Stronger than Truth

by Dakila Reed

“At exactly forty-five minutes after when the guards are more lax, everyone who’s gotten my message will shift and run to different directions before moving west again. And at that point…” Liam trailed off, letting the profound silence scream the next thoughts.

  At that point, Wayne knew was the moment they’d go to their separate ways. That everything about Liam and Laurent— and for the rest who would be going along with this plan— would be all under heaven’s fickle mercy. Running separately meant running alone. Open to gunshots. And most frighteningly, one they couldn’t avoid; a tick on any alpha’s hunting, dominating nature. The simplest, most effective way of escape was also undeniably the deadliest. Run for their lives. Run until they meet the borders of Sierra Fonte. Wayne truly wanted for this to work. But he knew that for any reckless and desperate battles or escape like this, casualties were almost a definite consequence.

  “Liam, I’m done…”

  At the same time Laurent opened the door, the call for The Prey Ground’s omegas crackled into the speakers.

  Both adults looked at Laurent. The kid smiled up to Wayne familiarly and headed to hold his father’s hand tightly. “That’s the signal for the game’s start right?” Laurent asked with wide eyes.

  “Yes, it’s starting,” Liam answered as he tucked his son closer to his side.

  Wayne knew very well that this was also the signal for the arrival of The Prey Ground’s sponsors. The big wigs making it possible for Sierra Via to dodge AD efforts with a great leap. Not only was the AD Commissioner on Energy a fucking pervert, he had other friends, people, shifters with positions inside AD. Their organization was infested with parasites so it seemed and he sure didn’t want to bring down Commissioner Stephan alone. He wanted all their faces captured. He wanted their lives to be sealed by the AD Hounds and be shipped to the torture purgatory on earth. He wanted to make them pay for all the lying shit faced briefings, lectures, and countless drives for equality and safe world for omegas they joined themselves in. Deceiving evils deserved the same kind of treatment as far as Wayne was concerned.

  He watched Liam give Laurent’s scarf a final tug and a smile of assurance. Wayne truly wished he could come with them. Protect them from the start of this run. Shield them from the evil hunters locking and using them here in The Prey Ground. But the timing was all fucking wrong. Like a freaking joke from someone who couldn’t get enough of taunting Wayne. He wanted to be there with them. Yet, as what Liam angrily pointed out, they both have purposes to fill. Aims to accomplish. Roles to play. It was only the determined look in Liam’s eyes that night that now made Wayne grit his teeth, stopping him from uttering something foolish.

  For the first time, Wayne wanted to ditch his mission.

  Liam looked at Wayne for long. He inclined his head slightly to the side. A habit of the man when thinking. “Well I hope you learn more of the AD leeches in the assembly... good luck. We might not—”

  The room stood still. Time halting. Breaths catching. Wayne had reached out before massive thinking got the better of him. He grazed his calloused finger tips against Liam’s smooth cheek. Brushed the pad of his thumb to Liam’s lips. It felt warm and soft and delicate. So much in contradiction to the usual acidic things spouting off of them. Wayne found himself smiling despite it not being the time to. But he couldn’t help himself. Liam was so… close. He’d hated the man yet was fascinated by him. And now he freaking cared. Wayne brought his gaze further up, meeting Liam’s amber orbs. The look in Liam’s eyes was something Wayne would never forget. It was the second closest they’d been after all these days, the most intimate. The strongest connection there was sizzling at their very skins, glinting in their very eyes. Gratefulness, camaraderie, and most of all… pain. They both had the same question in their minds.

  Is this the last? Wayne knew inside himself that couldn’t be. He wanted to know more. Explore more. Get closer and more familiar with the beautiful puzzle that was Liam. He didn’t know what it was; he didn’t care what it was. It just couldn’t be the last.

  “Liam, I’ll find you.”

  * * * *

  Moving forward had never been so difficult. But Wayne kept on walking, head held high like every asshole loitering around the guards’ quarters. Most men were sitting in groups, talking about some big bonus coming their way. Wayne glanced over his wrist watch. Ten minutes had passed.

  He went to his locker, pretended to sort out something chaotic inside, his ears training to every voices that went and bounced against the stone walls.

  “Hey Ford,” a gruff voice called.

  Wayne turned to look at the locker four rows ahead of him. He could well remember this man as Cris. The man’s post was always around the VIP assembly halls. Wayne roughly slammed his locker door shut just like everybody else did. As if moving roughly—loudly— was another symbol of their superior stature.

  “Cris,” Wayne threw back lazily. “Looking dapper today huh?”

  “Fuck off,” the man said in a jovial voice. The man could yap all day long that he hated wearing restricting suits but he was obviously liking the silver grey ensemble fitting his muscular body. “Need to dress up. VVIPs are already filling in the hall.”

  “I see.”

  Cris tossed something into his locker and slammed it shut. “Finally getting a rest from guarding that pompous princess?”

  Wayne didn’t respond. It was another one from the group of men at the corner who cut in. “Damn… what’s an hour rest from guarding all those bitches? The novelty of wanting to fuck all those female omegas dies down after seeing them naked and inhaling them the entire day. Ford here though…”

  The men, most of whom were currently topless and swinging some energy drink snorted.

  Wayne plastered a haughty grin as he fit himself in a clean black shirt. “Can’t touch the All Mighty, can I?”

  Cris laughed. “Well, I would surely tag along if that day comes.”

  “Yeah. We’ll all tag along. Riding and pounding something that feisty would be fun.”

  Wayne nodded, his smile almost slipping off his face. His knuckles were itching so badly. He wanted to bash all their heads against their goddamn lockers. Make them swallow their drinks with the whole can. But instead, he balled his fists and turned back at Cris who was getting ready to leave.

  “Can I tag along?” he asked casually.

  “Huh?”

  “Come on,” Wayne urged, kissing this Cris’ ass he was internally gagging. “Your post is always around VIPs. Since I’ve got a break from the almighty manager, can I at least see where all the hot shots are assigned?”

  Cris started walking, his brows in a calculating arch. “You want to change posts? Many would kill for who you’re guarding at the moment.”

  The two men stepped into a narrower hallway. The lighting fixtures threw in golden hints over the polished stone floors. Their steps echoing in a rhythmic manner. At a dead end, they met a floor to ceiling window, thick tapestry shutting off the rare morning light.

  In the dimness, the gap between the heavy curtains gave the illusion of a vertical white line. Closer, Wayne caught sight of the ground below. Almost endless snow covered landscape and at a little distance, approximately one hundred and thirty omegas— one hundred twenty eight of them females, twenty of them no more than thirteen years old— were ushered in a low fenced area. Beings treated no more than different from cattle. The sight as much as was breaking, was angering Wayne. He grabbed the curtains and closed them tight.

  “Well,” he began as they turned to a left wing of the gargantuan structure. “I don’t dream of guarding the bitch forever,” he spat like being assigned to Liam was the most disgusting thing. It wasn’t.

  The other man grinned lopsidedly. He patted Wayne strongly on the shoulder. “Oh… So here’s a man who once in a while doesn’t think with his dick. I like that. Well come on, the assembly is soon starting. You can look shortly but you gotta make yourself scarce fast. That okay?”

  Wayne snorted. �
��Sure. All I need is a glimpse anyway.”

  * * * *

  It was easiest to blend in once he got past the number of guards spread outside the assembly hall. Like most of the spaces in The Prey Ground, the VVIPs section was lathered with warm golden lights. Rich red carpets silenced their movements. Everyone talking in hushed voices. The only brightly lit space in the hall was at the center. A little elevated area serving as the speaker’s stage.

  Wayne stood at a corner, dimness obscuring what would be an intricately carved column. The guards, and visibly Cris, have taken their positions within the hall. At each table there was a guard standing all tall and in command. Wayne narrowed his eyes, plastering his back as far as he could behind him, meanwhile pulling the pendant from the very long and loose leather necklace around his neck. He lifted it with his left hand in level of his mouth. He fucking didn’t give a damn whether the scene being captured by his micro recorder— attached to the round pendant— was leaning to one side. He just wanted to get this over with.

  Wayne held his breath. The already dim hall grew even darker. It forced all eyes to focus at the center where a man of short stature stood. The man’s narrow face and the man’s soulless eyes scanned the crowd hidden in the darkness. Once satisfied with the superficial pause for suspense, he tugged a few papers ready for him and with no further plays, started why all these beasts were present.

  His ears were ringing. His chest tight with disgust and anger. Names. There were tens of names in there he was very familiar with.

  “And of course, our generous friend Commissioner Stephan has once again proven his stance about a world where we Alphas should rule. A couple of weeks ago he warned us about the barring of meat into the district.” A wave of murmurs filled the hall. “Thanks to him, we managed to stock up until the ban was again lifted. We are all very convinced that nothing would get to Sierra Via as long as powerful men like our friend exist in our district.” The man nodded around the audience in the dark. “But that is just the side dish for our celebration. Thanks to Commissioner Stephan, the construction of Sierra Via’s own power plant is soon to reach its completion. Very soon we won’t rely to the outside sources and no one would be able to threaten us with their stupid declarations. Sierra Via’s complete independence is soon to be realized.”

  Bile rising from his throat, Wayne closed his eyes briefly. He was aware of his arms already shaking. But it wasn’t from tiredness or his muscles aching. He was shaking with fury. The bastard who was always active in press conferences was there currently being showered by that disgusting light, the man being the other focus inside the hall. Chorus of cheers and applauds filled the air until it vanished again and the occasional laughter only lingered.

  “As a way of appreciation, we have asked our Commissioner here to bring a couple of his closest friends from AD no less and shower them with the generosity we all do here in The Prey Ground.”

  The focused light expanded, highlighting an entire table of smug, grinning, disgusting faces. Wayne sucked in a breath. He could almost hear the micro recorder’s silent capture behind its lenses. An officer from AD Public Relations, a man from AD Budget and Finance. And a few more with position inside AD. Wayne was reeling. He was near puking right where he stood.

  Once the hall had returned to its deafening silence, Commissioner Stephan motioned for a microphone. It was Cris himself who handed the object.

  After clearing his throat a few times, the Commissioner started. “I believe that my purchase is ready for pick up?”

  The speaker smiled. “Why of course. The only other male omega here is about turning six years old in three months. Great for shaping him to however you please.”

  Wayne swallowed a huge lump in his throat. Goddamn motherfuckers.

  “At the moment, all our items are outside for that ray of little sunshine.” The speaker paused and the crowd laughed. “In a few more minutes our dear guests can scan the roster and have a fun time.”

  Commissioner Asshole wasn’t over. “I’ve shared with my friends here how pleasurable my time had been with Liam. Is the manager available?”

  “Oh he is,” the speaker laughed. “He’s still our top selling meat in The Prey Ground after all.” Lowering and narrowing his eyes, the speaker continued, “His price is non-negotiable though I’m afraid.”

  “That’s not an issue.”

  “Very well gentlemen,” the speaker beamed. “Enjoy the wine for I am sure you’d be busy later dining to bother about your bottles.”

  That was when it happened. An earth shattering scream that even the padded walls of the assembly hall failed to mute. A series of gun fires shattered the curious silence. In the next second every single of the goddamn assholes present scattered about. The VVIPs had their guards circling around them. Some human bidders ducked underneath their table. All class leaving they took even the expensive mantle under, spilling wines and delicate china wares on the floor.

  Wayne knelt on one knee, his heart ramming against his ribs. The thick double doors opened and one alpha was shouting chaos on the field. Omegas escaping. Shifting, fleeing.

  Slowly moving away from his corner, something made Wayne halt. Into the mess of voices, he heard it very clearly.

  “Calmly usher the Supreme Alpha of—”

  The rest had been drowned by another round of gunshots.

  Wayne froze in place, his mind going numb. A supreme alpha of a possible member of the Allied Districts? What in the fucking hell was going on? Wayne hurriedly tapped his micro recorder, set to knowing, to nailing a man who should have no business here other than to ensure the freedom and equality of all beings living within his district’s territory.

  He brought one foot forward, dragging the next cautiously. He needed to know who the bastard was. But something hard, unrelenting and strong clamped down on Wayne’s left shoulder. Stiff, Wayne weighed his options. He couldn’t blow his cover just yet.

  The clamping on his shoulder grew tighter, the air behind him full of impatience. A deep voice hissed behind his ear. “Liam can’t shift.”

  Wayne moved to turn but the man behind him refused to budge. In the darkness Wayne could only tell the man was wearing the same fatigues as he was. The man’s scent oddly familiar but tamped down. “Did you hear me? Liam can’t shift. He won’t shift for Laurent. The kid’s got a phobia from wolves tearing his father dead apart.”

  It shouldn’t have, but it took Wayne a couple of agonizing seconds to process those words.

  “Leave the Supreme Alpha. He’s not your mission.”

  Those words didn’t even reach Wayne. He was already on his feet. Fuck hiding he jumped on still upright tables, leaving them broken and toppled in his wake. He was no longer aware of what he was doing. Guards tried to catch him. He even saw the surprise on Cris’ face. He dodged a dining knife aimed his way, barely missing his head and grazing his left ear. He crashed to the floor. Springing back to his feet, he dived for the closest window and plunged down to the war zone.

  * * * *

  Wayne staggered. His vision was pounding gray. His gums were itching, the hair on his back rising. He crawled his way through the freezing artificial bushes surrounding the walls. That sweet and rusty scent spreading wide like an invisible heavy cloak.

  His heart was hammering five miles a minute. Why didn’t he tell me that? Why didn’t he say something so important? His mind screamed. This whole plan relies on everyone’s ability to run in their wolf form. Why the fucking hell didn’t he tell me?!

  His hand plunged in a puddle of blood. He focused his gaze and felt himself groan in pain.

  A few feet away from the puddle, behind the bushes where Wayne was hiding, was a familiar omega laying with her chest gaping open, weeping red. She was staring at the remnants of sunlight that would soon vanish. Her smile was triumphant.

  “Lisa…?” Wayne murmured, not knowing how to close the glaring wound obviously from strong, sharp claws. “Lisa?”

  The woman just smiled co
ntentedly at the sky. Wayne gritted his teeth as he held on to the woman’s rough hand. She was not included in The Prey Ground’s roster. Lisa was fifty years old. She spent all her days sweeping and cleaning the floors.

  “I didn’t run, a lot of us didn’t run. We agreed,” Lisa whispered, pride in her voice. “I’m glad to help the younger ones escape. It’s a nice day.”

  Wayne lifted his gaze. The pristine snow was covered in blood. The guards were scattered, shooting, killing. There at the gates, the cleaning and the older generations of female omegas stood their ground. Fighting back, snarling back. They were giving those still running precious seconds. But they all one by one fell.

  No Lisa it’s not a nice day. He wanted to say but held his tongue back.

  “It’s nice,” the woman whispered before her gaze glazed, her chest never rising for another breath.

  For a brief lapse of time, Wayne just sat there. Gun fires were so far away. Screams and cries muted. What remained of the little light slowly dissipated. The last rays closed, everything was veiled in that darkness where only Wayne’s anger burned bright.

  He left Lisa and walked into the open space. The rest was to be his bloodiest history.

  * * * *

  He waited for anyone to attack him. A huge dirty white wolf came charging to his direction. It jumped. Wayne slid using the frozen snow underneath the soles of his boots and fired on to its chest from under. Blood showered and spurted all over him. And it was loud and grim enough to let everyone know he wasn’t one of them.

  Like disgusting roaches, they came around Wayne. Men at gunpoint, wolves and their angry bloody fangs. It had been a while since Wayne had felt this one with his weapons. An extension of his limbs. An expression of his anger. He shot at them one by one at different directions. His body by instinct barely dodged bullets. Those too close enough to hit with the gun, he kicked. He head butted. He’d started drilling a hole where he stood. His weight pushed into the snow as he tried to withstand the seemingly endless attackers.