Alpha Maximus：The last lycan

　　Alpha Maximus

　　Struggling to sleep after losing my best friend, my sweet little Hope screams, dreaming of the explosion and Nathan dying. I wake her, and she bursts into tears.

　　‘Nathan didn't do anything wrong. He didn't deserve to die,’ she says.

　　I wish I could have prevented her from seeing it, from being there; Nathan's death, the explosion; all of it.

　　My mind replays the moment the white car’s window wound down, revealing a gun, pointed at the petrol tanker; knowing straight away, if a bullet hit the target, the whole place would explode. I prayed to the Moon Goddess we would outrun the explosion in time.

　　Wanting to forget it, I nuzzle my face into Hope's neck, while my tears drip down her neck. I listen to her heartbeat as she sleeps.

　　Waking up, Hope gently strokes my face on her lap, while we stare into each other's eyes; we have to keep moving.

　　We crawl out of the makeshift shelter.

　　‘Where are we?’ She asks.

　　‘I have no idea, but we have to keep moving,’ I answer.

　　Shifting into Chaos, I help Hope onto my back, and I run for hours. There’s a city in the distance with lots of tall buildings. When we get closer, I shift back into human form; shirtless. I might attract unwanted attention.

　　I watch Hope climb over a little picket fence and fall down, letting out a squeak. She gets up, dusts herself off and moves towards a clothesline.

　　She isn't very good at being quiet; she must trip on every stick and stone, and kick every item on the ground, making such a ruckus. She runs back into my arms waving a grey shirt at me.

　　‘Here you are,’ she says, catching her breath, and I have to laugh at her efforts.

　　‘What?’ She asks, and I smirk, and shake my head.

　　‘Don't worry,’ I say, pulling the shirt over my head. It’s very tight and Hope stifles a laugh.

　　‘Well, it's better than nothing,’ I say, shrugging my shoulders.

　　We walk down the road and pass a sign that says Welcome to Blissville.

and I look at each other, with our

of Blissville. Let’s go suss it out. I'll contact Beta Alex to organise

is one big city. We walk through the busy streets until we feel safe enough to relax for a while. I

He whispers.

me.

　‘Alpha... our pack house... we’ve been overtaken by numerous packs who all attacked us at once. They told us to join their packs or die. Half

say.

will be flat by the

　‘Can't Nathan pay?’ He asks and I go silent. ‘Alpha? Are you

here. Alex... Nathan is dead. One of the other packs blew a petrol station up while we were there. Hope and I only just got out in time.’

　　‘He can't be dead!

we were all like brothers.

Blissville. Sally. She is human though so she doesn't know about us. I’ll text you her address, call her and let her know to expect you. As soon as I have Bella safe, I’ll transfer money to Sally's

　　‘Can you and Bella get here to Blissville?’

a week to drive to Blissville. I don't want

Bella and anyone else with you to his pack. You will be safe there. And Alex, don't tell anyone where we are, okay?’

do what I can to get the rest of the pack safely to Alpha Dan,’ he replies, and the call

happened?’ Hope asks, worried, her hand on my arm.

　　‘We can't go home. It has been overtaken. Pack members have

　　Hope gasps and her hand

my fault! If we hadn't met, Nathan would still be

fault. This is Alpha Tate's doing! I would happily give up my alphahood if it means being with you,’ I

wiping tears from her

　　‘I'm sorry. You mean so much to me. I would

　　‘I'm sorry,’ she whispers, and I gently kiss her lips. The sparks flying

　　‘We need to find this address,’ I read her the text and she

sweetly, to a man walking past. ‘Can you please tell me where I can find this address?’ She

that way,’

you, sir,’

welcome,

growl, take her hand, and steer her away

　　‘You don't have to growl,’