Chapter 105

Chapter 105
Rhys pushed the scout vehicle to its limit, the tyres spitting sand and rock as the mass of Beast-bound creatures trailed them in a furious, hungry chase. Inside, the atmosphere was a mix of frantic action and chilling apprehension.

​Kael, his head throbbing and a vicious gash bleeding freely, secured the unconscious Ren with a set of fresh, heavy-duty metallic clamps that he'd had the foresight to bring. 

"Corvin's sedative dart was a miracle," he grunted, checking Ren's pulse. "He's out cold, but the power's still shimmering under his skin."

​"They're not giving up!" Rhys yelled over the roar of the engine. "They're faster now. They're organised. They want him back."

​"They can want all they like," Kael snapped. "They're not getting the damn trophy. Head for the East Perimeter. We need to get him inside the heavily reinforced holding block. Forget the main gate, it's too exposed."

​Kael looked down at the younger man, whose face was oddly peaceful in the unconscious state, the scales receding slightly, though the silver energy in his blood remained palpable. Traitor brother. Ren's words were a cold knife in Kael's gut. He knew the betrayal was not Axton's, but the lie had been planted by his father, and it would take more than just words to root it out.
\-——
Mira Caspian hurried through the compound, her body still trembling from the encounter with Commander Reed. Her lie about Axton's "temper tantrum" had bought her crucial time, saving Axton's secret—and her own ability to move freely.

​Trust no one. Her brother's warning echoed in her mind. Reed was clearly an opportunist, and she had just given him a believable lie he could use against the General without exposing Axton's monstrous secret.

​She bypassed her quarters and went directly to the Faction's private, unauthorised communication hub.

She needed to locate his brother, if she could just find the signal of the vehicle that kidnapped him, then she could give the signal to Axton and they could rescue him.
——
In his room, Axton was no longer merely plotting; he was executing. He was on the secured line with Senator Vance, his voice calm, clipped, and deadly effective.

​"Senator, I believe you 've received my message," Axton asked calmly.

​Vance, a sharp politician who hated the General's unchecked military power, didn't hesitate. "Captain Conan, I have my committee on the next transport. They will be at your compound in six hours with full authority from me to support your search in whatever way you need. An enemy of the general is always welcome." 

​Six hours. It was enough time.

​Axton cut the line and immediately called Corvin. "The men are coming. I need you to inform everyone. I mean everyone, to get ready. They're either with me, or not." He informed. 

Corvin nodded, "Yes, Captain."

​Just as Axton was finishing his commands, he heard voices outside shouting urgently. 

"That's Rhys. I think they found Ren," Corvin stated.

Axton was on his feet in the next minute, shrugging past Corvin to leave the room.

"Captain," Corvin called as Axton was about to open the door. 

Axton paused, leaving his hand on the know, "What do you have to say, Corvin. I'm in a hurry." He said without looking at Corvin. 

Corvin cleared his throat, stepping forward, "Ren... he might not be in the best mood to see you, especially not when his beast might still be on the surface." He spoke calculatedly.

"He feels betrayed, Captain. He might hurt you," Corvin sighed.

Axton didn't reply. 

He stared at the door, clenching his jaw in anger.

"Then I'll make him understand, Corvin. It was the general, not me," he stated, pulled open the door and left.

Outside, Axton walked three blocks away from the guest quarters and found the scouting vehicle parked by the side of their Arcturus vehicle. 

He looked through the windows of the scouting vehicle but couldn't find anyone in there.

His eyes moved over to the Arcturus, and he slowly approached it.

"They're in there, Captain," Corvin spoke behind him, "His Beast might still be on the surface, that's why they took him in there, to hide him from others." He explained. 

Axton nodded.

He moved over to the Arcturus and easily opened the door, climbing into it with Corvin following behind.

Corvin sealed the door behind them to make sure no one else followed them in. They didn't need an audience. 

"Where is he?" Axton questioned Kael, who was leaning against the wall of the vehicle. 

"Where else, Axton? In your chamber," Kael replied I'm a flat tone.

Axton strode past him, his steps determined.

"You're bleeding," Corvin walked up to Kael, staring at the wound.

Kael shrugged, "A little love from Ren's beast." He said. 

Corvin chuckled, cupping Kael's chin, "We'll get that treated after this, alright?" He asked tenderly.

Kael gave a small smile, "Alright." 

"Come on, let's make sure your brother doesn't die today," he said and led Kael toward Axton's chamber. 

Inside the chamber, Axton quietly stepped in and found Rhys standing beside Ren's bunk.

"Untie him –"

"No can do, brother. He's a beast, literally," Kael walked over with Cirvin, staring at Ren's unconscious face.

Axton gritted his teeth, "Kael." He called, his warning low and threatening. 

Kael sighed, "Trust me, Axton. He looks fine now, but once he opens his eyes, he might just turn back to that dangerous –"

"An army is marching toward us," Rhys suddenly spoke, grabbing everyone's attention. 

"What do you mean?" Axton questioned.

Kael sighed, "Yeah... about that..." he cleared his throat. 

"Ren may or may not have made himself the king of the Beast-bound creatures. They were marching toward the base when we saw them, and when I took him, they chased after us. They might be here in no time." He explained. 

Axton was stunned, confused.

"King of Beast-bounds..." Corvin chuckled, nodding slowly, "It makes sense." He said.

Axton faced him, "How?"

"Remember when I told you about affinity and all that? Yeah... it appears that in every account Ren has had with a Beast-bound, they were trying to kill him. They were trying to get healed." He explained.

"They finally connected today because he was in his beast firm, they recognised the hierarchy and purity. They fear him for his strength and are loyal because of his blood. I'd say, it's a good thing," Corvin nodded at his words.

"And, how is this a good thing?" Kael questioned, raising a brow.

"He means that we get an army on our side," Rhys answered.

"That is, if Ren is still on our side," Kael said, "Trust me, he looked ready to kill us, especially you, brother." He shrugged.

"He's waking up," Corvin murmured as Ren stirred slowly.

Axton, who had been quiet immediately turned his eyes to Ren, watching him, excited and dreadful at the same time.

"Ugh," Ren groaned, wincing as he furrowed his brows.

"I think you should leave, Axton," Kael said quietly. 

Axton scoffed, "I think you should leave, Kael." He replied.

Kael nodded, "Don't say I didn't warn you... Here goes." He stepped back as Ren slowly opened his eyes.

Ren's head was banging, his muscles aching.

He knew he had been captured by Kael, and his heightened senses told him that Axton was right in front of him.

He opened his eyes, locking his eyes on those worried silver eyes.

"Ren –"

"A bastard son of a bastard father," Ren spat out, wincing as he lifted himself to a sitting position.

Axton flinched very slightly. It hurt him to hear such venomous words from Ren, especially not after their unplanned separation. 

"Renault, it's not what you think," He slowly approached the bunk but was suddenly stopped by Ren's growl.

"Stay away!" Ren growled, clenching his jaws, his eyes slowly turning golden.

"Okay, okay, Ren... I'm not moving forward. I'm right here," Axton lifted his hands in surrender, holding Ren's gaze.

"Get this thing off my wrists," Ren snapped at Kael, his eyes intensifying.

Kael chuckled nervously, "No can do, Renny, I'm sorry I can't –" his words were cut off by Ren's a guy growl.

"Argh!" Ren groaned as he snapped the heavy-duty metallic clamps away from his wrist, heaving loudly.

He stared at his wrist as the wounds immediately healed, a smirk appearing on his lips.

"Oh, shit, not good," Corvin murmured, moving backwards.

"Doc, do you have any of those sedatives with you?" Kael asked, stepping backwards to the door.

Everyone stepped back, except Axton. He didn't flinch, his eyes locked on Ren's angry ones.

Ren stood, glaring up at Axton, "I think the sedative is a good idea, Captain. Stop me when you still can, because, I don't plan to stop," 

"Ughh!" Axton was suddenly thrown across the chamber, slamming his entire body on the metal wall.

"Shit, Axton, I told you to leave!" Kael shouted at Axton.

Axton groaned and immediately stood on his feet, "Everyone, get out –"

"But –"

"Get out!" Axton barke d at Kael, breathing heavily.

"Let's go," Rhys ordered, pushing the button beside the door to slide it open.

"Come on," Corvin dragged Kael away from the chamber, leaving Axton and Ren alone.

The heavy, reinforced door of Axton's chamber hissed shut, sealing Ren and Axton in a tense, claustrophobic silence. The air thrummed with unspoken pain and the raw, dangerous energy of the activated Beast.

Ren chuckled, "Aww, how sad. I wanted them to watch me beat their untrustworthy Captain to pulp. I'll miss the audience." He smirked, slowly walking over to Axton.

Axton sighed, "Renault, I didn't betray you. At least not how you think of it." He raised his hands in surrender, looking into Ren's eyes.

Ren stopped right in front of Axton, his face devoid of any emotion, "Really? Then you don't mind answering a simple question." His eyes swirled as he roamed Axton's face.

Axton nodded, "Whatever you want to know, Renault." He scoffed softly. 

Ren clenched his jaw, heating the way Axton spoke and looked at him after betraying him.

The audacity.

"Fine. Did you, or did you not agree with your father's absurd request?" He asked slowly, watching Axton's eyes.

Axton sighed, "I... I did –"

"Bastard!" Ren growled and punched Axton face, sending him back to the floor.