Chapter Text
"We're moving. Now," Enjin ordered after some minutes, gesturing with his head toward the open corridor. He didn't wait for them to argue, turning on his heel and walking out into the dimly lit hallway, his heavy boots making a dull, rhythmic sound against the concrete.
Rudo didn't waste any time. He snatched his pillow off the floor, shoving it aggressively under his arm, and shot Zanka a look that clearly said 'this is all your fault and of that dumb alpha.' Zanka, meanwhile, was doing his absolute best to manifest a hole in the floor to swallow him whole. He grabbed his Lovely Staff, holding it securely by his side, and followed them out, his face still burning a mortifying shade of red even after some water.
The walk to Enjin’s quarters was painfully quiet. Zanka kept his eyes glued to the floor, his wood and incense pheromones still tightly coiled in sheer embarrassment, while Rudo occasionally mumbled something incoherent under his breath, dragging his feet in his slippers.
When Enjin unlocked his door and pushed it open, the familiar scent of the older Alpha—warm, grounding, and fiercely protective—immediately washed over them, acting like an instant balm to the tense, chaotic energy of the two younger Cleaners. Enjin’s room was larger, filled with stacks of old documents, a few spare machine parts on a workbench, and his massive, heavy-framed bed against the back wall.
Zanka walked toward the closet to pull out a temporary mattress pad, but Enjin caught him by the shoulder, his grip firm and unyielding.
"Leave it, Zanka," Enjin said softly, his voice dropping into that deep, serious fatherly tone that left absolutely no room for debate. He gestured toward his own large bed. "Both of you, get up there."
Zanka blinked, his pride instantly flaring up through his lingering exhaustion. "Enjin, I can sleep on the floor, I'm a grown—"
"I said, get up there," Enjin interrupted, his golden eyes flashing with a stern, protective warmth. "The thick, heavy tension from tonight is still hanging over both of you. Rudo is practically shaking from adrenaline, and your pheromones are a total mess, Zanka. Nobody is sleeping alone on the floor tonight. We're staying together."
Rudo didn't even try to argue. The lingering anxiety from the security breach had finally drained his energy, leaving him small and tired. He scrambled onto the large bed first, dragging his pillow with him and burying himself squarely in the middle of the mattress.
Zanka hesitated for a fraction of a second longer before letting out a defeated sigh. He carefully leaned his blue staff against the nightstand right within arm's reach and climbed onto the left side of the bed.
Enjin walked over, flicking off the main light switch and plunging the room into darkness before climbing in on the right.
The moment Enjin settled in, his powerful, comforting pheromone wrapped around them completely, acting like an impenetrable shield against the outside world. Rudo immediately curled into a tight ball, instinctively shifting closer until his messy white hair was pressed right against Enjin’s side. Zanka lay on his back, his shoulders finally dropping as the pure, undeniable safety of being flanked by his dad and his little brother washed over him. He reached over, resting a protective, grounding hand on Rudo’s shoulder, anchoring the pup between them.
"Oh, and Zanka?"
Zanka braced himself, closing his eyes tightly. "Yes, Dad?"
"If he actually tries to serenade you through the ventilation shafts, I'm letting Rudo throw a smoke bomb with 3R down there."
"Go to sleep please" Zanka groaned, throwing his arm over his eyes as the room finally plunged into absolute darkness.
Knowing both his kids were safe in his space, Enjin finally let out a slow breath, his heavy presence settling over the room like a protective shield.
Ensconced in the absolute security of their small family, the lingering panic of the night finally dissolved. Wrapped in the shared warmth and the fierce, united protection of Enjin's presence, the three of them finally drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep.
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The harsh morning sun cut sharply through the high, reinforced windows of the main dining hall, casting long, dusty beams across the rows of metal tables. The regular chatter of the early-shift Cleaners created a low, echoing hum against the concrete walls, the cold and somewhat unsettling presence of the Hell Guard at the very table where they had sat the night before made the atmosphere take on a slightly more serious tone; Kyoka and Goka were nowhere to be seen... It should have been a completely normal morning, save for the distinct, heavy aura of exhaustion clinging to the three specific people walking through the doors.
Enjin led the way, a massive mug of black coffee practically glued to his hand, his expression a perfect mix of standard morning grumpiness and lingering protective annoyance. Right at his hip was Rudo, dragging his feets with an aggressive scowl, his messy white hair sticking out in every direction from his sleep but his cleaner's uniform was spotless.
And bringing up the rear was Zanka. He was walking with his usual perfectly straight, prideful posture, his Lovely Staff resting securely against his back, but the dark circles under his blue eyes and the subtle, defensive form and incense pheromones spoke volumes.
As they made their way toward their usual table, a few Cleaners nodded in greeting, completely aware to the 3:00 AM madness, but Zanka was grateful that no one had mentioned the situation to him yet, but feeling the Hell Guard's eyes on his back made him uncomfortable; after all, most of them were old classmates.
"Move it, brat," Zanka muttered under his breath, giving Rudo a very slight, tense nudge forward as the kid slowed down to glare at a piece of toasted bread on someone else's tray.
"Stop pushing me, Zanka! I'm moving!" Rudo snapped back, his voice cracking slightly with morning irritation. He dropped heavily into his usual seat at the table, crossing his arms and throwing a sharp glare at the blue-haired Omega. "My back hurts from... well, just from waking up early. If your weird suitor shows up tonight, you're the one dealing with him."
"He is not my suitor, Rudo, and I will throw you out the window myself if you don't shut your mouth," Zanka hissed, his ears instantly flaring a noticeable pink as he sat down across from him, leaning his blue staff carefully against the edge of the metal table.
Enjin sat at the head of the table, letting out a loud, dramatic sigh before taking a long sip of his coffee. He set the mug down with a heavy clink and looked at Zanka, a slow, utterly merciless smirk spreading across his face.
"Oh, come on, Zanka. Don't be so harsh on the kid," Enjin teased, his golden eyes gleaming with pure, unadulterated fatherly mischief. "Rudo did the right thing. If a guy is brave enough to infiltrate our stronghold just to pitch a marriage proposal through a window, the least we can do is talk about the catering."
Zanka buried his face in his hands, his shoulders slumping as the pink on his ears rapidly spread across his cheeks. "Dad, please. I am begging you. It's seven in the morning."
"I'm just saying," Enjin chuckled, leaning back in his chair, thoroughly enjoying the torment. "If Jabber thinks he's getting my blessing, he’s going to have to do a lot better than throwing rocks at glass. I expect at least a formal offering. Maybe some high-grade cugarettes or something that's truly valuable enough to let him go out with you."
"He show his jinki in the air to wave goodbye, Dad," Rudo supplied helpfully, leaning forward with a wicked, bratty grin, entirely forgetting his morning grumpiness now that Zanka was suffering. "Does that count?"
"That counts as a weapon threat, Rudo," Zanka snapped, dropping his hands from his face to glare at the kid, his eyes flashing with a mix of fierce embarrassment and prideful defiance. "The only thing Jabber is getting from this base is a broken skull. I already told you, he is completely deranged. He doesn't know what he's saying."
"He seemed pretty sure about the 'made for each other' part," Rudo mocked, leaning his chin on his hand. "And the 'Zan-Zan' part. Gross. Plus, he's just a masochist alpha and he's already acting like he owns the place ¿what kind of husband is that? ."
Before Zanka could actually lean across the table to throttle his adoptive little brother, the heavy scent of hot food finally arrived as another Cleaner dropped off a tray of basic rations and eggs in front of them. The smell of breakfast momentarily distracted Rudo, who immediately snatched a piece of toast, though his ruby eyes kept darting back to Zanka with a lingering, amused smirk.
Enjin took another slow, loud sip of his black coffee, watching the two bicker with a relaxed but watchful gaze. The golden light in his eyes was steady now, the heavy, suffocating anger from the night before entirely hidden behind his usual calm, lazy demeanor.
"Just eat your breakfast, Rudo," Zanka murmured, forcing his chaotic pheromones to settle down as he picked up his own fork. He stared down at his plate, trying desperately to ignore the lingering heat on his ears, especially with Enjin sitting right there acting like a smug parent. "I don't want to hear another word about that lunatic."
"Yeah, yeah," Rudo mumbled around a mouthful of toast, rolling his eyes. "To keep 'Zan-Zan' out. I get it."
"Rudo, I swear to God—"
"Alright, wrap it up, you two," Enjin interrupted, setting his empty mug down with a definitive thud. The humor faded from his face, replaced by his grounded, serious tone as he looked at his kids. "Finish up your food. I'm heading over to inform Semiu and Corvus about what happened last night. We need to get this sorted out immediately."
Rudo groaned playfully but stuffed the rest of his eggs into his mouth, eager to excuse himself before the conversation turned any more serious. "I'll go to the common room, call me when we're about to leave for our mission. " the pup mumbled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and sliding off his seat. He shot Zanka one last mischievous grin before disappearing into the morning crowd of Cleaners, leaving the two men alone at the head of the table.
Zanka let out a quiet sigh of relief, leaning back in his chair as his wood and incense pheromones finally began to smooth out. He figured the teasing was over now that Rudo was gone.
He was wrong.
Enjin didn't stand up right away. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest, leaning forward slightly onto the metal table. The sharp, teasing glint in his golden eyes softened, transforming into that heavy, unmistakable look of a father preparing himself to give the talk.
"So~" Enjin started, his voice dropping into a low, deceptively calm register. "Now that the brat isn't listening."
Zanka’s shoulders instantly locked up. His blue eyes darted to Enjin, a fresh wave of panic rising in his chest. "Dad, please. You said you had to go talk to Semiu and Corvus."
"They can wait five minutes," Enjin said smoothly, entirely unbothered. He tapped his thick fingers against his coffee mug. "Look, Zanka. You're a grown Omega. You can handle yourself in a fight, and I don't micromanage your life. But as your dad, we need to establish some ground rules about the kind of alphas you let around you...Since your brothers or clan definitely don't have the right to do it, I'll do a spectacular job!"
"I am not letting him around me!" Zanka hissed, his ears flaring bright crimson again. He gripped the edge of his seat, desperately keeping his voice down so the nearby Hell Guards wouldn't overhear. "He is a stalker! A trespasser! There is no 'letting' involved!
"I know, I know," Enjin chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "But the fact remains that he's looking for you. And if a guy is going to risk his neck sneaking into a Cleaner stronghold, he's persistent. Which means you need to raise your standards, kid. If some regular Raider alpha wants to court a member of my family, he doesn't do it by passing round at three in the morning like a feral dog."
Zanka buried his face in a single hand, shaking his head. "... I just want to do my job."
"Hey, if you want to crack his skull next time, I'll even support you at the time" Enjin said, his expression turning entirely serious, a protective fatherly weight behind his words. "But jokes aside... you're precious to this crew, Zanka. To me. You don't tolerate anyone disrespecting your boundaries or throwing around their alpha presence like they own you. If someone wants to properly earn a place by your side, they have to show actual respect. They come through the front door, they look me in the eye, and they prove they can keep you safe. Not play ridiculous games outside your window."
Zanka slowly dropped his hand, looking up at Enjin. The fierce, defensive pride in his chest softened, replaced by a quiet, deeply rooted gratitude. Even though the conversation was mortifying, hearing the absolute protective certainty in his dad's voice made the last lingering remnants of the night's anxiety vanish completely.
"I know," Zanka murmured, his voice tracking back to its usual stoic, quiet tone. "I wouldn't ever settle for less. And I really am going to break his jaw if he shows up again."
"That's my boy," Enjin grinned, finally sliding his chair back and standing up to his full, imposing height. He picked up his empty mug, the heavy, grounding warmth of his presence settling over Zanka one last time. "Keep your eyes peeled today, and don't let the Hell Guards get under your skin. I'm going to find Semiu and Corvus. We'll handle this."
"And after I get back, we're heading straight out on the mission... Oh, right! Remember that four of the Hell Guards are coming with us," Enjin added, tossing a casual wink toward the table where the armored squad sat. "So I'll probably just grab them on my way out. If you could let the rest of the crew know so everyone's ready to move when I get back, that’d be spectacular, Zan-Zan."
Zanka simply nodded, a wave of relief washing over him as his prideful posture finally relaxed. Having a concrete task to focus on was the perfect lifeline, giving him a valid excuse to completely bury the humiliating memory of the window incident and push the intensely awkward fatherly lecture far out of his mind.
Seeing that his adopted pup finally understood the weight of his words and had calmed down, Enjin let out a soft, pleased rumble. He reached out with a heavy hand, fondly ruffling the Omega's ash-blonde hair. With a smooth, deliberate swipe of his wrist against the strands, he left a comforting trace of his grounding Alpha scent behind—a clear, protective marking of a father looking out for his son. With a final reassuring nod, Enjin turned on his heel and strode out of the dining hall, his mind already shifting toward the meeting.
The moment the doors closed behind the older Alpha, Zanka let out a long, shaky breath, letting his shoulders slump as he tried to process the absolute rollercoaster of emotions he had been riding since three in the morning. He wrapped his fingers around his cup, finally feeling the tight coil in his chest begin to unwind. He was safe. The teasing was over. He could finally just breathe.
Or so he thought.
Before he could even take a sip, a sudden, heavy pair of hands clapped down directly onto his shoulders.
Zanka practically jumped out of his skin, his wood and incense pheromones spiking in a sharp, startled wave as he whirled around defensively. His blue eyes widened only to lock onto Riyo, who was leaning over his chair with a massive, dangerously bright grin plastered across her face. The sheer, unadulterated amusement gleaming in her eyes sent a cold shiver down Zanka's spine, making one thing abundantly clear:
He was absolutely, positively not safe, and the nightmare was far from over.
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Barely ten minutes later, Zanka was standing in the middle of the main reception area, wishing more than ever that the floor would just open up and swallow him whole. To his left, Riyo was laughing so boisterously that a few passing Cleaners couldn't help but look over. She had just forced the full, unedited story of the 3:00 AM incident out of him, and she was thoroughly enjoying every single mortifying detail. Even Semiu, sitting gracefully behind her receptionist desk, was letting out a series of soft, amused chuckles, her shoulders shaking as she listened.
Zanka, on the other hand, had his burning face buried completely in his palms. His pride was in absolute tatters as he was forced to endure the agonizing embarrassment all over again, not to mention the physical weight of the red-haired Beta, who had entirely slouched against his side for physical support because she was laughing too hard to stand up straight.
"Oh, man... I swear, I absolutely adore this family! You guys always manage to completely crack me up~" Riyo wheezed, wiping a tear from the corner of her green eyes as she gave his shoulder a playful shove. "But hey, relax, Zan-Zan. I actually have some incredibly good news for you. First thing this morning, I went and tracked down Follo to ask him what exactly he had heard from last night—specifically, Enjin's furious dad-mode screaming."
Zanka slowly parted his fingers, his blue eyes shifting toward the girl he practically viewed as a sister. His tone was a mix of sheer exhaustion and sudden, deep suspicion. "¿What? Why on earth would you ask Follo something like that?"
But it wasn't Riyo who answered his question. From behind the desk, Semiu leaned forward, a knowing, gentle smile on her face. "Follo's room happens to be the closest one to the guest wing where the Hell Guards are currently staying. And well... you know, your older siblings."
The moment the words left Semiu's mouth, the blue-haired Omega went entirely still. He stood there blinking in silence for a few seconds, his mind frantically racing until the full gravity of the situation finally clicked into place. If Kyoka and Goka—or any of the formidable elite warriors under their command—had even a single inkling that a wild, chaotic Raider was sneaking through secure fences just to throw rocks at his window...They absolutely could not find out that Jabber was a Raider or he was screwed
"Exactly! So, you are incredibly lucky, my friend!" Riyo cheered, snapping her fingers as a triumphant grin spread across her face. "Follo said he only heard Enjin violently cursing out your late-night Romeo for being a creepy bastard, but he completely missed the word 'Raider' over the wind. And since the guest wing is right next door, it means the Hell Guards only heard exactly what Follo did!"
Zanka felt his shoulders subtly drop, a quiet wave of relief washing over his tense frame. At the very least, the worst and most dangerous part of the secret was still safely hidden away in the dark. But the relief was instantly crushed by a fresh, agonizing weight of mortification. The reality of the situation settled heavily in his stomach: every single member of the Hell Guard—people who used to sit in the exact same classrooms as him—along with his own older siblings, now knew about this absolute embarrassment.
He didn't even want to imagine what Kyoka and Goka's reactions would be if they dug any deeper.
Before he could spiral any further, the heavy double doors at the end of the corridor swung open with a loud, echoing echo. Enjin strode through the threshold, his imposing Alpha presence cutting through the room. Right at his hip was Rudo, his white hair practically bristling and his shoulders completely stiff, looking exactly like an agitated cat forced to walk alongside a threat. Just a few steps behind them followed Gris, Tomme, and Follo, and bringing up the rear were the four specific members of the Hell Guard.
It didn't take Zanka more than a single glance to recognize them. His blue eyes narrowed slightly as his memories instantly unlocked the identities of his four former classmates.
Leading their small group was a brown-haired Alpha with a horribly styled haircut. Zanka remembered him vividly as an absolute bootlicker, a toxic and envious individual who couldn't stand anyone else's success. Right beside him was his shadow, a dark blue-haired Beta who Zanka remembered as someone who constantly made up pathetic, convoluted excuses just to cover up his own weaknesses and lack of skill.
Directly next to them stood a female Beta with short, blue-black hair. Zanka’s memory of her was distinct and distasteful—she was a blatant copycat. His most recent memory of her was how, after watching Hyo demonstrate her incredible capabilities, she had immediately run off to copy Hyo's exact haircut in a desperate bid to look just as competent. Finally, bringing up the rear of the squad was a female Alpha, her long black hair pulled back into a high, tight ponytail. Zanka remembered her as the definition of a fake friend; she was the type of person who only grew close to others to subtly pry into their personal lives, sniffing out their secret tricks and weaknesses to use against them later.
Zanka silently closed his blue eyes for a brief moment, letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He slowly turned his head to look at Riyo, only to find the red-haired Beta already staring directly back at him.
No words were spoken, but in that single, heavy exchange of glances, both of them instantly came to the exact same realization. This mission was going to be incredibly problematic.
Enjin’s golden eyes immediately flared with a warm, unmistakable affection the second he saw the two of them standing together. Without a moment's hesitation, he strode over and clamped his massive arms over both of their shoulders, hauling them into a heavy, suffocating hug. Riyo let out a dramatic, high-pitched screech, complaining loudly about her hair being ruined as their father figure affectionately nuzzled his head against theirs, intentionally wrapping them both in a thick, comforting cloud of his fatherly pheromones, rich with the grounding scent of cigarettes and rain.
The moment the group arrived at the desk, Rudo didn't hesitate for a single second. He swiftly marched over and planted himself right at Zanka's side, standing exceptionally close—much closer than he usually did. The pup’s ruby eyes darted sharply toward the newcomers; it was glaringly obvious that he was intentionally putting his small body in the way, acting as a stubborn, bristling barrier to keep his older brother from having to get anywhere near those four Hell Guards.
"Alright, since everyone is finally here, step closer so I can give you the details of your mission for today," Semiu’s calm voice cut through the family antics. She smoothed out a large, detailed tactical map across the surface of her reception desk, waiting patiently for the group to gather around before she began to speak with her usual serene professionalism.
As the crowd shifted closer to the desk, Zanka’s sharp blue eyes flicked over the group. It didn't take him long to notice that the blue-black haired Beta girl was already at it again—without a shred of shame, she was subtly adjusting her posture, completely copying the exact, casual way Riyo was leaning against the structure. Zanka internally rolled his eyes, the blatant lack of originality practically giving him secondhand embarrassment.
"Since there is a fairly large number of you heading out today, we’ve prepared two Jeeps for the trip so you can all travel much more comfortably. Does that sound good to you?" Semiu asked as she finalized the route markers, her eyes shifting over the paperwork to look directly at Enjin and Gris. Both of the senior Cleaners gave a firm, unconditional nod of approval.
"Perfect, you are all free to head out and—" Semiu’s voice was completely cut off by the sudden, energetic arrival of Guita, who slid right up next to the reception desk, her face practically glowing with a proud, triumphant grin.
"The Chief and Bro gave me permission to go!" the fourteen-year-old cheered, her eyes shining with absolute excitement as she looked up at the white-haired Beta.
Semiu blinked in silence for a second, letting out a soft, permissive sigh as she realized there was no arguing with a direct green light from the top. The moment she nodded, the young pup bolted over to the rest of the team, launching herself straight into Riyo’s arms with a burst of excited, breathless giggles. Riyo caught her easily, matching her energy with a bright laugh of her own.
"Well, looks like we’ve got ourselves an extra teammate," Enjin chuckled, the amusement evident in his deep voice as he offered Guita a warm, fatherly smile.
But beneath his relaxed demeanor, the older Alpha silently breathed a sigh of relief, genuinely grateful that the young girl was joining their ranks for the day. Guita's unique abilities were incredibly efficient; with her on board, they had a much higher chance of tearing through their objectives and wrapping up this mission twice as fast—which meant getting his kids back behind safe, reinforced walls before the wasteland sun even began to set.
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The unlucky souls forced to ride in the exact same vehicle as Enjin were Zanka, who sat rigidly in the front passenger seat; Riyo, who was leaning heavily against the left window; and Rudo, packed right into the middle with his arms tightly crossed over his chest, scowling like a trapped animal. Sitting directly next to the white-haired pup was the brown-haired Alpha boy, while the remaining three Hell Guards piled into the very back seats.
Meanwhile, over in the second vehicle, Gris was taking care of Tomme, Follo, and Guita. Anyone who had ever experienced Enjin’s chaotic, terrifying style behind the wheel silently knew that Gris’s passengers were the truly blessed group today.
"Alright, since we're finally hitting the road, how about you four introduce yourselves?" Enjin spoke up, his deep voice easily cutting through the rumble of the engine as he calmly started up the Jeep. He shifted into gear and began navigating his way out of the stronghold's underground parking lot. "Your commanders gave me your names, but I still don’t know who is who."
The brown-haired Alpha sitting next to Rudo immediately puffed out his chest, adjusting his collar with a smug, sycophantic grin that made Zanka’s jaw clench. "I'll go first, Captain Enjin! I am Barris" he boasted, his voice dripping with an insincere, overly eager respect that screams a desperate desire to crawl up the hierarchy. "It's an absolute honor to serve under a veteran of your caliber today. I’ve always used to think that the Hell Guard could learn a thing or two from your raw strength."
From the back seat, the dark blue-haired Beta let out a fragile, nervous cough, nervously shifting his posture as if trying to shrink away from Enjin's looming rearview-mirror gaze. "I'm... Vane" he mumbled, his eyes shifting defensively. "Just so you know, my reaction times might be a millisecond off today because the barracks' ventilation system was giving me a terrible migraine all night. Otherwise, I’m usually top of my squad."
Right next to him, the copycat Beta girl with the short, blue-black hair sat up straight, crossing her arms and tilting her chin at the exact same sharp angle Riyo was using in the middle row. "Mina," she announced shortly, her eyes darting to the back of Riyo’s head to ensure she was mimicking the posture perfectly. "Ready to deploy and execute orders precisely as demonstrated."
Finally, the female Alpha with the high black ponytail leaned slightly forward, offering a perfectly sweet, synthetic smile that didn't reach her calculating eyes. "And I'm Kira," she purred smoothly, her gaze drifting over the backs of the Cleaners' heads, mentally cataloging the way Zanka gripped his Lovely Staff and how Rudo’s shoulders were tensed. "I’m looking forward to seeing how your specific crew operates in the field. We can all learn so much from each other's... unique little habits, can't we?"
Zanka stared fixedly out the front windshield, a vein practically throbbing in his temple as he gripped his blue staff a little tighter. He didn't even need to turn around to feel the absolute disaster brewing in the backseat. Between Barris's shameless brown-nosed flattery, Vane's pathetic excuses, Mina's unoriginal copying, and Kira's venomous, prying curiosity, this jeep was a ticking time bomb.
Beside him, Rudo let out a heavy, aggressive huff, his ruby eyes shooting a lethal glare at Barris for crowding his personal space. Oh yeah, this mission was going to be an absolute nightmare.
Enjin didn’t let the blatant brown-nosed flattery or the awkward tension derail his driving—though his foot hit the gas pedal with a terrifying amount of enthusiasm. The Jeep roared as it shot out of the underground tunnel and slammed over the threshold of the stronghold's massive outer gates, heading straight into the barren, unforgiving wasteland.
Zanka braced his hand against the dashboard as the vehicle bounced violently over a massive mound of compacted trash. Beside him, Enjin was just steering with one hand, taking a relaxed sip of his black coffee from a covered travel mug as if he were on a peaceful morning stroll rather than tearing through a literal desert of garbage.
"¡Enjin, put that mug down! ¿Are you really drinking coffe while behind of the wheel? " the voice of Zanka was low giving his father a tired look who just smiled at him
"Barris, Vane, Mina, Kira. Got it," Enjin said, his voice entirely unbothered by the bumpy ride as he checked his mirrors. "Well, consider this a practical lesson outside of your usual elite barracks. Out here in the wasteland, titles don't keep you alive. You watch each other's backs, you stay sharp, and you don't slow down the crew. Understood?"
"Understood perfectly, Captain!" Barris practically shouted, leaning forward so aggressively his head was right between Rudo and the driver's seat. "Your philosophy is exactly what the lower sectors lack. I'll make sure my squad follows your lead to a T!"
"Get your face out of my space," Rudo snarled, his voice dropping into a dangerous, feral growl. His ruby eyes flared as he aggressively jammed his elbow into Barris’s ribs, forcing the brown-haired Alpha to yelp and slam back into his seat. "You smell like cheap boot-polish and it's making me sick...¿And why the hell are you calling Enjin Captain?! That's stupid! "
"Hey! Watch it, kid!" Barris snapped, his face twisting into an ugly, envious scowl as he glared at the white-haired pup. "You're just a brat who got picked up from the gutter, don't think you can address a member of the Hell Guard like—"
"Barris," Zanka’s voice cut through the air like an icy blade. He didn't turn his head, keeping his sharp blue eyes fixed on the barren horizon ahead, but the subtle, dangerous spike of his wood and incense pheromones made the entire middle row freeze. His fingers tightened around his Lovely Staff. "If you finish that sentence, I will personally throw you out of this moving vehicle and let Gris run you over with the second Jeep."
Barris choked on his next words, his jaw clenching in fury. He hated Zanka—he had always hated Zanka back in their academy days. Zanka had always been the golden child, the effortlessly capable prodigy from a powerful bloodline, while Barris had to scratch and claw his way up by flattering the superiors. Seeing Zanka sitting comfortably in the co-pilot seat, oozing that same natural authority, made a toxic wave of jealousy burn hot in his chest.
In the back seat, Vane let out a loud, pathetic sigh, rubbing his temples. "Ugh, can you guys keep it down? The vibrations from this old Jeep are literally rattling my skull. My spatial awareness is going to be completely compromised if this keeps up..."
Right next to him, Mina was staring intently at the back of Riyo’s head. Seeing how Riyo had casually crossed her legs and leaned her chin on her hand despite the chaotic bouncing of the vehicle, Mina quickly shifted, crossing her right leg over her left and resting her chin on her hand in the exact same manner. She even tried to mimic Riyo’s bored, unbothered expression, though it just made her look like she was chewing on something sour.
Riyo caught the movement in the reflection of the side mirror. A slow, incredibly mischievous smirk spread across her face. Wanting to test her theory, Riyo suddenly reached up, violently tousled her own red hair until it stood up in messy spikes, and then began aggressively picking at her fingernails.
Sure enough, two seconds later in the backseat, Mina began frantically ruffling her own blue-black hair, trying to match the chaotic style while casually staring out her own window. Riyo had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing out loud.
"So, Zanka," Kira’s smooth, synthetic voice purred from the far corner of the back seat. She leaned forward, her calculating eyes locked onto the back of the Omega's neck. "Speaking of boundary breaches and keeping people safe... word travels incredibly fast in the barracks. We couldn't help but hear some rather fascinating noises coming from the eastern wing around three in the morning. Something about a loud-mouthed suitor making a scene outside your window?"
Zanka’s entire body went rigid. The faint pink tint from earlier instantly flared back onto the tips of his ears.
Kira’s smirk widened as she noticed the reaction, her mind already spinning with ways to use this hidden vulnerability. "A shame your older siblings weren't there to greet him. The second commander Goka would have probably torn him apart. It makes me wonder... what kind of alpha has the audacity to sneak past you're defenses just for you?"
Before Zanka could choke out a prideful, defensive response, Enjin’s heavy, commanding presence suddenly saturated the interior of the Jeep like a lead weight. The relaxed, lazy demeanor of the adult Alpha vanished in an instant, his golden eyes narrowing as he glared at Kira through the rearview mirror.
"The security breach is a tactical matter being handled directly by me, Semiu, and Corvus," Enjin stated, his deep voice carrying a terrifying, protective fatherly edge that left absolutely no room for gossip. "Unless you four want to explain to your commanders why you were prioritizing locker-room rumors over mission focus, I suggest you keep your mouths shut and scan the horizon for anomalies. We’re entering active territory."
Kira’s fake smile faltered, a cold sweat breaking out on the back of her neck under Enjin’s crushing Alpha glare. She quickly leaned back into her seat, looking away. "Of course, Captain. Just a harmless curiosity."
Rudo let out a loud, satisfied huff, thoroughly enjoying the way their dad had just shut the fake Alpha down. He shot Kira a smug, bratty look before turning his attention back to the wasteland outside.
Zanka let out a slow, quiet breath, his heart hammering against his ribs as his pheromones slowly settled back down under the comforting, protective shield of Enjin's scent. He looked down at his Lovely Staff, his jaw tightening. This ride was miserable, but the moment they hit the ground, he was going to make sure these four regrets of the Hell Guard realized exactly why he was the one leading the front lines.
Before any of the four Hell Guards could even think about uttering another word of gossip, Enjin’s foot slammed completely flat against the gas pedal.
The Jeep’s engine let out a deafening, metallic roar as it violently surged forward. They had just hit the true outer rim of the wasteland—a chaotic, unpaved terrain where massive mountains of compressed scrap metal, deep structural fissures, and sudden drops formed a literal obstacle course. And Enjin had absolutely no intention of slowing down for any of it.
"Hold onto your seats, kids!" Enjin shouted over the screeching engine, a wild, thoroughly amused grin spreading across his face as his golden eyes gleamed with reckless excitement. "Gris is lagging behind! Let's show 'em what this engine can really do!"
With a sharp, violent twist of the steering wheel, Enjin sent the heavy vehicle flying up the side of a steep mound of compacted junk. The Jeep launched entirely into the air, its tires losing complete contact with the ground for a terrifying, breathless second.
"AIIIINGH—?!" Barris’s smug, sycophantic composure instantly shattered into a high-pitched, completely undignified shriek. His hands flew out in pure panic, his fingers desperately clawing at the back of Enjin's seat as his stomach dropped into his boots.
The vehicle slammed back down onto the rocky ground with a bone-rattling *CRUNCH*, the suspension groaning under the impact. The violent jolt sent everyone in the back flying upward.
"MY HEAD! F-FOR DEAR SPHERE, THE AXLE IS GOING TO BREAK—!" Vane screamed, his hands flying to his head as he violently collided with the reinforced ceiling of the vehicle. His face turned a sickly, translucent shade of green, any excuse about his previous migraine completely forgotten as he clung to the door handle for dear life.
Enjin didn't even blink. He threw the Jeep into a drifting slide around a massive, rusted crane structure, the tires kicking up a massive, blinding storm of gray dust and debris. The sudden centrifugal force violently threw the passengers to the left.
Mina, who had been trying so hard to maintain her copied, crossed-legged posture, was violently launched sideways. She let out a panicked, breathless "WYAAAAH!" as she slammed hard against the window panel, her face pressing comically against the glass before she scrambled frantically to grip the overhead safety handle with both hands, her blue-black hair flying wildly in every direction.
Even Kira’s calculating, synthetic facade completely evaporated. As the Jeep tilted precariously on two wheels over a deep ditch, she let out a sharp, genuine gasp of horror, her fingers locking onto the headrest in front of her with a white-knuckled, death grip. "Are you insane?! Slow down! We’re going to flip over—!" she yelled, her eyes wide with unadulterated terror as she stared at the sheer drop just inches away from her window.
In the front row, the contrast was absolute perfection.
Zanka didn't utter a single sound. He simply kept his hands firmly braced against the dashboard, his blue eyes fixed entirely ahead as his body naturally swayed with the violent rhythm of the vehicle. He had ridden with Enjin enough times to know that panic only made the whiplash worse. Beside him, Rudo didn't look scared at all—in fact, the white-haired pup had a wicked, bratty grin plastered across his face. Rudo turned around in his seat, openly laughing and pointing an accusing, mocking finger right at Barris’s terrified, pale face.
"What's the matter, elite?!" Rudo taunted over the roaring wind, his ruby eyes gleaming with pure malice. "I thought you said you wanted to follow the Captain's raw strength! This is how a real Cleaner drives!"
"Shut up! Just shut up, you little demon—OH MY GOD, WATCH THAT ROCK!" Barris screamed again, burying his face in his arms as Enjin intentionally clipped the edge of a trash boulder, sending the right side of the Jeep airborne once more.
Riyo was practically suffocating from laughter, her hands gripping her stomach as she watched the four proud, elite soldiers completely unravel into a bundle of screaming, terrified nerves in the backseat.
"Don't worry back there!" Enjin bellowed cheerfully, throwing the steering wheel hard to the right and sending them into another terrifyingly fast descent down a steep trash dune. "The brakes only squeal like that when they're working! Just focus on the horizon!"
"WE ARE GOING TO DIE OUT HERE!" Vane wailed from the back, clutching a spare piece of cloth over his mouth as his stomach violently revolted, while the four former classmates silently prayed to whatever gods were listening that they would survive long enough to actually reach the mission site.