Suits and Rogues

The instinct to get away as soon as possible is overwhelming. Fear and adrenaline pump through the veins of the male as he runs through the wilderness. His wolf is whimpering inside him; wanting to help but to do so would mean breaking most of their bones and probably dying. Does it really matter though? No matter how fast and how skilfully he hides his scent to lose his pursuer, he still couldn’t seem to put enough distance between them. Who is he kidding anyway? Not a single soul ever managed to survive if the hellhound is the one hunting them. Not a single one. He should not fear him, but after witnessing firsthand the terror and how easily he wiped out 5 of the biggest packs in the world by himself; he has every right to be terrified. A low chuckle reached his ears. It’s almost inaudible and seems very far away but it still managed to send shivers all over his body. He could feel the intensity of this predator’s stare in his back and he knew that he’s seconds away from death. “Come on! Run faster!” he urges himself but with a broken thigh and cracked ribs, it will take a miracle to survive this. His chances of survival are very low but he needs to warn them. Darkness is fast approaching and they need to prepare. They need to be prepared or this will be the end of not only their species but the whole world. He needs to warn them and he’ll die trying. Goddess let him be alive long enough to warn them. “Little birdie...” that deep, raspy voice of the devil spoke. “Poor little birdie...on the ground...with broken wings...” the male gulped, running faster as sweat drenches his body and his blood leaving metallic trails behind him. Damn it, run faster! “Poor birdie couldn’t fly...away...” a dark chuckle resounded that makes him panic even more. He’s close. He can feel it. The hellhound is close. f**k this! He needs to get away! “Birdie birdie birdie...the cat is out of the bag...fly away now...before he pounces...” his heart dropped. Bright but sinister golden-yellow eyes watch him ahead. The tall, broad, and no doubt muscular silhouette of a man awaits him in the heavy shadows of the wild. He staggered. He was sure he was behind him. He was sure the hellhound was behind him. But why...h-how is he in front of him that fast? How...this is not possible! He couldn’t have been faster than him. He has 5 hours head start before the hellhound came to pursue him. He couldn’t have been faster. This is...impossible. His heart could not stop pounding. Moisture left his mouth and throat, Sweat drenched him. It’s too late now. He’s here... An evil gleaming smile appeared on fanged mouth as the golden-yellow eyes gleam even brighter and the atmosphere turned chill. “Too late, little birdie...” with that, the shadow lunged and a loud scream resounded though the night. §=§=§=§=§ “Aaaaaaaahhhhh!” Decker couldn’t help screaming in both frustration and fear. His Alpha is at it again, throwing tantrums just because he saw two mated wolves going on their merry day. What’s the big deal then? His Alpha is bitter because even after 50 years of looking around the world for his mate, he still couldn’t find her. His alpha would not admit that though. He’s too prideful to do so even though it’s obvious for the whole pack. “How many f*****g times do I have to tell the f*****g pack to keep the PDA to a minimum?!” A set of darts flew towards Decker and he let out a surprised squeak before ducking. The darts missed him by a hair’s width. “Alpha I don’t think you really cou-“ a 1 million dollar worth phone flew this time. “Who the f**k said I couldn’t?! I’m the alpha! I protect, provide, and lead this pack to success and a brighter future and all I ask in return is to not show PDA in front of me! Is that too f*****g much to ask?!” Odin Gray roared, swiping at his desk and breaking a lot of materials in the process. He’s angry-no, he’s livid. So f*****g livid he feels like burning the pack house. He hates feeling this way. He hates being so angry all the time but he can’t help it. He can’t help feeling angry especially when the goddess refused to show his mate to him. He’s angry because he does not deserve such fate. He’s angry that the rest of his specie could enjoy their life with their mate while he’s stuck alone. A wolf without a mate is unpredictable and overly aggressive, especially an alpha. They can’t fault him for being like that. “How about we take a cool drink first, douse off the steaming head and calm down? There’s a really good tasting wine from the Diorune pack. We could chill while taking a sip. Or maybe we could go down to the lake and take a swim to cool off and-“ “And see more f*****g PDA?!” Odin growled, plopping down on his lounge chair; fighting the urge to continue his tantrum. f**k! He needs to get a f*****g grip! ‘I was about to say drown but yes, that too.’ Decker thought jokingly, knowing that if he voices this out, he’ll end up in a 1 month stay at the hospital, perhaps longer if his alpha is in a really bad mood. If it wasn’t for years of serving his alpha and dealing with his tantrums, Decker would’ve been smashed with his alpha’s brand new oak tree desk that is 8 foot long and he doesn’t want to know how many pounds as it suddenly flew towards him. Note to self 4,927: never, under any circumstance, stand in front of your alpha because if he throws something, there’s no doubt your face will be smashed...if you’re lucky, that is. Standing up with a frown, he looked at his seething alpha squeezing a stress ball but it only got up to 3 squeezes before his alpha’s claws punctured it. A high pitched “wheeeeeeeeee!” echoed as his alpha snarled, standing abruptly and looking for one of his drawers only to realize that once again, he had destroyed it in his fit for the thousandth plus times! “Decker...” Odin growled, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration but he tried to level his voice. He’s already too much to handle and the least he could do to his beta is to make his job a tiny bit easier as much as he could. His wolf disagrees though. The instinct to sink his claws and fangs into something is getting harder and harder to ignore. “A thousand stress balls coming up!” Decker chirped, not wanting to sound too happy to leave but he can’t help himself. Odin grunted, acknowledging that his beta needs a break. “With coffee” he added as Decker steps over the wreckage to exit the destroyed office. “No can do alpha. We both know that only makes you grumpier.” “I’ll get even grumpier if you don’t give it to me!” he snapped. “I’ll bring some tea.” Was his beta’s reply and sped away before Odin could protest. Silence reigned over the place. The feeling of loneliness creeped inside Odin’s chest once again as he threw the only standing furniture (the lounge chair) away as he stepped over the balcony. The fresh air barely doused the raging fire inside him that is starting to burn now that there’s no noise or work to distract him from his thoughts. The park in the distance is filled with his pack enjoying the day or training. Seeing mates and pups in their merry way makes his chest burn with a hard tug. He placed a hand over his heart, rubbing it gently in an attempt to ease away the pain. He hates the feeling. He hates how it reminds him just how lonely he is. He hates how it reminds him how much good he has done in his life but in return, the goddess repaid it by refusing him to meet his mate. He’s hurt. So hurt because he knows he does not deserve this. All his life he had done good things and strived to be the best alpha and wolf that everyone needs him to be. He never abused his position and power, he never did any unfair things, he always pays his respects to the goddess and not once had he failed to do his duties to her and the pack. But why? Why is it that in the 80 years of his existence, he hasn’t found his mate yet? All wolves find their mates between 18-30 years old so why didn’t he? What’s wrong with him? Is she dead? That can’t be. He’d know if she is and even if that is the case, the goddess will bless him with another one just like the others who lost their mates before they could even meet. So why? Taking a very deep breath in to calm himself down, he went back to the office to clean up as much as he could. He feels ashamed to be throwing childish tantrums like that but he’s too out of control and unpredictable to admit it. Besides, he doesn’t want his pack to think he’s not competent to lead the pack now just because he’s mate-less. He worked hard to win over his father’s position. He’s not going to give it up just because he’s not that...functional. In the span of 30 minutes, he managed to tidy things up in an orderly fashion where the cleaners only have to come in and take out the trash. Walking out of the office and to his room, he changed his filthy clothes, took a shower and dressed in his grandest clothes with his alpha cloak. The scent of rain reached him before the sound of it. There’s a slight drizzle going on but that doesn’t stop him from going out to the pack’s wide open garden. Hundreds of varieties of flowers, plants, saplings, and young trees are grown and taken care of in the pack’s garden. Robert – the lead gardener – greeted him with a tip of his cowboy hat as he passed. Taking the well-worn dirt path, his shoes made slight thumping sounds as he approaches the flower field. The scents of hundred flowers make him feel nostalgic. He remembers the time when he and his father would come here and pick flowers for his mother. He remembers his father’s teaching about what each flower symbolizes and the methods of taking care of them and how to pluck them without destroying the plant too much. With practiced touch, he picked out varieties of them and arranged them in a pleasing order. He’s been picking out the same flowers for the last 50 years, hoping that the goddess will understand or know his message but still, no response and no sign. He’s starting to get hopeless and once he does, there will be no turning back. He’ll stay as a bitter, mate-less wolf and he doesn’t want that. He also doesn’t want his pack to be the receiving end of it. So as long as he’s alive, he’ll keep on hoping and searching for his mate; even if it takes him forever to do so. Wrapping the flowers in a beautiful bouquet wrapper along with some pretty trinkets to go along with it, he went back to his car as the drizzle slowly starts to get heavier. Getting in, he gently placed the bouquet of flowers on the passenger’s seat and started to drive towards the goddess’ temple. It’s a long 2 hours of driving with deafening silence and aching heart. He doesn’t know what’s in store for him in this visit. A part of him wants to hope that the goddess will finally answer his prayers but a bigger part of him is afraid that he’ll go home disappointed once again. Still, he’s willing to try. Entering a neutral territory, he drove the car to a hill before putting a stop. He walked through the rain going to the temple. Slowly, the forest became denser with wildlife. The plants and trees are more lush, wilder, and bigger than normal. There are magical sparks floating in the air in silvery white and bright glitter blue color. There’s a strum of energy in the air that courses through him but he’s used to it already. Long and think vines hug each tree with moonlace flowers sprouting from them. The flowers are not in bloom yet but once the moon rises in the sky, they’ll be open with their silvery white glow and bright blue pollens – just like the symbolic color of our moon goddess Lun. Butterflies, even the rarest ones and undocumented by humans, will surely hover over them when that comes but seeing as it’s raining and it’s getting worse by the strong wind that’s suddenly blowing, Odin knew that he won’t see that tonight. A wall of gigantic trees or Geant appeared before him. The vines of moonlace hug them in intricate swirling patterns from the very ground and up to their highest peak. The trees’ trunks are not the usual shades of brown but a slightly darker shade of gold. The slim cracks of the bark are colored silvery white but lately he’s been seeing black murky colors swirling in those fissures but since he’s no expert about anything about the divines or their creations, he chose to ignore them. Besides, if there’s a reason to worry about it, the Gauntresses would’ve sounded an alarm already. The centremost tree slowly created a wide fissure that created an entrance to the goddess’ temple. The entrance is a distorted triangle in the middle of the Geant’s trunk and millions of scratches, both big and small, decorated the entrance from the Dark Age where monsters ruled with war and death. The Geants’ humongous leaves managed to cover Odin from the rain as he pats his clothes off from the dirt and mud that clung to him during his journey. Taking a deep breath in and hoping above hope, he entered. The same strum of energy greeted him but in a more prominent way. But there’s something different. The energy seems to be sharper than usual. Usually it’s like a gentle caress that raises the hairs on his arms but now, it feels like tiny needles are pricking him with every strum. Still, he continued. A wide pond, almost like a mini-lake, lies at the center of the space. Glowing luminescent plants and fantastical creatures surround the pond. The walkway is marked with smooth, oval, granite stones with shades of blue and white color. Moonlace flowers line the pathways, illuminating the path as tiny glowing butterflies hover above them. The creatures didn’t even bother to look and pay respects to him anymore since he’s always going there. In the middle of the pond is the temple. A single pathway leads to the temple from the walkway by the shore. It’s a simple but scared structure. Six crescent-moon shaped pillars serve as the structure’s base. They are 10 feet tall and curve to the middle of a temple, creating a circle above that lets the moonlight in. More moonlace flowers surround the temple along with pink lotuses, peonies, tea roses, rare blue and white point dahlias, and ferns. A statue of the goddess Lun stood proudly in the middle of the temple with her divine robe designed like the night sky with intricate swirling patterns, her right hand lifted in a right angle on her stomach; holding a floating glowing moon, beautiful wavy hair cascading down her divine face, and piercing eyes. The statue stood in a raised platform with ancient symbols and writings that are forgotten over time. He carefully threaded the path. There’s no danger that could harm him since the Geants serve as protected of this scared ground but he still needs to be very careful. He doesn’t want to do anything that will set off the goddess and cause her to sentence him a lifetime of loneliness. Werewolves live a maximum of 530 years and living that life alone is a big f*****g NO. Entering the temple, he shivered from the energy but still bowed down in one knee and said his respects. After that, he slowly rose, took off his alpha robe, and checked if the bouquet is still in a perfect state before approaching statue. Gently placing the bouquet at the foot of the goddess, he kneeled once more and prayed. “Oh goddess of the moon, our great and loving goddess, please hear my heart and ease its pain. Hear how much it longs for your gift, my one and only mate. Please goddess, listen. Tell me why I haven’t met her yet. Tell me what wrong had I done to deserve such treatment. If I had displeased you, please tell me how I could make up for it. Please give me a sign. I just want to know. Oh goddess, hear my pleas. I’ve dedicated my life to you and my pack. I’ve followed all your rules and did everything that pleases you. So why? Why are you refusing me your gift that you gave everyone else?” tears streamed down from his eyes. He doesn’t know how many tears had fallen on the goddess’ feet for the last 50 years that he’s been searching for his mate. He doesn’t even care how vulnerable he looks at the moment since no one’s here with hi- “Would you look at that...the most famous alpha begging on his knees...” An irritating voice spoke behind him. The baritone silkiness of the voice made him growl. “f**k off Kade!” He barked, his earlier pain and vulnerability gone and replaced with that familiar burning anger that he’s gotten used to for the last 50 years. “Now, now don’t be furry-ious” Kade chuckled at his pun that the alpha wolf was seriously not impressed with. “I was just concerned, that’s all.” Yet he sounded more happy than concerned. His dark green eyes are glinting gleefully as he takes in the kneeling alpha before him. He grinned, his gleaming fangs on full display as it catches the light. “After all, it’s not every day you see the Alpha of the Nightcrawlers pack vulnerable.” A flash appeared in front of Kade and he managed to jump away just before a set of deadly claws claw his head off his body. Kade stumbled away, laughing maniacally even after the near death experience. It’s such a thrill for him to keep ticking off these werewolves. They’re so fun to mess with. But with Odin Gray, he needs all his senses, wit, and fast reflexes if he wants to stay alive with this ticking time bomb of an alpha. The force he felt Odin exert in that attack was no doubt able to claw him apart as easily as paper with a single swipe if he didn't evade in time. “Leave or I’ll kill you.” Odin growled. The hatred he has for this vampire is overwhelming, making his better judgement cloud over by the intent to kill. He’s been suppressing his wolf for a week now and the need to kill a living creature is overwhelming. “Ah ah ah...do so and you’ll desecrate the temple, which will make the goddess angry.” He grinned at the fuming alpha although his dead heart was thumping fast in slight fear. “And do you know what happens if you make the goddess angry?” Odin clamped his mouth shut; making his elongated fangs sink in his lips and draw blood. He knows that the f*****g blood sucker is right and he doesn’t want to displease the goddess any more than he probably already has. Kade’s grin only widened upon seeing the alpha behave himself. “I thought so too, furry alpha.” He chuckled that makes Odin snarl angrily at him. “What do you f*****g want leech?” Odin growled. “Such a stingy fella,” Kade mused while chuckling before standing straight up. He suddenly got serious. Odin straightened up too, knowing that whatever this vampire has to say won’t be good news. “The elders are giving you a deadline.” “WHAT?!” Odin roared angrily. “How dare they to do that?! They have no idea what I’ve been through! They have no right to demand such a thing!” He started to pace, getting angrier and angrier by the second. “They don’t want history to repeat itself.” was Kade’s cool reply. “We all know the bloody history of your kind. If an alpha stays in position too long, that will bring a lot of complications. You know that.” His words keep adding fuel to Odin’s burning rage. He sure as hell knows that. Every supernatural knows of the bloody wars of the ancient times, all because they got drunk on power. What’s worse is that, his ancestors are the lead characters of that war and the Clawed Elders strongly believe that if he can’t find his mate soon, he won’t be able to have an offspring. If he can’t produce an heir, there will be no one to succeed him. If there’s no one to succeed him, he’ll stay in power too long and that will cause a mountain-full of problems. “So what?! Those f*****g goons are going to limit my time in finding her? Instead of giving me a deadline, why can’t they just help me find her instead?! And why the hell did they send you instead of seeking me out themselves?!” “Because they don’t want to rebuild the council for the 911th time.” Kade shrugged that made Odin pull his black hair off in frustration. He has this urge to kick something hard but he reminds himself that he’s in the goddess’ temple. He growled once more. Those sneaky goons had thought this through; sending Kade to inform him while he’s at the goddess’ temple so that he won’t be able to throw tantrums or hurt anybody if things don’t go his way. “That’s no f*****g excuse!” he roared, clenching his hands into tight fists in order to distract himself with the pain from the wounds pierced by his claws. “Tell them to f*****g wait for me in the Clawed Council and they better be there when I arrive. I’m going to f*****g pound some sense into their heads and hopefully crack all of it open.” Kade grimaced at the alpha’s words. He has no doubt he’ll follow through what he said. After all, he’s notorious that way. Alpha Odin Gray does not fear or respect anything besides the goddess and his pack, not even the Clawed Elders who are well-respected all over the world for their wisdom. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Kade stated as the alpha continues to pace. The granite stones started breaking underneath him and if he keeps this up, those stones will be pulverized. It’s no wonder the elders don’t want to deal with him themselves. He’s too dangerous and wild and no amount of sensible talking will get through him. Besides, who wants to be in his war path? “Do I look like I f*****g care?!” Odin roared, pinning his raging bright, silvery gray eyes to Kade. It reminds Kade of the moonlace flower. ‘Nope, you obviously don’t.’ Kade thought sarcastically but stayed silent. “Fine,” Sighing, he turned around and walked towards the exit. “Oh and before I forget...” he paused just as he reached the shoreline. Looking at the tense alpha that is now facing the goddess’ statue, he continued. “Hunter sightings are reported in the area near your territory.” He waited for a reaction but there is none. He snorted. He’s sure he’ll have a reaction for the next thing he’ll say. “Oh and...the hellhound is prowling in that area too. You might want to stay with your pack longer and increase its defenses. We all know the hellhound targets the big packs.” Odin tensed as Kade went away whistling while muttering “The weather has been bad lately. Something must’ve angered the goddess.” Silence reigned in the temple as Odin was left to his thoughts. He wants to continue praying but that urge and feeling left him already and was replaced with tiredness and dread. Piles after piles of problems are weighing on his shoulders. First: his unfound mate, second: the issue with the elders, third: his anger issues, fourth: his bloodthirsty wolf, fifth: the unresponsive goddess, seventh: the hunters near his territory, and now: the threat of the hellhound. The hellhound is not truly a hellhound. It’s a werewolf just like him but he’s a rogue. A very notorious rogue who runs the biggest mafia, caused countless murders and damage, someone rumored to kill anyone he targets, someone most creatures fear; even the humans, dragons, and faes, someone rumored to instill fear to a person just by being near, and the worst of all, he’s the one who is responsible for the death of five of the biggest packs in the whole world. No one really knows how he looks like or have any information about him besides being a rogue and a male. One thing’s for sure: if the hellhound is near his territory, that means his pack is in danger. And with a threat as big and dangerous as this, he needs to prepare his best. Muttering one final prayer to the goddess to guide him and protect his pack, he bowed once more, took his alpha robe and exited the temple. Heavy rainfall immediately followed after his exit. He almost forgot about the rain. It seems it has turned into a disastrous storm. Walking towards his car, the sounds of racing footsteps reached his ears. Immediately, he turned into defensive mode. His claws came out and he let out a growl of warning as his fangs elongated. “Help! Please!” A desperate cry was heard. His stance relaxed as he saw a limping male coming towards him as quickly as he could. Odin immediately noticed the male’s broken thigh and judging by how he also cradles his left side, he has no doubt that the male also has broken ribs. “What’s going on?” He asked as the male reaches him. “H-“ gunshots and shouts cut off the male’s sentence and Odin got all the answers he need. “Come.” He told the male. The unknown male opened his mouth to say something but suddenly passed out. Odin caught him in time, noticing how weak the male is. Hoisting the unconscious male up, he carried him back to his car and drove towards his territory just as the gunshots and shouts stopped and a pair of golden-yellow eyes tracking the speeding car away.