Vault Bound

Chapter 10

Acer's blood ran cold as his father finished telling them how his mother saved him. A cold tear ran down his furry face but he quickly shook it off. He wouldn't let himself be vulnerable until he has his pup and soon to be mate back next to him. Everyone else in the pack weeped for their lost leader but Acer stood strong.

He watched as his father turned and began to trot away as the pack didn't notice they were too busy mourning. Acer tilted his head in confusion and ran to follow his father and was sure to keep hidden among the trees.

Acer trailed his father until they came upon a cave. It reeked of blood and his mother's scent. He only assumed his father came back to bury his mother's body, but oh was he so wrong. Keesha emerged from the cave with Taylor and another shepherd at her flank. Acer couldn't help the shock that over came his features. As he watched the familiar golden come too. Her face was battered and filled with blood from a fresh kill he could only assume. The only way she could have survived is if she was immune to the radiation. The other shepherd was littered in scars but not a flake of blood was the be seen on his entire body.

"We were just about to come and look for you dear Zeusy." Keesha seethed snapping his jaws right next to his face, but Zeus didn't flinch. "You took everything from me. I have nothing left to fight for. I want to join you and get rid of my old pack once and for all." The Shepherd stares at the male with shock she searched his eyes for any sort of lying, but found no trace. She snorted "Very well then Zeus, but you must be able to pass our one trial of misery."

Anyone listening could heard the increase in Zeus' heartbeat and that only means one thing. Fear. You could practically feel the fear etching off his skin and filling the air around them, but based on his form you could tell he was ready. He was ready to fight. He was numb to the pain and the loss of his mate.

Acer's heartbeat also increased, but he tried to keep it steady as they may hear him. He watched in pure horror as all the dogs took chunks out of his skin. He was bleeding in every spot possible. He wouldn't leave without a scar that was for sure.

Taylor was nipping at Zeus' jock while Timber was flanking his top side nipping and jabbing at loose pieces of skin flapping. Keesha watched with an amused grin as she still towered over all of them. Out of the corner of his eye Acer spotted Gunner Keesha's un biological pup coming forth. He was much bigger now almost as tall as Taylor, but not quite yet. Acer had forgotten how much time had passed since they have been on the ground for about a month now. His pup Luna was bigger now, but not as big as Gunner. Not yet.

Gunner took a few hits at Zeus nipping at his neck as he winced but stood strong knowing he had to do this to pass. Finally it was Keesha who used her large form to knock the male on his side as she jabbed at him roughly making sure she left her mark. When she was finished Zeus looked like he went through a whirl wind of hell. Most wounds weren't that deep they would heal with minimum scaring, but the one deep on in his left hind leg was deep. That was from Keesha she was making sure he knew who he belonged too now.

After a few moments Keesha snarled "He passes. As long as he stand up and bows to my command." Her eyes glistened with power. The type of power that sends a shiver to ripple through your entire body. Zeus stands his legs shaking with pain, but he pushes himself to stand up his eyes showing the evil he wished to never see upon himself. Acer stood there with an unreadable expression. He couldn't believe his father betrayed them. Betrayed his own son! Just because he couldn't deal with the grief!

Deciding he couldn't watch anymore he turned tail and began to trot away but as he turned his paw landed on dry rotted stick as it made a sickening snap. He turned his head quickly to seen if the pack had heard and that they did. All their ears stood up listening as Keesha snarled. "Get them now! Whoever it is bring them back to my alive!" She snapped orders at her minions as Timber,Taylor, and Zeus took off at a impossible speed and began to tear off into Acer's direction.

Acer takes off back towards where the pack resided. He pushed himself to go as fast as he possibly could. Weaving in and out of trees jumping over boulders hopefully to throw the pack off his trail, and to his advantage it worked! He slowed when he realized he was no longer being chased. He practically collapsed from exhaustion once he arrived back to where the pack was, but their words startled him and he almost forgot he had to tell them.

"Where is Zeus? We have planning to do.." Raven, the beta trailed off curiously her eyes were fueled with anger from the loss of the alpha female, but you could also see the emptiness. She was tired of loss. She has lost to much. Acer was at a loss for words and was afraid of their reaction of what he was about to tell them.