The Alpha's Darkest Fate

The cold air from the cracked window whipped through her hair, but it wasn't enough to cool the unease building in her chest. The events from the gas station still lingered in her mind, the way that

id, breaking the silence that had stretc

set. "We didn't have a choice. People are desperate

nt glow, swallowed up by the darkness of the forest ahead. She wasn't sure which part of the night unnerved h

n?" Jillian asked, trying to keep her voic

ed out at the road ahead, lost in thought. "I hope so. But we need to ke

side had become a battleground, and every decision could mean life or death. They ha

me still standing tall, others reduced to rubble. The silence that enveloped the place was eerie, like it had

t was a small, nondescript building, but Jillian couldn't shake the feeling that something about it was different. They had seen

gine. He didn't need to say more. They both knew the rule

Every step felt like a drumbeat in the stillness, the sound echoing louder than it should have. The brok

here?" Jillian whisp

ind out," Tom repl

r surroundings for any sign of movement. The building loomed ahead, its broken windows like empty eyes staring out into t

ng in the air, mingling with the faint scent of something metallic, almost like rust. Jillian's breath caught in her thro

oice barely above a whisper. "Keep an ey

icking through what was left. Canned food, bottled water, medicine. It was a short list of priorities, and s

k of the store. He moved toward the counter, his hand hovering near the

ttles of water, tucking them into her bag. The store had been ransacked before, but it wasn't completely emptied. Th

he hea

ise coming from th

lt, fingers gripping the handle tightly. She didn't move, waiting, listening. The rustling

ered, her voice

mask of concentration, but Jillian saw the flicker

ck of the store, his steps quiet but purposeful. Jillian stayed put,

d around the handle of her knife. She couldn't see what Tom was doing, couldn't tell if he had found

ith sunken eyes and dirty, torn clothes. His face was covered in a grimy beard, his expressio

r of them moved. The air between them crackled with tension. She could feel her pulse rac

d, her voice shaky but ste

twisted, almost feral. "I'm the one who's been waiting," he said, his voice

he knife at his belt. He didn't speak, but his stance mad

irm, "We don't want trouble. We just nee

ng whether to strike. Jillian could feel the danger in the air. This wasn't just a survivor looking for fo

widened, revealing yellowed te

that could be traded for safety. She glanced at Tom, hoping he had a plan.

though Jillian could hear the underlying edge.

. "Leaving? Not so fast. I think you o

e was no room for negotiation now. "We're not look

the bat tightened. But just before he could m

e-had just broken t

all the opening they needed. Without thinking, Jillian lunged, her knife aimed d

man's hands and pinning him against the wall. "St

th shock, his breath ragged

said, pulling Ji

ran for the door, hearts pounding, knowing that the