Dax, the Rogue Alpha

"You are curious about me. Then quit acting as if you could face the reality.

Dax's voice sounded like a snarl, his tone harsh enough to pierce through the thick quiet

covering us since we left the altar behind. Though now his words blazed in my head as much as the brightness of the unusual symbols.

I shot back, matching his amber gaze with a fierceness I didn't quite feel, "I can handle more than you think."

His mouth turned into a humorless sneer. "Very true?" Last time I looked, you hardly knew what you were up against.

Zaia, you are depending on the wrong people. And among them is one standing just next to you.

The scout froze, his hand tightening on his dagger. " What's that supposed to mean?"

Dax turned away from him, staring only at me. "You seek responses?" Great. Don't claim, however, that I didn't warn you.

We paused in a little meadow, the tension pulsing between us like an unseen storm. Dax slumped slightly as he leant against a tree.

"I wasn't always a renegade," he said, his voice softer now but still cut with steel. "I just once carried a rucksack. a decent one. Though young, I was their Alpha and could lead. That is at least what I believed.

I listened carefully; the raw feeling in his voice startled me.

"We thrived for a little bit," he said. But then the battles began—territory conflicts, long-standing rivalries resurrected.

We fell right in the midst. Though it was not enough, I tried everything I could to keep my people safe. We were outnumbered and outmatched.

He stopped, his jaw becoming stiff. "I struck a desperate, heedless bargain with someone offering us security. Still, they were dishonest.

 It was too late when I understood it. I was left to pick up the bits after my group was killed. Ever since I have begun running.

His narrative struck more forcefully than I had anticipated, the weight of his loss hanging palpably. Though the words would not flow, I wanted to express something.

At last I managed, "You blamed yourself."

He looked at me, a nasty smirk pulling at his mouth. " Wouldn't you?"

I nodded, my chest becoming tight. "I understand the loss of everything. To believe that it is your fault even when it is not.

His gaze softened, just momentarily, and I felt a flutter of something between us—something unsaid but unquestionably true.

Still, you are standing, he murmured softly. That is more than most can say.

Silent all through Dax's narrative, the scout spoke at last with a suspicious voice. And how then does it relate to us? Together with her?

Dax's face became firm. "It means I understand what happens when you put faith in the wrong people. I will so prevent such occurrence once again.

"To protect her?" the scout sneered. "Or because you spot a personal opportunity?"

My patience slipping, I moved between them before Dax could answer. " sufficient! This

relates not to you two. Whether or not we want it, we are all in this together.

Though the strain between them still strong, the scout scowled at Dax but said nothing more.

I found myself strolling next to Dax as we continued; the quiet between us now seemed more natural.

Finally, my voice little above a whisper, "Thank you."

One eyebrow rose, he looked at me. "For what?" asked.

"For telling me the truth," I said. And for continuing. You were not obliged of course.

His smile came back, lessened this time. Luna, you shouldn't become accustomed to it. I'm not exactly the kind of stick-around kind.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't suppress the little grin that drew at my mouth. You say that, but you are still here.

"Yeah, well," he continued, his voice lighter, "someone's got to keep you alive."

The moment's brightness didn't last very long. The shadows moved once again as we passed a little crest; the now-familiar hum became louder.

Dax halted suddenly, his body taut. "We are not on our alone."

The scout pulled his dagger, his eyes darting among the woods. "Exactly how many?"

"Too many," Dax said, his voice austere.

From the left, a dark monster jumping from the underbrush launched the initial strike. Dax answered it squarely, his claws ripping through its twisted shape.

I turned right away, my wolf charging forward to face the second assailant. The struggle was violent and disorganizing.

These animals were quicker, more coordinated, and their green-glowing eyes appeared to follow our every action—not like the rogues we had seen previously.

A third beast blinded me as I battled; its claws raked over my side. Pain surged, and I staggered as the earth rushed up to greet me.

"Zaia!"; Dax spoke clearly and with a rare terror.

He was there, snaring the beast away from me with such force that the air rocked before it could strike once again. Rising above me, his wolf form was tall and his eyes glowed with wrath.

He screamed, his voice harsh yet forceful: "Get up!"

I got myself moving, my side screaming in protest. The agony in there howling. We battled the last of the beasts together; their corpses disintegrated into ash as they dropped.

We stood in quiet, our breathing laboring, till the final creature vanished.

"Why are they targeted against us?" My voice quivering, I questioned.

Dax looked at the ashes strewn all around us and his attitude was austere. "Because someone else is forwarding them."

The scout groaned. "Who?"

Dax's voice was low and chilly; his amber eyes clouded. " Someone who wants her to not get to the truth."

The hum came again before I could answer, louder and more threatening than it had been.

A voice emerged from the shadows, cold and familiar.

"Zaia; it's time to head home."