Raya slung her arm around. "One more day to kick ass and prove we were born for this!" Did you have a choice dep la or were you forced into this like me?

"Hey Princess Undercut, are you okay?"

"What?"

"You zoned out again."

"Sorry." I'm always worried. "Just a little tired and making sure Akio isn't here." Terrible excuse.

"That binturi isn't around don't worry! Oh Ba is looking for me catch you later."

See ya dep la.

General Atitaya quickly showed up. "Hey Chief Virana needs to speak with you." Oh shit she used chief.

I nodded hoping it wasn't anything dreadful. The general led me to a private room head hanging low. "Whatever happens kid, I'm proud of you. Your ibu would be proud too." You didn't mention the chief. She's either angry at me or the Fang elders.

Chief Virana solemnly hung up the phone. "Sit." One worded answers. It can't be because of Geo. We have one day left of training, it's not like we can get expelled at this point.

"Defectors." NO. T-they can't be alive!

"How?"

"We never caught them all." The Fang leader threw down a file. "Apparently they went into hiding shortly after that bombing. I was a fool to have believed Benja caught them all." Do they want revenge on him Raya or us?

"Chi-"

"The Fang elders believe it is time you prove your worth." I have been training for this.

"I'm ready."

"No you are not!"

My mentor tried calming tone. "Chief Virana it's best-."

The beta slammed her hand down. "DO NOT TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!" She took a deep breathe rubbing her temple. What can I say to help?

"Mother." I leaned in holding her hand. "I'll be alright. Allow me or General Atitaya to lead this mission prove we are ready. Prove I'm not Fang fi-"

"No my love." She stood up walking over and bending down. "Stop thinking that. I shouldn't be taking my frustration out on you." A soft hand tried fixing my neat hair. "I'll always worry until you return safely." Will you tell me the truth?

"Why now?"

"Once the other chiefs heard you were joining the marines, they're taking advantage. It doesn't help Princess Raya has joined." Dammit dep la.

"On top of being Fang filth, they want to either kill me, Raya and maybe you with more risks and more vulnerabilities to hide our deaths."

"Unfortunately Morning Mist. One last thing. The elders have requested you and Princess Raya finish the training today and tomorrow your first trial will be tracking down the defectors. Do not kill them all." No promises when push comes to shove hesitation only hastens death.

"Raya must know excuse me Mother."

The chief didn't let me leave. She pulled me into a hug softly rubbing tight shoulders. "Do not burden yourself. Take care of each other." I'll try.

"Why are we chasing after this group?"

"The short uncomplicated answer, they want my mother and I dead." Fuck.

"What the hell?!"

"This group overthrew my grandfather my mother was pregnant at the time. They hid out in Heart while this Xavier ruled for a short time. I don't know who this group will replace Chief Virana with." Small growl bounced between us. It'll be alright.

Something cracked and everything quickly blurred. "RAYA LOOK OUT!" "NAMAARI!" The shorter alpha yelled, "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!" Oh great how much did she hear?!

Dammit I think my ankle is sprained! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! That hot twisting pain isn't going away.

"General…. I fell in a hole." Dammit!

"Sit tight. Tala and I are on our way. Raya look for branches to start a makeshift ladder." Not yet.

I grunted out. "Head north." They can't know I'm in pain. Have to calm down. "This isn't a hole it's a tunnel. Terrible lighting, beams, ladders, everything right here. I'll follow this path the rest of you rendezvous towards the end."

"That's a terrible idea!" Raya screeched out. "If you don't take the ladder, I'm climbing down and carrying you on my back!"

The general calmly interrupted. "We can't let our emotions cloud our judgement. Namaari go down the tunnel. Raya send a flare then study any shifts on the soil. We will get to your position then shortly follow."

"But."

"That's an order!" Don't mess with her dep la she's pissed.

"Fine." Raya poked in the hole. "Be careful please."

I half smiled. "Don't worry. You're the one who needs to be careful out there."

"Shut up binturi." Raya sent out the flare and headed out.

I applied pressure on the sensitive limb. It's not sprained just shocked but walking on it will help.

Rifle check. Night vision googles are damaged. Using a flashlight would risk my position but without it's still unsafe. Wait the heart monitor should work. The signal is me. This should be paired nicely with the flashlight.

Every other light was working well going down the tunnel. It's pretty recent.

"Namaari what's your position?" No one is around.

"General I'm coming up to door on the tunnel."

"We found crude lighting back around our area. We'll begin sweeping from the top making our way down. Until then recon only!" Not going to happen.

"If there is a threat, I won't be playing with my thumbs."

"Princess Namaari."

"Would you care to explain to my mother."

The general groaned, "be careful smart ass." Always am.

This facility is also relatively new, not even the door creaked opened. A lone heartbeat was picked up. Good. I slowly walked in scanning the area. Clearly all the intel is here. Schematics, building layouts, time schedules. None of these genius idiots decided to code the data, great for us bad for them.

Another look at the monitor and nothing. It's safe to pull out the phone and capture the evidence.

One photo with a black mask and a question mark. Are they a separate enemy?

A sharp pain exploded in the back of my head. I fell forward the gun and flashlight sliding away. Great now the heart tracer is rapidly beeping.

My limbs were quickly filled lead. Rough hands dragged me against the wall. What is the training for a searing pain and ringing ears?!

He tried pushing the knife closer. "You and Virana are the most stubborn people to kill!"

I grunted trying to look for an opening. That blade was inching way too close.

"Fang Filth!"

"F-Fuck you!"

He manically laughed. "What does that little Heart binturi see in you?"

I swept his legs. "Keep her name out of your mouth!" I went for a clean jab just to only punch the floor.

"She's too special for you Princess!"

I tried kicking him. "Shut up!" But he ducked too quickly.

"What does she see in you!"

I barely nipped his lip. "Get out of my head!"

He caught my wrist twisting it behind me. His beard tickled my ear. "Fang Filth. Runt. Freeloader!"

"Argh!"

He pulled my wrist up shoulder popping. "Wait the answer is quite simple. The mighty alpha tamed the omega binturi!"

I shoved us against the nearest wall he dropped my hand. A flurry of punches attacked his mouth nose cheeks. "I've always treated Raya with respect." Blood splattered against the floor. "We are equals!" A tooth fell out. "I've always loved her!" The last punched cracked his nose. He slid down the wall barely able to breathe. He looked up. "You.." He coughed out a thick blob. "Will be the end… f-for Raya." Everything became a dark red. I kicked in his head. Bones crunched against the combat boot, Blood dripped down the sole, the wall was dotted with bloody droplets. He's dead. Now is he the last defector? Shit.

No one else came in the hideout. I struggled looking at the intel.

"Cold veins!"

"Sharp fangs!" Fuck that hurt my head.

Raya practically collided into me. "They have cameras everywhere. Are you alright?!" Don't worry about me.

"I'm fine." I could almost suffocate her. "He snuck up on me. Are you alright?" I hope you didn't hear anything.

"Now I'm better. They don't have audio. We found a jack pot. Better call Sisu." And Mother.

With the intel gathered, the elders were still unpleased. They eyed me in disbelief we were able to find this.

Our lead elder finally spoke. "Causalities?"

"None, sir."

"Were you injured?"

"Nothing doctors can't heal."

"Princess Raya?"

"Alive, well and awaiting for the next mission."

The second in command finally spoke. "This was a test to see how well you would survive the military. Clearly you have inherited some of Gia's traits." Do not speak her!

Mother stepped forward. "What are you proposing?" Dammit this wasn't a debrief!

"Princess Namaari will be required to complete three years of active duty, three years of shadowing General Atitaya and one year training the cadets." That's not horrible.

"How do you expect Princess Namaari to balance her duties to Fang?" Mother don't.

The second in command smirked, "This is to put a strain on her relationship with Princess Raya. It is time Fang has become independent. This alliance with Heart is nothing more than a social calling between you and Chief Benja. Honestly is Namaari's relationship a cover for your affairs Virana?" How dare you!?

Mother barely pushed me back. "Nothing I do will ever appease you but do not taint my reputation with Chief Benja. He has helped us when we needed it."

"We will easily dethrone you."

"Our people will not be pleased. Reduce Namaari's military service do not threaten the only alliance we have, or we will easily step down as current chief and princess. Good luck handling the anarchy."

The elders whispered among themselves. Checkmate.

The leader spoke again. "Fine. We agree to these terms. You must secure more alliances. Fang's reputation cannot be tarnished by leeching off of Heart's generosity." We never have!

I growled ready to speak.

"Why do you think Namaari joined the marines." She squeezed my shoulder. "Princess Namaari will be in the military for three years and after that shadow General Atitaya. Oh while you are at it, you will give the general a pay raise as well." Mother!

"Fine. Dismissed."

"Mother how did you learn to do that?"

"Oh Morning Mist you have a lot to learn. Chief Benja and Princess Raya have been fun watching and learning from." That's why I love her.

"Remember my little morning mist keep Fang's problems out of the bedroom." I try. It's hard to think I won't ever be good enough for her.

"Mother!"

"Please the two of have been at each other since high school. Do not fool me little alpha."

I grumbled, "I'm not small."

"You'll always be my little morning mist."