A/N: I know it's late, uwu. I really despised writing this chapter. Usually, I enjoy writing Vince's pov, but writing action is hard. Plus writing Simon was difficult here too. XD I'm more looking forward to the next chapters, so hopefully, they make up for this one. Anyways let me know what you think, how to improve it, if you hate it, etc. Feel free to comment, vote, and follow. Love y'all.

Chapter 59

Song: The End by Klergy/Will You Fight by Klergy, BEGINNERS

Vince's POV

Run, Simon urged, desperation circling in his brown eyes. It was a look I had seen before, yet with more ferocity that sent a shiver down my spine.

His features hardened as the wolves stalked forward with a menacing growl. Even at his weakened state, my wolf pulled forward, letting out a warning growl of his own at them approaching our mate.

Run, Simon drew out this time, as he lowered his head. It was like a switch going off, my legs finally able to move now. I took a couple of steps back before I turned and ran in the opposite direction. Simon flanked my left side, keeping no more than a few feet away from me as I weaved through the trees, the sounds of the rogues still trailing behind us. My shoulder ached, but it appeared the adrenaline was keeping the pain at bay enough for me to run further.

How Simon had remained unscathed in a forest and overrun pack with feral rogues was a mystery, but one I was grateful for. Still, I didn't want him here; it was too dangerous. Especially with Michael around, I feared he'd use Simon against me. That, and there was a chance I wouldn't be able to help if we were outnumbered. Despite being able to shift, I could feel the strain, the way my wolf didn't settle comfortably in this form. I wasn't strong enough, wasn't even sure how long I could maintain this form for long. It had been so easy for my brother to pin me down, how could I manage to defend the both of us against a group of feral rogues?

I stumbled occasionally, my legs stiffened as each thunderous step sent a pang of electricity up my leg and settled around my shoulder.

The forest was fairly foreign, my knowledge of it only expanding to only the nearest surrounding lands just outside the border. Outrunning this many rogues including my brother was impossible, I only hoped Simon had a plan.

Go left, he nudged my right flank. He herded us toward the clearing up ahead, hugging the left side of the tree line.

We should head to the pack, I suggested. It's safer.

That's what they'll expect.

Then what? We can't outrun or fight them all. I chuffed as we headed toward the end of the clearing, brushing past some of the bushes as we weaved through a denser part of the forest. As I nearly tripped over fallen branches, we pushed on, a couple of stray branches scratched my sides. My shoulder was still burning, but we pushed on, Simon right on my heels.

Just keep running. I'll think of something.

As trees started to become more sparsely spaced out, I glanced backward, a couple of the rogues still tailing us. There was some considerable space between them and us, but it still stirred the need to protect him in my wolf. One stumble or fall and they could easily reach him.

You should head back to the pack, I told him. They're after me. I don't want you to get hurt, is what I wanted to add, but the sound of a wolf from our left got closer. I gritted my teeth, urging my wolf to run faster.

You can't fight them on your own. I'm not just going to- He nudged my side again. Quick, right!

Despite the strain on my shoulder, I jerked to the right, just as the wolf from the left lunged from the bushes. The sound of the jaws gnashing just a mere few feet from where I had been standing. In a blur, I turned to find Simon not at my side anymore. Frantic, I spotted him crouched low, his haunches raised as the fur on his back stood straight up. He had placed himself between me and the rogue, a warning growl emitted from his throat. The other wolves stalked towards us as well. They were feral, well way too gone, probably older judging by the dull and matted coat. Despite that, their menacing glare and intent to kill was not something to take lightly. If Simon thought he was capable enough to take care of them all at once, he'd have to be crazy.

I could feel my wolf pacing, raring to be released to attack them, but it was two versus three. We had to play this smart. One of the wolves lunged forward, but Simon snarled louder. I stalked forward letting out a growl as well.

I told you to keep running, he chided.

You can't fight them all on your own.

He snapped his head toward me for a second, before eyeing the rogues again. I've dealt with rogues before. I'm more capable than you think.

We held our ground, until finally one of the rogues lunged forward, and flashed their canines as they rushed towards Simon. Maybe it had been instincts, the bond, or my wolf, but I was quick to respond, I jumped in front to grab the assailant's neck, yanked them away from Simon's reach. The other wolves surged forward, one rushed towards Simon, while the other tackled me from behind. Still keeping a firm grip on the first wolf, I tried bucking the other wolf off my back as their teeth reached for the back of my neck. As I squeezed the first rogue's neck tighter until I could feel blood pooling in my mouth, their thrashing slowly subsiding. I flung the wolf to the side as I tried to get a visual on Simon.

Still, with the other wolf attached to my neck, I spotted Simon, surprisingly holding his own. The wolf that had lunged him was injured, a nasty wound on their side, their right ear bloody. They were dancing around each other, growling at each other as Simon remained practically unscathed. I kept bucking the other wolf off me until finally I preened my head to the side and managed to grip their shoulder. Clenching down, their hold on my neck loosened as a loud yelp escaped them. After I adjusted my stance and put less pressure on my injured leg I released my hold and gripped their neck, and incapacitated the wolf just like I had the first.

By the time I got the horrid iron taste out of my mouth and turned to check on Simon, he had already incapacitated the one that had rushed him.

He seemed to be in a trance as he stared at the rogues, his ears still held back. You alright? W-was that your first time... 

Killing a rogue, I nearly said.

It was like a switch gone off as he turned towards me. We need to go. There will be more.

I blinked, unsure if he really was okay. He stalked towards me, nudging my side again. He continued, there's a river nearby. If we follow it, there's a cave that should provide us enough shelter until we can get the betas organized.

I hummed in agreement as we picked up a pace again. We ran towards a more sloped part of the forest, where the ground was a bit more uneven, but with fewer bushes. With the river in sight, we slowed down our pace. The foliage was sparse here, which meant we had to be careful about being spotted.

That wasn't my first time, he finally answered as we broke past the tree line, staring straight ahead as if still in a trance. Hurting a wolf like that.

I came to a stop to look at him, as he weaved through the trees down the slope. His life as a rogue was still but a mystery to me; it hadn't dawned on me that that was even a possibility. For rogues, things like this were normal: fighting for survival, no land to call your own, the potential for death at every turn. What else had he done to just survive?

As we approached the river banks, I struggled to remain standing. My legs were burning from all the running, but it seemed we had lost most of the wolves. Simon glanced around, seemingly fine from all the running, as he checked the tree lines before looking up at me.

You think we lost them? I asked.

It's only a matter of time before they find us, the snow isn't strong enough to hide our scents.

So what? We can't keep running forever.

Simon looked towards the river pensively, until he snapped his head towards me, his eyes seemed to glisten even despite the darkening snow clouds that loomed over us. The snow can't hide our scents, he stated brightly again, but whatever revelation he had, flew over my head.

What?

They're after your scent, he said as if I would understand. He sighed. You said you trusted me, right?

Yes.

He exposed his canines before he warned, sorry about this, it'll heal soon.

Wha- Simon leaned forward his teeth latching onto my already wounded shoulder. I could feel his teeth puncture the already bruised and damaged skin as it drew blood, and an unwarranted whine left the back of my throat. He let go before leaning his body into me, his head nuzzling into my shoulder and neck. Now hurting worse, I wondered what one earth he could possibly be doing. What the hell are you doing?

He didn't respond right away, instead, pressed his whole body weight into my side. It should heal soon. They'll be hunting for your scent.

Simon-

This way, your scent will be muted. I'll deter them away. Sorry about this as well. He huffed before suddenly throwing his entire weight toward me. I lost my balance immediately, stumbling back towards the river, my hind leg slipping on the sheer ice that had crept up the river banks. And just like that, the rest of my body followed until all I could see was the bubbles that escaped my muzzle and nose.

Despite how shallow the river was, being submerged in icy waters no matter how thick our coats were, was flipping cold. It seeped through the outer coat and meandered its way through the inner coat before the cold completely seeped through my skin and bones. Disoriented, I struggled to breach the surface, the sudden temperature drop making it hard to focus. It felt like a minute or two, until I finally got my head above water, finding the river bottom to ground myself.

As I looked back to where he had pushed me, Simon wasn't there. I turned and thrashed in the water as I swam to the banks. Shaking off the excess water I spotted him closer to the tree line. Something was different though, the stern gleam in his eye left a cold pit in the stomach. Something was wrong, why was he so far away?

Simon? He didn't move, and I wasn't sure if it had been the dip in the river or the nerves making me shiver this badly.

Simon! But he continued to step backward, the blood from my wounds matting his tawny outer coat. There was an eerie sense of calm plastered on his face, and that only made my nerves go haywire. Tell me what's going on. What are you doing?

There's a cave, he said calmly, like we hadn't been running for our lives a moment ago. Follow the river, near the lake. There's a cave. About a quarter up the mountain cliffs. It's hidden and out of the main paths from where rogues roam.

What are you talking about? Why-

They're after your blood, he stated, glancing over his shoulder where the blood had gotten on him. I know these woods like the back of my hand. I'll deter them away from the lake and mountainside. It's safer there. If I find some betas along the way, I'll send them there if necessary.

You're insane. You can't face them all. Come with me, I wanted to plead.

He chuffed, before glancing towards the forest. I'm sure the betas and other members are helping to fight. Besides, I know a lot of these rogues, Vince. They don't scare me.

Simon.

Go, he pressed. I'll meet you there.

---

I don't know why I had listened. I had wanted to chase after him. My wolf had been growling at me for the past twenty minutes since I heeded his advice and followed the tree line that ran the banks of the river. Simon must've been right because I had only encountered one rogue so far. I hadn't even come across any other wolf's scent, but I had continued to run along the treeline, afraid that a rogue would pick up on whatever trail I still had.

Even as I faced the mountain, it was eerily quiet. I remained alert, wondering if this trek really had been that easy. But if it had been that easy for me, I feared Simon hadn't been so lucky. I only hoped Xavier, Lucas, or the other betas had been nearby.

Still, I headed up the mountain, as I neared what looked to be the cave Simon had described.

There was an unsettling air in the cave. It was larger than I had anticipated. Pockets of water near the back, with a couple of caverns that seemed to span at least twenty feet deep. Water dripped from the ceiling in a steady pattern, the echoes of its landing reverberated throughout the walls. Perhaps Simon was right that not many rogues knew of the caves on the mountain, nor had they ever ventured up the steep cliffs.

But before I could relax, a presence from behind made all the hairs on my back stand straight up. As the wolf's scent permeated the air, and a wave of recognition hit me, my wolf and I were on high alert.

Michael, I snarled, whipping around to face him. He chuffed as he stalked forward, his head held high as his golden eyes shone like beacons in the darkness of the cave.

Hello, brother.

Why? Why was he here? No, Simon was supposed to be here. Where was he? Was he hurt?

Where is he? I growled, resisting the urge to back away from him.

He tilted his head to the side before smirking. Simon is pretty clever for trying to bait my wolves away from you, but not smart enough. How adorable, he thinks he can handle all of them on his own. Too bad my rogues don't care who lives or dies, so long as it ends with your death. He forgets I know these woods too, there's not an inch of this forest that I haven't seen.

No, that couldn't be true. He was okay, I told myself, for it had to be true. Hoping the mind link could reach him, I called out to him. Simon?

It's over, Vince. Face it. You've failed him, just like you've failed yourself.

No, he had to be lying. Simon? Simon! Where are you? I was frantic. Had he been overrun with rogues? Where had the betas gone, or even the deltas? Oh, goddess, where was he? Had I really failed him?

Simon, please answer. I didn't want to give up, didn't want for us to get this far for it to end like this. Simon, please tell me you're okay.

Before me, Michael snarled and flashed his canines as he took steady steps towards me. The sheer scale of authority he displayed making it hard not to cower against the cave walls. This was more than just his casual taunts or shows of grandeur. He was out for blood, mine specifically.

My wolf paced around, agitated at the same predicament. There was no chance in hell I could beat Michael on my own. Between the wounded shoulder and my already compromised wolf, would I even be able to land a significant wound on him?

I chanted Simon's name over and over through the link, praying to the goddess that I once had scorned, to reach him, in hopes that he could hear me, in hopes that he was okay. Even if this would ultimately be one of my last moments, I pleaded that he could hear me. That he would know that my last thoughts were of him.

I shut my eyes, my wolf urging me to move out of Michael's path in some last-ditch of self-preservation.

As if the goddess heard me, in the faintest of voices, Simon had responded.

Stay still.