Tournament of Alphas

Chapter 5

Upon the break of dawn, I broke away from the overwhelming whirlwind of dreams. My eyes sprung upon and pierced through the dim cave as I observed my surroundings. I wasn't captured in the grasp of pure evil after all. My gaze fell to my hands to see them quivering but I wasn't sure whether because of the cold or the horrifying future that awaited me.

It's just a dream...It's just a dream...

Why couldn't I convince myself everything would be alright? Doubt had settled in the depths of my soul like rot. The intestines and stomach in my being became twisted every passing second I dwindled on the thought of becoming the mate to a psychotic Alpha.

I shook my head. No.

Through small cracks and patches, the sun shot through lighting the interior of my shelter. At least I would be able to see more clearly now.

I rose from the bed of furs I slept on and stretched my limbs, hearing a few pops here and bone joints cracking. I froze when the sudden growl echoed throughout the cave, however, I relaxed when I noticed it was just my stomach. I had to hunt something to feed myself, but how?

The Alphas had the advantage when it came to hunting because they could easily eat raw meat and hunt. But for me, that was not an option. Not until I am claimed.

But I couldn't let myself starve, I had to at least try and hunt. I stood and with softened steps towards the entrance of the cave, I took one whiff of the air. I didn't catch any scent of the Alphas, much to my relief but again, that one part of myself was missing...

Genesis.

Despite his actions against me, I couldn't snuff out the fire inside of myself. That was how it felt when I was near him. When I could smell him.

When you stand too close to a fire, the searing caress tempted me to find him. No other Alpha gave off that vibe.

"Let me tell you something, dear. When you're attracted to an Alpha, you can never get them off of your mind. You have a burning sensation wash over your body and lust will awaken from within. However, it is important to be patient. Do not submit to the temptations of your desires. The Unawakened."

Grandma's words held caution. Every word was key and I would be best to heed her warning. She'd told me the risks of the Unclaimed and the temptations of lust. Much like the Alphas, the Unclaimed's mind would be clouded by lust. That force underneath the surface of our skin and soul would be our undoing.

Werewolves were creatures, cursed by something more potent than the full moon: The s****l drive.

My stomach grumbled louder than before and I grimaced at the taste of nothingness in my mouth. Dry and bitter. I travelled down the rocky pathway and eventually, I found myself on the forest floor. Making haste to find a water source I rushed off, my feet were light but still crunched the leaves and twigs under my weight. It wasn't long until my ears captured the sweet rush of water. A stream!

My eyes scanned the land for any signs and it was clear. I stepped out, breaking from the cover with hesitant steps. I tried t shuffle my feet along the forest floor to avoid crunching the leaves. My heartbeat fell into a rhythm of semi-panic. It was dangerous to be caught out in the open like this. My form stooped in front of the river, my hands cupped some of the clear water. The liquid was cool from the temperature change. The season's change.

I cupped a few scoops of water and drank until I was hydrated. Next, I had to find food.

After gathering whatever courage I had to continue into the uncharted territory, I progressed through the haze of the woods and soon enough the anxiety washed away. My mind spiralled down into a soothed state. I was aware of the consequences should anything happen, but a moment withdrawn of fear would possibly benefit me. I often took long walks through the woods, back home. But I avoided certain places for my safety and to save myself from heartbreak. But I never walked through the woods alone at night.

I refused to. 

I groaned lowly in defeat, my body slid down against the surface of a large tree. For the past half an hour I couldn't find anything and I was beginning to enter the stages of starvation. At this point, I thought I would have to go without any food.

Maybe another time, I'll get lucky...

I closed my eyes, sighing heavily to myself. If Chenoa was here, she would be nagging me none stop. I missed her so much.

When my eyes opened I saw a large face shrouded in fur, but I wasn't afraid. His auburn eyes didn't strike any fear into my heart. I only smiled. "Logan."

Logan sat before me, crouched with his knees bent, his fur was wet. I had assumed from either sweat or perhaps a bath. The hue of his eyes was a beautiful season of Autumn, serene with the warm colours.

His head lowered with his eyes falling away from eye contact, only to hold in his paw-like hand a rabbit. "For...for me?" I ask. Logan gave a nod, a low growl emitted from the confines of his chest, following up to his throat.

I smiled at the consideration he showed. "Are you sure?" again, he nodded. I could see the pure soul in his eyes. A mate that was more lovable and considering of his mate's health. He chuffed lightly, motioning me to follow him and I did so, rising from the floor and trekking through the growth of nature to reach a small cave. It was open, the only shelter it provided was a roof-like structure to protect him from the rain. But my eyes became wide with awe.

Logan had proven himself a survival wonder. In his little base, he had a campfire set up, a pelt with the lingering scent of a deer curled to the side, where he most likely slept and hung up on one of the rocks was his clothes.

Oh...

My cheeks began to feel a little warm and I watched as he moved behind some of the bushes right near his den. "Excuse me for a moment," his voice said from the shrubs. I nodded after his voice told me to get comfortable and I sat down on one of the logs in front of the fire.

After a few minutes, Logan stepped out of the bushes while he pulled on his shirt. "It must be nice being able to transform into such a creature," I said. Logan grinned and brushed a hand through his hair.

"Yeah, it is."

His Australian accent was to die for, at times. It wasn't overly powerful that it was iconic but the lilt made his tone sound all the more soft-spoken and yet held that inner strength. "Let's cook this rabbit for you. You must be hungry," Logan paused with a knowing look.

I chuckled nervously under his gaze. "Was it that obvious?"

"Oh no, I only just caught onto it. But I hardly could tell you were hungry - no, sorry, starving," Logan's humour shone through. The sarcasm. I couldn't help but only laugh and this caused him to smile as he roasted my rabbit over the flames.

"How do you like your meat?" he asked. "Well done."

He nodded and after some more conversation between time itself, the rabbit was done and I have to admit it - I ate like an animal. "Thank you, Logan. I thought I would have to go hungry today."

Logan placed a hand on my shoulder with his beautiful eyes gleaming in their fiery glory. My nose scrunched up and I recoiled quickly, earning a frown of concern from Logan. "What's wrong?"

"Do you smell that?" I asked Logan who then sniffed the air himself. The colour from his face drained, becoming a saturated shell of dull emotions.

He stood and I followed him. Both of us walked through the shrubs, following the scent in the air that had pulled us away from the den. My stomach churned and nausea started to kick in. The closer we got to our unknown destination the more polluted the air, to the point where I had to cover my nose. The strong essence of something so grotesque was too much for my nose to inhale any more of it.

I stood in the waking moment as shock devoured me whole, pushing me to scream in complete and absolute horror. Logan sucked in a deep breath but his muscles had hardened.

He approached much to my protesting and pleas. Logan crouched low to the forest floor before the body that was laid on display, punctured by many sticks and branches. His chest cavity was torn open, his ribs were broken and his intestines had been woven through nature's fingers and limbs.

What brought great sorrow to my soul and core was the fact he was still alive. Vincent. His face was beaten, bloody and bruised eyes and a broken nose. "Wh-..who's there?" his voice trembled and I highly considered the fact he was blind and couldn't smell a thing.

Flies had already infested his stirring corpse. I gagged at the mere thought of maggots taking refuge inside. "Vincent, it's us. Logan and Zara-"

"You need to get Zara out of here! Get her out of this f*****g place! Or find Genesis! He is the only one who can protect her f-from that freak!..." T

The mention of his name captured my attention. I sank onto my knees, holding the blood-drenched hand that belonged to Vincent. "Who did this?" Logan asked.

 "I was...fighting with one of the others...Lucas," he paused and shook his head violently. "No! One of the twins! One of them...slashed my eyes, blinding me and broke my nose..."

"Then what?" I ask suddenly. "Then, I was pinned down right here a-and...I was interrogated. Someone wanted to know where you were...Greyson."

My breath was uneven and light, my head swirled around and around. The hot tears slid down my cheeks and dripped onto Vincent's hand like raindrops. "I tried to fight...I wouldn't give them any knowledge even if I did know. I'm so sorry you have to bear witness to this horror we are, Zara. It was an honour to fight for you, even if my end was in failure," Vincent coughed up blood.

I kissed his forehead, ignoring the bitter taste that stained my lips.

"Thank you, Vincent," I whisper.

"Logan...Greyson a-and..and..." My eyes widened awaiting his next words but it was too much. His life was gone before he could deliver the warning.

Something I would never know of. Logan's head drooped and I succumbed to my tears, my cries became muffled as Logan held me in his arms. "I'm so sorry as well, Zara. This...this isn't what you deserve."

A rugged howl echoed through the trees, whispering a muffled name among them. Logan became rigged and his eyes narrowed sharply. He tugged me to my feet and gently pushed me away. "Run, Zara. Don't look back, just run," he told me.

"But, Logan-"

"Go, now!" his voice rose higher. In his eyes, for what seemed to be for the final time, he pleaded with me to acknowledge Vincent's request. To find Genesis.

I ran with hesitance and regret nipping at my ankles, as I fought through the undergrowth. The wind laughed in my face as I fled with fear conquering my pride and self-independence.

I made it back to the entrance of my sanctuary as the shrieking yowl from the forest became silent. 

As night came to be, I still sat at the entrance of the cave. My eyes glared into the darkness before me, my knees tucked back. The shadows loomed through the forest like bush fire. Although I couldn't see far, I saw one thing: The burning coals of Hell.

To the possessed monster, I say this: "I hate you..."

I don't remember falling asleep. The last living memory I could grasp was that I was sitting by the cave entrance, staring outside. My back recoiled, my body shaking when Logan's haunting scream echoed in the cavern of my mind.

The smell in the atmosphere, besides the nightly chirps of crickets, had silenced, told me the sun was beginning to rise over the horizon once again. The rising of the giant orb of flame turned my thoughts to Genesis. His temporary bond with me.

Has he found me?

I had to admit it, but I didn't believe he did, why would he bother if he showed no real interest in me? 

"I kill for sport,"

Maybe he was just as sick in the head as Greyson. A twisted killer...

My spine radiated with chills, freezing the plates in place. I couldn't move for some time but when I was broken from that spell, I rubbed my head with my fingers, attempting to scrape the horror from my scarred mind.

Maybe I should find a water source to bathe in. That might help.

I smiled at the idea as it popped into my head. I found that my mind became soothed as I bathed and it was almost like my therapy. I gathered myself to my feet but upon the nearing moment of my departure, once again, my spine became rattled. But unlike any sense of insecurity or fear, it felt right. It felt hot and quite frankly...pleasurable.

My nerves were plucked like the strings of an instrument and my lips parted open, relishing in the-...

It was suddenly gone. My lips trembled to the point I had to bite down and draw blood to stop them. Recovering from whatever had occurred, I scaled the rocks until I reached the bottom of the mountain-like den I had come accustomed to. Then, I began my search through the wilderness to find a safe location to bathe.

My feet were sore from the constant walking, but much to my relief I found what I was looking for. But there was someone else there. My heart raced at a vulgar pace, out of either fear or excitement.