Fallen Alpha

-05- 🥀 Loving And Fighting

^ Picture of Elias

"Loving and fighting, accusing, denying. I can't imagine a world with you gone. The joy and the chaos, the demons we're made of. I'd be so lost if you left me alone."
~Chord Overstreet, 'Hold On'

~~~

*Elias's POV*

My paws smack against the forest floor as I launch myself forward, dashing between the trees. The wind whips around me as the life of the forest hums in my ears, connecting me to my surroundings.

I can feel the air blowing through every stand of my red-brown fur, making me feel nearly weightless as I practically fly through the wooded area.

It's been too long since I've gotten to run with Maverick, so I was overjoyed when Mateo suggested that they let us out for a run. Just like how Mateo has been Easton's best friend, Maverick has been mine. He's my soul brother and my Beta; the wolf I know will always have by back no matter what.

That is, unless he's the one jumping on my back.

We tumble in the grass and dirt after Maverick tackled me, knocking me off my feet. I snarl, snapping my teeth at him as a warning. Maverick barks a laugh, clearly not taking my threats seriously. Not that I can blame him. Maverick knows I would never seriously threaten him.

'Fucker,' I growl at him as I pull myself off the ground.

Maverick shakes the dirt out of his deep brown fur. 'Maybe you shouldn't let your guard down,' he shoots back teasingly. 'It was pretty easy for me to take down our mighty Alpha.'

'I don't have to keep my guard up around you.'

'Clearly, you should. Wouldn't want the pack to see their Alpha getting his ass handed to him.'

My lip curls back over my teeth. 'Okay, let's go! Try to pin me.'

The teasing gleam fades in Maverick's eyes, replaced with a challenging glint. 'Wait, seriously? You want to spar?'

I crouch down, ready to pounce. 'Why not? It's been too long since our last sparring session. Show me what you got, mutt.'

Maverick mimics my stance, crouching low to the ground. 'Bring it on, mongrel.'

Keeping our eyes locked on each other and our heads lowered to the ground, we both wait for the other to make the first move. Our postures are rigid and statuesque, both of us knowing that it's advantageous to not attack first. You let your opponent strike first, carefully analyzing their movements and predicting what kind of fight they're putting up. Whether it's calculated and precise, or rushed and aggressive. Figuring that out at the start of the fight gives you the best chance of being victorious.

Of course, Maverick and I were trained together as pups, so it's like fighting another copy of yourself. We've been sparring together for so long that we can predict each other's moves based on the flickering of the eye.

A twig snaps, making my ears twitch. Someone is close by. My Alpha instincts are to track down the intruder in case they're not from our pack, but my pride doesn't want to look away from Maverick. If I look away, he has the upper hand of me letting my guard down. Again.

The scent of lavender and pine hits my nose, and I immediately straighten. That scent... it's familiar. Who...?

Before I have a chance to finish that thought, Maverick's large wolf body tackles me to the ground for a second time today. I yelp, kicking at him with my hind legs to push him off of me. We wrestle on the ground, trying to pin each other as I become increasingly aware of that heavenly scent. In my frustration, a burst of energy hits me and I use the extra strength to pin Maverick to the ground.