Suits and Rogues

Chapter 15

    'This is a bad idea.' Odin realized his mistake a minute too late. By the time his mind cleared enough to think a bit more logically, he is already falling 3,000 ft. from the sky.

He'll surely die at this point if he doesn't do anything to stop it.

As the wind tries to deafen him and the speed of his fall goes faster and faster, he considered his options.

1. He propels himself to the building and use his claws to slow down his descent.

Pros: it will work. Cons: it'll damage the building's structure. And since he's practically shunned by the company, coming back to fix it won't be possible unless he truly has a death wish.

He crossed that one out.

2. He could ask or wait the flying team to swoop in and rescue him.

Pros: that will also work. Cons: they probably won't do it. Another con: they'll probably fly him over with the copter.

He also crossed that out.

3. He'll do the first option but at a lower ground where it's near the ground.

Pros: possibility of success is 35%. Cons: his speed towards gravity won't slow down enough at the estimated height. Probability of failure: 65%.

4. Ask a dragon or any creature to help him.

Pros: possibility of success is 10%. Cons: no one will likely help him since creatures tightly stick to their own species and don't mind other unless there's a direct influence.

    Odin is falling fast and he's past half of the building's height already. Because of his body mass, weight and momentum, his falling speed is faster than normal. f**k! He better choose an option now before it's too late to even have a plan B.

    Since option 1 has the most success rate, he chose to do it and deal with the cons after he straightened out his s**t. Thankfully, he already has a plan to accomplish that and currently, he's on step 1: surviving his fall to death. Penalty for failure: death (obviously).

Taking a deep breath in preparation, he used the air's mobility to twist himself in a position that makes gravity pull him towards the building. He could see from the corner of his eyes the shock expressions of his workers as he fell. As the wind gushes around him, he propelled himself to the building and tried to grasp onto something to hold on to.

Unfortunately for Odin, the way he designed the building's structure guarantees that whoever falls on the building won't be able to survive. Since the building is build to resemble a werewolf's fur, it means that the Aidra is facing down; making descent smooth and effortless but climbing up to be hard.

    f**k! He couldn't find anything to hold on to!

He racked his brain for plan B and just his luck, he saw his claws' slight indent on the Aidra. They were not enough to puncture through the Aidra when he climbed up but it was enough to propel himself upwards. With Odin's current gravitational speed, his momentum might be able to puncture the Aidra if given enough force and timed perfectly.

    Having found his answer, he searched for another claw indent on the building and calculated his speed and force. Seeing one a few feet ahead, he looked for somewhere to use to propel himself forward to give him better speed and force. If all goes well, he'll be able to slow his fall enough to survive. If he doesn't, well...he doesn't want to even consider it.

Fortunately, a slight arc depicting the building's knee presented itself. As soon as Odin's foot got in the same level as he arc, he kicked off towards the direction of his targeted claw indent. His speed got even faster and everything around him sounds like roars of the wind. He feels like a bullet being shot as he fell towards his target with his body straightly rigid with his arms and legs tuckef together. As soon a he was two feet from the indent, he extended his hands outward and used his muscle and energy to extract his claws.

Odin swore he felt the same sensation of elongating his claws but he was shocked when nothing sank at the indents. As his body turned downside up at his actions, he then remembered why.

    He's wolf is no where to be found! That's probably why he can't grow his claws. But how can that be? Even when suppressed, werewolves still have their supernatural abilities. So how come Odin couldn't grow his claws?! His wolf didn't really die, did he?

Odin couldn't ponder much at that time because his body went out of control in the air. He had lost his sense of balance so he's currently being flayed chaotically in the air. He tried once again to find any crevices to hold himself on to but his hands keep slipping and his fall got faster and faster.

    "f**k!" He cursed as he flayed around helplessly. Dang it! Dying due to suicide is not his ideal way of dying, much more with the reason of dying is caused by his own idiocy. Screw it! Who told him to jump off a 3, 000 ft. building anyways?

    Dang it! Dang it! Dang it! Dang it!

Odin could only curse as the ground suddenly got bigger and closer to his vision. Any minute now and he'll truly die. The speed and impact of his fall will surely kill him.

Odin shouldn't be thinking it but he can already imagine what the sentences in his death certificate will say.

    "R.I.P Odin Gray. Died at this day of ***** at the time of *****. Cause of death: idiotically jumping off a 3,000 ft. building instead of letting his pack kill him themselves."

For some miracle, he heard the roar of a copter's engine drawing closer and just as he is 15 ft. off the ground, he is suddenly snatched mid-air and taken inside the metallic vehicle.

The loud sound of the wind decreased immediately and suddenly, he's not flaying on the air anymore. Something solid is beneath him and his whole body is still intact. Disoriented, but still in one piece.

He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Alpha! Are you ok? How are you feeling? What can I get you?"

Odin's head whipped to the side at the shock of hearing his beta's voice.

"D-Decker? What are you doing here?" He asked a bit breathlessly.

    "Well...it's a long story actually. I have this strong feeling before that you'll probably forget the meeting with Poseidon's Shipping Company and no matter how many times I message you as a reminder, you still won't answer. Not cool by the way. So naturally, I overthink and thought that maybe you're too busy with work again that you probably don't have time to check your phone. Then just as I was about to head here to remind you personally, my mate had to go to her birth pack to check on her parents and my little rascal got his arm broken so I had to delay. Then rogues started patrolling our borders and we have been busy keeping them at bay. After that, there are rumors circling around that you're gay which I highly doubt." If only Decker knew...he'll probably hate Odin too.

"Then just as I was about to come here again, I felt you dying and then, Alpha Gray suddenly stormed off angrily and ordered me to watch over the pack. I had a bad feeling and knowing how disastrous your fights could get, I still followed with a chest full of stress balls." Decker gestured at the corner and indeed, there is a chest.

"And just as I was traveling here, I heard a report about you being in trouble and about to die so I rushed to come here. Since the car won't get me here fast, I hired a copter instead. Thank goddess I did so or you would've been a splattered pudding on the floor by now." Decker told him.

"Yeah...thanks for that by the way." Odin weakly said; unable to look at Decker's eyes - too guilty to do so.

"You're welcome!" Decker chirped happily as they flew. When Odin noticed that they're flying back to the top, he tensed.

"Decker, tell the pilot to go to the western trees."

"Why?" Decker asked, tilting his head.

"Just do it."

Decker hesitated for a bit. "Ok..." then did as he was told.

When the copter headed West, Odin allowed himself to loosen his muscles a bit from its tense state.

"So...what happened to you? You look like a bunch of hyenas had feasted on you." Decker then observed and Odin looked down at himself. He indeed look like he's been feasted on by predators. His clothes are torn, wrinkled, and has taints and pools of blood coating it. Many parts of his skin are either scratched, clawed, and torn. Some are even torn so bad that a bit of his bones are showing and his outer skin had peeled off. He didn't even notice those when they were inflicted on him. It's only then that he noticed that his face his numb. Reaching a hand to touch it, he found out that some parts are bruised, torn and even swollen. His right eye also has trouble staying open.

He's in a worse state than he expected. Judging from the weakness of his body, he also lost a lot of blood. It's a miracle he's still conscious and alive at this rate.

"Are you ok? I think we need to get you to the hospital. Those wounds look life-threatening." Decker pointed out worriedly as he opened a first aid kit and started cleaning Odin's wounds.

"I'm fine. Just get me far away from the pack and company."

Decker frowned at his words. "Why? What happened? Your father didn't ban you, did he?" His beta asked.

In all honesty, Odin doesn't know how to answer Decker's question. So much has happened and Odin could barely keep up with things. He's not even sure if what is happening is real or not. It's probably the blood loss causing his mind to weaken but even that is something Odin is not sure about. His main focus is getting away from his pack and company and executing his plan as soon as possible. Hopefully he has enough energy and strength left to do so.

"Alpha?" Decker asked in nervousness when he saw how pale his alpha is turning to and from how his eyes are starting to lose light.

"We should really get you to a hospital." Decker decided and was about to tell the pilot to change course when Odin rebutted.

"No!" Clear command was in his tone and since Decker, the pilot and his co-pilot were all werewolves, they were not able to resist the alpha's command.

"But, alpha...you're injuries ar-"

"I'm fine." Odin said firmly even when he had to lean on the copter's frame to support his weak and tired body.

"But..."

"Beta." Odin said sternly, looking at his beta in the eyes. "I said I'm fine."

At that, Decker pursed his lips. His worry is still evident in his eyes but thankfully, he had stopped. Odin is thankful at his beta's cooperation and kept his focus on storing his remaining energy.

"Odin..." Decker started hesitantly. Odin was shocked when his beta called his name after decades of not doing so. He has a feeling that whatever his beta is going to say next is probably not good.

Decker let out a nervous breath at his alpha's expression. "I know that you're used to being alone and doing things independently but...you gotta know your limit, man. I understand it's an alpha thing but sometimes even alphas need help too and that's ok. It's normal. You can't do everything. I know that you're doing all of this to prove yourself worthy to the pack and to your father, but can't you see? You're losing yourself. You're overworking, over-exerting, and over-pushing yourself to the point where you've turned into a completely different person. Where's the happy, humble, easy-going, caring, patient and loving Odin? Where's our beloved alpha?"

At his beta's words, Odin looked away to hide his tearing eyes. His beta's words are touching him and causing his buried emotions to resurface more than he wants to admit.

    "I understand why you're all doing this and I appreciate you for doing your best for everyone. But, Odin, please don't forget to take care of yourself and to ask for help when you need it. We may not be as amazing as you but if we can at least lessen the load you're carrying even for a little bit, we'll gladly do so. We're here for you just as you're here for us. Please don't forget that. Let us help you." Decker pleaded his stubborn alpha.

    He's not sure if Odin even listened but he's seriously worried sick about him. Since Odin's brother died, Odin had strived so hard to be perfect - to be what the pack and company needs. It got so bad to the point where Odin isolated himself and changed himself to meet the pack and his father's needs until he completely changed. When he couldn't find his mate, it felt like everything about the old Odin had vanished; leaving a bitter, grumpy shell behind. And as more problems pile up at his friend's plate, the more Odin loses himself until he got to the situation he's in - battered and broken.

Decker had tried to lessen Odin's burden by taking most of the workloads so Odin could have more time to look for his mate but it all went in vain. Even when Odin is completely drained and about to collapse, Odin still continued to stay silent and never ask for help even when offered. Now, Decker could see how badly it had affected his friend. Even when Decker offers help, Odin would pretend like it's not needed and face things alone. If only he could get Odin to open up, just a little bit, maybe he can help his friend.

Odin knows that Decker is right. Heck, he knows it in his heart that Decker is right but a part of him doesn't want to cling unto that good thing because whatever good that comes his ways end up leaving him in pain. Call it a defense mechanism but Odin had given up long ago trying to overcome it. As much as he wants to admit he needs help, yell it even, he couldn't. He knows his beta had went through hell because of him and his actions. Sharing his burden with him will only trouble his beta more. And also, he has a mate and family back home. If Odin involves his beta in his troubles, he might endanger him. He can't have that. It's better that Odin faces everything by himself because if he dies, no one will miss him. No one will grieve for him. So if push comes to shove, he chooses life for Decker and nothing else.

Thankfully, the copter landed; sparing him from replying.

Odin immediately got off on shaky legs. Blood immediately pooled beneath him from his open injuries but paid it no mind.

"Alpha, wait up! Let me clean up your wounds first and get refreshed up. There's water at the compartment and some protein bars. It's not much now but lemme just go to the store for a bit to-"

"Decker..." he called out to his beta.

    Decker paused at his alpha's tone. Why does it sound like he's saying goodbye?

"Thank you...for everything. I don't say this often but...I'm blessed to have you as my beta and friend." Odin turned his head to the side to look at his beta's shocked expression.

"I leave the pack at your good hands. Take care always." With those parting words, Odin used his remaining energy to speed through the trees; leaving his beta behind as his beta's confused and pained howl serenade him away.

Odin shut his eyes as tears fell down. He never knew saying goodbye to a living person could be this painful. Still, he persevered. It's better he cut ties now than later. It will be more painful to cut ties when Decker finds out about his crimes. Not only will his only friend hate him, but that will also mean facing the reality that he's truly alone now in this world.

Call it cowardly but Odin doesn't care anymore. Decker is a good wolf. He always follows the rules and regard them as high as his respects to his superiors. Once he finds out about Odin's crimes, Decker will surely abhor him. Odin doesn't have the emotional strength to see the betrayed and hateful look he'll see in his friend's eyes so he chose to run away. Besides, he's not worthy to be a friend or to even show his face towards them unless he's proven himself and straightened things out.

All these misfortune had started when the hellhound came to his life. Things could've been better already if the hellhound didn't appear so Odin plans on making things right. It's not the way of the goddess or any divine being but it's the only way he could think of that will prove his worth.

With that thought in mind, he set his goals and continued on pursuing it.

He doesn't know how long he ran but by the time he arrived at his destination, his whole body is burning and sluggish. It took him a great effort to cross the street, climb the three-steps stair and knock on the crystal-like glass door. Waiting for a response felt like forever even though he knows it's only probably seconds. By the time the door opened to reveal the familiar red-haired witch, Odin barely managed to see her along with her fleeing fairies before he collapsed face-first at the entryway.

A scream was the last he heard before darkness took him away.