Chapter 102

Chapter 102
In a fast-moving, sleek, military vehicle that seemed almost like it was flying just an inch from the desert sands, Ren slowly stirred, groaning as his head throbbed like a bass drum.

He tries moving but realises that his hands have been bound, so he's his legs. There was no escape.

He could feel that he was in a vehicle, a fast-moving one at that.

'Where were they taking me?' He tightened his closed eyes to stop the aching in his head.

He couldn't just stay and let them take him to wherever they wanted. He wanst go down without a fight.

He would fight and show Axton and his stupid father that he wasn't easily taken down. They would understand that they could never break his will.

Slowly he opened his eyes.

It was blurry at first, but then he focused on the white interior of the vehicle and realised that there was a screen showing him on it.

"Fucking bastards," He muttered.

They have been watching him from the moment he stirred. 

"Idiots," he scoffed, trying to pull his hand out of the chains that bound his wrists behind him.

He looked at the screen and smirked, a dangerous look flashing in his eyes. He wasn't going to die without a fight, even if it meant annoying the crao out of whoever was responsible for his kidnapped was behind the monitoring camera.

"Yo, any bastard there?" He asked, his eyes never leaving the screen.

No answer.

Only the fast humming of the vehicle filled the quiet space.

He slowly nodded, "Where are you taking me?" He asked again.

"To a readership centre," A voice spoke from the speakers.

Ren chuckled, "So there's a bastard." He grinned. 

No answer again.

He nodded, "Okay, then, bastard. You only answer reasonable questions. Then, answer me this... bastard..." he said, his face hardening.

"Who sent you?" Ren questioned, an angry brow cocking.

"The general. Permitted by the captain." The voice replied again. 

Ren went mute, his hand balling behind him as his heart twisted so painfully inside his chest.

Mira was right.

Trust was good, but action is best. 

Why did it hurt so much? He already knew that Axton betrayed him, yet confirming it from the bastard behind the camera hurt like a bitch.

He chuckled, "Can any of them see me, now?" He asked.

"The general," The voice replied. 

"Best option," Ren smiled sweetly at the camera. 

"Well, I've been meaning to have a heart-to-heart with you, Conan –"

"Mind your words, Soldier," the voice warned darkly.

"Or what, bastard?" Ren taunted.

"Let him speak, Glacier," General Conan's deep voice echoed from the speaker. 

Ren laughed, "That's what I thought." He winked at the camera. 

"I figured that I've been living in fear for nothing for a long time. I should have done whatever I wanted, gone wherever I wanted because... I'm indispensable," his voice dropped to a low, serious tone as he locked his eyes on the camera.

"No one dares to hurt me, you all need me, and Conan," he paused, the air thick with silence, "You don't need to get me tested. I'm unaffected, with a very strong beast. But guess what?" He asked, smirking. 

The silence fell again, the hum still spinning as fast as it could get.

"What, Renault?" The General's voice finally asked after the drawn-out silence. 

"Ah, I thought you'd never ask," Ren smiled sweetly. 

He sighed, fisting his hands, "I'm never going to help you, or your stupid son who you have succeeded in making just like you. A devil!" Ren burst out, heaving angrily. 

The General's chuckle filled the space and Ren could imagine a devilish glint that would flash through his eyes.

"So, this is about my son? You fell in love with your captain, Mr. Caspian." The general scoffed. 

"Well then, it's good to take away from him –"

"Actually, I'm happy you took me away from him. I might just have killed him in his sleep. So, here's what, bastard Conan. Either tell your bastard who is behind the wheel to stop this damn vehicle and let me out or... find out my second option yourselves." He said, his voice devoid of any sarcasm or threat.

He was warning them.

"Or what, Renault? Don't be shy, show me what you've got hidden under that facade of yours," General Conan taunted.

Ren chuckled, "Okay, Conan, you asked for it." 

"General, I think we should stop, his eyes are starting to glow –"

"Argh!" Ren growled, veins popping in his head as he broke the chains away from his wrists.

"G-general, we have a problem!" Glacier stammered.

–––
Axton reached a dead end when he stood in front of the high walls of Faction7's back fence.

He stood with Kael, Rhys, Corvin and Mira, and they all knew what had happened.

Axton's fists balled beside him as his blood boiled, "He took him." He murmured lowly, voice filled with venom. 

"Also, no trace of infiltration," Rhys informed behind him.

"You think I don't see it?!" Axton suddenly growled and faced Rhys, his eyes slightly glowing as his anger boiled over.

Rhys bowed his head, "I'm sorry, Captain –"

"I don't need your apology!" Axton grabbed Rhys's neck and slammed him against the wall, holding him there with his fingers tightening around Rhys's neck.

"C-captain, you have t-to calm down..." Rhys choked out but made no move to stop Axton's rage.

Corvin and Kael shared a meaningful look behind Axton and nodded at each other.

Slowly, they walked over to Axton but dared not touch him.

Corvin cleared his throat, "Captain, you have to calm down and keep your beast down-Argh!" He cried painfully as Axton suddenly pushed against his chest, sending him flying backwards and landing a few feet away from his initial position.

Axton huffed, cracking his neck in a sickening sound, "It's your fault! You were supposed to protect. I entrusted you!" He growled lowly, his pupils turning to slits

"Oh no," Corvin muttered, trying to scramble off the floor as as saw Axton approaching him with his beast at the surface.

"Axton, stop –"

"Stay away!" Axton glared at Kael as he tried to approach and stop him.

Kael pauses, looking between Rhys, who was still catching his breath and Corvin who was trying to escape his beastifying brother.

He couldn't let this happen, for everyone's safety.

He glanced around for a weapon and felt helpless when he couldn't find anything.

"Oh, shit," he gasped as he felt a hand on his shoulder, sighing in relief when he saw who it was.

"Oh, thanks, Mira," He took the metal wrench from her and carefully snuck behind Axton.

Just at the moment Axton was about to reach for Corvin, Kael collided the wrench with the back of Axton's head.

"Ugh!" Axton paused as if he was going to turn on his heels and attack whoever hit him.

Everyone froze, heart pounding loudly.

And then, he fell. On top of Corvin.

"Fuck! He's heavy!" Corvin groaned 

"Yeah. A hand?" Kael glanced at Rhys and hurried over to Axton. 

Rhys went over and they lifted Axton off Corvin, placing his hands over their shoulders.

"Corvin, you need to take over here. I need to ask the other team if they found Renault," Rhys said with a bit of urgency in his voice.

Corvin nodded, "Of course." He went and took Rhys's place beside Axton.

"Get him into his chamber. Make sure nobody sees you," Rhys ordered and left in long strides.

Corvin and Kael gently dragged Axton away, walking through the dark shadows.

"Shit... he really does love my brother," Mira murmured as she stood at the scene, recalling how Axton had lost control when he couldn't find Ren.

"Wait..." She furrowed her brows, her eyes following the now-empty path they had followed, "He is Beast-bound." He murmured, covering her hand over her mouth.

She couldn't believe it.

The great Captain Axton Conan. Purger of all Beast-bounds, was Beast-bound himself? 

Unbelievable!

She wasn't sure of what to do now. She needed to find her brother, expose the captain, and then they would run as far away as possible.

No one was to be trusted anymore. 

Still, one thing she had confirmed that day was: the Beast-bound Captain loves her brother.

"I've got to go look for Ren," she muttered and just as she was about to leave the scene, a hand grabbed her from behind, pulling her backwards. 

"C-commander," she bowed her head, gritting her teeth.

She didn't have time to perform duties for the Commander, she needed to go search for her missing brother, make sure he was safe.

"Head up, Mira Caspian," Reed commanded.

Mira obeyed, looking up but not holding for his gaze.

"Your next shot is due by next week, correct?" Reed questioned, his voice soft but his eyes held secrets and evil.

Mira nodded, "Yes, Commander." She answered. 

"Good," Reed smiled, touching her shoulder, "Now, if you don't want to miss it, or any subsequent ones that follow, tell me every single thing that you saw here." He narrowed his eyes at her, daring her to lie to him.

Mira gulped, baling her fists, "Yes, Commander." She muttered.