Another Beta male added, "We've been watching from the shadows, waiting for the right moment to step in. Now is that moment."

  I exchanged bewildered looks with my team.

  The Betas stood firm, their presence a shield between us and the enemy.

  "Master Deux doesn't care about this competition," one of them continued. "His top priority is your safety, Master Champ."

  Jiggs turned to me, grinning knowingly. "Told you. Deux is different when it comes to you."

  I had no words.

  But there was no time to process it—because the enemy was charging.

  "Master Champ!" One of Deux's Betas turned to me. "Do what you need to do! We'll hold them back!"

  "But what about you?" I asked, hesitating.

  "Our mission is clear," he said firmly. "Protect your cn. Ensure your escape. We'd rather face Master Deux's wrath than fail him."

  Gem grabbed my arm. "Master Champ, we have to go!"

  I clenched my fists, looking at the brave Betas standing before me.

  They were ready to fight. Ready to sacrifice themselves if necessary.

  I bit my lip and nodded.

  "Thank you." I met their gazes one st time. "I promise, when this is over, I'll prepare a feast for you all as a reward. Just stay alive."

  They gave me a smirk. "You better keep that promise."

  With no other choice, we turned back to the fire exit.

  Jiggs helped us raised the steel beam once more. "One st time! HIT IT!"

  (SLAM!)

  The fire exit door finally snapped open.

  The moment it gave way, we ran.

  Behind us, the sounds of battle erupted. Cshes, growls, the impact of fists and weapons.

  But as we raced down the fire exit stairs, more footsteps echoed behind us.

  Jiggs gasped. "Oh hell no! THEY'RE FOLLOWING US!"

  I didn't need to turn around to know he was right.

  "Move!" I shouted. "We have to lose them!"

  But the enemy was closing in.

  And we were running out of pces to hide.

  Then... they stopped running.

  Gem. Marsh. Daryl. Martin.

  They stood their ground, eyes fierce with determination.

  "Hey! What the hell are you guys doing?! Move!" I shouted, my heart hammering in my chest.

  But they didn't budge.

  "Master Champ," Marsh said, his voice steady. "We won't let Deux's Beta males be the only ones showing off their strength."

  "We trained under you," Daryl added. "We won't let that go to waste."

  "You always protect us," Martin said. "You always take care of us.

  "You've risked everything for us that no other Alpha leader would do," Gem finished, his eyes burning with emotion. "Now it's our turn to return the favor. We'll hold them off. You escape."

  My breath hitched.

  "No," I said instantly. "No way in hell. We will all get out of here safe and sound!"

  They were my team. My brothers.

  I wasn't leaving them behind.

  But their expressions were unwavering.

  "Champ, come on! We don't have time!" Jiggs shouted, pulling at my arm.

  I clenched my fists, my teeth grinding together. Damn it.

  I wanted to fight. I wanted to stay.

  But—

  If we all died here, it would be meaningless.

  I took a deep breath, swallowing the thick lump in my throat. My voice trembled with both fury and desperation.

  "Please, Master Champ, it will be an honor to save you." Marsh insisted and looked at me with his eyes full of determination along with the other Beta males.

  "Fine," I said, my chest tightening. "But listen to me. If any of you die, I swear to god, I will hunt your souls down and drag you back myself."

  Marsh grinned. "Understood, Master Champ."

  Daryl smirked. "We'll be fine."

  Martin nodded. "Go."

  Gem clenched his fists. "Win this for us."

  Jiggs yanked me again. "Champ, move!"

  With one st, agonizing gnce, I turned and ran.

  Please be okay. Please don't die. I need you all alive when this is over.

  As we bolted through the corridors, my mind raced.

  This isn't a competition anymore.

  This is war.

  ...

  While we are trying to escape, Jiggs frantically scanned the blueprint as he held his ptop and running at the same time.

  "There!" He pointed ahead. "That path leads to the parking lot exit!"

  We sprinted, our breaths ragged, our bodies burning with exhaustion.

  "Good thing you have a blueprint for this pce," I said.

  Jiggs gave a breathless ugh. "It's the only thing I can contribute! I may not be strong like you, but intel is my specialty."

  I gnced at him.

  "Jiggs..." I hesitated. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this. I know this isn't your kind of fight."

  To my surprise, Jiggs ughed—actually ughed.

  "Are you nuts?" He grinned, eyes gleaming. "This is awesome! It's like we're in an RPG! You're the main hero, and I'm the support! We're gonna win this!"

  Despite everything, I found myself smiling.

  Jiggs had a way of making even life-or-death situations feel lighter.

  Then—

  A light appeared at the end of the corridor.

  "The exit!" Jiggs gasped.

  We pushed forward, faster, our escape within reach—

  But then.

  A shadow.

  A silhouette.

  Someone stood right at the exit.

  The light behind them obscured their face, but I didn't need to see it.

  I already knew.

  The scent hit me like a brick wall.

  Cinnamon.

  Silver.

  My blood turned ice-cold.

  Jiggs skidded to a stop beside me, his breath hitching.

  "Champ..." he whispered, voice ced with fear.

  Then—

  Silver smiled.

  "I'm so gd," he purred, voice dripping with sickening amusement. "You finally came to see me."

  A violent shiver ran down my spine.

  Jiggs trembled beside me. "Champ... all that running... We failed. The evil boss... is in front of us."

  Silver's smile widened.

  "It's too te to be afraid now," he said. His voice was soft, almost gentle.

  And that terrified me even more.

  "Because I," he continued, "now hold the winning hand."

  He closed his eyes for a brief moment.

  Then—

  He inhaled deeply.

  And when he opened his eyes again—

  Jiggs colpsed.

  "Jiggs?!" I turned to him, heart smming against my ribs.

  He was gasping—his hands clutching at his throat, eyes wide with panic.

  "H-h... I c-can't..." His voice came out strangled, broken.

  "I... I can't breathe!"

  Panic surged through me.

  I turned back to Silver, my hands shaking.

  What the hell is this?! What is he doing?!

  Silver watched me with zy amusement, as if this was all some game.

  And then he whispered—

  "Now, Champ... let me show you what a real Alpha looks like."

  And just like that—

  I felt it.

  His aura.

  It crushed against me like a tidal wave, suffocating, paralyzing.

  My knees buckled, my breath caught in my throat.

  This... This isn't normal.

  His presence was consuming, suffocating, as if I was drowning under an unseen force.

  It was the same as...

  Deux.

  My stomach dropped.

  This... This is the true power of an Alpha.

  Jiggs was on the ground, convulsing.

  His nails cwed at his throat, struggling to breathe.

  "Jiggs—!" I reached for him, but my own body wouldn't move.

  Silver tilted his head. "Oh? Feeling weak?"

  My vision blurred.

  I could barely think.

  Move. MOVE, DAMN IT!

  Jiggs' gasps turned into choked whimpers.

  "Jiggs!" I shouted.

  Silver took slow, deliberate steps forward, his smile never fading.

  "You're mine, Champ," he said softly. "You've always been mine."

  A cold shudder ripped through me.

  This wasn't just power.

  This was domination.

  And if I didn't break free now, we were both going to die.

  End of Chapter 18