Page 97
THIRTY-FOUR
HOLD OR LET HER DIE
~ASH~
The knot finally begins subsiding after what feels like an eternity of environmental warnings and structural threats.
My cock slides free with reluctant ease, the separation creating immediate sense of loss that territorial instincts protest despite tactical necessity.
Jinx attempts to stand, only to have her legs buckle with visible weakness. She catches herself against the polymer tree with obvious frustration, silver-green eyes flashing with irritation at physical betrayal.
"My legs are jelly because of you," she grumbles with characteristic directness that fails to mask underlying satisfaction despite current inconvenience.
The complaint carries more pride than genuine frustration.
Her attempt at tactical coordination proves amusing given the obvious physical evidence of thorough satisfaction and comprehensive claiming. Enhanced Omega recovery typically restores function rapidly, yet the intensity of our claiming apparently exceeded normal parameters.
"You should be proud that your Alpha can do that to you," I counter with satisfaction that acknowledges successful territorial claiming while expressing appreciation for her response patterns.
The designation proves deliberate—recognition of pack hierarchy and mutual claiming that transcends simple sexual engagement.
Her expression shifts toward something approaching indignation at my presumption, though the flush spreading across her cheeks suggests arousal rather than genuine offense at territorial assertion.
Before our banter can develop further, her posture shifts with sudden attention that speaks to external communication rather than environmental awareness.
"The entire level is crumbling," she states with conviction that carries information beyond immediate observation, gaze focusing on something beyond visible range.
The specificity suggests communication source rather than tactical assessment.
Her certainty regarding structural integrity extends beyond what visual confirmation or atmospheric evidence might provide, knowledge that transcends immediate sensory input to encompass comprehensive situational awareness.
"Maverick says we have maybe three minutes before complete collapse," she continues with growing urgency that acknowledges time limitations and tactical pressure.
Maverick.
The name triggers immediate recognition of previous references to electronic communication and technological assistance.
An eyebrow arches as understanding crystallizes regarding the source of her apparent conversation with invisible presence. Not mental instability or psychological breakdown, but technological communication through means that transcend normal parameters.
"You have a transmitter where someone speaks to you," I observe with clinical assessment that acknowledges practical reality rather than expressing judgment regarding technological assistance or external guidance.
Her defensive response proves immediate and comprehensive.
"So I'm not crazy or anything," she explains with rapid-fire delivery that suggests previous challenges to mental stability or rational assessment. "Well, kinda, but anyway?—"
The admission carries humor beneath defensive justification.
Understanding that enhanced subjects often face questions regarding psychological stability when describing experiences that transcend normal human parameters or technological capability.
I remain silent for long moment, processing implications and tactical considerations.
External communication provides strategic advantage despite potential security complications or institutional monitoring. The guidance has apparently proven valuable throughout her navigation attempts, suggesting reliable intelligence rather than simple technological novelty.
After comprehensive consideration, tactical assessment reaches obvious conclusion.
"Okay," I state with characteristic directness that acknowledges practical reality without unnecessary emotional response or territorial challenge.
Her turn to stare with obvious surprise at my casual acceptance.
"Why aren't you freaking out like Riot and Sable?" she questions with genuine curiosity that suggests previous negative responses to similar revelations.
The comparison proves interesting regarding pack dynamics and individual response patterns.
Territorial Alphas typically react with suspicion or challenge when external influences affect pack member decision-making or tactical guidance. The fact that both previous encounters resulted in negative responses speaks to protective instincts rather than rational assessment.
"I don't need to," I respond with conviction that acknowledges personal capability while recognizing practical advantage. "I know how to fight, and that's more than enough."
The assessment carries truth beyond simple confidence.
Six years of navigating death traps and surviving institutional torture has refined combat capability to exceptional levels. External guidance provides tactical advantage, but survival ultimately depends on individual skill and determination rather than technological assistance.
Understanding appears to flow between us regarding different approaches to pack dynamics and territorial management.
Where others might view external communication as threat to Alpha authority or pack hierarchy, I recognize practical advantage that serves mutual objectives rather than challenging individual capability.
The ground beneath us gives another ominous crack, accompanied by mechanical grinding that speaks to structural failure approaching critical parameters.
Time for philosophical discussion has expired as environmental crisis demands immediate attention and tactical response.
Without warning, the artificial forest floor collapses.
Not gradual failure or progressive deterioration, but catastrophic structural breakdown that transforms solid ground into gaping void with devastating suddenness. Polymer supports snap with explosive force while synthetic earth plummets toward levels below with terminal velocity.
Jinx nearly disappears through the sudden break in what had been stable footing.
Her body tilts toward the void as artificial ground gives way beneath her feet, gravity asserting dominance over institutional engineering with merciless efficiency. Enhanced reflexes barely compensate for unexpected environmental failure.
Panic surfaces for the first time in six years.
Not tactical concern or strategic calculation, but primal terror that operates beyond rational thought or enhanced conditioning. The sight of her falling triggers responses that transcend everything institutional torture failed to eliminate through systematic application.
My fire-scarred hands shoot forward with desperate precision.
"JINX!" Her name tears from my throat with intensity that echoes through collapsing chamber, vocal cords straining beyond normal parameters as terror finds expression through pure desperation.
My grip closes around her wrist just as the void would claim her.
Scarred fingers lock with crushing force that prioritizes her safety over comfort or careful consideration. The sensation of her weight suspended over the abyss sends electricity through nerve endings that have known pain but never genuine fear.
Enhanced Alpha strength proves adequate for the tactical challenge despite awkward positioning and structural instability.
I haul her back from the edge with explosive force that overcomes gravitational threat through sheer determination and protective instinct. Her body collides with mine as momentum carries us away from immediate danger.
But the collapse continues spreading with mathematical precision.
What began as localized failure now encompasses entire chamber as institutional engineering surrenders to systematic breakdown. Every surface that appeared solid reveals artificial nature through catastrophic structural failure.
Environmental crisis demands immediate evacuation despite physical exhaustion and recent territorial claiming.
The artificial forest transforms from elaborate theater into comprehensive death trap as beauty becomes tactical liability and aesthetic enhancement threatens immediate survival.
I lift her with protective efficiency that prioritizes speed over comfort.
Her legs remain unsteady from recent claiming, designation response compromising motor control despite tactical necessity and environmental pressure. Enhanced Alpha strength compensates for temporary vulnerability through direct transportation and protective positioning.
Her arms encircle my neck with natural positioning that speaks to trust despite obvious danger.
The contact provides additional security while allowing tactical mobility through environmental chaos and structural collapse. Pack recognition operating through physical proximity and mutual dependence.
The race begins.
Artificial bridges span between remaining stable platforms, polymer construction groaning under stress as systematic failure spreads throughout level architecture. Each crossing represents calculated risk as weight limits approach critical parameters.
Countdown sirens activate with electronic precision that marks temporal limitation and systematic pressure.
Not mere warning but comprehensive timing system that coordinates environmental collapse with institutional scheduling. Entertainment value maximized through precise orchestration of survival challenges and tactical pressure.
I run with determined efficiency despite exhaustion from recent claiming and environmental stress.
Enhanced physiology overcomes normal limitation through Alpha conditioning and protective instinct that transcends personal preservation in favor of pack security and territorial responsibility.
Firestorms erupt from hidden vents as systematic destruction intensifies beyond simple structural failure.
Table of Contents
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