Last Rogue Standing

Last Rogue Standing
Romain
I brace myself for his attack but his strength catches me off guard.
The blade in his hand is long but he wields it with an experience that is beyond his fifteen years. I'm stunned. The surrounding Gammas immediately flock toward us but Brent's voice is sharp and cuts through the air when he says, "Nobody touch him. He's mine!"
They stand aside, unease emanating from them. This boy, as spoiled as he is, will be their future Alpha. Disobeying him could yield terrible consequences. And spoiled he is, to an extent. 
We circle each other. The spear is tightly in my hand and I'm watching his every move. Disarming him is the only thing on my mind—I could never hurt him. Not now, not ever. 
I see traces of Em on his face. In the tip of his nose and the sharp inner corners of his eyes. The way his lips purse when he's furious. Brent is blend of the two of us, even if my features dominate his face. But she's in him; I can't discard that fact. 
Again, I could never hurt him.
"You people killed my uncle," he spits. "He was the nicest person in the world and you killed him!"
"You don't know the full story, kid," I say before stopping myself. No, I won't call him kid. I bet that makes me sound and look even more like Fang. "Things are more complicated than you think. Your mother, she needs to see you."
Brent's step falters and I catch the way his eyes widen before he composes himself and continues circling me without saying a word. 
"Did you hear what I said? Your mother wants to see you. It's not safe for you here!"
Silence greets me.
"Brent," I grit out, "this isn't a game. I meant it when I said your mother needs to see you. I know where she is. She's with me!"
I see doubt written all over his face but he manages to say, "Where is she? Where are you hiding her?"
"Do you think I'll just tell you?" I question. "And risk Soren knowing? Do you have the slightest idea what that man would do to her?"
Anger blazes in his eyes. Through clenched teeth, he claims, "My father would never hurt her!"
A beat passes before I ask, "Is that who he is? Your father? By the goddess, Brent, is the truth not staring you in the face? Look at me. Take a proper look at me. Everyone can see our resemblance. Can't you?"
This time, I see what I'm looking for. His eyes search my face and with every passing second, realization dawns on him. Our resemblance has aways been indisputable and I think this is the first time he's noticed it. 
"I'm your father, Brent," I add in a low voice. All the eyes on us are unnerving but I'm confident they can't hear a word we're saying. "It's a long and complicated story, but I'm your father. I know this hurts but Soren is using you to get back at us. If you're my son—and I know you are—you don't agree to this arranged marriage. Being free as a bird has always been important to us. I'm only here to save you and take you away from this mess we thrust you into. I didn't come here to kill anyone."
Brent has stopped moving altogether and is now looking at me with a horrified expression he can't mask. Relief washes over me but I know this isn't over. Telling him I'm his father won't get us out of here. 
I'm fairly certain that if I take a good look around me, I'll see that the men who came here with me are all dead.
"That's a lie."
I groan this time, frustration getting the best of me. "The same thing happened the last time in that abandoned building when I came looking for you.
"Why didn't you tell me the truth then?"
"I didn't want to scare you but I realize that was a mistake," I admit. "Your stay here is dangerous. There's no predicting what Soren is planning."
I notice him looking at me more and more closely. Does that mean he believes me, I wonder? By the goddess, I hope he does. 
"Even if any of this were true," he begins, "there's no way you would ever get me out of this place. We're surrounded, or haven't you noticed?"
"What happens to me isn't important," I reveal. "You're the one who has to get out."
"Yet you won't tell me where to find my mother? Where would I even go?"
"There are men surrounding the forest, keeping a close eye on things. If you make it to the road, they'll recognize you and take you to where Em is."
"Em," he echoes before shaking his head and directing his gaze to the ground. It's the first time he's ever lowered his guard around me so I take it as a good sign. Still, this kid is crafty. For now, I just need to convince him to get out of here. 
"Fine," he states. "I'll do it."
"Good," I claim, believing him. I look around and my suspicions are confirmed—I'm the last rogue standing. Knowing there's no way out for me, I got for the easiest way out for me, one that might grant me some time to figure out what to do later, or not. 
I just don't want to die in front of my son. 
I raise my hands, surrendering.
It doesn't take long for Soren to appear. I should've known that he was hiding inside, watching everything unfold from a distance.
"Well done, son," Soren says, kissing his temple. The sight sickens me. "I knew you'd do it. Let me guess, he told you exactly what I said he would? That your mother needs to see you? That you have to go to her?"
"Yes," Brent answers coldly. 
"And like the good boy you are, you tricked him into thinking you believed his lies, didn't you?" Soren says before laughing. His gaze falls upon me and he shakes his head almost in disappointment. "You fool. Did you really think that my son would ever choose to believe you over me?"
"My son," I grit out as his Gammas force me to my feet. "You know that as well as I do. Even a blind man could see our resemblance."
Anger flashes in Soren's eyes but the smile remains.
"You told me you wanted to capture the man who killed your uncle and you did it," Soren remarks. "I'm proud of you, son. Take him away. Put him in the dungeon and be sure to use silver chains to keep this dog leashed. We can't afford any more inconveniences. I'll be the one to deal with him."
A scoff escapes my lips as I'm dragged away from them. "Yeah, I killed him. I killed Cade. And it brought me pleasure, killing your little lap dog. Your bitch. He chose you over his own sister, knowing who you were and what you did to her. He was a traitor! A traitor!"