my expression turning serious. "Yes. Rushing in without a plan is suicide. Compared to other Alpha clans, our numbers are limited. One wrong move, and we won't make it out alive. We need to let them thin each other out before we strike."
Daryl folded his arms and nodded. "That's a smart approach, Master Champ."
"But how long are we supposed to wait?" Gem asked, shifting uneasily.
Jiggs flipped open his laptop, his fingers flying across the keys as he accessed his data. The screen flickered with numbers and figures.
"The Alpha clan count hasn't changed," he reported. "Which means everyone else is holding back too. No one's making the first move."
I frowned. "That makes sense. If an Alpha clan blindly charges into another's territory, they're walking straight into traps."
Martin sighed. "So we just... wait?"
"It's boring, but necessary," I admitted. "Still, we have to stay on high alert. There's no telling when the tides will shift."
Jiggs adjusted his hair, a smug grin on his face. "Well, my location choice was top-tier, but yeah, you're right, Champ. We can't let our guard down."
And so we waited.
Hours crawled by. The sun dipped beneath the horizon, swallowing the world in darkness. The air grew thick with tension.
Then—
"What the hell?" Jiggs muttered, staring at his laptop. His fingers trembled slightly.
"What is it?" I asked, moving closer.
"The counter! It hasn't changed all day... but now it's dropping fast."
A chill ran down my spine.
"They've started fighting," I murmured. "This is our best chance to move—under the cover of night, when they're too distracted to notice us."
But Jiggs' hands shook as he refreshed the screen.
"Wait, wait, wait... this isn't normal!" he exclaimed. "An entire Alpha clan just got wiped out in seconds! This isn't an ordinary battle. Something is hunting them down."
My stomach twisted. "Are you saying—"
"Another clan is vanishing—no—being erased!" Jiggs' voice cracked. "This isn't strategy. This isn't war. This is a massacre! And whatever's doing it... it's not human."
Silence fell over us, thick and suffocating.
Then, in the distance—screams.
Loud. Terrified. Desperate.
"CH-CHAMP! I THINK I'M GONNA SHIT MYSELF!" Jiggs blurted out, gripping his laptop like it was a lifeline.
My breath hitched. The enemy—whatever it was—was close.
A voice shrieked from beyond the ruins.
"MONSTER! RUN! HIDE!"
We all went rigid. We didn't need to see it to know.
We knew who they were talking about.
"...Silver," I whispered.
The name alone was enough to send a cold dread settling into my bones. I turned to my team. Their faces mirrored my own fear.
Jiggs swallowed hard. "Champ... remember what he said earlier? About coming for my bag because I stuffed it with food and drinks?"
I inhaled sharply.
A scent reached my nose—sharp, distinct, unmistakable.
"...Cinnamon," I muttered.
Silver is nearby.
"Champ! What do we do?!" Jiggs' voice cracked in panic.
I clenched my fists, my mind racing.
"We weren't prepared for him. We have to change our plan," I said, forcing myself to stay calm.
"Master Champ," Gem's voice was barely a whisper. "What now?"
Jiggs let out a strangled yelp. "FOUR CLANS! FOUR CLANS GONE! AND I BET MY ASS IT'S ALL SILVER!"
"Tch!" I gritted my teeth.
My brain whirred at a hundred miles per hour.
Think, Champ. THINK!
I scanned my surroundings, my eyes locking onto Jiggs' bag.
Aha!
"I know Silver's next move," I announced.
Martin's head snapped toward me. "What is it, Master Champ?"
"It's late. Silver needs food and water to restore his energy. He's not coming for me—we all know that—but for Jiggs' bag."
Jiggs paled instantly. "Champ! What's your plan?! Please tell me it doesn't involve me dying! I still have dreams! Goals! I haven't even had a proper first date yet!" He clutched his bag like it was his newborn child.
I smirked. "Relax. None of you will get hurt. Silver's tracking us through scent, specifically, mine. He knows I'm with you all, and if I stay, he'll find this place without a doubt. Which means..."
"We leave! Right now!" Jiggs practically screamed.
"No." I shook my head. "You stay. I leave."
The room fell silent.
"I'll lead him away," I continued. "He's after my scent, so I'll make sure he follows. That way, you'll all be safe."
"But Master Champ, what about you?" Gem asked, his face filled with concern.
"Don't worry about me. I can handle myself," I reassured them. "Your job is to stay hidden." I turned to Marsh, Gem, Daryl, and Martin. "Protect Jiggs at all costs."
"Yes, Master Champ!" they answered in unison.
Jiggs swallowed hard. "When will you be back?"
I hesitated, then gave him a firm nod. "I don't know. But I will come back. I promise."
Jiggs clenched his fists. "Alright... just... be careful, okay?"
I gave him one last nod before slipping away into the darkness.
...
The night was eerily quiet. The wind whispered through the trees, and the full moon cast long, haunting shadows over the forest floor. I moved swiftly, ensuring that Silver wouldn't be able to trace Jiggs and the others.
Right now, Silver was the biggest threat.
I hadn't expected him to join the battle. I thought our biggest opponents would be average Alphas and... Deux.
Deux...
Where was he?
Was he already locked in battle? Fighting for territory?
No. I couldn't afford to think about him now. My clan comes first.
I stopped in a clearing, taking a deep breath. The air was crisp, the night still.
"Please... keep my friends safe." I whispered to the sky.
Then—
Rustling.
I tensed.
(Sniff!)
Not Silver.
The scent was different.
An average Alpha.
My lips curled into a smirk. "Come out and face me."
A low chuckle echoed from the trees. Slowly, figures emerged—members of an Alpha clan, their numbers far greater than my own. At the center of them stood their leader, grinning, a massive chainsaw resting on his shoulder.
"Where's your team?" he sneered. "Did you get lost?"
I didn't answer.
He stepped forward, tilting his head. "You know what this means, right? Once we take you out, your clan is done."
"I know." My voice remained steady.
The Alpha leader let out a laugh. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But from the looks of you, I doubt you can take us all on." His eyes flicked over me, unimpressed. "You're smaller than most Alphas. You even look tame. I won't waste my energy on you." He motioned to his men. "Betas, take care of him."
I didn't move. I didn't speak.
I waited.
One of the Beta males rushed forward, screaming as he charged, his entire body weight thrown into the attack.
I inhaled deeply, exhaled.
Then—
(SMACK!)
My foot met his chest in a devastating kick.
His body soared through the air before crashing violently into a tree.
Silence.
Every other Beta male froze.
The Alpha leader's smirk faltered.
Then—chaos.
The rest of the Betas roared and charged, weapons raised, eyes burning with fury.
I rolled my shoulders.
"Fine." I smirked. "Let's dance."
The first enemy swung a baton at my ribs. I twisted my body just enough to let it skim past, grabbing his wrist and snapping it backward. He howled in pain before I planted a knee into his stomach, sending him crumpling to the ground.
Another Beta lunged with a dagger—too slow. I sidestepped, grabbed the back of his neck, and slammed his face into my knee. His nose shattered instantly.
Someone swung a chain at my head. I ducked, catching it mid-air, yanking the attacker toward me before slamming an elbow into his jaw.
More came.
I weaved through them, fists and feet moving faster than their eyes could track. Every punch I threw landed with precision. Every kick sent bodies flying.
One.
Two.
Three.
More bodies hit the ground, groaning in agony.
I felt blood trickle down my arm—not mine.
The Alpha leader stood still, watching. His grip tightened around the chainsaw.
"You..." he hissed. "You're stronger than you look."
I cracked my knuckles, my heart still steady. "And you talk too much."
He let out a deep growl. "Fine. I'll deal with you myself."
"Now... it's just the two of us."
I exhaled sharply, hoisting the unconscious Beta male over my shoulder before dropping him unceremoniously to the ground. My lips curled into a smirk, making sure my opponent saw it. I wanted him to know—I had wiped out his entire Alpha clan alone.
I wasn't as monstrous as Silver. I didn't have that unnatural, terrifying presence.
But that didn't mean I couldn't win.
The Alpha leader narrowed his eyes. "You've defied all expectations. But let's be real—you're exhausted. You won't last much longer."
I rolled my shoulders and straightened up.
"Come," I taunted. "Be my guest."
His face twisted in rage. "I hate being insulted!"
With a roar, he charged.
The unmistakable sound of a chainsaw filled the air. The blade gleamed under the moonlight, vibrating with deadly intent. If that thing so much as sharp grazed me, it's over.
(Swoosh!)
(Swish!)
Each swing sliced through the air with a horrifying screech, like it was splitting reality itself.
One hit.
That's all it would take.
I ducked. I twisted. I narrowly avoided the blade each time, my breath coming out in sharp bursts.
"What's wrong?" the Alpha leader taunted. "Are you just going to dodge all night?"
Damn it. He was right.
If I kept evading, he'd corner me. My back was already inches away from the thick, towering trees surrounding us. One more step, and I'd have nowhere left to run.
I scanned my surroundings—quick, precise. Think. Think.
There!
Beside me, lying near the body of a fallen Beta, was a baseball bat.
I lunged for it, fingers wrapping around the familiar grip just as the Alpha leader snarled.
"Pathetic!" he spat. "That won't do anything against me!"
Then, without warning—he struck.
The chainsaw came down in a blinding arc.
I barely had time to react. I raised the bat just in time, intercepting the attack.
CLANG!
The impact sent a brutal shockwave up my arms, rattling my bones.
Now we were locked in a test of sheer strength—his chainsaw pressing against my bat, the blade vibrating dangerously close. He was trying to overpower me, forcing me back with every ounce of strength he had.
I dug my heels into the dirt. I pushed back with everything I had.
But...
Crack.
The wooden bat trembled.
No.
Crack.
No, no, no!
The chainsaw's raw power was splintering the bat, splitting it apart inch by inch.
A twisted grin spread across the Alpha leader's face. "This is the end for you."
Crack!
The bat snapped.
Move, Champ. MOVE!
At the very last second, I twisted my body, dodging just as the blade came down.
The Alpha leader had put too much force into his strike—he couldn't stop his own momentum. His body lurched forward.
And in that instant, I saw my opening.
I spun behind him.
And then—
I kicked him straight in the balls!
Hard.
A sharp, high-pitched gasp escaped his throat. His entire body froze.
His grip loosened. The chainsaw slipped from his hands.
Then—collapse.
The towering Alpha fell to his knees, eyes wide, mouth gaping in pure, agonizing silence. The pain had shut his whole system down.
Seconds later, he passed out.
I exhaled, wiping the sweat from my brow.
"Wow," I muttered, nudging his unconscious body with my foot. "That's all it took, huh? Good thing I don't balls anymore like him."
Then I smirked.
"One Alpha clan down."
I let out a breathy chuckle, feeling something foreign bubble inside me—pride.
I had done it. I had actually done it!
I wasn't just surviving—I was winning.
But then—
(Sniff!)
My smile vanished.
Wait.
Where was it?
Where was Silver's scent?
A creeping dread slithered up my spine. Even during that fight, I hadn't smelled him anywhere nearby.
No.
No, no, no—
He hadn't followed me.
Which meant—
He was still tracking Jiggs and the others.
I felt my stomach drop.
Had I just made a huge mistake?
I had taken down an Alpha clan, yes, but—at what cost?
I clenched my fists.
"Jiggs... guys... please be okay."
Then I ran.
Faster than I ever had before.
...
...
...
Deux's POV
The scent of lavender lingered in the forest air.
Champ.
I knew that scent anywhere.
He had been here recently.
Moving swiftly, I navigated through the dense trees, my senses heightened. The farther I went, the stronger the lingering scent became—until I stumbled upon something unexpected.
An entire Alpha clan.
Collapsed.
Scattered bodies lay motionless on the forest floor. Some slumped against trees, others sprawled across the dirt, groaning in unconscious defeat.
I frowned. "Who did this?"
Stepping closer, I crouched beside the fallen Alphas and inhaled deeply.
Lavender.
It clung to their bodies, unmistakable.
I narrowed my eyes. "No way... Are you telling me Champ took down an entire Alpha clan by himself?"
A smirk tugged at my lips.
I shook my head, both amused and impressed.
You've really changed, Champ.
For him to handle an entire clan—alone—was no small feat. And judging by their state, they were battered and bruised but alive.
There was no bloodshed.
No fatal wounds.
Champ had spared them.
Of course, he did.
That was just who he was.
Even in a battle for survival, even when faced with overwhelming odds, he never killed.
I exhaled sharply. "Still the same soft-hearted fool... But a powerful fool I would say."
The air around me shifted. The scent of lavender was fading.
He was moving.
Getting farther away.
I had to follow him.
Not openly—no, I couldn't risk being seen.
But from the shadows.
Because while Champ could handle an Alpha clan...
He couldn't handle Silver.
And I wasn't about to let that monster get to him first.
...
...
...
Silver's POV
I stood amidst the ruins of a crumbling building, inhaling deeply.
Lavender.
A slow smirk stretched across my lips.
"They're here."
I could smell them—Champ and his pathetic little clan. His presence clung to the air, unmistakable.
But before stepping inside, something caught my attention.
(Sniff!)
Champ's scent.
It stretched beyond the ruined building, fading into the distance.
I chuckled. "Oh? Trying to lead me away, are you, Champ?"
My smirk widened, amusement flickering in my eyes.
"You want to play games with me?" I whispered to the night air.
I stood still for a moment, considering my options.
Then, instead of entering the ruined building, I turned away.
Not in the direction Champ wanted me to go—oh no.
I walked elsewhere.
Toward another target.
...
The night was still as I arrived at my chosen hunting ground.
A cluster of Alpha clans was hiding here—I could feel them. Their fear, their desperation, their ragged breaths concealed in the shadows.
They were waiting.
Preparing.
Traps littered the ground, invisible to the untrained eye.
I grinned.
Clever.
But not clever enough.
I stopped in the middle of their domain and exhaled loudly, making sure my voice carried.
"I know you're hiding," I called out, voice smooth, taunting.
Silence.
No movement.
But I knew they were listening. Watching.
I chuckled, looking around, feigning curiosity.
"And I also know some of you are exhausted," I continued. "You're running low on energy. You're hungry. Thirsty."
A subtle shift in the air.
I was getting under their skin.
Good.
I gave an exaggerated sigh before continuing. "Lucky for you... I have some information that might be useful."
Still no response. But I knew they were intrigued.
I leaned forward, lowering my voice just enough to sound conspiratorial.
"There's an Alpha clan nearby," I murmured. "They have food. Water. Supplies. Only six of them. Easy pickings."
Silence stretched thick in the air.
I could practically hear the gears turning in their heads.
"They're holed up in a ruined building, just north of here." I pointed lazily in the direction of Champ's hiding spot.
Then, like insects crawling from the darkness, they began to emerge.
Shadows peeled away from the structures around me. Dozens of figures, all starved, all desperate. Their eyes gleamed with hunger—not just for food, but for survival.
They moved as one, shifting toward the direction I had given them.
Toward Champ's clan location.
I stood still, watching them disappear into the night.
My smirk never faded.
Once they were gone, I chuckled under my breath.
"Oh, Champ... You still don't understand, do you?"
I tilted my head, eyes gleaming with dark amusement.
I licked my lips, reveling in the thrill of the hunt.
"I'll show you who I really am. I'll show you power. I will push you til' we meet."
My smirk widened into something more sinister.
"You'll kneel before me soon enough, Champ. And when you do..."
I let out a slow, satisfied exhale.
"You'll beg to be mine."
...
...
...
Champ's POV
"Jiggs! Marsh! Gem! Daryl! Martin!"
I shouted as I rushed back to the ruined building where I had left them—only to find it empty.
My heart pounded.
Where the hell are they?!
For a split second, panic gripped me. What if something had happened? What if Silver had—
But then—
Rustling.
I immediately dropped into a defensive stance, my senses on high alert. I followed the sound, moving silently through the ruined corridors. My breath was steady, my muscles tense.
Then, from behind a collapsed section of the building, I heard—
"Hold on! The rice is at the very bottom of my bag! Just wait, okay?"
Jiggs.
Struggling.
With... food?
I turned to the corner, and sure enough, there they were—Jiggs, bent over his bag, wrestling with supplies, while the others stood around like kids waiting for snacks.
I blinked.
Then I burst out laughing. "You idiots!"
Their heads snapped toward me, faces lighting up with relief.
"Master Champ!"
In an instant, they rushed toward me, checking me over like a worried family.
"Champ, you're covered in bruises!" Jiggs fretted. "Did you already fight someone?"
I grinned. "What do you think? I wouldn't miss out on the action."
Jiggs huffed. "Damn it, you scared me! I saw the Alpha clan count dropping while you were gone—I thought you got wiped out!"
"Actually," I smirked, "that was me. Took down an Alpha clan all by myself."
Marsh and the others beamed.
"Master Champ! You should've brought us along!" Marsh said.
"We could've shown you everything we learned from you!" Daryl added.
"And what, leave me here alone? No way in hell!" Jiggs snapped.
I chuckled. "Well, regardless, good job holding down the fort and protecting Jiggs."
Jiggs scoffed. "Yeah, right! These guys didn't do anything but pester me for food!"
The Betas laughed, and I shook my head. Typical.
Still smiling, I turned to Jiggs. "Speaking of which... any chance you saved some for me? You know, maybe something to restore my energy?"
Jiggs dramatically pulled out a bag and held it up like an offering to a king. "Here you go, Your Majesty! I set aside a whole portion just for you!"
I raised an eyebrow. "All this? For me?"
"Yes, yes, just eat and rest already," he grumbled.
I plopped down beside him, stuffing food into my mouth as the four Betas kept watch. Meanwhile, Jiggs pulled up his laptop, scanning the data.
"How many Alpha clans are left?" I asked between bites.
"Hmm... based on my counter, six remain," Jiggs said. "That includes Deux's clan, our clan, and Silver himself. The other three... I'm not sure who they are."
I frowned. "Silver never came here?"
Jiggs shook his head. "Nope. No one else has been here but us."
I exhaled.
"Was this a good thing? Or a bad thing? Had I successfully thrown Silver off, or was he just toying with us?"
Jiggs sighed. "Honestly, we won't know until we see him in person."
Then his eyes flicked to his laptop, and his expression darkened.
"Jiggs?" I asked.
He swallowed. "Uh... is it just me, or has the Alpha clan count stopped dropping? It hasn't changed in a while..."
I furrowed my brows. "Maybe they're resting."
"Hopefully," Jiggs muttered.
I continued eating, trying to shake the uneasy feeling creeping up my spine.
Then—
(Sniff!)
My eyes widened.
"Get ready," I said, my voice sharp. "We have company."
The others immediately snapped to attention.
"How many?" Marsh whispered.
I clenched my jaw. "Not just one, but three Alpha clans."
Silence.
Then—
"THREE?!" Jiggs shrieked like he had seen a ghost.
I slapped a hand over his mouth. "Quiet!"
"Three Alpha clans are coming for us?" Gem whispered, his voice tight.
I nodded. "And they're already inside the building."
A tense silence stretched between us.
"What do we do, Master Champ?" Daryl asked. "We can't fight off three clans at once."
I turned to Jiggs. "Do you have a map of this building?"
Jiggs blinked, then quickly pulled up a blueprint on his laptop. "Yes! Based on our location, there are three entrances. If I had to guess, the three Alpha clans are each taking one entrance to corner us."
"Meaning we have one escape route," I concluded.
Jiggs pointed at the screen. "There's a fire exit at the back of this floor. If we take it now, they won't be able to catch us."
I grinned. "Then what are we waiting for?"
We moved quickly, staying low, navigating the crumbling corridors until we reached the fire exit.
And then—
Jiggs let out a strangled gasp.
"Sh—! You've got to be kidding me!"
I turned to him. "What?"
He pointed at the door. "It's locked."
Silence.
Then I groaned. "WHO THE HELL LOCKS A FIRE EXIT?!"
Jiggs threw his hands up. "I KNOW, RIGHT?!"
Gem's face paled. "Master Champ... what now?"
I tried slamming the door as quietly as I can but still no luck.
I exhaled. "If the fire exit is locked and there's no other way out, we have two options."
The others leaned in.
"One, we break down the fire exit by force."
"Or two..." I glanced at them with a smirk. "We charge head-on and fight all of them."
Jiggs turned white. "THERE'S NO OPTION THREE?!"
I gave him a thoughtful look. "Well... Option three is we all die horribly. Want that one?"
"CHAMP, THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR JOKES!" Jiggs whisper-yelled.
"Then that leaves us with option one!" I grinned. "Start looking for anything we can use to bust this door down!"
The Betas scattered, searching through the debris.
Meanwhile, I pressed a hand against the locked door, inhaling deeply.
I could feel the enemies closing in.
Time was running out.
We scrambled through the floor, desperately searching for something—anything—to break down the fire exit. The urgency of the situation made every second feel agonizingly slow.
Then—
"Umm, Champ?" Jiggs piped up, hesitating slightly. "Maybe this could help?"
He pointed toward the far corner of the room, where a massive steel beam lay covered in cobwebs.
I rushed over, inspecting it quickly.
"Jiggs, you genius!" I grinned.
"Of course! Now, let's lift it!" Jiggs puffed out his chest and grabbed one end, straining with all his might.
...Except, the beam didn't budge.
Not even an inch.
I stared at him. The veins in his neck were popping out. His arms were trembling. His face was turning an alarming shade of red.
For a moment, I was torn between laughing at Jiggs' ridiculous struggle and panicking over our current predicament.
"Champ! What are you just standing there for?! Help me!" he wailed.
I snapped back to reality. "Gem! Marsh! Daryl! Martin! Help me and Jiggs lift this thing!"
The five of us quickly grabbed hold of the steel beam.
Jiggs, meanwhile, immediately let go and stepped back, clapping his hands together. "Great job, team! Keep going! You're doing amazing!"
I glared at him. "Really?"
Jiggs grinned. "What? Moral support is important!"
Rolling my eyes, I focused back on the task.
"Alright, on three!" Jiggs instructed. "One... two... THREE!"
(SLAM!)
The steel beam crashed against the fire exit door with a deafening sound, making it tremble violently.
"That was LOUD!" Jiggs yelped.
"Good!" I shouted. "It means we're close enough to bust this door!"
Then—
"I heard something! They're here!"
A voice from outside.
We all froze.
"Crap! We've been found!" Jiggs whisper-screamed.
"No choice! We have to break it down NOW!" I ordered. "Jiggs!"
"Right! Again! One, two, THREE!"
(SLAM!)
The door creaked and bent inward slightly. The lock was beginning to weaken.
But so was our time.
"One more! We're almost there!" I shouted.
Jiggs raised his hands dramatically. "I CAN SEE THE LIGHT!"
"ONE, TWO, THR—"
We halted.
Jiggs suddenly stopped counting, his face draining of color.
"Uh... guys... bad timing..." he whispered, pointing behind us.
We turned—
And there they were.
Three Alpha Clans.
Each group had just entered through the three main entrances, their leaders standing at the front.
The air grew thick with tension as the Alphas sized us up like prey.
One of them smirked. "So, whoever takes these guys down gets all their food and supplies?"
Another Alpha chuckled darkly. "Sounds like it's going to be a bloodbath before anyone gets to eat."
The third leader grinned. "Three birds hitting with one stone."
Jiggs swallowed hard. "Champ... any bright ideas?"
I exhaled. This was bad. Not for me, but for my team.
We had no choice now.
"We fight," I said. "Marsh, Gem, Daryl, Martin—get ready. Jiggs, find cover. Stay close but don't get caught."
"Okay!" Jiggs squeaked and immediately scurried toward a more secure spot.
Just as we prepared for battle, something unexpected happened—
A group of five Beta males stepped forward, blocking the path between us and the approaching Alphas.
Wait.
These weren't just any Betas.
They were Deux's men.
I blinked in shock. "What are you doing here?! How did you find us?"
One of them stepped forward. "Master Deux sent us. He anticipated you might be in danger."
"Deux?" I murmured.
Another Beta male added, "We've been watching from the shadows, waiting for the right moment to step in. Now is that moment."
I exchanged bewildered looks with my team.
The Betas stood firm, their presence a shield between us and the enemy.
"Master Deux doesn't care about this competition," one of them continued. "His top priority is your safety, Master Champ."
Jiggs turned to me, grinning knowingly. "Told you. Deux is different when it comes to you."
I had no words.
But there was no time to process it—because the enemy was charging.
"Master Champ!" One of Deux's Betas turned to me. "Do what you need to do! We'll hold them back!"
"But what about you?" I asked, hesitating.
"Our mission is clear," he said firmly. "Protect your clan. Ensure your escape. We'd rather face Master Deux's wrath than fail him."
Gem grabbed my arm. "Master Champ, we have to go!"
I clenched my fists, looking at the brave Betas standing before me.
They were ready to fight. Ready to sacrifice themselves if necessary.
I bit my lip and nodded.
"Thank you." I met their gazes one last time. "I promise, when this is over, I'll prepare a feast for you all as a reward. Just stay alive."
They gave me a smirk. "You better keep that promise."
With no other choice, we turned back to the fire exit.
Jiggs helped us raised the steel beam once more. "One last time! HIT IT!"
(SLAM!)
The fire exit door finally snapped open.
The moment it gave way, we ran.
Behind us, the sounds of battle erupted. Clashes, growls, the impact of fists and weapons.
But as we raced down the fire exit stairs, more footsteps echoed behind us.
Jiggs gasped. "Oh hell no! THEY'RE FOLLOWING US!"
I didn't need to turn around to know he was right.
"Move!" I shouted. "We have to lose them!"
But the enemy was closing in.
And we were running out of places to hide.
Then... they stopped running.
Gem. Marsh. Daryl. Martin.
They stood their ground, eyes fierce with determination.
"Hey! What the hell are you guys doing?! Move!" I shouted, my heart hammering in my chest.
But they didn't budge.
"Master Champ," Marsh said, his voice steady. "We won't let Deux's Beta males be the only ones showing off their strength."
"We trained under you," Daryl added. "We won't let that go to waste."
"You always protect us," Martin said. "You always take care of us.
"You've risked everything for us that no other Alpha leader would do," Gem finished, his eyes burning with emotion. "Now it's our turn to return the favor. We'll hold them off. You escape."
My breath hitched.
"No," I said instantly. "No way in hell. We will all get out of here safe and sound!"
They were my team. My brothers.
I wasn't leaving them behind.
But their expressions were unwavering.
"Champ, come on! We don't have time!" Jiggs shouted, pulling at my arm.
I clenched my fists, my teeth grinding together. Damn it.
I wanted to fight. I wanted to stay.
But—
If we all died here, it would be meaningless.
I took a deep breath, swallowing the thick lump in my throat. My voice trembled with both fury and desperation.
"Please, Master Champ, it will be an honor to save you." Marsh insisted and looked at me with his eyes full of determination along with the other Beta males.
"Fine," I said, my chest tightening. "But listen to me. If any of you die, I swear to god, I will hunt your souls down and drag you back myself."
Marsh grinned. "Understood, Master Champ."
Daryl smirked. "We'll be fine."
Martin nodded. "Go."
Gem clenched his fists. "Win this for us."
Jiggs yanked me again. "Champ, move!"
With one last, agonizing glance, I turned and ran.
Please be okay. Please don't die. I need you all alive when this is over.
As we bolted through the corridors, my mind raced.
This isn't a competition anymore.
This is war.
...
While we are trying to escape, Jiggs frantically scanned the blueprint as he held his laptop and running at the same time.
"There!" He pointed ahead. "That path leads to the parking lot exit!"
We sprinted, our breaths ragged, our bodies burning with exhaustion.
"Good thing you have a blueprint for this place," I said.
Jiggs gave a breathless laugh. "It's the only thing I can contribute! I may not be strong like you, but intel is my specialty."
I glanced at him.
"Jiggs..." I hesitated. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this. I know this isn't your kind of fight."
To my surprise, Jiggs laughed—actually laughed.
"Are you nuts?" He grinned, eyes gleaming. "This is awesome! It's like we're in an RPG! You're the main hero, and I'm the support! We're gonna win this!"
Despite everything, I found myself smiling.
Jiggs had a way of making even life-or-death situations feel lighter.
Then—
A light appeared at the end of the corridor.
"The exit!" Jiggs gasped.
We pushed forward, faster, our escape within reach—
But then.
A shadow.
A silhouette.
Someone stood right at the exit.
The light behind them obscured their face, but I didn't need to see it.
I already knew.
The scent hit me like a brick wall.
Cinnamon.
Silver.
My blood turned ice-cold.
Jiggs skidded to a stop beside me, his breath hitching.
"Champ..." he whispered, voice laced with fear.
Then—
Silver smiled.
"I'm so glad," he purred, voice dripping with sickening amusement. "You finally came to see me."
A violent shiver ran down my spine.
Jiggs trembled beside me. "Champ... all that running... We failed. The evil boss... is in front of us."
Silver's smile widened.
"It's too late to be afraid now," he said. His voice was soft, almost gentle.
And that terrified me even more.
"Because I," he continued, "now hold the winning hand."
He closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Then—
He inhaled deeply.
And when he opened his eyes again—
Jiggs collapsed.
"Jiggs?!" I turned to him, heart slamming against my ribs.
He was gasping—his hands clutching at his throat, eyes wide with panic.
"H-h... I c-can't..." His voice came out strangled, broken.
"I... I can't breathe!"
Panic surged through me.
I turned back to Silver, my hands shaking.
What the hell is this?! What is he doing?!
Silver watched me with lazy amusement, as if this was all some game.
And then he whispered—
"Now, Champ... let me show you what a real Alpha looks like."
And just like that—
I felt it.
His aura.
It crushed against me like a tidal wave, suffocating, paralyzing.
My knees buckled, my breath caught in my throat.
This... This isn't normal.
His presence was consuming, suffocating, as if I was drowning under an unseen force.
It was the same as...
Deux.
My stomach dropped.
This... This is the true power of an Alpha.
Jiggs was on the ground, convulsing.
His nails clawed at his throat, struggling to breathe.
"Jiggs—!" I reached for him, but my own body wouldn't move.
Silver tilted his head. "Oh? Feeling weak?"
My vision blurred.
I could barely think.
Move. MOVE, DAMN IT!
Jiggs' gasps turned into choked whimpers.
"Jiggs!" I shouted.
Silver took slow, deliberate steps forward, his smile never fading.
"You're mine, Champ," he said softly. "You've always been mine."
A cold shudder ripped through me.
This wasn't just power.
This was domination.
And if I didn't break free now, we were both going to die.
End of Chapter 18