In Defence

Note: Viper is referred to as 'him' in the story by others till the identity is revealed of him being a girl.

....

Viper's either hands were pinned on the ground , on his either sides. With the Alpha hovering over him.

Their eyes meet to only have Mateo to move close to his neck to sniff him.

Trying to make sure of Viper's identity.

Confirming that it was not 'her'

And he was right. There was no scent. As he has heard about the Viper.

Tightening his grip on Viper's wrist he was drawing blood to force him to leave the knife. 

But Viper refuses bluntly.

Challenging him.

"A stubborn one huh?Give up and surrender. I promise to pardon you for your crimes to some extent"

Those brown eyes continue to stare at him unfazed.Not looking least bothered by his threat.

Making his anger to rise.

"I said surrender!" 

Nothing except silence could be heard. And that was it.Ripping the knife out of Viper's hands, Mateo attacks. To only have Viper to roll over missing by mere seconds.

Making both of them to get back on their feet again.

Mateo's chuckle is heard as he nods to himself. Rotating that knife on his fingers,to trace it's blade.

"Not to bad. But I can do better."

Attacking again, Mateo moves the knife skilfully. Trying to cause as much harm as he could, to only have Viper to dodge it successfully every single time.

It was like Viper could easily predict his move.

And that's when Mat smirks, looking at a tree behind. Attacking with  more severe blows.Viper keeps moving back, defending his each attack. To finally have his back hit the tree bark.

"Bingo"

Winking at the mysterious man, Mateo lifts up his leg. Blocking the person entirely. And for a second Viper felt dread.

And there was every reason to.

Because Mateo was not going to have any mercy. On rogues? Never. Tightening his grip on the knife, his father's dead face flashes in front oh his eyes. And he roots the knife in  Viper's thigh.

Breathing heavily.

"Suffer you bastard*s"

He roars looking at those brown eyes with hated,to get back nothing. Not even a single cry.

"Come on scream ..you filthy rogue!

He seethes. Rooting the knife more into the person's thigh. To get a reaction finally. Those black gloved hands of viper clench in fists by his side and Viper's neck arches back in pain.

Red blood, coats Mateo's fingers. To drop on the ground. But nothing.

No plea, no begging, nothing leaving the person's lips.

He searched into those brown orbs, for any sign of pain. To only see 'her' in this Viper again.

Making his grip on the knife to loosen immediately.

Why do these eyes look so familiar? Why is his wolf reluctant. Why is he feeling pity for a murderer, a rogue?

If only he could move aside this mask and see the person's face.

Lifting up his hand, his fingers move forward to touch the mask. Their eyes set on each other.

He was just inches away from pulling it off her face, revealing  Viper's identity.

When he felt a strong grip on his wrist stopping him.

"Never"

He hears a determined strong voice, matching the strength of the grip on his wrist. And next he knows. Tables are turned.

He is pinned on the tree with Viper changing hands with the knife. Placing the blade near his neck.

"Never, ever. Dare to touch me"

Was the warning the Viper seethes. And Mateo's narrows his eyes.

Why was this person hiding it's identity. 

What are his secrets.

Thudding of footstep resonate around and Mateo just leans back on the tree casually. Looking around at his forces arriving.

"It's no use now. Your thigh is bleeding profusely. You won't be able to run from here.

And my men have already surrounded this place."

Moving closer .He allows the blade to draw a drop of his blood on his neck.

Smirking in victory.

While Viper gulps looking around. Tightening the grip on the blade.

"If you think you know Viper? Think again Alpha"

"For the people that have seen this face."

.

.

.

" Are dead"

Pushing him back, Viper throws the knife just a centimetre away from his face to be rooted in the tree bark.

Making Mat go still.

"Goodbye."

Pulling out a small bottle from his cloak pocket. It was Viper's turn to smirk right now.

"Hope to never see you again"

Smashing the bottle on the ground, a huge bang is heard followed by a cloud of white smog surrounding everyone in it.

"Sh**! He is running! Dammit!"

Cursing, Mateo runs though the white clouds. Looking around. Finding him no where.

No! I can't loose him! Not like this!

He curses. When suddenly his eyes stop at the drop of blood trailing the ground and he looks in the direction of the trail towards the cliff.

Of course. He had to go there.

Without wasting a second. He runs after it. And just few minutes later he sees Viper's stumbling figure just near the cliff. His hands holding his thigh as he struggled to walk .

"Stop running Viper! Or I will shoot!"

He warns. To have him look over his shoulder. But he doesn't bother. Turning back in front, walking at the same pace.

"I said stop!"

And that's when Viper reaches the cliff. Turning around to look at him. 

And Mateo knew.

There was no escape from here, the game is over now. Viper can't run anywhere.

Mateo's army stands behind. With arrows in their hands. Waiting for their Alpha's order.

Mat's own bow aimed at Viper.

"One more step and you are dead. It's better to surrender Viper."

Mateo say taking small step forward. To see the person looking back into the 200 feet fall and the stormy waters.

It's sure death behind. This is the cliff of death as they say.

What is this man thinking?

Never has there been a survivor.

"We promise to be lenient. Surrender yourself."

And that's when Viper turns around to look him in the eyes. His words hitting home.

"You shouldn't make promises  that you can't keep Alpha"

Those eyes...they were fearless.

Not afraid to die. And that's when he already predicted Viper's next move for the first time till now.

Extending his arms, Viper pushes himself back.

Falling back into the depths of the unknown.

The men surrounding shoot the arrows and one managed to root in Viper's arm. But he didn't care.

Falling back, into the depths of death itself.

Viper escapes again.

Dead/ Alive not known.

"Dammit!!"

Mateo curses. Seeing his body hit the waves. To only wonder ,what kind of a crazy man this Viper was.

He couldn't escape falling  from the cliff of death.

Could he?

But again. He was Viper. And everyone almost knew.

He could do the impossible.

"Alpha! They were successful in the loot!"

One of the men says coming forward from behind and Mateo groans,  hitting the bark of a tree. Breathing heavily.

"Of course they were."

.

.

"What are you doing standing here now? Search the grounds below for a body!"

The guards nod. To follow the orders. As Mateo speaks with clenched fists.

Having felt defeat for the first time in his life.

"I want that Viper in any damn condition."

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"Dead or Alive"

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"Get him"