Tempest was in a state of shock.

She’d gone from floating in love with Dron to standing in the middle of what looked like a war zone.

She didn’t know how any of this could happen, but she would bet money that it had something to do with the men standing in the entryway blocking them from leaving.

"You don’t belong in this class." One of the men spoke. He was looking directly at Dron. There was a slight sneer on the man’s face as if he didn’t even think he should be talking to Dron.

Tempest surged forward, but Dron caught hold of her arm to keep her from moving any closer to the bastards that were blocking the exit.

"It’s you who doesn’t belong here." Tempest hissed at the men. It was all she could do.

"You should mind your tongue, omega." The man sneered in her direction. "You know, I’ve heard rumors in the high royal class. Seems you’ve become more trouble than they think you’re worth. I wouldn’t be surprised if your welcome in this land were soon no more."

Tempest knew that it was supposed to be a threat. Knew that the man was trying to say things that would get under her skin. She didn’t care. She didn’t want to be these people’s guest. She didn’t want to have anything to do with anyone who would harm these children in any way. She hated them.

"You might think the high royals have a say over my omega, but they don’t. Tempest will stay here as long as she wishes." Dron replied for her.

Tempest raised her chin in defiance.

She was so damn proud of him. She was sure if this were any other time Dron would’ve just let this alpha say whatever he wanted to him. Dron was stronger now. Even if he didn’t realize it.

The alpha sighed and turned his attention back to Dron. "Yes, you’re a problem, too. One, I’m more than happy to get rid of."

Gerax scoffed from behind, "That’s the plan? You are just going to kill Dron?" I don’t see how that’s going to go over." Gerax snapped at the man.

"Beta, I could destroy you with just the swipe of my hand. You should mind your own business. As for Dron, well, that’s simple. We came here to keep the peace. As you see, there has been a disastrous fire. A fire thought to have been started by someone. It would make sense that the man who suddenly developed an interest in. A class he wasn’t supposed to be in is the culprit. Dron the Arsonist has a good ring to it." The man standing in front of the door sneered in Dron’s direction.

There was a loud growl, and Dron crouched suddenly.

It only took Tempest a few seconds to realize what was going on.

This was a trap. They knew Dron and Tempest would come and check on the poor class. They were trying to kill Dron and maybe her.

In an instant, Gerax grabbed hold of Tempest and pulled her back. In that same instant, Dron leapt forward, tackling the men in the center of the room.

It sounded as if two large boulders had been thrown together. Instead, it was only two men. Tempest cringed at the contact. She still couldn’t understand how these alphas were able to put their bodies through so much and basically not feel it. Dron shoved a hand under the other alpha’s throat, but the other had already jumped on him. In such close quarters it seemed as if Dron were at a disadvantage. Tempest couldn’t stop herself from shaking with worry.

"No, stop it!" Tempest tried to pull away from Gerax. Tried to get to Dron and help. Not that she was sure she would be of any help. She was only a human woman. These men were alphas, the pinnacle of their species. Tempest wouldn’t stand a chance, and she knew it.

"No. You mustn’t. If you get hurt..." Gerax let the words fall from his lips.

Tempest turned to look at him. She thought what he was saying to be true, but there was no way that she could just stand there and let Dron try to take on all of these guests. Not on his own. She had to help. Had to do something.

"Let me go!" Tempest demanded, but Gerax didn’t release her.

She struggled in his grasp all the while keeping her eyes locked on Dron and the fight that was taking place in front of her. It was moving so fast as if they were fighting in a different atmosphere where gravity wasn’t an issue. Tempest sighed in relief when he watched Dron crack his fist against the chin of one of the attackers. He was holding his own.

Tempest forced herself to take a breath. She knew that he was more than capable of taking care of himself. More than capable of tearing through these men, but she still didn’t like to see him being hurt.

Dron lifted one of the opposition up over his head and slammed him down into the dilapidated floor. The weak wood gave out from under him, and the man crashed through. Dron didn’t hesitate. He turned onto the next man, who was bleeding from his nose and forehead. With ferocity, Dron clawed and punched at the man. The other alpha bellowed out in pain as Dron focused all of his primal alpha attention on him.

Tempest saw movement from the corner of her eyes. "No!" She cried out as she watched the other man rush from behind and grab hold of Dron. These guys weren’t some random males. They were all military trained. Alpha’s. The fighting skill was just as embedded in them as it was in Dron.

Dron was pulled back, his midsection on display.

Tempest watched as the other alpha yanked something shiny and sharp from a holster at his side and pulled it up as if he were going to bury the weapon deep into Dron’s flesh.

She couldn’t take it anymore. Tempest wrenched herself out of Gerax’s grip and leaned down to grab what she could.

It was a stone.

Tempest threw the stone as hard as she could at the man who was about to impale her love. It crashed into his skull with a thud, catching him off guard for a second. Dron shot a glance at Tempest, but he was quickly focused on the fight once again.

Dron lifted his feet off the ground and propelled them forward, using the man holding him as leverage. He kicked the man in front of him away while at the same time pushing the one holding him back against the wall, which shook and crumbled even more.

Dron flipped the man behind him onto the ground again, causing the floor to crack and splinter as his enemy was thrust through the ground.

"We have to get out of here!" Gerax shouted from behind Tempest. He didn’t run, but he wasn’t helping. Tempest didn’t know if he was trying to be brave or if he was still stuck in his fear. After all, Gerax was a scientist. She was sure fighting wasn’t something he took part in very often, if ever.

"I’m not leaving him! I won’t leave him here!" Tempest shouted back at Gerax and tried once again to take another step in Dron’s direction.

A step that didn’t connect.

The second she put her foot down on the ground, it seemed to give way from underneath her.

One second she was on solid ground, and the next it felt as if a full-on earthquake rumbled through the small shack that used to be Aixen and Pinat’s home.

Tempest felt her body falling for what felt like forever, and then she collided with a thud against the ground. Her head swam, and the wind got knocked out of her.

"Tempest!" Dron screamed, and then she heard more of the house give way. Soon all she could feel was the weight of wood and stone on top of her. The entire house had given way. At least that’s what it felt like to her. She covered her head the best she could and screamed, waiting for the rumbling to stop.

A few seconds later the rumbling stopped.

Tempest tried to move. She tried to get up, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t take in a breath. It was dark. She couldn’t see anything around her. There was also a distinct taste of blood in her mouth.

She couldn’t hear Dron or Gerax anymore either. There was nothing but darkness. Nothing but quiet darkness.

They’d won.

The ones going against them and everyone else in this class had won. She squeezed her eyes shut, praying for this nightmare to be over. Maybe it would be better this way. Maybe she would be gone and these people could go back to how their lives were. Anything had to be better than this.

Now all Tempest could do was hope that the end would come quickly.

She closed her eyes and let her consciousness slip away.