The Alpha's Rogue

Chapter 25

I moved slowly around the room searching and looking at everything. I got the blankets and wrapped everything up. As I did a paper fell to the floor. I had a good idea what is was but I bent over and picked it up anyway. "CROSS THE ALPHA AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THINGS END." I just added it to the blankets and started walking toward the exit. There was a fast food joint a couple blocks and  around the corner from our bunker. I carried everything to the dumpster and threw it all away. On the way back I got a sharp pain in my side. My ribs were healed, not even bruises left. So this meant one thing, he hurt Ember.

We knew this would probably happen. He is going to try and distract, disorient and get me to stop thinking clearly. He is going to do everything he can to get my focus away from the fight. Another shot of pain through my back. He was right it was pissing me off. But I had to just wait a few more hours to end this.

I made it back without any more shots, so he's just keeping me aware of the power he has. I walked through the halls and to the kitchen. Everything was empty, I couldn't help but feel on edge. There was nothing, no sounds, no air flow. Everything just felt heavy and still. I froze when I heard a hiss of air and felt the air units start up. I took a shallow sniff, dropped the water and snack I had and ran. He was pumping gas into the filtration systems. That's why no one's here, he's trying to end it the cheap way or cheat his way to the win. I was almost about to shift to run faster when an arm reached out from the wall on my right.

I recognized the tattoo on the forearm and grabbed it. Steele pulled me into a passage. He didn't say a word, just slammed the door and motioned for me to follow. We were outside within a minute. Once outside we both breathed deeply, coughing and clearing our lungs out. If not for Steele I would of had to run for another 2 or 3 minutes. Who knows if I would have made it out of that bunker alive. After we were clear of the bunker and breathing normal I just came out and said it. "WHAT THE HELL. Seriously. Is he completely insane. Not just trying to kill me but before a challenger fight. And gassing out his own home." Steele just shrugged, shook his head, "We only just heard about the evacuation. Ember stayed to keep up appearances but sent me to ensure you made it out." He walked around, "everyone is at the pit. He wants everyone to be there, even the pups are front row." I sighed, "Damn."

We walked together in silence. I was focusing my thoughts. Focusing my breathing. Steele lead the way, weaving through the woods, far outside of town. The sun was setting. The sky was cloudless, as the moon rose and stars filled the sky. As we neared we heard whispers, but not out loud. We slowly approached to see everyone shifted. The wind blew, a strange sent filled the air. In the distance we saw forms and shapes. A distant howl pierced the still cool air. Rogues. Steele and I thought together.

We stayed down wind and in human form as we moved to see the pit better. The rogues were approaching from many directions. But no one was moving, no one even flinched at their presence. Steele and I shared a distressed look. They approached slowly. As several took up positions along the sides as the leader, you could tell by size and walk, I dare not use the word Alpha to describe a rogue beast.
He approached Ember's father. They both stood tall and traded a glance you knew they talked but didn't allow anyone to hear.

"What the hell is going on here?" I ask Steele. He looks somber, "Looks like he has been up to some more shady tactics then we thought. I dont recognize any of them." I look across the groups of rogues gathered. I freeze. It cant be, it's not possible. I start to move, instinctively. Not thinking. Then I cant, I'm being stopped. I try and push through, the grip on my arm tightening. "Hunter, hunter stop. You cant go out there like this."  I snap out of it. I duck back down. I breath in deeply and slowly. Steele releases my arm. I start to shift, rolling my shoulders. Leaning forward and landing on my hands as they shift to paws. Stretching and pulling my muscles. I stand on my four legs tall and strong. I breath as I step up over the edge. I growl low and deep announcing my presence and proclaiming my challenge.