CHAPTER 5

Deimos carries his rage with him with every rogue he slaughters ferociously. Eagerness to coat his flesh with the thickness of vile blood consumes him. He fights alone, fearless and fierce, in his way. A severe, brutal death he offers each one of them, a truly petrifying mal, for he is capable of haunting dark nightmares. He is animalistic and quick as lightning, striking down one after the other with ease, a horrendous sight to take in, yet truly satisfying. A feral savageness his eyes possess, black consumes, his wolf annihilates with him. Bloodthirsty and remorseless, they are both as one. Yet he is alluring to me, breathtakingly enthralling. The way he fights, the way he eradicates, cates that he is a god of death that devours them. Gazing around my land that carries the putrid scent of demise, my eyes draw ieless corpses of the rogues torn apart chunks of flesh missing from their bodies, throats slit, skulls cracked open. Deimos's masterpiece of vengeance lies open for all eyes to feast on. He leaves no room for me to fight with him for his outbreak of violence, his power possesses a massive, undescribable strength to it, one that does not need the aid of mine or any other. My wolves and I quietly observe the massacre that takes place before our eyes, the way Deimos leaves the leader for last to savor on. The way he plays with him as if he were prey, he enjoys the slow torture that he delivers. With his lust for blood in control of him, Deimos wants nothing else but to fill his maddening carnivorous appetite. My wolves wail in relief, many singing our war song, stomping their feet, banging their chests, as Deimos feasts on the flesh of the leader. We have received the retribution we sought for our loss. As Deimos takes his last bite, onyx crows gather over our heads, circling low in the sky searching for a feast. Deathly silence spreads like wildfire among those wolves who breathe. Very few have survived, for corpses lie as far as the eye can see, whilst my land is stained dark with blood. No wolf of mine dares to bawl except for the pups cuddled safely in the arms of their mothers. There is a saying that one cannot mourn if their heart is torn and their soul bleeds. I stride towards my warrior, who still lies with a smile frozen upon her angelic face. Her smile looks so real that I cannot accept the truth that she is no more. She died for me, she died protecting me. "May the moon take you through her gates for you have died with honour," I whisper my farewell and final blessing whilst closing her eyes shut. She shall sleep for eternity, yet peacefully in the arms of the moon. With Deimos, we were able to defeat the rogue, yet the cost truly is painful. He stands on the other side, de flesh stained with blood, chest heaving whilst he takes deep breaths. Emeralds sink into m;ne, they beckon me as a lover would. The epitome of perfection, he truly is. A God. He is at the prime of life. He looks unchallengeable, just standing there casually despite the savagery he has shown. I peer into his cool greens, almost vacant yet so moving, I cannot tell what he is thinking, I cannot understand him. Courage pulls me into its warmth as I take slow steps to where he waits with patience. I do not know what to say. A 'thank you' would be simple to express our gratitude. But there is nothing I possess that He may want, for he must have everything. I stand firmly in front of him, portraying strength and confidence. "Alpha Deimos, please accept my sincere thanks. My pack and I-" I begin to speak my truth, but he is quick to halt my words. "This is not enough." His voice is deep and remote, breathtaking emeralds speak to my soul. My flesh trembles when he speak,; we are tethered together in a way so deep, in an unfathomable way. "Then, what is it that you want?" I question, taking a step back. Not of weakness but cautiousness. I am preparing myself for what he may ask of me. What shall he ask me for? My submission, perhaps? "I shall follow the old rule." H s says, taking a step forward, filling up space I willingly created. An indirect way of showing I mustn't run from him. I am unsure what it is that he is referring to, but I have heard plenty of this. Unwritten rules were forged between the Alpha alliances. The prime rule is one of the Tributes. If a pack is saved by another pack in the alliances, then the saviour has the right to ask for a tribute in return. But this is the old tradition. It hasn't been used for a very long time. But perhaps this is not what he wishes for; perhaps there is more to it. "What is it?" My voice falters, my heart picking up pace. Whatever he may ask, it shall still be deemed a loss for me. "I want to claim a tribute." He is unhesitant with his answers, his mindset to acquire his desire. My heart sinks to the pit of my core. The rule is quite simple. It is up to the Alpha to decide what he deems to be fair. Land and livestock would be the usual payment. But some may ask for females, unmated adult females. "Is it part of my land or our livestock?" We have no further livestock left after the bloody war. And land? My pack possesses the smallest territory among all. I do not do if it shall please him. "I do not wish to covet either of these." My eyes widen at his words that bring about disgust, which drips from my every pore, for now I know what it is he wants. I will never let my female become a tribute, never. "I will not give you any of my females." A flash of teeth, I offer him, my posture changes. Simmering anger surpasses the relief that calmed me. My armour clamps back on, searing eyes meet his. "Indeed. Yet I just need one. I claim you as my tribute." The way he looks at me is not of a mate wishing to claim his moon blessed rather an Alpha merely claiming what belongs to him. It is like thunder rises from the soles of my feet to split my heart into pieces. A cruel male indeed. Whispers start to soar around us. Elriam comes to my side briskly, and she stands tall as my protector. She will fight once more if I ask her to; she has come prepared. "Why?" I whisper, my throat parched and in need of soothing. "Why not?" His stare weakens my knees whilst he casually folds his hands across his chest, my eyes observe the flex of his muscles, wondering what it would feel like to be held by them. "I am an Alpha. I cannot be your tribute." Chin raised, back straightened, did I confront him with my true essence manifesting into my shield?Hisi scrutinizing stare tells me he can see right through the act of strength I am trying to portray to him. He can see he is becoming my weakness. "I do not remember offering you a choice. It was not I who ca, me rather it was you who beckoned me." His truth stings deep, his last words to crawlwls down my spine, pulling me into a pit of shame. My wolves gather behind, showing teeth, snarling, ing preparing to fight for their Alpha. There is only one of him, but plenty of us. He sees this thought of mine clearly, and he smiles, one that does not reach his eyes. It is sadistiinstillsnstils fear.