The Storm

My routine always been the same. Yet today I knew something was going to go wrong. For the first time my father barged into my room. Waking me up.

“Get up and dressed now. Hurry there isn’t much time.” He stated out of breath.

I quickly threw on a tank top and shorts. Finding my pair of old boots. I threw them on quickly. Heading downstairs I saw a sword and shield sitting in the table. I wanted to ask what was happening I held my tongue hoping that soon he’d explain. Soon he came in from outside. Now wearing an old set of armor. Though it didn’t quite fit him like I’m sure it used too. It seemed tight and didn’t fully match the extra weight he’d gained in recent years.

“Pack a bag.” He stated.

I looked at him confused. Was this it? Was he finally kicking me out?

“Food and supplies anything you can. Consider leaving the sketchbook if it takes too much room.” He grumbled.

“Okay.” I said too stunned to form another response. I already knew questioning him was off the table though.

He reached under the cabinet and threw the bag at me.

“If the enforcers show up that means it’s only a matter of time before they say where you are and decide to attack and the barrier won’t hold in that case. That prick told me so last night before beating me up in my dream. You’re the target. Though I’m sure you figured that out seeing as an enforcer said your name.” He stated.

I hid my surprise. Had the dream man come for him too? A silly thought though seemed to be the case. I knew I was the target. He was right. He slammed a paper down onto the table. I looked at it. It had clear instructions for a place to go. I studied the paper.

Head east up the mountains. Surrounded by frost and water is your safest place.

Use the cloak at all times. In the mountain you’ll find refuge.

This was my fathers handwriting though I’m surprised he’d write this for me. I saw a circle on a building someplace in the mountain. Looking outside I saw black clouds moving towards us. Anxiety gripped my chest.

A storm is coming.

The thought echoed in my head.

“Quickly now!” He ordered.

I did as told and started throwing my stuff together. I didn’t have a lot of warm clothes but that cloak would work well. I looked at my sketchbook and debated it. No it’s the one thing I have that’s been getting me through this shit. I tucked it into my bag. Running downstairs I grabbed a loaf of bread, water, some cans of food. I didn’t take a whole lotta time to see which ones. Throwing the cloak on, making sure I was wearing the ring and necklace. I threw the bag over my shoulder and walked outside.

In a Short time frame the clouds had moved much much closer. My father approached me and grabbed me rough by the arm leading me to the front of the barrier. Sword attached to his hip and a shield at the ready we walked forward. By the time we made it to the barriers edge the clouds were upon us. The air was hot and frazzled. Dust blew up into the air. He stuffed the map into my hand throwing me forward with a jerk.

“You don’t have a lot of time. The best I can buy you is a few minutes. Though you’re much faster than before now thanks to that.” He stated point at the necklace.

“In time you won’t need it but for now it’s getting you to a place where it’s doing the heavy lifting for you.”

Suddenly a loud screech could be heard. We both looked up into the black clouds. A black bolt of lightning shot down and slammed against the barrier. We watched as the forces collided. Though it held a white spot was visible. Suddenly the bolt shot again and again into the same spot. With a loud and violent sound like metal scraping metal the barrier tore. All around us it sizzled and cracked. Falling like burning pages. The once beautiful blue and white was now red and black. Cascading down upon the grove. The sky was dim as the clouds blotted out the sun. Suddenly you were shoved forward.

“GO NOW DONT EVER COME BACK. DONT LOOK BACK. DONT EVER SPEAK THOSE INSTRUCTIONS ALOUD OR LET ANYONE SEE THEM. SURVIVE DEAN HURRY YOU HAVE MINUTES BEFORE THIS PLACE IS OVERTAKEN BY THE BURROWERS!” He screamed.

I did as told and sprinted. Hard, fast. The wind whipped my hair and I didn’t stop. I knew where to go right now. South then east. I dared not speak aloud. In several Moments I heard screaming behind me but didn’t dare look back.

“BRING IT ON YOU FILTHY FUCKERS YOU AND YOUR HEAD BITCH WONT WIN!” I heard my father scream.

The screeches were loud and I could feel the thumping of feet someplace far behind me heading the opposite direction. Hopefully the cloak was doing its job and keeping me hidden to some degree. I heard screaming in the distance before it died out. Though I hated him I knew deep down he was gone now. He’d gotten me out of that attack. My father was dead.

I kept sprinting. I didn’t know how fast I was truly moving though it was a blur. The trees whipped past me. Soon I was out of the clouds that were overhanging the place I’d called home. I didn’t stop even when my lungs burned. I didn’t stop even when my legs begged. I wanted to live. After awhile I let my sprint become a run. Soon I turned right heading east. The mountain was in view yet so far away. After 20 minutes I stopped to catch by breath. Gripping the necklace.

I’d never run so far or fast before. I wanted to think about it more and more. Yet I knew I didn’t have the time. I was exposed now. A lone Beta in the wild. No family or pack. I caught my breath opened my bag and drank some water. I quickly placed it back and continued. I figured at this speed I’d make it to the mountain in a few days.

I found tears streaming down my face. I mourned my home and yes even my father. Though I knew I’d have to continue and do it later when I was safe. If that something I could ever be again. After all the barrier came down pretty quickly when met with such a ****. I pondered the clouds and strange lighting. Realizing that my safety may have always been an illusion. A cradle in a burning world. Onwards I told myself drying my tears. Be brave Dean, I chanted in my head. Be Brave.

In the capital

Three Alphas woke with a lurch. They looked at each other. Something is wrong. Quickly they got dressed and headed towards the door.

“What do you think it is?” Kolby asked curiously.

“Like we’d fucking know but something is clearly wrong with him right now.” Marky said with a huff

“Fuck this is our fault. We should have just left the moment we knew west was where to go.” Dylan exclaimed.

They threw the massive doors open and entered.

Inside they found the Royal Alpha and Beta sitting next to each other in front of the orb. The two turned and looked at the three with mild annoyance and curiosity.

“Ah didn’t realize I’d summoned you three here.” Royal Alpha Rex stated.

Dylan looked at him and cocked an eye brow to the other two. Though yes the crowning had failed. They were the selected Royal Alphas.

“Shut the fuck up. You’re sitting in our chairs on borrowed time.” Marky exclaimed teeth bared.

They passed the guards and approached the orb snatching it from Rex hand.

“Guards are you just gonna stand there and let them do this?” Maximus had asked calmly

The few guards in the room were a bit unsure of what to do. Though yes Rex sat in the seat. They were the Royals in name. Also the three could easily take on the entire castle and most likely win. Compared to the other Alphas they had a foot in height compared to the rest other than Rex. Each man sat around 8 feet tall compared to the closest guard at 7. True signs of the Royal Alphas. They were far stronger and faster than the rest. Their pecs alone were bigger than most their heads. The crowing had failed but in Alpha culture the strongest ruled. They saw Rex for what he was now. An old man long past his prime and should have been removed from his seat long ago. Decorum dictated that the arena was where the next Royal Alphas were chosen yet he only decided to host it this year when an uproar occurred saying Rex was no longer in place to rule them. Truth was when push came to shove a large chunk of Alpha guards would side with the 3 men. With that said not a single guard moved place.

“I see.” Rex said calmly. Sitting back down into the throne.

“Is this about your Beta?” He asked.

The three stopped dead in their tracks and turned around. If looks alone could kill they’d have already had his body dragged outside.

“Tell us what you know.” Dylan snarled.

Though they had been patient a few days had gone by. Rex wouldn’t allow them to leave and out of respect they didn’t. Yet each day they felt Dean anxiety get worse. Each day they felt his emotions spiking and falling. Disconnecting with sleep and awaking to more anxiety. Their nerves were shot now. Their patience long past dry. Today they felt the worst it had ever been. Fear, anxiety, pain, sorrow. They didn’t understand why they were so connected with him. It was abnormal even with the orb but they knew it was him.

They were past caring for the why and how’s. They needed him by their side. Under their watch. Guarded by them and nobody else. Nurtured and cradled in their room. Fed properly. Was it selfish to want him that moment? Maybe. Was it healthy? Maybe not. Were their intentions good? Absolutely. They didn’t care anymore about decorum or sanctity. They didn’t care anymore about the wish of the old and decaying rulers.

“If you remember we sent a party have him brought here. When they arrived the place was completely consumed in Burrowers. They thought about going in but decided it would be far too risky. Something we agreed with.” He stated.

“And you waited until now to tell us?” Marky said his voice calm but dripping in anger.

“It had only come in 20 minutes ago. These thing take time. You’ll learn that when you actually start leading Batavia someday.” Maximus stated amused.

“Only one body was evident. Several burrower body’s were also evident. Whoever he was he clearly didn’t go down without a fight.” Rex said bored.

“Not to say that it was your Beta. I doubt one of us could have done that. Though I’d be surprised if he was alive. Sorry I just need to be honest here.” Maximus said bored as well.

“If you’d like I can find you three a better one. Right this instant in fact. Plenty of Betas would rather be with you three than their chosen ones.” He said amused.

“No we’d rather have our chosen Beta not some whore you could provide us. He’s a chosen Royal Beta. Royal Alphas should be with the chosen Beta not some substitute.” Dylan said annoyed.

“A fact you’d think about considering you failed your job at finding him as the Royal Beta. Remember when you two had every pack send the best Beta in our age bracket then you selected which of those Betas were most likely to be our Beta. You would think considering you two had so much time to plan for this you’d have been ready what was the number 700 something you selected out of the Betas that came?” Kolby taunted

“You were supposed to go out and locate him yourself. That is quite literally one of the most important jobs of being the Royal. You go and find the Best Alphas and you go and find the best Betas yet you waited until you were old and senile that you had to summon all of us here and do this. 500 Alphas had to fight when normally that number is closer to 50 or far less. You two failed your duty. Our Beta is alive we’re leaving to find him. When we come back you two better hope you’d have dropped dead from old age.” Marky snarled.

The three turned having enough of the conversation setting the orb down on its podium. Rex moved to speak but Maximus stopped him.

“Leave it leave it. Typical Alphas charging head first into danger when their precious Beta is threatened. While I’m mad at the boldness. It’s not surprising.” He said amused.

They set their hands in the orb focused solely on their mate. Vague images came to mind. Him running no sprinting through trees. Traveling towards a mountain. Dark clouds past his head. Heat in the air. Darkness traveling closer and closer towards him.

“Our Beta is in danger. Help us.” Marky asked no one in particular. It’s said the orbs communicate with the gods themselves. They hadn’t been taught how to use it and Rex would be of no help. They each felt it though. A pulse inside their chest. Speak to no one but each other and trust no one but each other. They understood. They felt energy surge through their veins. Their muscles flexed. Testosterone flooded their bodies as it prepped for fighting ahead. They felt their muscles expand. Their senses tripled.

“Seems someone answered.” Maximus said amused.

“Wonder who.” Rex remarked.

They saw visions of the mountain top.

“You will bring him to safety in the city before I allow your hormones to run rampant. Sex will be on the mind with him but no so overwhelming to stop your other sense of duty. You bond was already made though not complete. Ill allow the full bond when you mate to him. Save him. Tell no one of where you’re heading.” The voice was deep and smooth. It spoke inside each of their heads.

With that the communion ended. The connection to whoever was on the other side severed itself. They released the orb. They felt the raw energy coursing through their veins.

“So who answered. Where are you heading?” Rex asked.

They looked at each other and turned away not giving an answer. leaving the now silent hall. Going back to their room they grabbed their prized weapons. Adorned swords the best ever crafted for the Royal Alphas. Heading to the armory putting on full armor. Black and red metal that expanded and shrank to fit and contour their body’s. Each of their muscles displayed yet covered at the same time. The metal had a skirt that opened up for easy access to their cocks and a pouch where their balls could rest comfortably. Below they wore black and red metal pants the hugged their legs with large black metal boots. They stocked up on necessities and with that they set forth. A sea of Alphas and Betas bowed their heads in fear and honor as they passed. They gave no care. They had one thought on their mind. One true goal. They could still hear the voice in their heads.

Save him.

They were fired up. Ready for war.