Sword of Vengeance (Bjorn and Zyro #2)[COMPLETED]

5: High Above Taguig

"Alright, listen up," Spike began, pacing the small space as he spoke. "I just had a run-in with Luke and some werewolves under the overpass. It was bad—really bad. They're gearing up for something, and we can't stay here."

"What did Luke want?" Bjorn asked, his brow furrowing in concern. "And what does this have to do with us?"

"Everything," Spike replied, stopping to meet each of their gazes. "He's been looking for the Ghost Alpha and anyone connected to him. I'm pretty sure he's been working with the werewolves, plotting something big. We're in danger here."

Conrad frowned, his jaw tightening. "What do you suggest we do? We can't just run away."

"I'm not saying we run, but we need to be smart about this," Spike continued. "We need a safe place to regroup, and I know just the spot—BGC in Taguig. It's a secured area, a lot of eyes, and if there's trouble, we can get help quickly."

Zyro crossed his arms, considering Spike's words. "You think it's really safe there? What if Luke has eyes everywhere?"

"Exactly," Spike said, nodding. "That's why we need to move now. We'll head to my friend's place; she's got connections. If anyone can keep us hidden, it's her."

Bjorn leaned back against the couch, the weight of their situation pressing down on him. "We don't even know what Luke's plans are. What if he finds us in BGC?"

"He won't," Spike reassured him. "We'll be careful. We can't let fear dictate our actions. We have to stay one step ahead."

Conrad looked at the group, determination sparking in his eyes. "I agree. We can't keep running from him. If we're going to face Luke, we need to do it on our terms, and that means being in a place where we have the upper hand."

"Then it's settled," Spike said, clapping his hands together. "We'll head to BGC. Grab what you need, and let's move. We don't have much time."

As they gathered their things, Bjorn felt a sense of urgency wash over him. The threat of Luke and the werewolves loomed like a storm cloud, and the only way to weather it was to stay united. They were stronger together, and they would face whatever lay ahead as a team.

Once they were ready, Spike led the way out of the apartment, his demeanor focused. The streets of Manila were alive with the evening bustle, but the group was hyper-aware of their surroundings, every shadow and movement sending adrenaline coursing through their veins.

As they made their way to BGC, the city transformed from its chaotic pulse to a more polished atmosphere, the skyscrapers gleaming in the dim light. It was a world away from the danger that lurked in the shadows, but they knew it was only temporary.

"Keep your heads on a swivel," Spike warned as they approached the entrance to BGC. "We don't know if Luke's already got someone watching us."

****

The elevator chimed softly as it reached the top floor of the luxury apartment building in BGC, its polished walls reflecting the bright lights of the city below. Spike led the way down the sleek corridor, his keys jingling as he fished them out of his pocket. Bjorn followed closely, taking in the opulence surrounding him—marble floors, contemporary art adorning the walls, and large glass windows that offered a breathtaking view of the skyline.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Spike said with a grin, pushing open the door to his apartment. Inside, the space was just as extravagant as the building itself, with a spacious living room that opened to a balcony overlooking the glittering cityscape.

"Wow, this place is incredible," Bjorn remarked, stepping inside and immediately feeling the tension of their earlier encounter begin to lift. "How the hell can you afford this?"

"Let's just say my side hustles pay well," Spike replied, winking. "And I know how to pick my friends." He tossed his keys onto a sleek countertop before turning back to Bjorn.

"Speaking of friends, you know what they say about roommates, right?" Spike continued, a mischievous glint in his eye. "They can make or break your experience. Just don't go getting any funny ideas about us sharing the same bed."

Bjorn rolled his eyes, trying to suppress a smile. "Very funny. I'd rather sleep on the couch than deal with your snoring."

"Oh, come on! I'm not that bad," Spike protested, feigning offense. "Besides, who knows? You might end up loving it up here. All these luxurious amenities could lead to some—intimate moments."

Bjorn shot him a sharp look, the playful banter taking a sudden turn. "Spike, seriously. This isn't a joke. We're in the middle of a war right now. We can't afford to mess around like this."

Spike raised an eyebrow, his teasing demeanor fading slightly. "I'm just trying to lighten the mood, Bjorn. It's been a heavy few days. We all need a little humor now and then."

"I get that, but don't twist it into something it's not," Bjorn said firmly, crossing his arms. "We have enough to worry about without adding any weirdness between us."

"Alright, alright, I hear you," Spike conceded, raising his hands in mock surrender. "No more jokes about sharing beds. But I do want you to know, I've always got your back, man. No matter what."

Bjorn softened at that, feeling the weight of their situation settle heavily on his shoulders. "I appreciate that, Spike. I really do. It's just... everything feels so uncertain right now. I don't want to complicate our friendship."

"Don't worry about it," Spike replied, offering a reassuring smile. "We're a team, remember? Let's just focus on keeping our heads above water. We'll figure everything else out later."

Bjorn nodded, the tension easing just a bit. As they settled into the apartment, he could see that despite the danger lurking outside, the connection between them remained strong. They were more than just allies; they were friends—partners in a fight that was far from over.

As they set about making the place feel more like home, Bjorn couldn't shake the feeling that they were in for a long night. But for the first time in what felt like forever, he was grateful to be somewhere safe, at least for the moment. The city sprawled out beneath them, vibrant and alive, and for a brief second, he allowed himself to forget the shadows that lingered just beyond their walls.

"Bjorn! We've got a lead," Zyro said, practically vibrating with excitement. "Violet just texted me. The werewolves have a hideout in Tondo."

Bjorn felt a rush of adrenaline at the news. "Tondo? That's not far from here. We need to move fast before they get wind of us."

Zyro nodded, already pulling out his phone to gather more details. "We should take my car. It's faster, and we can navigate through the backstreets."

Before they could make their escape, Conrad entered the room, having just finished getting dressed. His eyes locked onto Bjorn's, and in a sudden burst of confidence, he stepped forward and kissed him. The warmth of Conrad's lips sent a jolt through Bjorn, surprising him, but just as he started to respond, he noticed Spike standing nearby, his expression darkening as jealousy flared in his eyes.

"Uh, guys?" Spike interjected, crossing his arms. "We should really be focused on the mission, don't you think?"

The tension between Spike and Conrad was thick enough to cut with a knife, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Conrad pulled back, a smug smile on his face as he glanced at Spike. "Don't worry, Spike. I'm just reminding Bjorn of what we have going on between us."

Bjorn felt a mix of embarrassment and confusion, caught in the middle of an unexpected rivalry. "Right, well, can we save the personal stuff for later? We have werewolves to track down."

Spike rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the annoyance etched across his features. "Fine. Just don't get too distracted out there, alright?"

With that, Bjorn and Zyro quickly gathered their gear and headed out to the car.