Marshes

We’d been moving for a few hours now. Quietly in the woods. The planes of grass on our right. Just past the tree line. The massive males were on high alert after our run in with the drones yesterday. Kolby and Dylan believed they had been successful in leaving them the other way.

Dylan’s hunter eyes were focused on the ground as the other two scanned our surroundings. He was looking for any indication that there were drones around the area recently. I made sure to look above in the trees as we walked. Knowing full well enforcer’s could be in them. We continued forward. We’d make it to the marshes by night fall.

Suddenly Dylan’s arm reached out from his side. Stopping us. He moved forward slightly. Looking at the ground removing his helmet. He stared at the soil.

“What do you see?” Kolby asked with a whisper

“I’m not sure. Whatever it was it was huge though. The gap between each limb around 7 feet it moved into the planes. Dean how big are enforcers?” He asked quietly.

I thought about it. While enforcers were bigger than their drone counterparts there definitely wasn’t a 7 foot gap between limbs.

“Definitely not that big.” I stated quietly as well.

He nodded his head putting his helmet back on.

“We keep it moving. Any signs of something moving alert the rest.” Marky stated.

We all nodded our heads continuing. We had debated if maybe it would be wise to make another false scent trail ultimately shooting the idea down. If something that big was out here we’d all need to be there and ready. My mid afternoon the forest floor had grown wet. The usual pine and oak trees now becoming willows. We were close to the marshes. Dylan had stayed alert and seen no more signs of whatever made the tracks.

The trees had become less dense now. Dragonfly’s flew by and zipped around the area. I could hear the slight hum of mosquitoes near. Slapping one off me every so often. The air was far more humid here. Our boots squelched with every step. We had been declining the hills slightly. I knew that most of the water run off from my father’s mountain came down here. Making the area wet with so many rivers and streams that ran through. It also fed into the planes where the vegetation grew so well from the water rich soil. The areas around the capital fed the rest of the country. Heavily guarded by the military. We continued on. Dylan led us to another den. This one had two rooms crudely carved into the side of the hill. We placed our sleeping bags together in one of the rooms. The boys quickly got to work building a cover for the entrance and making a fire in the center that separated the two spaces. I noticed they kept making slight digs at one another though. How the other worked. How the other talked.

We all sat down next to the flames. Our stomachs grumbled occasionally. we had been unable to see any animals in the area. No animals meant no food for tonight. I kept seeing aggressive glares the Alpha’s had been throwing each other. I had wondered if it was the lack of food or maybe even the tense situation just as a whole. I could sense their aggression though. Making me a bit jumpy as well.

We said nothing. Either it was their mood right now. Or simply just out of hunger from them. They didn’t seem to want to talk to one another. However we won’t make it if they can’t form a United front. Something I did know was a bit harder as their bond of brotherhood hadn’t been made yet since they hadn’t bonded to me yet. I debated asking. Weighing it out or trying to anticipate how the conversation could go. I knew maybe if I kept their emotions at bay. Maybe it would help the discussion.

“So uh….is….everything alright with you guys?” I asked unsure if I was making the right move.

“What do you mean?” Marky asked me softly.

While their aggression with each other was evident I was guessing their hormones were refusing any of their aggression to be directed at me. Cause the second I asked I felt it all leave their chest. Still I continued on.

“Well….you three seemed to be insulting each other….before anyone denies it don’t forget I feel your emotions. I can sense when even it’s just one of you in my chest. However all three of you seem to have some issue with each other.” I asked trying my best to make my voice pointedly.

The three looked at each other. I felt the aggression rising again. Their annoyed looks were Turing into glares pretty quick.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that huh?” Dylan asked Kolby.

He smirked his blue eyes cold and aggressive.

“Maybe cause there’s a dumb fuck of a hunter who couldn’t even manage to find a deer to eat. You’re useless.” He said with a sneer.

Dylan bared his teeth. About to quip back.

“He’s useless sure but not like you. What is it you provide again oh yeah not a single fucking thing.” Marky barked baring his sharp teeth at Kolby.

“What do you provide OH YEAH! that’s fucking right nothing either. I’m the one who fucking finds the food, I’m the one who has to track locations for threats!” Dylan snarled.

“Guys…please-” Before I could finish the sentence Marky stood up. I felt his extremely short fuse had already been ignited.

“YEAH LOOK HOW GOOD YOU ARE AT THAT JOB DIP SHIT!” He roared. Dylan stood up in a fighting position to match Marky.

“Oh there he goes guys typical THE BITCH’S ONLY MOOD COMES OUT! KNEWD WE’D GET THERE E-FUCKING-VENTUALLY!” Kolby yelled standing up.

“Hey guys sto-“ again I was cut off.

“OH SHUT THE FUCK UP KOLBY! YOUR A FUCKING PEA BRAINED MORON!” Dylan snarled moving closer to the blonde.

I could sense their anger was crossing another point I stood up to try to stop them. My senses were feeling threatened by their aggression though.

“Guys really ca-“ I was yet again cut off.

“COME ON DYLAN WANNA FIGHT! HUH! LET THIS PEA BRAINED MORON PUT YOU SIX FEET DEEP!” Kolby sneered.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP BOTH OF YOU BEFORE I CHOP YOUR FUCKING HEADS OFF!” Marky screamed.

The three Alpha’s moved into each others faces. This was getting out of hand. I could tell they were ready to exchange blows. My anxiety was going crazy. Each threat against the other making me more and more tense. I didn’t want any of them to get hurt. The feeling became too much and soon I found myself screaming in their place.

“ALL THREE OF YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP! GODS FUCKING DAMN IT! IN CASE YOU THREE HAVE FORGOTTEN WERE BEING FUCKING HUNTED AND THE THREE OF YOU ARE ACTING LIKE WHINY LITTLE BITCHES! OH YOUR DUMB! OH YOU CANT HUNT! SHUT THE FUCK UP! GET A FUCKING GRIP ON YOURSELVES! DO ANY OF YOU THINK WERE IN A FUCKING POSITION TO BE FIGHTING EACH OTHER OVER SUCH SMALL FUCKING PROBLEMS!” I screamed.

All three looked at me. I could sense their emotions recalibrate to my aggression. Their chest filling with anxiety all of a sudden at the prospect I was mad at them. I didn’t care anymore either.

“FUCKING DAMN IT IM SORRY I ASKED!” I yelled.

I walked over to the sleeping area grabbing my sleeping bag the three moved towards me seeing what I was doing. They reached out to stop me. I slapped each of their hands away.

“Don’t fucking touch me. I’m sleeping alone tonight in the other area.” I grumbled.

I felt their anxiety and fear rising. Again I simply did not care. Act like children im treating you like children. I moved into the other area. Throwing my sleeping bag down and crawled into it. Turing over to face away,

I had to fight my senses to be away from them. I could sense each of their sadness, guilt, and anxiety that I didn’t want to be around them right now. I heard the shuffling of sleeping bags and soon only the cracking of fire. I didn’t really sleep. I was upset. They knew and felt that I was upset. In turn making them more upset. It took some time but soon I drifted into sleep.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed. Just that when my eyes opened the fire had grown dim. I couldn’t sense any of their emotions right now so I knew they were asleep as well. My mouth felt parched and my bladder ached with need to release. I summoned my cloak knowing it would make me quiet. I stood up. I saw all three sleeping bags had been turned so they could face my direction. A small frown of their faces as they seemed to be in a not so restful sleep. I walked to the line of branches they had made to block the entrance. Slowly and quietly making a hole big enough for me to walk out.

I walked over to a distant tree. Pulling my cock out and with a sigh began to piss. Shivering as I finished. Shaking it I put it away. I knew 10 or 15 minutes away walking, there was another river. I began to head that way. Hoping they wouldn’t wake up. My mind thinking about the argument. It was the first one I’d seen them have. I wondered again if maybe it would be a good idea to bond. If I did they’d be able to not be so aggressive with each other as their own bond of brotherhood would be made through me. Finally coming to the rushing water I sat and cupped my hands drinking the cool liquid. I looked over across the water a bit further up the stream. seeing a nice flat rock. I carefully crossed the water walking up the river and crawled up the rock. Sitting for awhile. Listening to the water as it ran by. I closed my eyes for a moment. Dozing off slightly.

Suddenly I awoke to pure emotional panic. Something the which i’ve never experienced before. It was raw, pained, unbearable. I sat up and noticed the moon now hung slightly lower than before. Maybe an hour had gone by.

“Fuck.” I mumbled. They had woken up and noticed me missing. Deciding I’d start heading back now that they were freaking out. I loved those guys but I had to admit to some degree my usual loner boy self was getting annoyed with having someone around me all the time. Always panicking when I was out of sight. Maybe just a product of how I was raised. Kolbys words echoed in my mind.

You’re not like a lot of Beta’s I’ve met.

I knew this was true. Before I even had a full chance to leave the rock. I heard it. Feet moving quickly. I saw a tall figure sprinting faster than I knew they normally would. Adrenaline now pumping fully into his muscles. He would be the first here, he was the fastest of the three by a long shot. stopping by the River. His muscular chest panting fast. I heard small sobs leaving his mouth. I realized my pheromones would have been carried away by the water and been moving down with it.

“DEAN!” He screamed as loud as he could. Sobbing. His voice cracking from the strain.

I heard my name being shouted out a bit further down in the dark. All voices sounding pained.

I looked at the freaking out man. He began to run across the water. His feet splashing with every step. His nose desperately trying to find my scent.

“Dylan. Calm down I’m right here.” I said. Now feeling bad that my absence had caused pure emotional distress.

His head snapped over to me his green eyes full of tears that glistened a bit in the pale moon light. He quickly charged over. Jumping up the rock like he was skipping a step on the stairs. He picked me up and squeezed me tight. Sobbing loudly.

“What the fuck are you doing out here?” He sobbed into my neck.

“I was thirsty...I kinda lied down and dozed off a bit.” I said feeling bad.

He set me down his face pained. He turned towards the direction he came from moving his fingers to his lips. Letting out three loud whistles. I heard the running feet as Marky and Kolby came from the dark one shortly after the other. Slightly further down the River. My scent must have moved quite a bit from my actual location.

“Are you fucking crazy!” I heard Kolby sob before he picked me up and hugged me.

Marky jumped up he pressed his hands to my cheeks kissing me before scolding me.

“What the actual fuck were you thinking coming out here alone!” He stated. His voice pained.

“He was getting water and fell asleep.” Dylan stated with a sob. His fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.

They surrounded me. Holding me tightly. Nuzzling themselves to me.

“I don’t give a shit how mad you are don’t ever fucking leave without us like that.” Kolby stated. His voice cracking

“I don’t give a shit if you are mad you’re never sleeping alone again!” Dylan scolded as he continued to sob.

“After what I told you….that was….selfish Dean.” Marky said crying as he held me tighter.

“I’m sorry.” I said quietly.

“Let’s get back. We still have a few hours of night left.” Dylan stated.

Kolby carried me and Dylan’s and Marky’s hands were on my shoulders tightly. Not so much as to cause discomfort more of a your not moving on your own again kinda way. I saw the branches had been thrown to the side. They moved me in and set me down. Kolby’s vice grip around me not allowing me to move. Marky fixed the entrance and Dylan grabbed my sleeping bag and arranged the others around it. He released me on mine before pulling me down with him on my side. Dylan did the same. Marky laid on top of me. Their grips were tight and possessive.

“Need any water?” Kolby grumbled softly into my ear. His hand resting softly on neck.

“Or to take another piss?” Dylan growled slightly. His hand holding my shoulder.

“Clearly you need to sleep.” Marky stated annoyed as he nuzzled my chest. His arms down my sides

“Nope, nope, yes.” I mumbled feeling bad.

It was impossible for them to remain angry. Soon enough their lips were softly kissing my skin as they drifted back to sleep. Soft smiles on their faces.

The next day the tension of their argument was no longer in the air. My little escape act united them in their goal of making sure I knew never to do that again. I felt bad, but not so bad. Maybe if they argued again I’d simply need to go for a walk. Seemed to be a good uniting ****.

They put their armor on and we set out again. Moving quickly and quietly through the marshes. The water here was around ankle deep. We sloshed through continuing forward. After a few hours Dylan held up his hand again. His body tense. He moved towards the ground in front of us. Leaning down.

“The same tracks.” He whispered. Looking towards the trees and past.

“Coming from the plains. Recently.” He stated.

Suddenly a loud clicking could be heard. All of us summoned our swords.

It was far louder than normal drones.

Click……click…….click……

Each click felt….wet? We felt thudding. The trees were too thin for any of us to hide behind. We braced ourselves for the source of the noise. Suddenly seeing the source.

A red mass moved forward. Roughly 12 feet tall hunched on all four. It had no mouth per se. More of a slime covered beak. It continued to click. I couldn’t see any eyes on its red scaly skin. Its legs were massive. Long and thick arms moved with long straight spikes instead of claws. Its head rose up into a point back. Its red scales were bulging out what looked like vertebrae that had grown maligned with protruding spikes down its back. A large tail was covered in thick bone like scales with several sharp bones that resembled fangs protruding out. It seemed like it was looking around yet was blind.

Click..click..click.

It’s face looked at us. It’s beak pointed our direction. Opening.

CLICK

it dashed forward. We all jumped out the way as it slammed into a thin tree behind us face first. Snapping it like a twig it moved its head back

Click.click.click

It charged at Marky. He held his sword up and lunged at the creature. It continued to click. His sword was greeted by its bone covered tail with a loud clank. It slammed its tail forward throwing him 15 feet backwards onto his back.

I held my sword up. Throwing it. It made contact with its face. Moving and slashing before coming back to my hand. The creature seemed unfazed. It clicked and charged me. I held my sword up in a bid to defend myself before I was thrown aside. Dylan had pushed me and him out of the way. As it charged past where I had been.

“Your sword did nothing then and won’t do something now!” He stated.

Kolby sprinted at the creature jumping on its back before slashing down as hard as he could. His sword broke the scales near its vertebrae. Purple fluid began to gush out where his sword made contact. He winced and jumped off it. The area of his boot now smoking slightly. He dunked his boot into the water getting it off.

“Whatever that purple fluid is it’s acidic!” He yelled to us.

It continued to click loudly. It rushed to Marky who was getting up. He had just managed to jump out of the way.

Dylan sprinted as fast as he could at it. Jumping on its back like Kolby had. Slashing down trying to hit the same spot. He had just missed and with a loud clank his sword entered the scale just barley. Its tail moved behind him and slammed his side. He yelped before colliding with a tree. The creature turned around again.

Click

It charged me again. I moved as fast as I could hopping out of its way. A large claw reached out and slashed my arm. I felt its thick needle like claw piercing my skin. I screamed out.

I felt the three males anxiety and anger flair up. I kicked with my feet pushing back and away from it holding my hand to the wound as blood dripped freely down my arm. I saw the three move my direction.

“Focus!” I ordered.

They did as told. It clicked again before charging at Kolby. He aimed for it. Anticipating its tail. At the last second he moved his attack higher up. The sharp edge of his sword entering an inch into its tail as purple blood began to flow. It pushed him hard flinging him onto his side and to the ground. Marky charged forward. Slashing its back leg. His sword also only slightly damaged the scales. With a kick it threw him back again it’s hind claws hitting him in the stomach. He landed with a loud thud.

Dylan sprinted forward and I followed suit our sword slashing into it. Making large clinks when they hit. I felt the metal reverberated in my hand making them sting. I continued to attack getting to hits in before I felt it kick me throwing me back into a tree. The air being knocked out of my lungs. I watched Dylan get thrown in the same manner.

I began to panic, it was far too close to Kolby for comfort. It happened in slow motion. I watched as a claw came up and down in a fast motion. Piercing his side. He let out a loud pained scream. It lifted him up by his wound before throwing him as hard as it could to the side. Around 30 feet away. It turned his direction again. Marky and Dylan rushed in front of him with swords ready to defend their injured pack member. I could see everything in slow motion Dylan’s blood rapidly dripping down his side. Marky’s dripping in large quantities down his stomach. Kolby whimpering in pain on the ground. I was pissed. This thing attacks my Alpha’s, My mates. I felt everything happen before I could know what I was doing. Everything around me felt cold and angry. I felt my mouth open. A loud scream erupting from my throat and lungs.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

The air whipped and stung around me. I saw the marshes begin to freeze. Ice spikes forming into 10 foot tall pillars of jagged ice. The area that wasn’t frozen moved up them like tentacles wrapping around it. The ice moved forward I watched as it pierced up and into the creature the water pulling it down further onto the ice. I felt it splashing the ice and water. Each drop hung in the air. I pictured 1000’s of needles attacking it. My powers following that command as 1000’s of ice needles did form. All quickly moving and piercing its scales like tooth picks into meat. The ice inside it bloomed and grew larger I pictured it expanding and freezing its own blood into my weapons. Purple needles began to protrude out of its red scaly skin. I watched it grow limp and with a final.

Click…..

It died.

My head violently throbbed, I moved forward to my mates. I rushed to them Dylan and Marky were okay. Kolby was not. Blood dripped quickly out of his wound a huge hole in his side.

“We need to get out of here now!” Marky stated.

Him and Dylan held Kolby up by his armpits. He loudly groaned. In great pain. Dylan led us to another location. It took 15 minutes or so when we finally made it. They set Kolby inside I unstrapped his armor and helmet removing them to look. His tan skin was now pale. His blue eyes watched me calmly and weakly. His wound was deep. There was so much blood. I knew If we didn’t act fast he’d die. I pressed my hand firmly against it. Dylan and Marky helped. He just continued to look at me. I focused, I knew I could heal him. My father had that ability and so would I. He said so himself. I focused on trying to heal him. Yet nothing happened. His breathing was slowing down. I felt his hand touch my cheek.

“You’re so beautiful…” he said weakly.

His hand limply fell to his side. Tears burned in my eyes. He closed his.

“No no no no.” I said in a panic. I pressed my ear against his chest. I could still hear his heart beating though it was faint. Dylan and Marky placed a hand on my shoulder.

“He’s not dead!” I stated.

I pressed my hand back to his wound. Focusing on it begging it. I pictured a white light like my fathers. His wounds closing. Soon a very dim light formed in my hand. I watched as his skin moved up and around the injury. Binding back together. The bleeding stopped. A pink mark of a wound not fully healed was left. I leaned down and listened to his heart again. It was beating still. Much stronger than before. I sighed.

“Dylan Marky strip now.” I ordered.

They did as told exposing their wounds to me. Trying to tell me it’s okay that I should focus on my wound. I didn’t listen i couldn’t. I needed them to be okay I didn’t care about myself. I began to heal them. I knew with so much blood we would be found soon. We were too injured to leave though. So I did what I knew I could do right now. My head violently thumping in pain but I didn’t care. I needed them to be safe. I held my hand up and pictured the bubble like my father taught me. I saw a blue and white bubble form and expand around the room and just outside the entrance. It blocked the front by around 5 feet. A slight blue and white haze lined the walls. I sighed. I knew Marky and Dylan were okay.

“Stay down and rest now. Nobody leaves under any circumstances. They can’t smell us as long as we stay in here.” I ordered. They nodded. I grabbed the sleeping bags and got them rested next to Kolby. I already heard them drifting to sleep exhausted from our encounter, and the blood they had all lost.

I moved to Kolby. Resting my head on his muscular chest. Listing to his heart beating in rhythm. Much stronger now. That’s where I stayed. Afraid to hear it stop. Every so often I’d check the other two to make sure they were still breathing. Relaxing when I knew they were. I stayed on Kolby comforted by the rise and fall of his chest and beating of his heart. I didn’t dare sleep no matter how much my body begged. No matter how violently my head throbbed. I watched over my Alpha’s possessively ready to kill anyone, everyone who dared make a move against them.