Chapter 2

I rushed barged into Equinox's chamber, adrenaline still coursing through my veins, my rings still pulsating slightly, and Equinox seemed to be wrapping up a conversation with a dark pink / black Vultrix. Rinn and Ebony walked in behind me. "Ah, Fluxx! Good you came! Claire had an idea to-" He stopped midsentence when he realized I was seething from anger.

"What happened?" He asked as he noticed I walked in with Rinn and Ebony as well. Claire looked a little alarmed and stood closer to Equinox.

"Groups of Protogen were waiting to assault Pyra and Amora as they left the station. I put a stop to that", I growled under my breath in frustration.

"Same problems? Eerie red eyes, glitchy behavior", he asked.

"Yes, not even 15 minutes ago", I replied.

"Good that will help Claire out, being fresh and all", Equinox stated with a bittersweet tone.

Curiosity was the only thing that did not just set me over the edge at such a comment, "By that you mean?"

"I might be able to commune with them in the afterlife", Claire spoke up.

I took a deep breath. "Fluxx, are you ok?" Equinox asked.

Rinn approached from the side, "Everything is ok now."

"I took on five of them and had to scramble the surrounding human's short-term memory", I replied. "What has me worked up is that a Bengal officer knew enough about us to have the station turn against me. Equinox, I am being labeled as an alpha", I let that sink in. The last time there was human conflict between an alpha, Flint to be exact, resulted in a series of tragic battles that left memories scarred.

The gravity of the statement was apparent on Equinox's face, "Fluxx, that is bad news. That only means they are going to treat you as they did Flint. By staying aligned with Pyra, you will be drawing wrath from them that only an alpha can handle."

The room fell silent, "I am going to my room, Equinox. I will let you know the minute that I have an answer to the Protogen problem." Equinox nodded to Claire's statement and she quickly left the chamber.

"Maybe you should back down and let one of us handle this for the time being", Equinox started.

A strong sense welled up inside of me, one that I never felt before...Jealousy? I asked myself but the answer was not as clear. "I can handle this", I replied firmly. "The humans should not remember anything that happened and I knocked out power to the entire block to kill surveillance", I added.

A strange look came over Equinox's face and he leaned towards me, face to face. Rinn and Ebony backed up a few, not much, but enough to be noticed. I didn't flinch. "If I am going to have to fight for her within this realm as well, I will", I stated defiantly.

Equinox fell back and sat with a laugh, "I presume you would! You are living up to everything I hoped you would be."

The comment seemed a bit odd, even from one who had mentored me through my training, "Sir?"

"I need to speak with you about something soon Fluxx. It is almost time", he stated.

I stared back confused. "Alright?" It was more of a statement that a question, but I had no idea how to respond.

"Please go see Allie. She is staying in the outer limits, you can't miss her. I need you to get her to meet up with Claire. Their talents combined might crack this case faster. We need to know what is going on...and quickly.

I nodded and turned towards my friends, "Rinn, Ebony, I know you want to stick with me, but could you both do me a huge favor?" Us three walked out of Equinox's chamber and into the main hallway where a few other unfamiliar Vultrixes were waiting to enter. "Remember Reev? I need you to go get him. Claire might be in need for more assistance than what we can offer. His talents would be useful here. Plus…" I hesitated for a second, "I might need him to ghost a protogen or two."

I could see it in Ebony's eyes a mistake was made. "Really? Would you not have us help any more than just errand girls? That is what I assume this is about", the area around her grew frigid.

"Well, Reev is literally able to ghost and be unseen. Even more than Fluxx as a spark", Rinn stated in my defense, though I could see she was equally irritated.

"Ebony, this is nothing to do with that. If it came down to a brawl, you know for a fact that I would never count you or Rinn out. I still remember what you did to that Yeti." I answered.

She chuckled and the area returned to normal temperatures. "You should have seen that things face", she stated in between laughs.

"Reev is pretty busy most of the time, taking care of his own bonded, what should I tell him?" Rinn asked.

"Just tell him that he owes me for getting his ass cleared from Flint", I reminded her.

"Oh yea, he kind of went out of his way a bit much for his bonded", Rinn replied.

"No more than you have", Ebony pointed out to me.

I winced, already knowing where she was going with this, "I don't know why Equinox let all of this slide. You heard him, we need to talk soon, and that it is almost time. What do you think it may mean?" I was genuinely concerned about this upcoming conversation between Equinox and I.

"I think we better go get Reev, and not worry about that till the day comes. There is little good that can mean if he is pulling you aside, especially since this is most to deal with Pyra", Ebony hinted.

An odd feeling rose out of the idea of separating from Pyra…one I could not really identify, but almost felt embarrassing. "See you soon", Rinn stated as they both left me with my thoughts.

'What is this?' I thought to myself. No reply. Classic me.

I shook my head, and moved on towards Claire's cabin.

-/:::\\\-

"No, they didn't talk at all. They were just glitchy and red eyed", I replied.

"I managed to find one at the police station…but he claims to have never been there, and then suddenly was decapitated by you", Claire stated.

'This is a dangerous concept', I thought. My fur rippled a bit in frustration.

"What do you think?" I asked her.

She hesitated, "You are highly talked of by Equinox. I don't see why you would go on a murdering spree and have the gall to stand In front him." My fur settled down a bit from her response.

"Whatever is causing this reaction or responses you have been getting, there is something deeper to it", she added.

"Well –"I started but Reev entered the room, followed by Rinn and Ebony.

Claire greeted them all with a nod and I turned to face Reev.

"How are you?" I asked.

"Eh, must be a big deal for you to finally pull that favor", he pointed out. I laughed, he was always straight to the point.

"I might need you to ghost a few protogen. I need to know a few of their hangout spots. Claire has been able to find out anything from the deceased protogen other than that they have no recollection of the events."

"Thank you, Rinn and Ebony, for helping me out", I replied with a weak smile.

Another Vultrix I did not recognize bust into the room. His fur was a dark brown with gold checkered patterns. "Fluxx?" He approached me.

"Yes?" I replied back. Everyone else was on edge from the sudden interruption.

"Flint is back", he stated.

The room went quiet. The other alpha is back.

"Why does this pertain to me?" I inquired and the other vultrix hesitated.

"Equinox will not speak to him unless you are present. He would not state why", he replied.

Ebony and Rinn turned to follow me, but the Vultrix raised a hand. "I am sorry, only Fluxx. He won't even let me be in there and I am part of his guard detail", he stated darkly.

They looked alarmed and Ebony's necklaced glowed. An angry look came over her face, I turned to face her, Again, I cannot thank you both enough. Especially you. I know it takes a lot for you to stay out of the action, but I cannot thank you enough for being my friend". I then gave her a quick hug, which I could tell shocked her, and she settled down.

I turned towards Rinn, who had an odd look for a second, jealousy?

"Thank you, both of you", I stated.

I looked past them and nodded to Reev, who seemed to understand the nonverbal thank you, and I followed the other Vultrix back to Equinox's chamber.

-/:::\\\-

I entered his chamber. Equinox was pacing, waiting, and stopped on my entry. "Fluxx. I was going to wait till after, but with Flint coming back, he may tell you before I think it is time. I would rather be the one."

I approached slowly, confused, "What?"

"Remember back when you were younger, prior to the training, and you went through a foster system here?" His tail was thumping nervously.

"Well, didn't you find it strange that I took you in when you started the mentoring program?" he asked me.

"Yes, but that was because none of the other teachers wanted me, much like my parents", I added.

Anger like I have never seen burned in Equinox's eyes for s split second and was replaced with sorrow, "No. Your parents loved you very much."

His response starting to put things into place. My whole life…

"You?" I asked in stupor.

"Yes", came his reply.

"That would mean…" I started…

"Yes", he replied again.

"Mom?" I asked, sparks as tears flittered from my eyes.

Pain filled his eyes again, "The only female alpha in existence, gone."

Shock rippled thorough me, "Wait that makes me…."

"Yes", he said again.

"Would you like to meet your uncle?"